The Whet Palette Productions: Miami Food Blog & Podcast

Brenda Fernandez Popritkin
  • 4.8 (26)
  • Food
  • Biweekly

Embark on a flavorful journey with The Whet Palette Podcast, your premier guide to the vibrant culinary landscape of South Florida and beyond.  Hosted by Cuban-American writer and podcaster Brenda Fernandez Popritkin, this series offers in-depth restaurant coverage, engaging conversations with local chefs, sommeliers, and industry insiders, plus explorations of wine and travel experiences.  Whether you’re a local food enthusiast or an international gastronome, join us on your preferred podcast platform and savor the tastes and tales that make the culinary world so captivating. 

SUPPLEMENTS

An Extra Course of The Whet Palette

$4.99/month or $44.99/year

  1. Oct 11 ·  Video

    Mutra's Raz Shabtai: The Story Behind a Historic Miami MICHELIN Star

    Chef Raz Shabtai joins me for a deeply personal conversation about the journey from his grandmother's kitchen in Jerusalem to Mutra in Miami, the first kosher restaurant in the world to earn a MICHELIN Star. Long before the recognition, there was a shy young boy who found comfort in his grandmother's kitchen. He watched her hands work without recipes and learned lessons that extended far beyond food. Her generosity, resilience, and hospitality would eventually become the foundation of the restaurant that bears her name. We trace Raz's journey from his first restaurant job as a dishwasher through kitchens in Israel and New York, his experience as a private chef, and the decision to bring his interpretation of Jerusalem cuisine to Miami. He explains how memories, emotions, Florida's seasonal ingredients, and the traditions of his childhood shape the dishes at Mutra.  We also discuss the meaning of kosher cooking, the unforgettable moment Mutra received its MICHELIN Star, the pressure of maintaining that recognition, and why he refuses to cook for inspectors. There are plenty of laughs along the way, from Bad Bunny playing in his dining room to his unapologetic love for cheesy baked pasta. But perhaps the most meaningful moment comes when Raz reflects on being bullied as a child and shares a message for anyone who has ever questioned their worth. An honest and emotional conversation about identity, perseverance, hospitality, and cooking from the heart. Explore more: Website: https://thewhetpalette.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhetpalette/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-whet-palette-productions-miami-food-blog-podcast/id1603506826 Exclusive subscriber episodes and bonus content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1912639/subscribe Available on all major podcast platforms. Message Brenda Support the show

    Mutra's Raz Shabtai: The Story Behind a Historic Miami MICHELIN Star

  2. Sep 28 ·  Bonus · Subscribers Only

    Everyone Hates MICHELIN: The Stars, the Sponsors & the Skeptics

    Welcome to Supplements, the subscriber-only extension of The Whet Palette Podcast—an extra serving of the conversations, opinions, and behind-the-scenes perspective that deserve a deeper dive. For the first pour, I’m taking on everyone’s favorite year-round sport: hating the MICHELIN Guide. Are tourism-board partnerships proof MICHELIN has sold out? Does a Sysco sponsorship really compromise the stars? Are there enough inspectors to keep pace with MICHELIN’s rapid expansion? And while we’re at it, can we finally retire the claim that fine dining is dead? I’m separating legitimate questions from rumors, contradictions, and good old-fashioned MICHELIN outrage..with some hypothetical math, a few receipts, and very little patience for the sparkling-water conspiracy. Because disagreeing with MICHELIN is fair game. Claiming the system is compromised? Bring receipts. This is Supplements. A little extra. Just like the caviar.

