The LA Food Podcast

Acquired Taste Media
  • 5.0 (38)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The LA Food Podcast is where LA’s top chefs, boldest food stories, and biggest restaurant moments all collide. Hosted by Luca Servodio, the official hype man of Los Angeles restaurants, we dig deep into what’s happening across the most exciting food city on the planet — Los Angeles. We’ve chopped it up with legends like Wolfgang Puck, Brooke Williamson, Joe Sasto, and more. Expect chef interviews, restaurant news, behind-the-scenes drama, food culture trends, and no-BS conversations about LA’s dynamic dining scene. Powered by Acquired Taste Media. New episodes drop every Friday. Hit follow!

  1. 2D AGO

    Why Does LA Keep Dominating the James Beard Media Nominations? Plus, Enrique Olvera's New Venture, The Pop Up To End All Pop Ups, and Unhinged Steakhouse Behavior.

    Luca and Father Sal break down the James Beard Awards media nominations, why LA continues to dominate, and how outlets like the Los Angeles Times keep scoring while The New York Times gets shut out. Plus: is the decline of Eater real, and are Substacks quietly replacing traditional food journalism? In “Recent Eats,” we’re talking airport burgers at Skillet, a return to Lodge Bread, Roman pizza in Hollywood, and whether Catch LA is better than people admit. Plus Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss: Enrique Olvera’s new LA restaurant, a stacked all-star pop-up, an exciting new LA food Substack, and the most unhinged steakhouse behavior imaginable. And oh yeah. Luca announces he’s officially running the New York City Marathon for Soccer Without Borders—and trying to raise $8,000. If you should feel so inclined to chip in - here's the link! Anything helps and is SO greatly appreciated! -- Sponsored by mva.wine - discover wines that don't usually make it to the US, delivered straight to your doorstep.

    46 min

  2. MAY 1

    Our Worst Episode Ever | NYT's Updated Best LA List, Noma Should Cost More, Infatuation Under Attack & How Sushi Lost Its Soul

    This might be the worst episode of The LA Food Podcast we’ve ever released. Luca is sick, the brain fog is real, and for the first time ever… this episode is completely unedited. No cuts, no clean-up, no saving ourselves in post. What you’re about to hear is the raw, behind-the-scenes version of the show — for better or worse. Despite the mess, there’s a lot to get into. We kick things off with listener feedback, including a note from Caper Media clarifying their business model and what the future of food media might actually look like. Then it’s recent eats, featuring one of Luca’s all-time favorite meals with his parents (shout out Loreto)… and a truly brutal burrito experience that raises serious questions. From there, we dive into an extended Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, covering: The New York Times’ updated “25 Best Restaurants in LA” list - and substitutions we would makeAlinea’s reinvention strategy and the future of immersive diningDaniel Hernandez's honest thoughts on the Noma LA experienceWhether modern sushi (especially omakase) has lost its soulRavenous leaning into gossipInfatuation under fireAnd Indian food disrespectIt’s raw, it’s unfiltered, and it’s probably our worst episode ever. Or… maybe our most honest. -- Presented by mva.wine. Let's drink awesome wine.

    57 min

  3. APR 24

    The 2026 Food Media Boom: Bubble or Breakthrough? Plus, Yang's Kitchen's Chris Yang's Next Big Bet.

    The LA food media landscape is exploding in 2026, and it’s getting harder to keep up. From the return of Gourmet to the rise of Caper Media, RAVENOUS, and LA Material, new outlets are reshaping how restaurants, culture, and criticism are covered. In Part 1 of this episode, Luca and Father Sal break down the biggest food media launches of the year, debating which platforms actually have staying power, what business models might work, and why food media still struggles to scale beyond local audiences. On Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, they get into the dilution of Wagyu in America, the rise of African diaspora fast-casual concepts, a $300 steakhouse cocktail, and a fast food chain leaning hard into RFK Jr.–era food politics. Then in Part 2, chef Christian Yang of Yang’s Kitchen joins the show to talk about building one of LA’s most distinctive restaurants and launching his new kombucha brand, Joimo, as he expands from hospitality into CPG. -- Presented by mva.wine - the uncharted side of wine.

