The Sauce - A St. Louis Restaurant Show

Lauren Healey
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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. Brandon Oker – Pastaria

    3D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. Joe Edwards – Blueberry Hill

    12/23/2025

    Joe Edwards – Blueberry Hill

    This week on The Sauce, Lauren sits down with Joe Edwards, the St. Louis icon behind many of the Delmar Loop’s most beloved landmarks, including Blueberry Hill, The Pageant, Delmar Hall, Pin-Up Bowl, The Moonrise Hotel, and Magic Mini Golf. Joe takes us back to 1972, when he opened Blueberry Hill during a time when the area had fallen on hard times, and explains how the Loop evolved from a 1930s shopping district into one of the most recognizable destinations in St. Louis, now named one of the “10 Great Streets in America” by the American Planning Association. In this episode, we talk about: The origin of Blueberry Hill and the famous jukebox that earned international recognitionJoe’s friendship with Chuck Berry and his 209 shows in the Duck RoomHow the Loop became a live music ecosystem, from 340-capacity rooms to 2,000-capacity venuesWhy musicians love playing the Loop, plus what makes Pageant catering a standoutThe story behind The Moonrise Hotel, the rotating moon, and St. Louis’ early rooftop bar sceneThe purpose of the St. Louis Walk of Fame, and famous inductees you might not realize are from STLThe Loop trolley, how it works, and why it’s a perfect “park once” weekend planWhat’s next for the Loop, including new development bringing more residents to the districtJoe’s philosophy for hospitality, building places that make people smileThe Sauce is presented by LHM, featuring holiday pop ups at 360 Downtown and 360 Westport, plus festive experiences at Union Station including the Polar Express Train Ride and the Train Shed transformed into the “Sleigh Shed.” 🎧 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. Mario Iaccarino – Casa Don Alfonso

    12/16/2025

    Mario Iaccarino – Casa Don Alfonso

    This week on The Sauce, Lauren sits down with Mario Iaccarino, partner at Casa Don Alfonso, the Italian restaurant inside The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, and an extension of his family’s legendary Don Alfonso 1890 in the Sorrento area of Italy. Mario shares the history behind the Don Alfonso legacy (four generations in hospitality), and why Casa Don Alfonso exists to preserve a disappearing world of Southern Italian traditions, especially the recipes passed down by grandmothers over centuries. In this episode, we talk about: The story of Don Alfonso 1890 and what it means to bring that legacy to St. LouisWhy handmade pasta is a non-negotiable at Casa Don AlfonsoThe real reason their pizza dough stands out, including the three-day process and daily adjustments based on conditionsHow storytelling and culture shape every dish, from Campania to the broader MediterraneanThe fan-favorite apple pizza, a Missouri-meets-Naples creationA new concept coming soon: Casa Pastry Boutique, featuring classic Neapolitan pastries and cakesMario’s approach to seasonal cooking and what’s new on the fall menu (minestrone, gnocchi, truffle, seasonal pizza, and more)Presented by LHM, with holiday pop ups at 360 Downtown, 360 Westport, and festive experiences at Union Station including the Polar Express Train Ride and the Sleigh Shed inside Train Shed. 🎧 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.

    26 min
  8. John Pessoni & Bill Reiter – El Monstero

    12/09/2025

    John Pessoni & Bill Reiter – El Monstero

    Every December, El Monstero turns The Pageant into a full-blown Pink Floyd universe, complete with soaring guitar solos, aerial performers, and a loyal St. Louis crowd that treats it like a holiday rite of passage. In this episode of The Sauce, Lauren sits down with John Pessoni and Bill Reiter of El Monstero to talk about what it takes to keep a tradition like this going for nearly three decades. In this week’s episode of The Sauce: How El Monstero grew from a tribute idea into a seven-night holiday run at The PageantThe rehearsal process, set lists, and why they always tweak the show for repeat fansBuilding a true rock spectacle, from aerialists and dancers to video walls, pyro, and helicopters at the summer amphitheater showThe difference between the winter Pageant run and the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre showJuggling El Monstero with The Urge, tribute bands, cover bands, and life outside of musicTheir love of St. Louis’ food scene, from pre-show spots on The Loop to Italian icons on The HillThe story behind their “gardening” tins collaboration with High Rule and how social media rules shaped the languageSponsored this week by LHM, with festive holiday pop ups at 360 Downtown, 360 Westport, and plenty of cheer at Union Station, including the Polar Express Train Ride and the Sleigh Shed inside Train Shed. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 🔗 Learn More & Buy Tickets: elmonstero.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.

    34 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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