Behind the Counter with the Food Czar

Heidi Blum

Behind the Counter with the Food Czar explores the stories of people who create community through their work and passion. Each episode features conversations with restaurant owners, influencers, charity leaders, and others making an impact in their neighborhoods.From building businesses to giving back, guests share their personal journeys, challenges, and successes. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a community supporter, or just someone who loves hearing inspiring stories, this podcast offers meaningful conversations about connection, resilience, and the power of people coming together.

  1. Episode 76 - All Gas, No Brakes: Gustavo Gutierrez and the Rise of Cubita

    6d ago

    Episode 76 - All Gas, No Brakes: Gustavo Gutierrez and the Rise of Cubita

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Gustavo (Gus) Gutierrez — the high-energy entrepreneur behind Cubita Cafe and the growing fleet of Cubita Food Trucks. Gus grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey knowing he needed to find a path that would keep him focused and out of trouble. After discovering a culinary program built around hands-on experience, he dove into the restaurant world — starting as a dishwasher at a Cuban restaurant in Hoboken where he learned the business from the ground up. That drive eventually led him to Le Cirque in New York City and later to becoming a corporate chef overseeing more than 15 restaurants at Newark Airport. But when COVID shut everything down — and he learned his wife was pregnant — Gus bet on himself. He started perfecting empanadas and selling them to anyone willing to try them. When demand exploded, his wife pushed him to open Cubita Cafe in Nutley. Today that leap has grown into Cubita Cafe, four Cubita food trucks, and a massive warehouse operation — all fueled by Gus’s “all gas, no brakes” mentality. In this episode, Gus talks about leadership, relentless learning, and why in cooking — there is no such thing as perfect, only practice. Follow Gus @hudsonchef Recorded at Cubita Wholesale Bloomfield NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

    1h 11m
  2. Episode 75 - The Viral Chicken Caesar That Changed Everything at Staci’s Sandwich Joint

    May 19

    Episode 75 - The Viral Chicken Caesar That Changed Everything at Staci’s Sandwich Joint

    Send us Fan Mail This week we sit down with Staci Puleo — the heart and hands behind Staci’s Sandwich Joint — whose journey into the food world is proof that it’s never too late to start something completely new. Just over a year ago, Staci was a stay-at-home mom thinking about what her next chapter might look like when her kids got older. With zero restaurant experience, she took a leap of faith and opened a small sandwich shop in her own community in January 2025 — built on nothing more than a vision of creating a happy place where friends, families, and neighbors could walk through the door and feel at home. What happened next is something she never could have predicted. Less than a year in, her now-famous chicken Caesar sandwich went viral on social media — and suddenly there were lines out the door, a growing fan base, and a business that hasn’t slowed down since. But this episode isn’t just about a viral sandwich. It’s about confidence found later in life, learning in real time, pushing past fear, and discovering that you are capable of far more than you ever imagined. Staci’s story is sweet, empowering, and deeply relatable — a reminder to anyone listening that you can try new things, do hard things, and build something beautiful in your own backyard. Follow Staci's Sandwich Joint @stacis_joint Recorded at Staci's Sandwich Joint Verona, NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

    48 min
  3. Episode 74 - Mother’s Day Edition: Deborah & Sam Stymest of Sam’s Table

    May 5

    Episode 74 - Mother’s Day Edition: Deborah & Sam Stymest of Sam’s Table

    Send us Fan Mail In this special Mother’s Day episode, I sit down with Deborah and Sam Stymest, the mother-and-son duo behind Sam’s Table in Montclair, New Jersey. What started during COVID as a backyard, socially distanced dining experience for neighbors—seven courses, shared from a distance but deeply connected—quickly became something people truly needed. A way to gather, to feel a sense of normalcy again, and to connect through food. From there, Sam’s Table evolved into pop-ups across New Jersey and New York City, before finding its home on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair. Today, Sam’s Table is an intimate 26-seat restaurant offering a four-course, monthly seasonal menu, where every detail feels thoughtful and every guest experience feels personal. Sam, a trained chef, is the creative force behind the menu, while Deborah runs the front of house and business side. What makes this story so special is their relationship—the pride, the trust, and the role reversal, as Deborah shares that in the restaurant, Sam is the boss. At its core, this episode is about more than a restaurant. It’s about food, family, and the connections that bring people together. Follow Sam's Table @samstablenj Recording Location: Sam's Table Montclair NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