    1h 33m

  4. APR 17

    A Tí vs. Broken Spanish Comedor. James Beard "Scandal." CPK's Cringey Cease & Desist. And An Interview With Tomat's Natalie Dial & Harry Posner.

    The LA Food Podcast is now on YouTube, and we’re celebrating with a brand new segment: VERSUS. This week, Luca and Father Sal go head-to-head debating two of LA’s most exciting modern Mexican restaurants—Echo Park favorite A Ti vs. the return of Ray Garcia at Broken Spanish Comedor—arguing which one is truly worth your next reservation. Plus, Chef’s Kiss Big Miss is back with takes on the latest James Beard Awards controversy, a bizarre California Pizza Kitchen cease and desist, Food & Wine’s controversial best food cities rankings, and the rise of the “restaurant relationship gap.” In Part 2, we sit down with Natalie Dial and Harry Posner of Tomat, the Westchester hotspot near LAX, to hear their incredible journey from meeting in The Gambia to leaving London behind to build one of LA’s most unique all-day restaurants. If you haven’t been yet, this conversation might change that. -- Presented by mva.wine.

    1h 46m
  5. COUCH POTATOES: Is America's Culinary Cup... Better Than Top Chef?

    APR 13

    COUCH POTATOES: Is America's Culinary Cup... Better Than Top Chef?

    Today on Couch Potatoes, we’re breaking down the first six episodes of America’s Culinary Cup, the new CBS food competition series hosted by Padma Lakshmi—and her very public post-Top Chef return to the genre. We get into what the show is trying to be, how it stacks up against Top Chef, and whether the high-level talent—from Michelin-starred chefs to James Beard nominees like Buddha Lo, Beverly Kim, and LA’s own Keith Corbin—is actually delivering. Then we unpack the competition structure, the early challenges (from meat to sustainability to dessert), and whether the twists and judging system are elevating the show or overcomplicating it. Finally, we get into our hottest takes: who’s winning, whether the show has real staying power, and how America’s Culinary Cup compares to the current food TV landscape. If you’re into Top Chef, food competition shows, or just strong opinions about who should be sent home, this one’s for you.

    56 min

  6. APR 10

    Tom Schwartz on Vanderpump, The Valley, and How Restaurants Almost Broke Him. Plus, Recent Eats at Bar Di Bello, Sqirl & Bianca Sicilian.

    Today on The LA Food Podcast, we’re joined by Vanderpump Rules star and restaurateur Tom Schwartz for a candid, surprisingly thoughtful conversation about life in the hospitality industry. Recorded at Mae Malai in Los Angeles, Tom opens up about his journey from aspiring actor to bar owner, what it really takes to open and operate restaurants like TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy’s, and why the industry is far more brutal than it looks. He reflects on the impact of reality TV fame, navigating one of the most explosive scandals in Bravo history, and how it all intersects with his love of food and dining across LA. In Part 1, Karen Palmer joins to break down the latest in the LA food scene, including standout meals at Bar Di Bello, Osteria Mozza, Buena Bodega, Bianca Sicilian Trattoria, and Sqirl. We also dig into a major James Beard Awards storyline, the evolution of Ventura’s dining scene, and whether LA is finally getting the national recognition it deserves. And The Quiet Woman, of course. On Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, we debate Noma’s latest move in LA, influencer culture’s impact on restaurants, and a controversial take that LA isn’t a “real food city.” It’s Bravo, it’s restaurants, it’s LA dining—this one covers it all. -- Presented by mva.wine. Discover amazing bottles that don't usually make it to the US. First 20 listeners to use code "LAFOOD" get $50 off their first collection.

