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. LaTasha Smith - IntertWine Bar

    3D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. Nathaniel Reid – Nathaniel Reid Bakery

    JAN 20

    Nathaniel Reid – Nathaniel Reid Bakery

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce, host Lauren Healey is joined by Nathaniel Reid, chef and owner of Nathaniel Reid Bakery, one of St. Louis’ most celebrated bakeries. Nathaniel reflects on nearly 10 years in Kirkwood, three expansions, and the mindset that’s helped the bakery thrive through consistency, craft, and community support. In this episode: How Nathaniel went from aspiring scientist to award-winning pastry chefWinning a national pastry competition in New York and competing on the world stage in JapanThree James Beard Award nominations and what those recognitions mean to himWhy pastry satisfies both his scientific mindset and creative instinctsBuilding a business rooted in consistency, simplicity, and team cultureMore highlights: A wild early-career story involving a timber rattlesnake and an unexpected firingForaging, fossil hunting, and outdoor hobbies that still fuel his curiosityWhat it’s like watching customers and team members grow over a decadeWhy seeing smiles through the bakery window is the most rewarding part of the job🎧 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. 🎧 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
  7. Andrew Cisneros – Jalea Peruvian Bistro & Brasas

    JAN 13

    Andrew Cisneros – Jalea Peruvian Bistro & Brasas

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce, host Lauren Healey sits down with Andrew Cisneros, chef-owner of Jalea Peruvian Bistro in St. Charles and Brasas on the Delmar Loop. Andrew shares how opening a restaurant during the pandemic became the unexpected launch point for Jalea, how Brasas came to life as a rotisserie-focused concept, and why Peruvian food traditions are at the heart of everything he cooks. In this episode: Opening Jalea Peruvian Bistro during the pandemic and why it felt like now or neverThe evolution from a cevicheria to a broader Peruvian menuBrasas, rotisserie chicken, and finding the right space on DelmarThe sauces everyone loves, including aji verde, rocoto, and huancaínaThe story behind the papa rellena and why it disappeared and came back betterGrowing up Peruvian in St. Louis and learning to cook from familyWorking under Chef Pierre at The St. Louis ClubConsulting projects around town and launching Street Food by BrasasPlus: Favorite local spots Andrew loves to eat atStaying hands-on in the kitchenTravel, Peru, and plans to return🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms. 📅 New episodes of The Sauce drop every Tuesday. 🌿 Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 Missouri locations, and LHM, which has several properties around St. Louis, including Union Station and Westport Plaza.  🎧 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
  8. Alec Schingel – Robin Restaurant

    JAN 6

    Alec Schingel – Robin Restaurant

    On this week’s episode of The Sauce, host Lauren Healey is joined by Alec Schingel, executive chef and owner of Robin Restaurant in Maplewood. Alec shares his journey from growing up in the Midwest to cooking in St. Louis, Charleston, Belgium, and New York, before returning home to open Robin. He talks about how European neighborhood restaurants, Midwest heritage, and intentional hospitality all shape the restaurant’s identity. In this episode: Alec’s path through Vicia, Winslow’s Table, and pop-ups that led to opening RobinWhat “comfort fine dining” means and how Robin fits into its own categoryThe story behind the mushroom hot dish and Midwest-inspired cookingHow a visit from Eric Asimov and The New York Times changed everything overnightWhy intentionality matters more than perfection in hospitalityBuilding a restaurant designed to age well, not chase trendsPlus: European influences behind Robin’s four-course prix fixe formatThe meaning behind the restaurant’s nameFavorite St. Louis spots Alec loves to eat and drinkwww.robinrestaurant.com 🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.  📅 New episodes of The Sauce drop every Tuesday. 🌿 The Sauce is presented by Swade, with 11 Missouri locations, and LHM, which has several properties around St. Louis, including Union Station and Westport Plaza.  🎧 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.

    41 min
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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.

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