Supper with Sylvia Perez - Chicago's Foodie Podcast

Sylvia Perez
  • 4.8 (23)
  • Food
  • Semiweekly

Pull up a chair and join Emmy Award-winning journalist Sylvia Perez for Supper With Sylvia Perez. In this podcast, Chicago’s most fascinating chefs, celebrities, and changemakers share unforgettable stories over a delicious meal. From Food Network stars to cultural icons, each episode blends mouthwatering conversation with the flavors that make Chicago a world-class food destination. 🌟 Featured Guests Who Inspire and Entertain Past episodes have welcomed an extraordinary lineup, including: Al Roker, Today Show legend and culinary enthusiastJeff Mauro, Food Network star and Sandwich King himselfChef Art Smith, celebrity chef and Oprah’s former personal chefRick Bayless, award-winning chef and restaurateur …and many more newsmakers, chefs, and personalities shaping Chicago’s culture and cuisine. 🎙️ What You’ll Discover Each week, Supper With Sylvia Perez serves up:  ✅ Authentic, unscripted interviews that go beyond the headlines ✅ Behind-the-scenes stories from kitchens, newsrooms, and stages ✅ Recipes and culinary inspiration to try at home ✅ A celebration of Chicago’s diverse food scene and the people who fuel it Whether you’re a food lover, a storytelling fan, or simply curious about the voices behind your favorite restaurants and headlines, this podcast will feed your curiosity and your appetite. 📲 Listen & Subscribe Follow Supper With Sylvia Perez wherever you get your podcasts and never miss an episode of Chicago’s most flavorful conversations. Produced by Jennie Waters Music, Audio  and Technical Support by Donnie Cutting Marketing and Media Promotions by Julie Lokun Director of Digital Operations and Social Media Magali Blasdell

  1. 4d ago

    Move Over, Chocolate! Sweet, Sour & Dirty (Soda!) with Candycopia

    With Halloween around the corner, we’re talking all things sweet! On this episode of Supper with Sylvia, we sit down with Patrick and Alycia Mason, the husband-and-wife duo behind Candycopia. The hit suburban candy shop with locations in Oak Park and Elmhurst, Illinois, is winning over candy lovers with its popular Swedish gummies, dirty sodas, sour challenges, and nostalgic favorites. From colorful gummies to handmade creations from small-batch candymakers, Candycopia is all about discovering something delicious and unexpected. Patrick and Alycia share the inspiration behind their business, their recent Guinness world record, and how they’re bringing a whole new world of sweets to their community. Tune in for a fun, flavorful conversation that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Because there’s no better time to talk candy than Halloween!  📌Check out  SupperwithSylvia on Instagram. 📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.  🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite. 👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products Producer: Jennifer Waters Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting Strategy and Partnerships: Iliana Blasdell

    Move Over, Chocolate! Sweet, Sour & Dirty (Soda!) with Candycopia

  2. Oct 15

    Lettuce Entertain You: Keeping the Legacy Fresh

    More than 50 years and 130 restaurants later, the Melman family is still at the table - and the next generation is pulling up a chair. In this special live episode ofSupper with Sylvia, we’re sitting down with the Melman kids to talk about what it was really like growing up in a restaurant family. We get into working alongside a legendary dad, sibling dynamics, the pressures and privileges of carrying on a family legacy, and how this next generation is putting its own spin on the business. It’s a conversation about family, food, Chicago, and figuring out how to honor what came before, while creating what comes next. A very special thanks to Darryl Smith and the team at Sushi-san for their hospitality in hosting this live podcast event, for the benefit of Chicago Chefs Cook.  📌Check out  SupperwithSylvia on Instagram. 📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.  🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite. 👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products Producer: Jennifer Waters Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting Strategy and Partnerships: Iliana Blasdell