    1h 36m

  7. APR 3

    LA’s James Beard Surge, Fine Dining on Trial, and Brian Bornemann on 5 Years of Crudo e Nudo

    Los Angeles shows out in a big way as the 2026 James Beard finalists are announced—and for once, it actually feels like the city is getting its due. We break down the biggest headlines, who got snubbed, and whether the Beards still mean what they used to for LA and fine dining at large. Then, we dive into the growing backlash against fine dining, sparked by Khushbu Shah’s viral Substack and a New York Times piece on kitchen culture. Is the model broken, or just overdue for evolution? In Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, we react to Bill Esparza’s “bagels are just bread” take, a new South Asian hand roll concept in Lomita, and the case for “middle-aged restaurants”—the spots that have outlasted the hype and might actually be at their peak. In Part 2, Chef Brian Bornemann of Crudo e Nudo joins to talk about building one of LA’s most compelling restaurants from a pandemic pop-up, why the traditional restaurant model doesn’t work, and how local seafood—and smaller fish like sardines and mackerel—fits into the future of dining. -- Presented by the wine geniuses at mva.wine. Subscribe to this totally unique wine collective to discover wines that don't typically make it to the US. First 20 people to use the code LAFOOD get $50 off their first collection.

    1h 32m

  8. MAR 27

    Q&A: Full-of-Sh*t Influencers, Bad Restaurants That Stay Packed, and How to Find a Wife + Pizza Lies with Daniele Uditi

    On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, Luca checks in from Las Vegas in full Uncut Gems mode while Father Sal returns for a chaotic, no-holds-barred Q&A episode. You asked, we answered. We’re talking everything from which LA food influencers are completely full of shit, why certain “terrible” restaurants stay packed, and how to actually navigate tipping culture in 2026, to deeper cuts like underrated LA chefs, Mexican breakfast standouts, and whether LA food media ignores entire regions of the city. We also get into real-life dilemmas like bad restaurant recommendations, ordering disasters, and yes, Luca’s advice on finding a wife. On Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, the biggest stories in LA food get the treatment. A San Gabriel Valley institution is forced to pull its iconic stinky tofu after neighborhood complaints, sparking a larger conversation about culture, identity, and who gets to “smell” in Los Angeles. The Horses saga returns as Will Aghajanian denies the now-infamous cat-killing allegations in a bizarre and headline-grabbing interview. Meanwhile, the Noma Los Angeles fallout continues to spiral, with conflicting accounts around a viral abuse story complicating an already explosive situation. Plus, we break down the wild new Dodger Stadium menu, including bone marrow tacos and loco moco, and highlight Night Out for No Kid Hungry, one of LA’s biggest food events of the year. (Use code LUCA20 for a discount!) In Part 2, we’re joined by world-class pizza chef Daniele Uditi live from Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. We dive into his latest project, Lele Dinner Club, and get into a full-on pizza myth-busting session. Should pizza have no flop? Is Neapolitan pizza supposed to be soupy? And are people crazy for expecting a dollar slice to still cost a dollar? If you care about LA food, pizza culture, or just want brutally honest takes on the restaurant world, this one’s for you. -- Also don't forget you can discover amazing wines by subscribing to MVA.wine - use code LAFOOD for $50 off the first collection (first 20 listeners only!)

    1h 52m
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Trailer

5
out of 5
38 Ratings

About

The LA Food Podcast is where LA’s top chefs, boldest food stories, and biggest restaurant moments all collide. Hosted by Luca Servodio, the official hype man of Los Angeles restaurants, we dig deep into what’s happening across the most exciting food city on the planet — Los Angeles. We’ve chopped it up with legends like Wolfgang Puck, Brooke Williamson, Joe Sasto, and more. Expect chef interviews, restaurant news, behind-the-scenes drama, food culture trends, and no-BS conversations about LA’s dynamic dining scene. Powered by Acquired Taste Media. New episodes drop every Friday. Hit follow!

Information

  • Creator
    Acquired Taste Media
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    182
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Acquired Taste Media
  • Show Website
    The LA Food Podcast

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