Culinary Confidential with Christina Cates

Christina Cates
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Each week, on CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Christina Cates - a seasoned foodie who has worked at some of the New York City's top restaurants, will share her passion for the culinary world. Whether you're a professional chef, a restaurant enthusiast, or a lover of good food, Christina dives into the heart of hospitality - exploring the trends, triumphs, and challenges facing the food service profession...And you won't want to miss her chats with some of the most interesting and influential industry voices. CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Sunday nights, at 9PM... exclusively on AM 970 The Answer.

  1. 3d ago

    From Recovery to Longevity, What Peptides May Mean Now

    What are you putting in your body and what can it actually do for you?This week on Culinary Confidential, we’re taking that conversation to a whole new level with peptides, creatine, performance and longevity.First, we’re diving into one of the hottest and most talked-about areas of wellness right now: peptides.Christina is joined by Koehl Robinson, founder & CEO of Celia, a personalized longevity platform bringing together peptides, telehealth, prescribing and pharmacy infrastructure. We get into why peptides have exploded into the wellness conversation, what they may mean for longevity, recovery and performance, and why medical oversight, quality and transparency matter as this space grows.Then, Eli Tyo, founder of Denver-based Flux Creatine, joins the show to rethink one of the most researched supplements in the performance world. We’re talking creatine beyond the weight room, from strength and recovery to energy and cognitive performance, and why Eli set out to make taking it consistently a whole lot easier (and tastier).Peptides. Creatine. Longevity. Performance.What’s science? What’s hype? And what could be the future of how we think about feeling and performing at our very best? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Aug 31

    Reimagining Hospitality from the Ground Up with Ryan Wagner

    Hospitality is often described as an industry. But for Ryan Wagner, it's always been a discipline. One that's shaped by curiosity, precision, and the ability to make people feel anchored in a moment. This week, we spotlight Ryan's journey through some of the most influential corners of the hospitality world. His career has taken him from the design‑driven environments of Ralph Lauren and RH to the high‑touch, detail‑obsessed culture of Hogsalt Hospitality. In New York, he played a key role on the opening team of 4 Charles Prime Rib, a dining room that quickly became synonymous with warmth, exclusivity, and impeccable execution. But Ryan’s story isn’t defined by the logos on his résumé. It’s defined by the through‑line that connects them: an unwavering belief that hospitality begins long before a guest arrives and continues long after they leave. The ability to read a room, anticipate a need, and create a sense of belonging is not a tactic, but a craft. Said craft is exactly what Ryan has carried into his next chapter, as the founder of Off Map Glamping. What began as a curiosity about outdoor experiences has evolved into a hospitality‑driven venture focused on connection, comfort, and intentional design. Off Map isn’t just a place to stay; it’s an environment built to slow people down and bring them closer to nature, to each other, and to themselves. This week’s episode explores how Ryan’s philosophy has shaped his leadership, his entrepreneurial approach, and his understanding of what modern guests truly value. As consumers increasingly seek experiences that feel meaningful rather than transactional, Ryan’s perspective offers a blueprint for where hospitality is heading. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Aug 24

    100th Episode Special: Chef Ivy Stark, City Harvest, and the Fight to Feed New York

