Advertise on podcast: The Chef's Cut

Top Chef alum and Michelin star chef Byron Gomez of BRUTØ joins us to talk about his path from fast food roots to the world of fine dining. Plus, we discuss: Skipping culinary school and whether or not it’s a prerequisite to success as a chef Completing the “culinary treble” at three of the highest profile restaurants in New York Learning from Daniel Boulud and taking the leap to a new kitchen Relocating to Denver + cooking your own steak and the “Minturn Baked Potato” ice cream dish The joy of interacting with Top Chef fans in your restaurant Byron’s creative use of seasonal ingredients to make surprising dishes later (including a creamsicle dish inspired by New York ice cream trucks) Walk In Confession: Almost getting fired for accidentally taking the boss’s phone Follow Byron: @chefbyrongomez  Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

The Super Bowl is just over a week away so Adrienne and Joe try the latest viral snack, Reverse Jalapeño Poppers. They also debate some of your favorite Super Bowl snacks and traditions (ranch or blue cheese?) before the big game arrives. Plus, we discuss: A listener’s “Salted” Take: Is it ever worth taking a special trip just to try a new burger? We respond to the latest viral video that tells people never to open a restaurant Is it harder than ever to open a restaurant? Still worth the trouble? Adrienne’s Walk In Confession involves measuring incorrectly and failing to wash the herbs Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

Adrienne and Joe are joined by acclaimed Chef Michael Anthony to talk about his time at the iconic Gramercy Tavern, and what he hopes to achieve at his new restaurant, Lex Yard at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Plus, we discuss: His biggest mistake after taking over the kitchen at Gramercy Tavern The most exciting things about launching at the Waldorf Astoria and why its history is so important His journey from Indiana to Japan, then to France, and finally to New York City What it means to have “courage” in the kitchen and whether or not the industry has gotten too soft (hint: it hasn’t) Reinventing and updating the Waldorf Salad Fork It or Forget It: Skyline Chili (compliments of Michael's hometown) Walk In Confession: Mike finds an emergency hire and somehow doesn’t live to regret it Follow Michael: @chefmikeanthony Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

Adrienne and Joe are back in the new year and tell us all about their biggest goals for what lies ahead, including TV hosting aspirations and building more community among local chefs. Plus, we discuss: The most controversial Michelin star upgrades (and downgrades) among major American restaurants  Why it means so much to get one or more Michelin stars and how it impacts a restaurant A surprising stat about just how many black chefs have (and have not) received a Michelin star Fork It or Forget It: Adrienne baked the viral phyllo dough cake Walk In Confession: Joe’s grueling wait to find out if he got his first Michelin star Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

It’s a new year, so we’re throwing it back to one of our favorite episodes of The Chef’s Cut. Award-winning chef Kristen Kish joins hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm for a deep, fun, and unfiltered conversation about her Top Chef memories, Chicago food roots, and the biggest lessons from the kitchen. In this episode, they dive into: The power of kitchen mentorship, featuring the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Kristen, Adrienne, and Joe’s first impressions and early memories of one another The buzz around the Charlie Trotter tribute pop-up event A new round of Fork It or Forget It featuring Raspberry Espresso Tom Colicchio’s hidden tradition from the Top Chef finale Kristen’s shocking Walk-In Confession about her worst kitchen mistake Burning foie gras, forgetting meat, and other culinary disasters Her honest journey writing "Accidentally on Purpose," her personal memoir 🎧 Whether you're a Top Chef fan, an aspiring chef, or love insider food stories — this episode is packed with flavor, failure, and fun. 🔗 Follow the Hosts & Guest: 👩‍🍳 Kristen Kish:⁠ @kristenlkish⁠ 👩‍🍳 Adrienne Cheatham:⁠ @chefadriennecheatham⁠ 👨‍🍳 Joe Flamm:⁠ @insta.flamm

🎙️ We’re throwing it back to our first ever episode of The Chef’s Cut, as Adrienne and Joe dive into everything from food industry headlines to hilarious kitchen horror stories, including: 🍽️ Gregory Gourdet’s bold return to NYC’s dining scene 📺 Padma Lakshmi’s new cooking show—and how much the winner actually takes home 😂 Review Review: People who complain about sunshine 🥒 Fork It or Forget It: Pickle Lemonade + NYT’s hot take on Caesar Salad & French Fries 🔥 Joe’s tofu-in-a-wok story (spoiler: it nearly took off his eyebrows) 😱 Adrienne’s unforgettable Brillo Pad disaster that made it to the dining room 💬 Tune in for this fun, unfiltered, and flavorful conversation between two Top Chef stars turned podcast co-hosts. 📱 Follow Adrienne:⁠ @chefadriennecheatham⁠ 📱 Follow Joe:⁠ @insta.flamm

It’s the holiday season so Adrienne and Joe are debating the most important questions: Is it time to give up on eggnog? Where does prime rib rank among Christmas meats? And what does Joe serve for Feast of the Seven Fishes. Plus, we discuss: The physical perils of being a chef, including real stories about burns and battle scars One question you should stop asking chefs: what’s your favorite thing to cook? Review Review: The surprising Japanese restaurant review system Joe discovered while on vacation Fork It or Forget It: Adrienne needs to try eggnog again? Walk In Confession: A trip to the emergency room for an injured thumb Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

