The Sauce - A St. Louis Restaurant Show

Lauren Healey
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FOOD

For over 25 years, Sauce Magazine has been the go-to guide for St. Louis’ best culinary experiences. Now, The Sauce podcast is back with a new host and a renewed mission: to take listeners behind the scenes with the incredible people shaping the local hospitality industry – from chefs and restaurateurs to brewers, bartenders, bakers and beyond. Hosted by Sauce Magazine’s executive editor Lauren Healey, who has spent her career honing her writing, editing and photography skills at various media outlets in the Midwest, the show blends insider stories with inspiration on where to eat and drink right now. Since joining Sauce in 2018, Lauren’s passion for St. Louis’ culinary scene has only deepened, fueling her pride in calling the city home and her drive to help you discover your next great meal.

  1. Danni Eickenhorst - HuSTL Hospitality

    3D AGO

    Danni Eickenhorst - HuSTL Hospitality

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Danni Eickenhorst, CEO of HuSTL Hospitality and co-owner of some of St. Louis’ most beloved restaurants, including Steve’s Hot Dogs, Steve’s Meltdown at City Foundry, and the iconic The Fountain on Locust. Danni shares how an unexpected partnership with musician and restaurateur Steve Ewing helped save Steve’s Hot Dogs from closing and led to a new chapter for the brand. From simplifying menus and building stronger teams to expanding into new locations and partnerships, Danni explains how HuSTL Hospitality is rethinking what it means to run a restaurant in today’s challenging industry. The conversation also dives into Danni’s background in nonprofit leadership and crisis response, including her experience working on disaster recovery after the 2011 Joplin Tornado and how those skills helped her lead community relief efforts when a tornado impacted parts of St. Louis near their restaurants. Danni also discusses the realities of running restaurants today — from rising costs and unpredictable weather to shifting customer habits — and how her team is adapting by expanding into catering, festivals, food trucks, and partnerships across the region. From loaded hot dogs and smash burgers to art deco dining rooms and ice cream martinis, this episode highlights the creativity, resilience, and community spirit behind some of St. Louis’ most recognizable dining spots. In this episode: Saving Steve’s Hot Dogs and partnering with Steve Ewing Taking over the iconic The Fountain on Locust Building the restaurant group HuSTL Hospitality How Danni’s nonprofit background shaped her leadership style Supporting the St. Louis community during disaster recovery Expanding into catering, festivals, and a new Steve’s Hot Dogs food truck Favorite menu items, cocktails, and local restaurants Come for the hospitality insights. Stay for the stories behind the restaurants that help define St. Louis’ dining scene. 🍽️ ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.

    28 min
  2. Alisha Blackwell-Calvert - Madrina – James Beard Semifinalist and STL Sommelier

    MAR 10

    Alisha Blackwell-Calvert - Madrina – James Beard Semifinalist and STL Sommelier

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Alisha Blackwell-Calvert, Advanced Sommelier and beverage director at Madrina in Webster Groves, for a conversation about wine, hospitality, and the journey behind becoming one of the most recognized beverage professionals in the country. Alisha shares how her early love for science and curiosity about the world eventually led her to a career in wine — where chemistry, geology, and storytelling all come together in a single bottle. Now a 2025 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Beverage Professional, Alisha reflects on what the nomination means for her personally and for the St. Louis hospitality scene. From working in some of the city’s most respected restaurants to spending time outside the industry at Louis Vuitton, Alisha talks about the experiences that shaped her approach to hospitality and luxury service. She also shares what it takes to pursue the coveted Master Sommelier certification — one of the most difficult professional exams in the world — and why the journey matters just as much as the title. In this episode, Alisha also discusses building Madrina’s beverage program from the ground up, creating an Italian-inspired wine list that blends tradition with modern hospitality, and how travel, mentorship, and lifelong learning continue to shape her career. In this episode: - Alisha’s journey from Webster Groves native to Advanced Sommelier  - Being named a 2025 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Beverage Professional  - What it takes to pursue the Master Sommelier certification  - Building Madrina’s wine and beverage program from scratch  - Alisha’s favorite St. Louis restaurants and dining spots 📍 Madrina – Webster Groves, Missouri Come for the wine knowledge. Stay for the stories behind the glass. ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.

