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Celebrating Black History Month Do you ever feel like other people are trying too hard to categorize you? Maybe it's by your race or sexual identity, or even your birthplace? When entrepreneur Ryan Brown entered the hospitality business, she wanted everyone to just see her as a hard worker, someone striving to be a badass business person. She tells Chefs Lorraine Moss and Louiie Victa she now realizes that even though these are important goals, it's also important to be a black female role model because representation matters. Brown sees her family's Downtown Las Vegas bar, Classic Jewel, as their own lane of activism, a place where you can feel safe no matter who you are, a place to enjoy a cocktail and hookah, or even attend a community or political event. Classic Jewel has hosted President Joe Biden. Hear how she made that happen and why she thinks one day, it'll also host fellow sorority member, Vice President Kamala Harris. Podcast Mentions: DTLV Instagram, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., LV Raiders Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

From Makers & Finders to Take It Easy Roasters You've been abuzz at Makers & Finders in Downtown and in Summerlin. Now the coffee shops' young owner, Josh Molina, wants you to chill out at his Chinatown coffee spot, Take It Easy Roasters. Josh is no sloth - as his mascot at Take It Easy might suggest. The young entrepreneur owned 2 successful coffee hot spots in his twenties! And at his new Chinatown location, he's showing off his high-tech roaster, a Diedrich IR12 roaster to be exact. He explains to 2 Sharp Chefs, Lorraine Moss and Louiie Victa, that the fancy roaster helps his team create the perfect roast over and over again. From making his way through the coffee countries of South America to discovering the nuances of each pour through coffee cupping, the first generation Colombian-American is bringing something special, delicious, and fascinating to our burgeoning caffeine scene. If you're a coffee nerd, you'll love what you can learn from this Las Vegas roaster. If you just want to enjoy a cuppa now and then, listen for the laughs as Josh tells us that there are no age limits on coffee drinking. And Lorraine states that, "Spitters are quitters." Yep, you have to press play to understand. Podcast mentions: John Arena, Metro Pizza Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

2 Sharp Chefs Best Of 2020 Happy New Year! 2020 was a tumultuous year, but you pushed through it with us. And we are proud of our progress as we pivoted from recording on location at restaurants and casinos to social distancing on Zoom. To kickoff Season 3 of 2 Sharp Chefs & A Microphone, Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa share some of their favorite guests and podcasts of 2020 starting with the powerful speaker, Punam Mathur, Co-Founder of Delivering With Dignity. She talks about our "native gifts" and how you can find your true calling. You'll also here from Chef Mariana Alvarado of MasAzul, Chef Gina Marinelli of La Strega, Pizzaiolo Chris Decker of Metro Pizza, Jolene Mannina of SecretBurger.Com, Katherine Miller, VP of Impact at James Beard Foundation, & the Pizza Godfather, John Arena, Co-Owner of Metro Pizza. We're excited to be back, and as always, WE GOT YOUR BACK! Podcast Mentions: Anova, Eater Las Vegas, Bon Appetit, GoodPie, Soulbelly BBQ, Vegas Test Kitchen, Lotus Of Siam, Toridokoro Raku, Julia Child, Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