    Everyone Hates MICHELIN: The Stars, the Sponsors & the Skeptics

  3. Sep 7 ·  Video

    BCPR’s Larry Carrino on Restaurant PR: The Spin, the Buzz & the Bullsh*t

    What does a publicist actually do for a restaurant? Can PR help win a MICHELIN star or James Beard Award? Do follower counts really matter? And when everyone with an Instagram account calls themselves an influencer, who actually moves the needle? I sit down with Miami's Larry Carrino, president of Brustman Carrino Public Relations, for a candid, funny and occasionally expletive-filled look behind the curtain of hospitality PR. Larry has spent more than 30 years in the business, working with restaurants, chefs, hotels and major events, including 18 years with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.  We talk about the relationships behind great PR, earned versus paid media, influencers versus real-world influence, impossible client expectations, crisis management and why no publicist can manufacture an award your restaurant hasn't earned. We also get into Miami's obsession with imported restaurant brands, why the places that actually belong to this city deserve more attention and, naturally, why your New York friends need to stop flying to Miami just to eat at Carbone.  Grab a glass of wine. Sit back. Listen in. Subscribe for more candid conversations with the chefs and hospitality leaders shaping Miami and the wider culinary world. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Audible, or wherever you get your podcasts. Come for the PR education. Stay for the Flanigan's defense. Cheers! Brenda Message Brenda Support the show

    BCPR’s Larry Carrino on Restaurant PR: The Spin, the Buzz & the Bullsh*t

  4. Aug 12 ·  Video

    Chef Juan Camilo Liscano’s Unscripted Journey: The Making of Palma

    What happens when a chef who spent much of his life moving finally decides to come home and build something of his own? Chef Juan Camilo Liscano joins The Whet Palette Podcast to trace the path that led to Palma, his intimate restaurant in Miami’s Little Havana. Born in Miami,  Liscano’s culinary perspective was shaped by family, travel, and formative kitchens across Los Angeles, Mexico City, New York, Miami, London, and Paris. We discuss the chefs and restaurants that changed how he thinks about ingredients, the lessons he carried home, the unexpected turn his career took during the pandemic, and what it required to create Palma from the ground up. Listeners will also learn about Palma’s design, the meaning behind its name, the evolution of its frequently changing menu, the one dish that (thankfully) refuses to leave, and how MICHELIN entered the story far sooner than expected. Palma: https://www.eatpalma.com/ The Whet Palette: https://thewhetpalette.com/ Subscribe for more candid conversations with the chefs and hospitality leaders shaping Miami and the wider culinary world. Grab a glass of wine. Sit back. Listen in.  From my "palette" to yours.  Cheers! Brenda Message Brenda Support the show

    Chef Juan Camilo Liscano’s Unscripted Journey: The Making of Palma

  5. Jul 10 ·  Video

    A Conversation with Alvaro Perez Miranda: From Artist to Restaurateur

    In this episode of The Whet Palette Podcast, I sit down with Alvaro Perez Miranda (artist, restaurateur, and one of the visionaries behind Miami's acclaimed Japanese restaurants) to discuss the journey that brought him from Venezuela to Japan and ultimately to South Florida. Alvaro shares stories on building restaurants in Japan, why he still considers himself an artist first, the inspiration behind Midorie, Hiyakawa, Ogawa, and Emelina. Plus, his hopes for Miami's future as a world-class culinary destination. In this episode: Alvaro's path from artist to restaurateurLiving and working in Japan for over 15 yearsThe meaning of Omotenashi and authentic hospitalityHow Japanese culture transformed his perspectiveDesigning restaurants with intentionMiami's evolution as a global dining destinationThe stories behind Midorie, Hiyakawa, Ogawa, and EmelinaAs always, from my "palette" to yours,  Brenda Fernandez Popritkin Message Brenda Support the show