    25 min
  3. Rick Lewis - Grace Meat & Three

    MAR 3

    Rick Lewis - Grace Meat & Three

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Rick Lewis, owner of Grace Meat + Three in The Grove and Grace Chicken + Fish, for a conversation about hospitality, risk-taking, and growing a restaurant brand with purpose. Rick shares how his path from fine dining to Southern comfort food led him to help launch Nashville hot chicken in St. Louis before stepping out to build Grace from the ground up in 2017. What started as a leap of faith quickly grew — doubling in year two — and has since expanded to a second location, a thriving food truck, and a loyal community following. From signing a lease and building out a restaurant in just three months to navigating today’s challenging restaurant economy, Rick opens up about what it really takes to sustain and scale a local concept. He also talks about leadership, faith, raising young kids while running a business, prioritizing health in an industry built on indulgence, and why supporting local restaurants matters more than ever. In this episode:  - How Grace Meat + Three went from concept to community staple  - The differences between the Grove and Crestwood locations  - Opening a second restaurant in today’s economic climate  - Balancing business ownership, family life, and personal wellness Why hospitality is about more than just food 📍 Grace Meat + Three – The Grove, St. Louis 📍 Grace Chicken + Fish – Crestwood, Missouri Come for the fried chicken. Stay for the community. ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com. Our other podcast sponsors are 4 Hands Brewing Co. and LHM. 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.

    33 min
  4. LaTasha Smith - IntertWine Bar

    FEB 24

    LaTasha Smith - IntertWine Bar

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with LaTasha Smith, owner of Intertwine Wine Bar in Dutchtown, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, education, and building spaces where community thrives. LaTasha shares how a 10-year dream became reality — transforming a former residential space into a hidden, speakeasy-style wine bar where nearly everything inside was handcrafted by family. From a secret upstairs members’ lounge to a growing mocktail menu and themed pop-ups throughout the year, Intertwine is designed to be a modern-day “Cheers” in the heart of the neighborhood. Beyond hospitality, LaTasha is deeply rooted in education. A longtime educator currently working in St. Louis Public Schools while pursuing her PhD and superintendency certification, she talks about why policy matters, the importance of investing in youth, and how leadership at the table can shape the future of communities. In this episode:  - How Intertwine Wine Bar went from dream to grand opening in Dutchtown  - The power of pop-ups, mocktails, and creating inclusive spaces  - Balancing business ownership, full-time work in education, and a PhD program  - Why education and community development go hand in hand 📍 Intertwine Wine Bar is located in Dutchtown, St. Louis 🔗 https://intertwinebar.com/ Come in a stranger, leave a friend. Follow IntertWine Bar: @intertwinewinebar 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.

    19 min
  5. Jared Williamson - Schlafly Beer

    FEB 17

    Jared Williamson - Schlafly Beer

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Jared Williamson, Head Brewer at Schlafly Beer, to talk creativity, legacy, and what the future of beer really looks like. Jared shares how his path into brewing began far from traditional beer school — starting as an art and music major before working his way up from cleaning kegs to leading operations at Schlafly’s original taproom. He dives into how beers are developed, from the “palate of the mind” to pilot batches, and what it means to honor a legacy brand while still pushing flavor forward. The conversation also explores how Schlafly is responding to changing drinking habits, including the rise of non-alcoholic and lower-ABV beers, and the launch of Shorty’s — a new line of small beers that are short on alcohol but long on flavor. In this episode: Jared’s journey into brewing and how creativity shapes his approach to beer How Schlafly balances innovation with tradition while developing new beers The rise of mindful drinking and the inspiration behind Shorty’s small beers 📍 Schlafly Beer is based in St. Louis, Missouri 🔗 https://www.schlafly.com/ Follow Schlafly: @schlaflybeer 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.