What's a Soulbelly, and Why Does it Rock? Do you ever feel like a rockstar in the kitchen? Do you know about Foie Grock? There's a new grill guy in town, and his brisket is inspired by his love of music almost as much as his decades of cooking experience. You may recognize Chef Bruce Kalman from Bravo's _Top Chef_ or that time he _Beat Bobby Flay_ at his own game, but the Jersey transplant is celebrated most by his adopted son, Jude. In this 2 Sharp Chefs & A Microphone podcast, Bruce shares his BBQ secrets with Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa. The cover band frontman talks about his upcoming downtown restaurant, Soulbelly BBQ and explains why he chose Las Vegas as his new business location AND his new home. PLUS - you'll hear stories about what it's like to grill with Grohl of the Foo Fighters and sing with the Ace of Cakes. Don't miss this inspiring and entertaining interview! In Show & Tell, you'll learn about the most important part of Bruce's life, and it's not brisket. Podcast Mentions: Chef James Trees, Chris Decker, Backbeat BBQ, Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters, Pantera, Whiskey Dick, Foie Grock, Chef Duff Goldman, Ace of Cakes, Beat Bobby Flay, Bravo’s Top Chef, Meatloaf, Secretburger.com, Drago’s Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Tamales & Familia Merry Christmas family! Feliz Navidad. Happy Hanukkah. Have you ever had a dream that took years to accomplish, but kicked into high gear after one BIG life event? It took time, a lot of experimentation, and a ton of tenacity for Saul Talavera to take El Tamalucas to the tamale heights he's experiencing today. The Las Vegas tamalero used to talk with his father, Saul Talavera, Sr., about starting a tamale business one day. They would kick a few back and dream, but the idea never materialized. Solo un sueno. When his father died in 2014 and Saul, Jr. lost his job, his wife pushed him to take a chance on their family's tamales. It wasn't easy, and at times, it felt impossible. In this 2 Sharp Chefs episode, El Tamalucas owner explains to Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa how he finally got people to listen, try his family's recipes, and queue up for hours just to get a taste. In Show & Tell, Saul shares a cooler that looks more like a rock guitar case and carries the sentimental value of a priceless heirloom. Podcast mentions: Sonic, Foodbeast Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Ghost Unit Kitchen - Chefs Jonathan Batista & Jordon Dunewood What do you know about Ghost Kitchens? They've been around a while, but their popularity is increasing as more and more people prefer grabbing food to go or getting it delivered to their homes. For Las Vegas small business owners, it's also helped many local chefs keep their concepts thriving and their costs down. Enter Ghost Unit Kitchen - a culinary "G Unit" of Chef Jonathan Batista's Latin/Caribbean empanadas and Chef Jordan Dunewood's Southern street food. They share a commercial kitchen with each other and several other Las Vegas restaurants. There's no dining room, but there's plenty of delicious food to sample. Hear about the chefs' backgrounds, how they met through Las Vegas non-profit Chefs For Vegas, and why they think this concept might be the future of food. In 2 Sharp Chefs & A Microphone** Pandemic Provisions, Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa** chat about their favorite shared food items. And in this week's chef Show & Tell, Jon brings a photo that he keeps in his food truck for inspiration, and Jordon shares a knife that gave him the confidence to keep moving up. PODCAST MENTIONS: YourPanadas, Chef JD’s Taste Kitchen, Valley Cheese and Wine, John Arena, Robert Irvine’s Public House, Jolene Mannina, Vegas Test Kitchen, Justin Franco, Chefs 4 Vegas, Department of Agriculture, Get Fresh, Three Square, Vesta Food Service, James Beard Foundation Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Who Needs a MIRACLE right about NOW? You know you do. You yearn for Christmas Sweaters. Kitschy Decs. Holiday Shenanigans. Despite our PANDEMIC woes, there are still ways to get all the holiday feels this winter season at the legendary Sand Dollar Lounge. Co-Owner Anthony Jamison chats with Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa about their second annual Miracle on Spring Mountain. In this 2 Sharp Chefs podcast, hear about Santa's Twerk Shop, Christmas cocktails, and PIZZA POPUPS! Find out how you can give back while you get to feast on special slices from some of the hottest chefs in Las Vegas. BONUS: Anthony shows us his special spatula in "Show & Tell", but at the behest of 2 Sharp Chefs, he ends up carrying up his massive cast iron to share with our culinary friends. Podcast Mentions: McDonalds in Tonopah, The World Famous Clown Motel, C**hris Decker, Brian Howard, James Trees, Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Rolling Stones, Lock, Stock, & Barrel 18yo, Rowan’s Creek, Paradise City Creamery** Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Las Vegas Town Fridge Project What can you do to help during this pandemic? UCLA Grad John Chou needs your help to spread love and community by filling fridges. LV Town Fridge Project started one day when Chou got sick of of seeing all the food waste during his volunteer work. He realized there might be a simple, inexpensive solution: a community fridge. Chou tells Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa years of helping at different non-profits gave him the skill set and the determination to take on food insecurity one fridge at a time. You can assist by dropping off fresh fruit and vegetables or prepared food at one of the project's two locations: 1010 N. Main St. Las Vegas 1041 Sweeney Ave. Las Vegas They're open 24/7. If you or someone you know or a business you know can host a community fridge, contact John at lvtownfridge@gmail.com PODCAST Mentions: Desert Bloom Eco Farm, Shamrock Dairy, Three Square, Kim Foster, United Movement Organized Kindness, Food Not Bombs, Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, Cluck It Farm, Worldwide Opportunities On Organic Farms, The Third Plate, Dan Barber, Alton Brown, Will Rogers State Beach, UCLA Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