    It's official. Culinary Confidential has hit 100 episodes! And to celebrate this landmark episode, Christina Cates turns to a cause with a lasting impact across the five boroughs of New York City: the battle against hunger. To discuss this battle against hunger, Christina welcomes chef, restauranteur, and cookbook author Ivy Stark - a recognized force in Mexican cuisine and a dedicated member of City Harvest's food council. Stark has spent her career elevating Mexican flavors while championing thoughtful, ingredient-driven cooking. After earning a history degree from UCLA and training at the Institute of Culinary Education, she cut her teeth at Border Grill under Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger. She went on to hold executive chef and corporate roles at Zócalo, Rosa Mexicano, and Dos Caminos, helping define upscale Mexican dining in New York for over a decade. Today she channels that expertise into plant-forward, health-conscious Mexican cuisine through Ivy Stark MEXology and BKLYN Wild at Time Out Market New York. A three-time cookbook author, Stark brings both culinary authority and a deep personal commitment to the table. As a member of City Harvest’s Food Council, she helps guide efforts to rescue surplus food and deliver it to New Yorkers who need it most, operating on the simple but powerful principle that City Harvest has championed for over four decades: that perfectly good food should never go to waste while New Yorkers go hungry. The organization rescues surplus food from restaurants, grocers, manufacturers, and farms, then delivers it to community programs across the city. Right now, the need is urgent. Over 1.4 million New Yorkers face food insecurity, including one in every four children. In a city celebrated for its restaurants and culinary innovation, these numbers are a stark reminder of the gap between abundance and access. City Harvest's work bridges that gap, turning potential waste into real meals, dignity, and hope. Some shows chase trends. Culinary Confidential follows the people and pressures that shape them. In this 100th episode, Christina and Ivy explore the human side of that mission: the logistics of large-scale food rescue, the role chefs and restaurants can play, and the daily realities faced by families who rely on these programs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Aug 17

    Meet the Oyster Sommelier - Virginia Shaffer!

    What does it really mean to know an oyster? On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes the oyster sommelier herself, Virginia Shaffer, a true authority on one of the most seductive, mysterious, and surprisingly complex foods we eat! Ordering oysters is one thing, but knowing them? Much different story. Virginia has built a world around the shellfish: leading immersive tours and tastings through Lady Oyster, and now bringing her adventures to the page in Oyster Society: Adventures with the Shellfishly Motivated, a journey into the people, places, and obsession behind oyster culture. This conversation goes well beyond the raw bar. They explore why two oysters harvested just miles apart can taste completely different, what merroir really means, whether you should chew an oyster, what to notice first when you taste one, whether size matters, and what you’re actually tasting when someone describes an oyster as briny, buttery, vegetal, or mineral. They’ll also discuss what the shell itself tells you before you ever take a bite - covering etiquette, flavor, farming, pairing, provenance, and more. Oyster 101... just with a bit more sophistication. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Aug 10

    Bret Thorn On What’s Shaping The Future Of Restaurants

    Looking for a clear view of an entire industry while it’s still shifting under your feet? This week, Christina Cates is joined by Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, and one of the most reliable chroniclers of American hospitality. Day after day, he speaks with chefs, operators, beverage directors, and executives that are quietly rewriting the rules of dining. His reporting reaches far beyond any single restaurant review - he tracks the ideas, pressures, and cultural currents that shape how America eats and drinks. After years spent on the front lines of food journalism, Bret has sharpened an uncommon instinct for spotting what comes next. Whether the conversation turns to changing guest expectations, the economics of running a restaurant, creative menu development, workforce realities, or the broader forces reshaping hospitality, he delivers perspective rooted in real reporting rather than hype. What sets Bret apart from other food journalists? The breadth of his vantage point. Bret isn’t tied to one kitchen, one brand, or one city, but rather a rare industry-wide view that allows him explain what’s happening now but also why it matters and where it may lead. Listeners gain a behind-the-scenes look at the forces that ultimately determine what lands on the plate and why. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Aug 3

    Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Why Is It Liquid Gold?

    What does it really mean to rethink of the ways we renourish ourselves? On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes Susan Julia - olive oil sommelier, educator, wellness advocate, and one of the most passionate voices championing the power of exceptional extra virgin olive oil. While most people think of olive oil as an ingredient, Susan sees it as a living, breathing expression of culture, agriculture, and health. In this conversation, she explains why truly premium olive oil deserves the same respect we give fine wine - its terroir, its craftsmanship, its chemistry, and its ability to elevate both flavor and wellbeing. As America continues rediscovering the value of real food and intentional living, this episode explores the principles that have defined the Mediterranean lifestyle for centuries: slowing down, cooking with purpose, eating with community, moving daily, and choosing ingredients that support longevity. We’ll talk about polyphenols, heart‑healthy fats, anti‑inflammatory benefits, and why one bottle of exceptional olive oil can transform your kitchen, your wellness routine, and even your skincare. This is more than a conversation about cooking. It’s about living deliberately, honoring tradition, and understanding how one ancient ingredient can still teach us how to care for ourselves today. If you believe that food is medicine, and that the smallest choices can shape a healthier life, you won’t want to miss this one! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Jul 27