    33 min
  6. Jackie Price - Fennel Cooking Studio

    FEB 10

    Jackie Price - Fennel Cooking Studio

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Jackie Price, founder and owner of Fennel Cooking Studio in Midtown St. Louis. Jackie shares her journey from culinary school to teaching at Saint Louis University, and eventually taking the leap to open Fennel — a hands-on cooking class studio built around accessibility, education, and community. She talks about blending culinary arts with nutrition, creating a space where people feel confident in the kitchen, and why food has always been her favorite way to bring people together. In this episode: - Falling in love with teaching cooking while still in culinary school - Building Fennel as a hands-on, community-focused cooking studio - Blending nutrition, practicality, and indulgence in the kitchen - Offering skill-based classes, global cuisines, and seasonal cooking - Launching food-centered travel retreats to Italy and France - Why learning how to cook is one of the most empowering life skills 📍 Fennel Cooking Studio is located in Midtown St. Louis 🔗 https://www.fennelstl.com/ Follow Fennel: @fennel.stl Follow Jackie: @jackieprice711 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.

    27 min
  7. Brandon Oker – Pastaria

    FEB 3

    Brandon Oker – Pastaria

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Brandon Oker, the Executive Chef at Pastaria and one of Sauce Magazine’s Ones to Watch in the February issue. Brandon shares his path from growing up in a town of 300 people near Lake of the Ozarks to working his way from dishwasher to leading one of St. Louis’s most beloved pasta institutions. He talks about work ethic, mentorship, and why hospitality is something he feels is simply “in his bones.” In this episode: Brandon’s early kitchen days at Porta Chima and learning hospitality from the ground upHow his upbringing shaped his leadership style and approach to foodStepping into Pastaria as executive chef, what stays sacred, and where seasonality comes into playWhy Pastaria continues to thrive as an accessible, family-friendly, truly democratic restaurantDream future concepts, testing recipes at home, and cooking alongside his 5-year-old son, Winston📍 Pastaria is open 7 days a week, 4–9 PM 🔗 pastariastl.com  Follow Brandon: @brandonoker 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.

    23 min
  8. Jason Tilford – Session Taco + Lapez Mod Mex

    JAN 27

    Jason Tilford – Session Taco + Lapez Mod Mex

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Jason Tilford, chef/owner behind Session Taco and the newly opened Lapez Mod Mex in the Central West End. Jason walks through nearly two decades of building chef-driven concepts in St. Louis, starting with a tiny, made-from-scratch Tortilleria in the CWE, to opening Mission Taco Joint in 2012, and now evolving the brand back to its roots while launching Lapez as a more elevated, sit-down experience. In this episode: How Jason and his brother Adam got started with Tortilleria, handmade tortillas and scratch cooking before it was common in STLOpening Barristers, St. Louis’ first soccer pub, and building a chef-driven bar food conceptMilagro in Webster Groves, early acclaim, and how it helped spark what became Mission Taco JointWhy scaling the “taco joint” model didn’t work everywhere, and what they’re doing to course-correctWhat sets Lapez Mod Mex apart, Spanish-forward drinks, curated wines, seafood-driven dishes, and knife-and-fork platesA real conversation about the current restaurant climate, closures, and what the industry is facing right now🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday. ✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.

    18 min
See All (31)

About

For over 25 years, Sauce Magazine has been the go-to guide for St. Louis’ best culinary experiences. Now, The Sauce podcast is back with a new host and a renewed mission: to take listeners behind the scenes with the incredible people shaping the local hospitality industry – from chefs and restaurateurs to brewers, bartenders, bakers and beyond. Hosted by Sauce Magazine’s executive editor Lauren Healey, who has spent her career honing her writing, editing and photography skills at various media outlets in the Midwest, the show blends insider stories with inspiration on where to eat and drink right now. Since joining Sauce in 2018, Lauren’s passion for St. Louis’ culinary scene has only deepened, fueling her pride in calling the city home and her drive to help you discover your next great meal.

Information

You Might Also Like