What is your most evocative food memory? What food or restaurant takes you back to your happiest, funniest, most cherished moments? Anthony Bourdain once said, 'Context and memory play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one's life." Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa share the food moments that charmed their childhoods. For Lorraine, it's a root beer float and French fries at A & W with her grandpa, Eric Baptista. For Louiie, it's a braised beef noodle at a Chinese restaurant in the Philippines with their parents, Ligaya and Horacio Victa. You will fall in love with all the positivity in this 2 Sharp Chefs & A Microphone Thanksgiving Special. You'll also get to hear the beautiful food memories of: John Arena, Metro Pizza Co-Owner/Pizzaiolo Yassine Lyoubi, Barry's Downtown Prime Co-Owner Xenon Mallari, Happy Ending Chocolate Owner/Chocolatier Derek Stevens, Circa Las Vegas Owner Penny Chua & Sabrina Chutima, Lotus of Siam Myrene Delos Angeles, Sundown Mushrooms Owner Elizabeth Falkner, Celebrated Chef/Consultant Gary Francis Xavier LaMorte, Honest Hospitality Founder/Chef Mariana Alvarado, MasAzul Chef/Owner Brian Howard, Sparrow + Wolf, Chef/Owner Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving. It's been a challenging year. We got your back. Thank you for listening and supporting this two women food podcast. It's a labor of love and a culmination of a culinary storytelling dream for us. Podcast Mentions: Bazaar Meat, Andi Murphy - Toasted Sister Podcast, Bay Meadows, Amore da Roma, Magic Pan, Chef Thomas Keller, Chef Jose Andres, Chef Mary Sue Milliken, Chef Susan Feniger, Magnolia Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Toasted Sister, A Native American food story How much do you know about indigenous foods? Have you made an effort to learn about our history with Native American cultures? It's Native American Heritage Month. November marks a time for us to celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions of Native people. It started in 1990 with a declaration by President George H. W. Bush. With more than seventy indigenous food interviews in her Toasted Sister podcast compendium and the most important native chefs on her speed dial, Andi Murphy believes she's still at the very beginning of her education. Although the Navajo journalist grew up on the reservation, she ate many of the same sugary, processed foods as most Americans. Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa chat with the Native journalist about food sovereignty, what it means to her, her family, and her people. Andi also addresses how she feels about Thanksgiving and how we can celebrate the holiday and ALSO be cognizant of its history and impact on indigenous people and culture. FUN FACT: _The Three Sisters_ of Native American Food culture are corn, beans, and squash. In Native legend, those three crops are interdependent and must grow and thrive together. Podcast Mentions: Native America Calling, Chef Nephi Craig, Chef Elena Terry, Native American Culinary Mentorship Program, Chef Nico Albert, Chef Sean Sherman Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Do you love mushrooms? Have you seen a mushroom bigger than a basketball? Myrene Delos Angeles makes mushroom magic in the desert at her urban farm, Sundown Mushrooms. She and her partner, Chester, started growing mushrooms in their Las Vegas abode as a hobby. But as their mushrooms grew bigger and bigger, their interest grew stronger and stronger. Myrene even mumbles a mantra when the process becomes tedious, "Keep mushrooming. Keep mushrooming." In this episode, you'll learn some of the unique health benefits specific mushrooms can offer. From help with memory to lowering blood pressure and easing anxiety, mushrooms might the food medicine you need in your life right now. The fungi fanatic also explains the best way to wash mushrooms and the best way to cut mushrooms (not with a knife!). And go to our YouTube channel to see a special "Show & Tell" as Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa cannot contain their excitement when they see the size and the incredible beauty of Myrene's mushrooms. Podcast Mentions: Intuitive Forager Farmers Market, fresh52 Farmers' & Artisan Market Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

