Kitchen Smarts

Kitchen Smarts
  • 5.0 (3)
  • FOOD

Kitchen Smarts is a fresh new podcast hosted by Hava Volterra, co-founder and CEO of Parsley Software. Each episode features insightful conversations with chefs, food innovators, and culinary thinkers exploring the intersection of art and business in kitchen operations. Whether you're a home cook or a food professional, Kitchen Smarts serves up inspiration, insights, and stories from the heart of the culinary world.

Episodes

  1. 12/23/2025

    Mica’s Food for Thought: Challenges and Triumphs in the Culinary World

    In this episode, Hava Volterra and Mica Talmor discuss Mica's journey in the culinary world. From growing up surrounded by familyfood traditions to becoming a restaurant owner navigating an ever-changing industry. Mica opens up about the realities of restaurant ownership, the emotional differences between catering and running a restaurant, and why business knowledge is just as essential as culinary skill. The conversation also explores the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the evolution of Mica's restaurant Pomella, and the impact of economic shifts on the food industry. Mica shares her aspirations for the future, emphasizing the importance in resilience, community, and building food businesses rooted in care, connection, and innovation. Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! Support the show Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast X @Kitchen_Smarts Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife. Artwork by Dennis Mukai Music by Brandon McCulloch

    56 min

  2. 12/16/2025

    Inside Corporate Dining: A Culinary Director’s Perspective with Melody Miranda

    In this episode, Melody Miranda, National Director of Culinary for Sodexo’s Good Eating Company, takes us inside the world of corporate dining. She shares her path into large-scale food operations, her role in managing corporate cafeterias, and how chefs balance creativity with consistency at scale. Melody also discusses adapting to food trends, honoring regional tastes, the impact of COVID-19 on corporate dining operations, and the company’s commitment to sustainability and regenerative agriculture. Known for her chef-led approach, Melody has helped redefine how creativity shows up in corporate dining. At the core of it all is one guiding principle: listening to guests and building menus that are thoughtful, diverse, and deeply satisfying. Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! Support the show Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast X @Kitchen_Smarts Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife. Artwork by Dennis Mukai Music by Brandon McCulloch

    31 min

  3. 12/09/2025

    The Rise of a Bagel Empire: Boichik’s Love Letter to New York Bagels

    In this episode, Hava Volterra sits down with Emily, founder of Boichik Bagels, to talk about how a mechanical engineer with zero culinary background built one of California’s fastest-growing bagel brands. From learning the science behind New York–style bagels to running 24-hour production and scaling across multiple cities, Emily breaks down the challenges, systems, and mindset behind building a food business that doesn’t compromise on quality. They also dive into social media, logistics, franchising, and what it really takes to grow while staying true to the craft. Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! Support the show Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast X @Kitchen_Smarts Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife. Artwork by Dennis Mukai Music by Brandon McCulloch

    58 min

  4. 07/25/2025

    The Art & Science of Dough: Insights from a Pizza Expert

    What do wood-fired pizza, gluten-free flour, and commercial kitchen equipment have in common? Brad Kent. In this episode of Kitchen Smarts, Hava Volterra chats with culinary engineer and pizza visionary Brad Kent—founder of Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria, co-founder of Blaze Pizza, and gluten-free innovator at Original Sunshine.  They explore how Brad went from experimenting in the kitchen as a kid to pioneering one of the most successful fast-casual pizza chains in the U.S. He shares the secret to great dough, why fermentation matters, and what it takes to scale food quality without losing soul. From bean burritos to flour made from wheat (that’s somehow gluten-free?!), this one’s got layers. Guest: Brad Kent of Original Sunshine Gluten-Free Bagels, founder of Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria, and co-founder of Blaze Pizza. Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! Support the show Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast X @Kitchen_Smarts Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife. Artwork by Dennis Mukai Music by Brandon McCulloch