    53 min
  4. Episode 73 - From Grandma Sheila’s Recipe to a National Brand: The Rise of Allie’s Banana Bread

    Apr 28

    Episode 73 - From Grandma Sheila’s Recipe to a National Brand: The Rise of Allie’s Banana Bread

    Send us Fan Mail This week we sit down with Allie Chernick, the founder of Allie’s Banana Bread, whose signature banana bread — made from her Grandma Sheila’s cherished recipe — turned into one of NYC’s most buzzed-about baked goods. From growing up in Rhode Island to studying photography at Syracuse and building a career at Ralph Lauren, Allie followed a creative path — all while quietly becoming the person everyone knew for her banana bread. What started as baking for friends soon took on a life of its own, leading her to make a bold leap from her full-time job into entrepreneurship. Now with her loaves landing on JetBlue, FreshDirect, and doorsteps across the country — plus standout collaborations along the way — Allie shares the story behind the pivot, the pressure, and the early signs that her side hustle was becoming something much bigger. This episode is about trusting your gut, honoring your roots, and turning what you’re known for into a brand. Follow Allie's Banana Bread @allie'sbananabread Recording Location: Greenpoint, NY Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

    53 min
  5. Episode 72 - Building Perla Oyster Bar: Matt Chappina on Reinvention and Resilience

    Apr 14

    Episode 72 - Building Perla Oyster Bar: Matt Chappina on Reinvention and Resilience

    Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode explores reinvention, resilience, and listening to the pull you can’t ignore. We sit down with Matthew Chappina, the creative force behind Perla Oyster Bar in Maplewood, NJ. After starting out in theater, Matt found his true calling in the kitchen—working through restaurants in Brooklyn and NYC before launching a sandwich concept that gained momentum, then stalled during COVID. Burnt out and ready to walk away, he followed a new instinct instead. That instinct led to a pandemic pop-up oyster bar, a surprising hit that reignited his passion. In 2023, Matt took the leap and opened Perla, a space that reflects his winding path and creative vision. This conversation dives into burnout, pivots, betting on yourself, and how the right idea often finds you when you’re finally ready to listen. Follow Perla @eatperla Recorded at Perla Oyster Bar Maplewood NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

    1h 1m
  6. Episode 71 - From Jersey to the Islands: The Sisters Behind Shaka Kitchen

    Mar 31

    Episode 71 - From Jersey to the Islands: The Sisters Behind Shaka Kitchen

    Send us Fan Mail This episode dives into the inspiring, sun-soaked story of Kiersten and Krista Gormeley, the sisters behind Shaka Kitchen in Hoboken and Morristown. Raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the Gormeley sisters didn’t follow a traditional path. School wasn’t where they thrived — but curiosity, grit, and a shared desire for something more always were. Kiersten, the older sister, felt an early pull toward the culinary world and an even stronger itch to get out of New Jersey. That restlessness led the sisters to Hawaii, where they lived for six transformative months. What they found there wasn’t just beautiful food — it was a simpler, cleaner way of life rooted in community, intention, and joy. The people, the vibe, and the flavors deeply shaped their palates and their perspective, sparking the idea to build something together. In 2016, with passion but zero restaurant experience, they opened the first Shaka Kitchen in Hoboken. They didn’t know the front end from the back end — and day one was such a wild success that they literally had to close for a few days just to regroup. Instead of backing down, they leaned in, learned fast, and powered through, creating something truly special. Shaka Kitchen became more than a restaurant — it became a movement, channeling the Hawaiian way of life that brought the sisters peace, clarity, and purpose. Along the way, Kiersten validated her culinary chops by becoming a Food Network Chopped Champion, while both sisters continued growing the brand with heart and authenticity. Now, as they enter a new chapter — building families while building their future — Kiersten and Krista know one thing for sure: they want to keep sharing the Shaka spirit and bringing that sense of joy, nourishment, and connection to more people, in whatever form comes next. This is a story about trusting your gut, betting on each other, and building a life — and a business — that actually feels good. Follow Shaka Kitchen @shakakitchen Recorded at Shaka Kitchen Morristown NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