What did you do during the pandemic? Las Vegas pastry chef Andrea Mclean put together her love of pop culture and pies to create Pop 'N Pies. And just a few months in, her delicious desserts are poppin' up across the valley. The young chef has also secured some awesome collaborations with Chef Brian Howard of Sparrow + Wolf and Jolene Mannina, owner of SecretBurger.com. The pie chef shares how her fine dining experience, in the kitchens of the late Joel Robuchon and the Michelin starred Thomas Keller, helped shape her small business. For Show & Tell, she brings a pastry tool that both Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa covet respectfully. Podcast mentions: Libby's, L’Atelier De Joel Robuchon, Instagram: Sam Artsy Pants, Thomas Keller, Bouchon, Sparrow + Wolf, SecretBurger.com, Waitress Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

I scream. You scream. We can all scream for ice cream tacos and comic books, right? Las Vegas Chocolatier Xenon Mallari chats with 2 Sharp Chefs, Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa about pairing his mint condition books with his mint flavored desserts for his delicious dessert business, Happy Ending Chocolate. Find out his secrets for tempering chocolate, how his boxing background has helped him keep his eyes on the tasty prize, and why chocolate is his OBSESSION. Plus - the chocolatier's Show & Tell is a real thing of beauty. See his sexy hand forged Damascus knife that goes back to an old Instagram friendship. Podcast mentions: International Marketplace, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Fred Dex, Beat Bobby Flay, Life is Beautiful, Mothership Coffee, Ferguson’s Downtown, Mamba Mentality, Khoury’s, Forged In Fire, Mareko Maumasi Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Get ready for the time of your life. That's the motto for Circa Las Vegas. And you can find a veritable plethora of classic casino culinary delights. Owner Derek Stevens and Beverage Director Sam Pulliam give Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa a sneak peek at what you can sip and snack on at the Downtown Las Vegas resort. They got a private tour and a first look at the restaurants and bars at the highly-anticipated Fremont Street spot. Derek explains how he pieced together the dining choices from the upscale Barry's Downtown Prime to the casual Jewish Deli, Saginaw's, and the Pan Asian, 8 East by Le Thai's Dan Coughlin. Hear how they're feeling just days from opening and what they're most excited about - including how they are celebrating the local scene as well as Derek's hometown throughout the newest Vegas resort. Podcast Mentions: Capriotti's, Andiamo, The D, Lees Sandwiches Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Have you ever eaten a traditional Mexican tortilla? Las Vegas Chef Mariana Alvarado says most of us have NOT because of decades of selfish politics and greed. That's why she started MasAzul, a small business that prides itself on using heirloom Mexican corn to make traditional nixtamalized corn tortillas. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Chefs Lorraine Moss & Louiie Victa learn the history and process of nixtamalization, how it creates more delicious and nutritious tortillas, and why this is Mariana's life's passion. For "Show & Tell", she shows us a rainbow of heirloom corn and what each varietal produces. Make sure you press play on 2 Sharps Chefs YouTube channel to see it all. Also, the chef shares her exciting, "life changing" experience cooking with the staff at the new Henderson practice facility for the Las Vegas Raiders. You will never see a tortilla the same way again. And that makes Chef Mariana very happy and proud. Podcast Mentions: Las Vegas Raiders For this podcast's Pandemic Provisions, Lorraine and Louiie discuss their favorite traditional Mexican delicacies while travelling in Mexico (pre-pandemic, of course). Thanks for listening! Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

On Tuesdays, we eat TACOS. On October 4th, it's National Taco Day. And it's Hispanic Heritage Month. But do you really need an excuse to munch on a taco? For Carlos & Kristen Corral, being a tacotarian is a way of life. And they hope to make us all tacotarians. The Las Vegas couple started their plant-based Mexican eatery Tacotarian with their partners Dan & Regina Simmons after a delicious trip to Mexico City. They realized that it wasn't the meat that made the food so "MexiSexy" (yeah, we made up that word). It was the bold Latin flavors that came across just as well, and in some cases, even better with vegetables. Chefs Lorraine Moss and Louiie Victa learn about how the small business is trying to save the world one taco at a time, why the whole team has decided to go meatless, and how two married couples work so well together. For "Show & Tell" - Kristen & Carlos stay on brand with their delightful choice. Podcast Mentions: Pujol, Garagiste, Esther's Kitchen, Crafthaus, Main St. Provisions, Gardein, Beyond Meat, Good Planet, Market on South, Gelatology, NSPCA Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