    40 min

  5. 07/16/2025

    Behind the Label: Nutrition, Transparency, and the Business of Food

    In this conversation, Hava speaks with Lisa Eberhart and Randy Lait, founders of Menu Analytics, about their journey in the food service industry, the importance of nutrition analysis, and the evolution of menu transparency. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior and food services, the role of technology and AI in the industry, and the future trends shaping food service operations. Guest: Lisa Eberhart and Randy Lait of Menu Analytics Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! Support the show Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast X @Kitchen_Smarts Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife. Artwork by Dennis Mukai Music by Brandon McCulloch

    47 min

  6. 07/08/2025

    Making Authentic Italian Pasta in a Repeatable and Scalable Way

    In this conversation, Hava interviews Filippo Fiori, co-founder of Due’ Cucina, who shares his unique journey from a PhD in nuclear engineering to the culinary world. They discuss the challenges of starting a restaurant, the importance of authentic Italian cuisine, and the role of technology in streamlining operations. Filippo emphasizes the significance of staff training, customer experience, and strategies for growth and expansion in the competitive restaurant industry. Filippo Fiori of Due' Cucina Instagram@Due' Cucina Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! Support the show Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast X @Kitchen_Smarts Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife. Artwork by Dennis Mukai Music by Brandon McCulloch

    40 min

  7. 07/01/2025

    From Theater to Baking: The Sister Pie Journey

    In this engaging conversation, Hava speaks with Lisa Ludwinski, the founder of Sister Pie and the author of the Sister Pie cookbook, about her journey from theater to baking, the challenges of running a bakery, and the importance of community in the culinary world. They discuss the differences between home cooking and commercial baking, the impact of COVID-19 on the business, and Lisa's philosophy of a triple bottom line approach. The conversation also touches on customer preferences, evolving tastes, and future plans for expanding offerings and cookbooks. Guest: Lisa Ludwinski of Sister Pie 📚Author of Sister Pie: The Recipes & Stories of a Big-Hearted Bakery in Detroit 🍒 Follow Lisa and Sister Pie on Instagram and Facebook Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! Support the show Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast X @Kitchen_Smarts Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife. Artwork by Dennis Mukai Music by Brandon McCulloch

    41 min

  8. 06/23/2025

    Building a Keto Empire: with Robert Sikes of Keto Brick

    What happens when a bodybuilder melts ingredients in his kitchen and accidentally launches a business? Hava Volterra sits down with Robert Sikes—founder and CEO of Keto Brick and host of The Savage Perspective—to talk keto, entrepreneurship, and building a food brand from scratch. Whether you're into fitness, food, or just love a good origin story, this episode delivers smarts, hustle, and heart. Guest:Robert Sikes of Keto Brick Instagram: @robertsikesketosavage  Keto Savage Podcast  Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! Support the show Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast X @Kitchen_Smarts Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife. Artwork by Dennis Mukai Music by Brandon McCulloch

    36 min

  9. 06/03/2025

    From Salmon Cakes to Plastics: Scaling Recipes with a Chemical Engineer

    In this debut episode of Kitchen Smarts, Hava Volterra—CEO of Parsley Software, chef and engineer —sits down with her husband, Richard Pieters. With over 30 years of experience in the chemical and biotechnology industries, Richard brings an unexpected but fascinating perspective to the science of scaling recipes —both in food and in industrial manufacturing. Together, they explore how smart thinking—about ingredients, process, and equipment—can make or break both a dinner recipe and a manufacturing run. Whether you're scaling up a salmon cake recipe or engineering the next eco-friendly compound, this conversation serves up insight, humor, and a fresh perspective on what it really means to cook with smarts. Guest: Richard Pieters Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts! Support the show Thank you for listening! For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com. Follow us: Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast X @Kitchen_Smarts Subscribe: ▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife. Artwork by Dennis Mukai Music by Brandon McCulloch

    17 min
  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Kitchen Smarts is a fresh new podcast hosted by Hava Volterra, co-founder and CEO of Parsley Software. Each episode features insightful conversations with chefs, food innovators, and culinary thinkers exploring the intersection of art and business in kitchen operations. Whether you're a home cook or a food professional, Kitchen Smarts serves up inspiration, insights, and stories from the heart of the culinary world.

Information

  • Creator
    Kitchen Smarts
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Kitchen Smarts
  • Show Website
    Kitchen Smarts