Niver Niver Land

Gleam Tower Media
  • 4.9 (82)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

PRESENTED BY LAND O LAKES FOODSERVICE Welcome to Niver Niver Land: a podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry. The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesota's Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, Saint Dinette, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. Today, he runs  Mucci's Italian in St. Paul. Tim sees a major problem with industry dialogue: nobody is having realistic conversations about the ongoing, unprecedented change. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what has happened over the last two years. Today, Tim is ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants.

  1. JAN 14

    On Timelines and Through Lines: A Restaurateur’s Perspective on an Industry in Flux

    We bring this episode to you today with a heavy heart. Following the tragic killing of Renee Good by ICE officers and the subsequent unrest unfolding across Minneapolis and the country, we debated whether now was the time to share this. We chose to move forward because hospitality is, at its core, the story of our community. To understand where our city is going, we have to look at the spaces where we’ve gathered, worked, and lived for the last thirty years. This is a reflection of the social and cultural shifts in the United States, seen through the lens of the dining room. And so in this episode, we’re out of the Mucci's studio and on the street. I take ya'll on a site-by-site tour of my career, discussing how the industry has transformed over the last few decades. The Stops on the Tour: The Hyatt Regency & Aquavit: Where the foundation was laid.Town Talk Diner: The spark of a Minneapolis institution.The Strip Club Meat and Fish: A legendary run in Dayton's Bluff.Saint Dinette: Defining the modern Lowertown vibe.Mucci’s (St. Paul): The final stop and the current pulse of my work.Along the way, I talk all about the changing tastes of the Twin Cities, what it really takes to survive three decades in the restaurant business, and what could be next for the industry. -- NiverNiverLand is sponsored by Land O’Lakes Foodservice. You might be familiar with Land O'Lakes Butter and cheese in the grocery aisle, but did you know they also sell dairy products specifically developed for use in foodservice kitchens? If you're a chef or operator in the industry, check out their offerings like Extra Melt® cheese sauces, shreds, and loaves - providing creamy, melty, crave-able appeal for your menu from smashburgers to baked mac and cheese to signature queso…and so much more. Farmer-owned since 1921, choosing Land O'Lakes® products for your kitchen helps support more than 1,000 Land O’Lakes farmer-owners. https://www.landolakesfoodservice.com/

    1h 23m

  2. JAN 2

    Niver Niver Land LIVE: featuring Jeff Rogers and Breanna Evans of Wrecktangle Pizza

    This episode of Niver Niver Land features a high-energy live recording from the Falling Knife Brewing Company taproom, where host Tim Niver sits down with the duo behind the Wrecktangle Pizza empire: Jeff Rogers and Breanna Evans. Recorded in December 2025, the conversation dives into the messy, beautiful, and often hilarious reality of running a rapidly expanding restaurant group while maintaining a partnership. From their rise from food hall startup to national acclaim on Good Morning America, Jeff and Breanna share what it’s actually like to navigate the "massive change" of today's hospitality industry. In this episode, we explore: The Partnership Dynamic: How Jeff (Chef/Owner) and Breanna (COO and "Sunshine Director") balance business growth with their personal lives.The "Wrecktangle" Rise: Navigating the shift from a niche Detroit-style pizza pop-up to a multi-location powerhouse.Industry Realities: A candid look at the challenges of modern restaurant operations, including the recent closure of Wrestaurant at the Palace and what "exiting" really feels like.Live Q&A: The team takes questions from the Falling Knife crowd, covering everything from flavor profiles to the importance of community and "beer and a bump" culture.-- NiverNiverLand is sponsored by Land O’Lakes Foodservice. You might be familiar with Land O'Lakes Butter and cheese in the grocery aisle, but did you know they also sell dairy products specifically developed for use in foodservice kitchens? If you're a chef or operator in the industry, check out their offerings like Extra Melt® cheese sauces, shreds, and loaves - providing creamy, melty, crave-able appeal for your menu from smashburgers to baked mac and cheese to signature queso…and so much more. Farmer-owned since 1921, choosing Land O'Lakes® products for your kitchen helps support more than 1,000 Land O’Lakes farmer-owners. https://www.landolakesfoodservice.com/

    1h 13m

  3. 12/12/2025

    Jasmine Weiser Kaysen: Closing Edward's Dessert Kitchen & Chasing New Beginnings

    NiverNiverLand is sponsored by Land O’Lakes Foodservice. You might be familiar with Land O'Lakes Butter and cheese in the grocery aisle, but did you know they also sell dairy products specifically developed for use in foodservice kitchens? If you're a chef or operator in the industry, check out their offerings like Extra Melt® cheese sauces, shreds, and loaves - providing creamy, melty, crave-able appeal for your menu from smashburgers to baked mac and cheese to signature queso…and so much more. Farmer-owned since 1921, choosing Land O'Lakes® products for your kitchen helps support more than 1,000 Land O’Lakes farmer-owners. https://www.landolakesfoodservice.com/

    1h 20m

  4. 11/28/2025

    Zen Box Izakaya: Exit Interview with Owners John Ng and Lina Goh

    NiverNiverLand is sponsored by Land O’Lakes Foodservice. You might be familiar with Land O'Lakes Butter and cheese in the grocery aisle, but did you know they also sell dairy products specifically developed for use in foodservice kitchens? If you're a chef or operator in the industry, check out their offerings like Extra Melt® cheese sauces, shreds, and loaves - providing creamy, melty, crave-able appeal for your menu from smashburgers to baked mac and cheese to signature queso…and so much more. Farmer-owned since 1921, choosing Land O'Lakes® products for your kitchen helps support more than 1,000 Land O’Lakes farmer-owners. https://www.landolakesfoodservice.com/