    Lettuce Entertain You: Keeping the Legacy Fresh

  3. Oct 1

    Between Two Worlds: Monti Carlo’s Spanglish Story

    For Monti Carlo, being “between worlds” was never just a figure of speech. Growing up as a Puerto Rican girl in Houston, she learned to navigate two cultures, and questions about where, and how, she belonged.  In her cookbook, Spanglish, Monti traces that journey through food, family, and the experiences that shaped her. She shares her story of becoming a single mom to finding her way onto the MasterChef stage, building a career in television, and eventually making her way to the James Beard red carpet. But this conversation goes beyond Monti’s impressive career. It’s about identity, belonging, and the freedom that comes with embracing every part of background. Today, she is proudly Puerto Rican, proudly Spanglish, and unapologetic about both. Her story, and her food, are a celebration of what can happen when the spaces between cultures become a place you can truly call home. 📌Check out  SupperwithSylvia on Instagram. 📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.  🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite. 👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products Producer: Jennifer Waters Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting Strategy and Partnerships: Iliana Blasdell

    Between Two Worlds: Monti Carlo’s Spanglish Story

  4. Sep 17

    Two Pennies and a Comeback: Thai Dang’s Remarkable Story

    What does it take to lose almost everything, and build it all back? In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, we sit down with Chicago chef Thai Dang for a deeply personal conversation about the journey that brought him here. After immigrating from Vietnam as a child, and inspired by his mother’s love of food, Thai worked his way through some of the country’s best kitchens and built a reputation as one of Chicago’s most exciting chefs. But as he neared the height of his success, everything changed. Thai found himself dealing with an embezzlement scandal involving a former business partner, and the devastating financial and personal fallout that followed. With his wife, Danielle, by his side, Thai rebuilt. Today, he's the iconic chef behind HaiSous and Crying Tiger, but his story goes far beyond restaurants. In this Season 2 premiere of Supper with Sylvia, we discuss family, ambition, betrayal, resilience, and the lessons Thai has learned from the highs and lows of the restaurant industry. Most of all, it’s a conversation about continuing to grow, and finding a way to lift others up along the way. 📌Check out  SupperwithSylvia on Instagram. 📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.  🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite. 👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products Producer: Jennifer Waters Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting Strategy and Partnerships: Iliana Blasdell

    Two Pennies and a Comeback: Thai Dang’s Remarkable Story

  5. Jan 29

    Success and Sobriety: Jonathon Sawyer Tells the Story He Once Hid

    His life looked like a dream to outsiders: award-winning restaurants, a healthy family, national recognition, and a career at the top of the culinary world. But behind the scenes, pressure was mounting for Chef Jonathon Sawyer. The renowned chef was quietly struggling with addiction, at a time many believed he had everything. In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, the acclaimed chef of Kindling in Chicago shares his incredible story. Chef Sawyer opens up about the disconnect between his public success and private struggle, and reflects on turning his life around. Now more than three years sober, he's dedicated to building his friendships and helping others facing similar struggles. Listen in for this powerful conversation about ambition, addiction, and finding your way back to true happiness.  If you are facing mental health struggles, drug or alcohol abuse, or just need someone to talk to, the counselors at the 988 Lifeline are here for you. You are not alone. Simply dial 988 to receive support for all ages and situations.  Note from Sylvia: This episode will be our last of the season. I'm stepping away from the mic to focus on the next evolution of Supper with Sylvia. We are working on some incredible things behind the scenes, that we can't wait to share. In the meantime, make sure you're subscribed for when we come back. We'd love to hear your ideas on future guests, and topics you'd love to dive into.  📌Check out  SupperwithSylvia on Instagram. 📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.  🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite. 👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products Producer: Jennifer Waters Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting Strategy and Partnerships: Iliana Blasdell