    Americana 250: Speakeasy Stories So Good They Should Be Illegal

    What happens when a nation tries to ban its own spirit? This week, Culinary Confidential's Americana Series wraps up with one of the most dramatic and flavorful chapters in American history: Prohibition. From 1920 to 1933, the 18th Amendment outlawed the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol. Instead of sobering up the country, it sparked an explosion of speakeasies, bootleggers, organized crime, and creative rebellion. Out of that era came a cocktail revolution and a whiskey culture that still defines American bars, innovation, and resilience today. Joining Culinary Confidential once more is Noah Rothbaum - James Beard Award-winning author, whiskey historian, and Spirits Editor at Men’s Journal. One of the world’s foremost authorities on whiskey and cocktails, Noah is the author of the acclaimed new book, The Whiskey Bible, a definitive guide to the history, craft, and culture of America’s greatest spirit. Whether you’re a history buff, a whiskey lover, a cocktail enthusiast, or simply fascinated by stories of defiance and ingenuity, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. This is more than a conversation about drinks. It’s about rebellion, resilience, American ingenuity, and how a “dry” law forever changed the way we celebrate, create, and come together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Jul 20

    Americana 250: Patriots Meet Cowboys!

    For Week Three of Culinary Confidential's Americana 250 series, patriots meet cowboys! Not the football teams but rather, two icons who embody patriotism, resilience, and heritage in their own powerful ways! Scott LoBaido is a renowned American artist, activist, and creative patriot best known for his powerful paintings and murals of the U.S. flag. Born in Staten Island, LoBaido has spent 30+ years painting thousands of renditions of Old Glory on schools, firehouses, police stations, homes, and public buildings across all 50 states. His work honors veterans, first responders, and the American spirit, often dedicated to those who serve. A vocal advocate for patriotism and national unity, LoBaido’s art blends creativity with activism, turning public spaces into bold celebrations of freedom and pride. Kent Rollins is a legendary chuckwagon cook, cowboy, bestselling author, and storyteller from Oklahoma. With over 34 years of experience cooking outdoors over live fire for ranches across America, he preserves the authentic traditions of the Old West. Raised around cattle and ranching, Kent bought his first chuckwagon in 1993 and has since become a beloved figure through his YouTube channel, cookbooks, and appearances on Food Network shows like Chopped Grill Masters and Beat Bobby Flay. He travels the country alongside his wife Shannon to share hearty recipes, frontier wisdom, and the camaraderie of cowboy life from their cast-iron skillet. From bold strokes of red, white, and blue to the sizzle of cast-iron skillets over open flames, this conversation dives into the people, places, and traditions that continue defining our nation.  And it's more than just flags and food. This conversation is all about patriotism in practice, heritage with heart, and the shared values that bind us: pride, perseverance, community, and the joy of serving something bigger than ourselves. If you believe America’s soul shines brightest through its creators, its workers, and its unwavering spirit, you won’t want to miss this one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Each week, on CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Christina Cates - a seasoned foodie who has worked at some of the New York City's top restaurants, will share her passion for the culinary world. Whether you're a professional chef, a restaurant enthusiast, or a lover of good food, Christina dives into the heart of hospitality - exploring the trends, triumphs, and challenges facing the food service profession...And you won't want to miss her chats with some of the most interesting and influential industry voices. CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Sunday nights, at 9PM... exclusively on AM 970 The Answer.

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