    27 min

  5. 11/07/2025

    Ed Porter: On The Art of Cooking and Rapping and Being Human

    Ed Porter is a creative storyteller who moves fluidly between the worlds of food, music, and media. Born in Mount Vernon and raised in The Bronx, Ed’s journey took him from the kitchens of acclaimed restaurants like Aquavit, Café Beulah, and Sweet Ophelia’s to the screen, where he appeared on Guy’s Grocery Games (Food Network) and Netflix’s Pressure Cooker. He trained at the Culinary Institute of America, but his foundation was built earlier: in music. That early passion still informs his perspective on the world. For Ed, creativity is a language that transcends medium—and storytelling is the vehicle. In this episode, we talk about:  – the parallels between food and music  – the limits of traditional fine dining  – how he embraces the modern concept of "personal brand"  – and why he’s more interested in storytelling than prestige It’s a conversation that sits at the intersection of flavor, feeling, and philosophy.

    1h 33m

  6. 09/19/2025

    Saturday Dumpling Co: From Dumpling Home Cooks to Business Owners

    Yo, fam! Peter Bian and Linda Cao, the founders of Saturday Dumpling Co., join us on Niver Niver Land to unpack their journey: from making frozen dumplings during the pandemic to opening their first restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis and expanding into food halls. They share how family recipes, creative risks, and community values shape every dumpling, rice bowl, and new menu idea. This episode is all about hope, grit, and what it means to build something meaningful in the hospitality industry. -- NiverNiverLand is sponsored by Land O’Lakes Foodservice. You might be familiar with Land O'Lakes Butter and cheese in the grocery aisle, but did you know they also sell dairy products specifically developed for use in foodservice kitchens? If you're a chef or operator in the industry, check out their offerings like Extra Melt® cheese sauces, shreds, and loaves - providing creamy, melty, crave-able appeal for your menu from smashburgers to baked mac and cheese to signature queso…and so much more. Farmer-owned since 1921, choosing Land O'Lakes® products for your kitchen helps support more than 1,000 Land O’Lakes farmer-owners. https://www.landolakesfoodservice.com/

    1h 23m

  7. 09/03/2025

    Jonathan Janssen, GM of Vinai: Operating the Most Celebrated Restaurant in the Midwest

    Presented by Land O'Lakes Foodservice - What up, fam?? Jonathan Janssen, General Manager and Partner at Vinai, joins me to share what it’s been like to run one of America’s top new restaurants. From The New York Times to James Beard, Vinai’s ascent has been swift, yet for Jonathan, the heart of the job remains in the day-to-day: creating a space that honors Hmong heritage, leading a team in the spotlight, and keeping hospitality human at every table. -- NiverNiverLand is sponsored by Land O’Lakes Foodservice. You might be familiar with Land O'Lakes Butter and cheese in the grocery aisle, but did you know they also sell dairy products specifically developed for use in foodservice kitchens? If you're a chef or operator in the industry, check out their offerings like Extra Melt® cheese sauces, shreds, and loaves - providing creamy, melty, crave-able appeal for your menu from smashburgers to baked mac and cheese to signature queso…and so much more. Farmer-owned since 1921, choosing Land O'Lakes® products for your kitchen helps support more than 1,000 Land O’Lakes farmer-owners. https://www.landolakesfoodservice.com/

    1h 15m

  8. 08/20/2025

    Jason Hansen & Peter Sebastian: Building Restaurants with Heart

    Presented by Land O'Lakes Foodservice - What up, fam! Jason Hansen and Peter Sebastian join us to trace their restaurant journey, from the cozy Southern European soul of Estelle, to the retro-sandwich comfort of Mario’s, and now Liliana, a modern Italian pasta bar in Woodbury. They share how they balance culinary ambition with community vibes, and why their newest joint feels both familiar and fresh. -- NiverNiverLand is sponsored by Land O’Lakes Foodservice. You might be familiar with Land O'Lakes Butter and cheese in the grocery aisle, but did you know they also sell dairy products specifically developed for use in foodservice kitchens? If you're a chef or operator in the industry, check out their offerings like Extra Melt® cheese sauces, shreds, and loaves - providing creamy, melty, crave-able appeal for your menu from smashburgers to baked mac and cheese to signature queso…and so much more. Farmer-owned since 1921, choosing Land O'Lakes® products for your kitchen helps support more than 1,000 Land O’Lakes farmer-owners. https://www.landolakesfoodservice.com/

    1h 29m
See All (49)

4.9
out of 5
82 Ratings

About

PRESENTED BY LAND O LAKES FOODSERVICE Welcome to Niver Niver Land: a podcast that addresses massive change in the restaurant industry. The show is hosted by award-winning restaurateur Tim Niver – a local legend of Minnesota's Twin Cities – known for his involvement with fabled spots like Aquavit, Town Talk Diner, Saint Dinette, and Strip Club Meat & Fish. Today, he runs  Mucci's Italian in St. Paul. Tim sees a major problem with industry dialogue: nobody is having realistic conversations about the ongoing, unprecedented change. Many of those who work in the industry are still trying to wrap their heads around what has happened over the last two years. Today, Tim is ready to talk about these things – through his trademark wit and foolishness – so that we can better appreciate and preserve the cultural importance of restaurants.

Information

  • Creator
    Gleam Tower Media
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Niver Niver Land
  • Show Website
    Niver Niver Land

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