    59 min
  7. Episode 70 - More Than a Deli: Eric Taliercio on Culture, Family, and Legacy

    Mar 17

    Episode 70 - More Than a Deli: Eric Taliercio on Culture, Family, and Legacy

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Eric Taliercio—the heart behind Taliercio’s, the iconic Middletown, NJ deli turned tri-state and beyond food destination. Eric’s path wasn’t straightforward. Despite his father owning the deli since 1988, Eric grew up working everywhere except inside it. After college, he tried finance, only to find himself drained and unfulfilled. Everything shifted when he finally joined the family business. His father made him start from the bottom, working seven days a week to learn the craft—and Eric fell in love with it. Today, he’s transformed Taliercio’s into a social media powerhouse known for its massive, creative sandwiches and a team-first culture. Eric lives by “the we, not the I,” always shining the spotlight on the people who help make Taliercio’s what it is. Their online presence surged during COVID and hasn’t slowed since. But beyond the viral fame and booming business, what stands out most is Eric’s genuine character—and the deep, meaningful relationship he’s built with his father by working side-by-side. Eric is one of the kindest, most grounded people I’ve had the chance to sit down with, and after hearing his story, you’ll understand exactly why the future of Taliercio’s looks brighter than ever. Follow Taliercio's: @taliercios Recorded at Taliercios Middletown, NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

    52 min
  8. Episode 69 - Honoring Legacy and Chasing Dreams with Peter Falzo of Vinnie’s Pan Pizza

    Mar 3

    Episode 69 - Honoring Legacy and Chasing Dreams with Peter Falzo of Vinnie’s Pan Pizza

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Peter Falzo, the passionate owner of Vinnie’s Pan Pizza — a beloved pizza spot with locations in Millburn and Brielle, New Jersey. Peter’s story begins in the kitchen of his Uncle Vinnie’s legendary pizzeria, Cammarata’s in Livingston, where he learned not only how to craft the perfect pizza but also the values of hard work, family, and perseverance. Inspired by his uncle’s influence, Peter set out to honor his legacy through Vinnie’s ’s — a name that carries both heart and history. From launching small businesses at a young age to running his own restaurant, Peter’s in Millburn, Peter’s entrepreneurial spirit has always driven him forward. When life and business challenges — including the pandemic — forced him to pivot, he rediscovered what truly mattered: keeping things simple, staying authentic, and creating something meaningful. Today, Vinnie’s Pan Pizza has become a sensation, known for its signature crispy pan-style bar pies, caramelized cheese crust, and those irresistible shredded “roni” cups. And Peter’s not stopping there — with his second location in Brielle and an unstoppable inner drive, he’s proof that passion and perseverance are the key ingredients to lasting success. Join us as Peter shares how honoring the past can fuel your future, why simplicity often leads to greatness, and what it really takes to build a business rooted in family, flavor, and heart Follow Vinnie's Pan Pizza: @vinniespanpizza Recorded at Vinnie's Pan Pizza Brielle, NJ Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more. Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

    51 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Behind the Counter with the Food Czar explores the stories of people who create community through their work and passion. Each episode features conversations with restaurant owners, influencers, charity leaders, and others making an impact in their neighborhoods.From building businesses to giving back, guests share their personal journeys, challenges, and successes. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a community supporter, or just someone who loves hearing inspiring stories, this podcast offers meaningful conversations about connection, resilience, and the power of people coming together.

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