    A Conversation with Alvaro Perez Miranda: From Artist to Restaurateur

  6. Jun 19 ·  Video

    Fireproof: A Candid Conversation with Chef Curtis Duffy

    Chef Curtis Duffy has spent decades pursuing excellence at the highest levels of American fine dining. In this episode of The Whet Palette Podcast, the acclaimed chef behind two-Michelin-starred Ever discusses the lessons learned from Charlie Trotter, Trio, Alinea, Grace, and the ongoing evolution of one of Chicago's most celebrated restaurants. We explore the culture of modern kitchens, the pursuit of Michelin stars, and the countless details that shape a world-class dining experience, many of which diners never even notice. Duffy also shares the story behind Ever's involvement in The Bear, what Hollywood got right about restaurant life, and why the series resonated so deeply within the hospitality industry. The conversation moves beyond the dining room as we discuss Fireproof, his memoir about resilience, personal loss, mentorship, and the determination to build a life defined by purpose rather than circumstance. Whether you're fascinated by Michelin-starred restaurants, hospitality, leadership, or the stories behind some of America's most influential chefs, this conversation offers a rare look inside the mindset of Chef Curtis Duffy. There's also a nod to Cuban chancletas and pastelitos. Yeah, we went there.  Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Message Brenda Support the show

    Fireproof: A Candid Conversation with Chef Curtis Duffy

  7. Jun 8 ·  Video

    MICHELIN Guide Florida 2026: Hot Takes, Hard Truths, and a Few Receipts

    The 2026 MICHELIN Guide Florida results have arrived, and as expected, the reactions were immediate. In this episode, I break down the winners, the surprises, and the predictions that came true. From Emelina and Mutra earning their first stars to notable Bib Gourmand additions and some glaring omissions, we'll dive deep into what the results mean for Florida's evolving dining scene. But this episode goes far beyond the list itself. I tackle the increasingly heated debate surrounding Cuban culinary identity, the ongoing arguments about who deserves credit for shaping the future of Cuban-influenced fine dining, and why I believe the entire conversation has drifted away from what actually matters: the food. We'll also address some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding MICHELIN. This includes accusations of pay-to-play, inspector qualifications, and why criticism is healthy, but only when it's rooted in experience, curiosity, and a genuine desire to understand. Finally, we zoom out to discuss something even bigger than MICHELIN: the state of Miami food media, who gets to shape the narrative of a city, and why preserving the story of Florida's culinary growth matters now more than ever. Whether you love the guide, hate the guide, or simply enjoy following the conversation, this is one of the most important discussions I've had all year. Grab a glass of wine. Sit back. Listen in.  From my "palette" to yours.  Cheers! Brenda thewhetpalette.com Message Brenda Support the show

    MICHELIN Guide Florida 2026: Hot Takes, Hard Truths, and a Few Receipts

  8. May 20 ·  Video

    Kojin: Chef Katherine Mederos on Motherhood, Michelin, and Miami

    What does it really take to build a restaurant in Miami right now? In this deeply personal episode of The Whet Palette Podcast, Chef Katherine Mederos of Kojin opens up about the reality behind the restaurant world: motherhood, Michelin pressure, burnout, sustainability, creativity, and surviving the chaos of hospitality while trying to build something meaningful. From Kojin’s early pop-up days with no true kitchen… to becoming Michelin Guide Recommended… Katherine shares the sacrifices, growing pains, and emotional moments that shaped both her career and her family. We also dive into pastry science, culinary school, sustainability initiatives, farm projects, Miami dining culture, work-life balance, and yes… finally fact-checking Chef Pedro Mederos’ version of how they met.  This episode is raw, funny, honest, and one of the most human conversations yet on The Whet Palette Podcast.  LISTEN HERE or find it on your favorite Podcast platform AppleSpotifyiHeartradioAmazon MusicAudibleFrom my palette to yours,  Cheers!  Brenda Message Brenda Support the show

    Kojin: Chef Katherine Mederos on Motherhood, Michelin, and Miami
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About

Embark on a flavorful journey with The Whet Palette Podcast, your premier guide to the vibrant culinary landscape of South Florida and beyond.  Hosted by Cuban-American writer and podcaster Brenda Fernandez Popritkin, this series offers in-depth restaurant coverage, engaging conversations with local chefs, sommeliers, and industry insiders, plus explorations of wine and travel experiences.  Whether you’re a local food enthusiast or an international gastronome, join us on your preferred podcast platform and savor the tastes and tales that make the culinary world so captivating. 

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