This week on The Chef’s Cut, Adrienne and Joe are joined by one of the most important figures in American food media: Jamila Robinson, editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit and Epicurious. Together, they offer a behind-the-scenes look at food criticism. What does it take to get noticed by a major publication like Bon Appétit? How much testing goes into their recipes? And how does Jamila go about helping to pick the 50 Best for North America? Plus, we discuss: Should critics remain anonymous anymore? The Restaurant PR Myth: How important are publicists in the food world? The difference between a Michelin Star restaurant and a local favorite Food and recipes as a form of storytelling Cultural trends in cuisine Turn and Burn: Is Caribbean food the next big thing? Follow Jamila: @jamilarobinson Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

With Joe’s latest restaurant opening in Chicago, Adrienne gets all the secrets on how he sources ingredients for his kitchens. How do you balance getting local ingredients with sourcing from major suppliers? Plus, we discuss: Fork It or Forget It: Goldfish Cracker Rice Krispie Treats  Ice Cream Debates: Ranking the best flavors (including mint chip and Gold Medal Ribbon) Whole eggs or just egg yolks: which makes for the better pasta? How chefs work alongside suppliers to make sure they’re successful too Walk In Confession: Adrienne’s driving mishap that nearly cost her job at Le Bernardin Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

Adrienne and Joe are joined by Food Network star and decorated chef Maneet Chauhan to talk about how she chose the chef life, the universal language of food, and how she attempts to balance TV with running her own restaurants. Plus, we discuss: Fork It or Forget It: Ketchup on hot dogs (never in Chicago, of course) Maneet’s culinary breakthrough moment when traveling abroad Her major influences as a young chef Michelin starred Indian cuisine and the evolution of fine dining Walk In Confession: What to do when your multi-tiered wedding cake goes toppling over  Turn and Burn: Coffee vs. Chai, and much more! Follow Maneet: @maneetchauhan Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

Thanksgiving is finally upon us, so Adrienne and Joe share some of their favorite holiday memories from the kitchen and at home. Even when you become a professional chef, can you ever escape the scrutiny of grandma’s kitchen? They offer up some of their favorite Thanksgiving staples (which cranberries are best?) and some deep cuts that only family would understand (we’re looking at you Jello salad). Plus, we discuss: Favorite fast food orders including the iconic Apple Pie from McDonalds and their top fountain coke Fork It or Forget It: Butter-Dipped Soft Serve from Dominique Ansel Chefsgiving story-time: What’s it like spending the holiday in a restaurant setting? Joe’s enormous family gathering that takes days (and hundreds of ravioli) to prepare for Adrienne’s walk-in confession involving too many turkeys and an ill-received meal offer  Turn-and-Burn: Thanksgiving edition… traditional or experimental? Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

Adrienne and Joe sit down inside the walls of the iconic Le Bernardin in New York City for an intimate chat with chef Eric Ripert. He tells them the secrets behind his ascent to helming one of the best restaurants in the world, including what it takes to maintain a level of excellence worthy of becoming (and remaining) a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. Plus, we discuss: How fine dining has radically changed in his time as a chef Chef Ripert’s early years learning from four of the most important chefs in the world His path to becoming executive chef at only 28 years old The unique system inside Le Bernardin’s kitchen that sets it apart Adrienne’s eight years under his tutelage and what he remembers most about her Fork It or Forget It: Peeling Strawberries (and the dreaded task of peeling peas that followed him to Le Bernardin) A five-star review of guests who brought a special gift all the way from Japan The secrets to menu development and changing over time Keeping a connection to the kitchen and the routine that makes him successful Who makes better paella: Chef Ripert or José Andrés? Follow Eric: @ericripert Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

Joe is set to open his newest restaurant, Bar Tutto, and Adrienne asks him all about what it takes to go from concept to reality with a new establishment. He takes us behind the scenes to share all the things you don’t hear about when a restaurant gets started. Plus, we discuss: The great Paris pastry debate: which French treat do you pair with your coffee? Fork It or Forget It: Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Hiring 80+ people in a matter of weeks The ever-evolving menu of a new restaurant (and the influence of seasonality) Building a kitchen, the joy of friends & family dinner, and preparing for first service Walk In Confession: Joe’s story of plating for 350 James Beard guests and almost not making it Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

In a Chef’s Cut first, Adrienne and Joe sit down with co-chief restaurant critic for the New York Times, Ligaya Mishan. They ask her all about taking over for Pete Wells and what goes into writing her reviews every week. Plus, we discuss: The controversial Alinea review everyone is talking about Whether or not a one-star review should be considered "good" How the NYT picks restaurants to review The standards for reviewing a restaurant, including how soon is too soon and how much she eats Is it easy to get a reservation as a NYT critic (and does she get recognized)? Should critics have to read their reviews face-to-face with the people they’re criticizing? The influence of social media on restaurant reviews Ligaya’s favorite chef and which restaurant she wishes should could eat at Follow Ligaya: @ligayamishan Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm

This week, Adrienne and Joe are back and giving us their reaction to the viral Golden Diner pancakes everyone is talking about. Joe prepared a batch at home and shares his honest opinion on whether they’re worthy of the hype. Plus, we discuss: What’s your go-to steakhouse order? Adrienne’s controversial opinion on A1 steak sauce Cookbooks: All the inside info on what it takes to go from idea to reality Insights on testing recipes for a book Walk In Confession: Adrienne’s cookbook hit a snag thanks to an unrelated controversy in the publishing world Follow the show: @chefscutpod Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham  Follow Joe: @insta.flamm