    Success and Sobriety: Jonathon Sawyer Tells the Story He Once Hid

  6. Jan 15

    More Than a Chef: Tony Priolo on Food, Baseball, and Giving Back

    He's the man behind one of the most iconic Italian restaurants in Chicago. Tony Priolo brings his passion for simple, delicious ingredients to every dish at Piccolo Sogno; many of them coming direct from Italy. The River West spot is beloved for its secret-garden patio, curated wine list, and seasonal cuisine. But Tony is much more than a chef and restaurateur. In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, he opens up about his humanitarian work in Ukraine - including flying there on his own dime after the war broke out - and shares why baseball brings him just as much joy as cooking. Get ready to leave hungry, and inspired.  📌Check out  SupperwithSylvia on Instagram. 📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.  🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite. 👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products Producer: Jennifer Waters Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting Strategy and Partnerships: Iliana Blasdell

    More Than a Chef: Tony Priolo on Food, Baseball, and Giving Back

  7. Jan 1

    Dry January Done Right: Cheers Without Consequences

    2026 is here, and for about one in five of us, that means slowing down after the holiday indulgence. “Dry January” offers a chance to reset your relationship with alcohol - both physically and mentally - by taking a break from drinking, for the entire month. In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, we chat with the owners of a West Town non-alcoholic bottle shop about their top NA picks, from spirits to beer and wine alternatives that taste just like the real thing. Whether you’re taking a break or just curious, this episode proves that good times don’t have to come with a hangover.  📌Check out  SupperwithSylvia on Instagram. 📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.  🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite. 👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products Producer: Jennifer Waters Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting Strategy and Partnerships: Iliana Blasdell

    Dry January Done Right: Cheers Without Consequences

  8. 12/18/2025

    Inside José Andrés’ Kitchen: A Feast of Heart and Humor

    When you hear the name “José Andrés,” it’s hard to say what comes to mind first: award-winning chef, selfless humanitarian, best-selling author, television personality? All accurate accolades - and Andrés embraces each one of them with humility and humor. We cover all the bases, and then some, in this episode of Supper with Sylvia, including a visit inside José's own kitchen, that's sure to make your mouth water. The best part? You don’t have to live near one of his celebrated restaurants to enjoy his incredible cuisine. Mariano’s now carries Chef José's new line of Spanish foods, right here in Chicago - and we get a close-up preview of some of his favorites. This is a conversation you’ll savor long after it’s over. Ways to give to World Central Kitchen 📌Check out  SupperwithSylvia on Instagram. 📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.  🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite. 👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products Producer: Jennifer Waters Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting Strategy and Partnerships: Iliana Blasdell

    Inside José Andrés’ Kitchen: A Feast of Heart and Humor
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4.8
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Pull up a chair and join Emmy Award-winning journalist Sylvia Perez for Supper With Sylvia Perez. In this podcast, Chicago’s most fascinating chefs, celebrities, and changemakers share unforgettable stories over a delicious meal. From Food Network stars to cultural icons, each episode blends mouthwatering conversation with the flavors that make Chicago a world-class food destination. 🌟 Featured Guests Who Inspire and Entertain Past episodes have welcomed an extraordinary lineup, including: Al Roker, Today Show legend and culinary enthusiastJeff Mauro, Food Network star and Sandwich King himselfChef Art Smith, celebrity chef and Oprah’s former personal chefRick Bayless, award-winning chef and restaurateur …and many more newsmakers, chefs, and personalities shaping Chicago’s culture and cuisine. 🎙️ What You’ll Discover Each week, Supper With Sylvia Perez serves up:  ✅ Authentic, unscripted interviews that go beyond the headlines ✅ Behind-the-scenes stories from kitchens, newsrooms, and stages ✅ Recipes and culinary inspiration to try at home ✅ A celebration of Chicago’s diverse food scene and the people who fuel it Whether you’re a food lover, a storytelling fan, or simply curious about the voices behind your favorite restaurants and headlines, this podcast will feed your curiosity and your appetite. 📲 Listen & Subscribe Follow Supper With Sylvia Perez wherever you get your podcasts and never miss an episode of Chicago’s most flavorful conversations. Produced by Jennie Waters Music, Audio  and Technical Support by Donnie Cutting Marketing and Media Promotions by Julie Lokun Director of Digital Operations and Social Media Magali Blasdell

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