You're in for the VIP treatment in this episode. From the chef's point of view, we'll show you what's in store for what could be deemed the biggest restaurant opening in this unpredictable year, Barry's Downtown Prime. The relationship started in the coolest steak spot of the 2000's. N9NE Steakhouse attracted the sexiest, most sought after celebrities in their prime. Now almost two decades later, they're joining sass and class for the ultimate Vegas hospitality reunion. Barry's Downtown Prime with Chef Barry Dakake and Yassine Lyoubi at the helm - along with co-owners Donnie Rihn and Marco Cicione - promises vintage Las Vegas glitz and glam in the hippest area of the city right now, Downtown Las Vegas. Chefs Lorraine Moss and Louiie Victa chat with the longtime friends about their last minute preparations for Circa Resort & Casino's newest fine dining destination. How will the VIP hospitality veterans handle the added pressure of debuting during a pandemic? Will they be able to replicate the huge success of previous partnerships? And what will Barry's have that the other restaurants didn't? Plus - check out a surprising 2 Sharp Chefs Show & Tell with Chef Barry. Let's just say what he brought still has Lorraine and Louiie laughing out loud. Podcast mentions: Derek Stevens Bazaar Meat China Poblano George Maloof Harry Morton Fertitta Brothers Scotch 80 Prime Charlie Palmer Steak Aureole Mouji Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

John Arena keeps an old note inside his favorite pizza book. It reads "Sono un Pizzaiolo, e basta!" It translates to "I'm a Pizzaiolo, and that's enough!" The pizza maker is co-owner of Metro Pizza in Las Vegas, a joint that harks back to a time of mobsters and classic crooners. In Vegas, he's thought of affectionately as "The godfather of pizza" or as Chef Dan Krohmer calls him "pizza Yoda"; interestingly, he may be known better outside of the city than in his own neighborhood. A member of America's number one pizza team, "World Pizza Champions," Arena became a pizza professor when he started teaching a class at UNLV Hospitality on the "History and Culture of Pizza." In this podcast, he shares with Chefs Lorraine Moss and Louiie Victa the origins of pizza around the globe from Egypt to Italy to the United States. The New Yorker explains why ANYONE should be able to express themselves by making pie whatever way they choose (including with pineapples and/or Ranch dressing). And he talks about why we need to think more about where food comes from and why in the hospitality industry, we should favor collaboration over competition. This is a rare, raw, and thought-provoking conversation with one of the premier pizzaiolos in the country. Podcast Mentions: Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco, UNLV Hospitality, The Pizza Book by Evelyne Slomon, Chris Decker (Instagram: @everythingbutanchovies), Spacca Napoli, TriBecca Allie Cafe - Sardis MS Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

We don't know what this season will bring for the newly minted Las Vegas Raiders, but we do know the team will be eating well. That's because they've got an all star chef team in Honest Hospitality working overtime to keep them healthy, in peak form, and excited about meal time. Chefs Lorraine Moss and Louiie Victa get an inside look at the state of the art Las Vegas Raiders Performance & Nutrition Culinary Center with its culinary boss, Chef Gary Francis Xavier LaMorte. He brings us on a digital tour of the decked out kitchen, tells us how the chefs are meeting the nutritional demands of professional athletes, and shows us the innovative technologies in place to keep his team and the Silver & Black safe. You don't want to miss this unique look behind the scenes of the city's first NFL team. Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Lotus Of Siam remains a Las Vegas institution. For many foodies, the Thai restaurant is their first stop after they land here. Chefs Lorraine Moss and Louiie Victa chat with the resilient daughters of Chef Saipin Chutima as they fight to keep their mother's legacy intact in an unprecedented time for small businesses. Her eldest daughter Penny Chua talks about what it was like cooking at the James Beard House while pregnant at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, how much pressure she feels trying to honor her family, and what she's doing to keep more than a hundred employees working and healthy. Younger daughter Sabrina explains what it's like learning from a legendary mother and why she knows only about sixty percent of the 100 year old recipes in mom's brain. She also brings something to Show & Tell that's a family heirloom as well as a disciplinary tool? Podcast Mentions: James Beard Foundation Find out more at https://2-sharp-chefs--a-microphone.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.