NC F&B Podcast North Carolina Food & Beverage

We sit down with partners of Spirit of the Dao, Drew Schenck and Kevin Barrett, to discuss their newest venture into the spirits world: Moonbird Gin and Goatz Spiced Rum. Owners of the well-respected cocktail lounges across the state: Dram & Draught, have created an English dry gin and a Barbados spiced rum. Both have recently received top honors at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (Double Gold & Gold respectively) and are headed for national distribution soon. Get an insight on to how their creations were thoughtfully planned out and executed with some of the top minds in the industry. We also are happy to announce that Dram & Draught will be our beverage sponsor for this year's BUBBLES & BRISKET event this June 8th! Get your tickets NOW!!!
On the mic this week:
@trujillo.media
@weisswine
Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod
Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod
Support our Sponsors:
SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!
Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here
And welcome our newest sponsor Got To Be NC!

In the first half of this week’s episode, we explore the intersection of comedy and culinary culture, featuring comedians @davewcomedy & @bourbonshowdown who blend humor with a love for food and beverage, particularly barbecue and bourbon. 
We shift for the second half with our newest sponsor of the podcast, @gottobeNC’s own Chad Blackwelder to discuss the importance of why promoting local food makers across the state and fostering collaborations with chefs help to create a unique culinary industry.
On the mic this week:
@trujillo.media
@weisswine
Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod
Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod
Support our Sponsors:
SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!
Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here
And welcome our newest sponsor Got To Be NC!

We packed up the family wagon and headed to the coast to explore the Beaufort Wine and Food Festival, discussing wine, culinary delights, local seafood sustainability, oyster farming, and the festival's evolution. 
Engage with wine experts like chef/sommelier, Doreen Colondres, learn about sourcing local seafood from Captain John Mallett of Southern Breeze Seafood, learning about the life of an 18 year old oyster farmer from Changing Tide Oyster Co, and steady guidance of the food industry from our very own Chad Blackwelder of Got to Be NC, our new sponsor to the show!
Max's wife of 19 years, Felicia Trujillo of Food Seen makes a cameo to help the conversation about what it takes to become wine certified through the WSET. 
 
On the mic this week:
@trujillo.media
@weisswine
Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod
Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod
Support our Sponsors:
Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!
Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Delve into the enchanting world of champagne with Laurent-Perrier, through insightful discussions from the 4th generation of the family, Lucie Pereyre, about their rich history, dedication to quality, and innovative practices. Learn about the nuances of champagne-making, the importance of Grand Cru vineyards, and the company's commitment to excellence across generations. Joined by the President of Laurent Perrier US, Michelle DeFeo, discover the unique position of Laurent-Perrier in the market and the fascinating journey through time towards future champagne innovations.
On the mic this week:
@trujillo.media
@weisswine
Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod
Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod
Support our Sponsors:
Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!
Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Jessica Lee and Kelly Santel met at the Club. Got married at the Club, and even had a child... at a hospital... c'mon, there's health regulations... and sometimes it simply doesn't work out. But sometimes, it actually turns into something beautiful in its own unique way. 
Listen in to hear the ex-couple, but current business owners, detail their journey of running the University Club amidst a divorce, a pandemic, and coming together to co-parent their 2 children, their daughter, and The University Club.
We also delve into the Club's Chef Alejandro Uribe's culinary competition victory at Cooking for the Kids.
On the mic this week:
@trujillo.media
@weisswine
Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod
Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod
Support our Sponsors:
Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!
Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here

Chef Bennett Depew, Director of Italian for Sysco of the Carolinas. The discussion covers the rising popularity of Italian cuisine in America, particularly in the Carolinas, and the evolution of Italian cooking from traditional dishes to novel ingredients like 'nduja and Taleggio cheese. Chef Bennett shares insights on how the Italian segment of the restaurant industry uniquely thrived during the pandemic due to the travel-friendly nature of Italian cuisine. They delve into how restaurants can maintain profitability amidst changing trends like gluten-free diets and the use of technology to streamline operations. The conversation also touches on the importance of work-life balance in the restaurant industry, the role of Cisco in supporting local businesses, and the benefits of utilizing technology and local sourcing to improve restaurant operations and menu offerings.
 
00:00 Welcome to the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast
00:49 Introducing Chef Bennett Depew: A Deep Dive into Italian Cuisine
01:13 The Evolution and Resilience of Italian Food in America
04:57 The Art and Zen of Pasta Making
10:32 Navigating the Business Side: From Chef to Cisco Specialist
16:40 The Journey to the 'Dark Side': Transitioning from Chef to Sales
22:45 Reflecting on the First Day and Sales Experiences
22:56 The Evolution of Work-Life Balance in the Restaurant Industry
24:02 Improving Quality of Life for Restaurant Workers
25:45 The Impact of Minimum Wage Laws on the Restaurant Industry
27:55 Rethinking Tipping and Sales Commissions in Restaurants
29:17 Leveraging Technology for Restaurant Efficiency
33:35 Exploring Italian Cooking Trends and Ingredients
39:10 The Significance of Local Sourcing and Cisco's Role
42:13 Big Business Supporting Small: A New Era of Convenience
On the mic this week:
@trujillo.media
@weisswine
Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod
Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod
Support our Sponsors:
Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!!
Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here