Advertise on podcast: Snacky Tunes

This week on Snacky Tunes, Darin sits down with Chef Jeff Okada-Ramsey, executive chef of Mizumi at the Wynn Las Vegas, whose global journey—from being in a band to slicing sashimi—has shaped a truly unique culinary voice. We talk about his sushi beginnings, deep dives into Japan’s kitchen culture, and what it means to bring that depth & discipline to the Vegas Strip. Then we head into the archives for a live performance from She Keeps Bees—one of our all-time favorites. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Snacky Tunes, Darin Bresnitz heads to the Lone Star State for a conversation with Alba Huerta, the award-winning bartender and owner of Julep in Houston. Alba shares how her childhood backyard parties shaped her hospitality style, her journey to mastering the craft of cocktails, and what it meant to win a James Beard Award while giving back to her local community through mentorship. Then it’s a trip into the archives with a visit from Samira Winter of the band Winter, recorded live at Dangerbird Records in Silver Lake. Samira reflects on her college days in Boston and performs a few tracks off her shimmering release Infinite Summer. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Snacky Tunes, Darin brings listeners an all-new, all-live episode straight from the heart. First up is a powerful conversation with Chef Heena Patel of San Francisco’s Besharam. She reflects on her journey from India to the United States and how cooking her youth's bold, beautiful food has become a tribute to her family and heritage. It's an emotional and inspiring story of reinvention, culture, and courage. Then, singer-songwriter Mark Mallman joins for a live set and talks through his creative process, the long road to finishing his latest album, Magic Time, and performs a few new tracks. It’s a great listen—and a good hang. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Snacky Tunes, Darin sits down with Buddha Lo, executive chef and co-owner of Huso in NYC, and the two-time winner of Top Chef. Buddha shares how he started cooking in his family’s Chinese restaurant in Australia, his journey through London’s top kitchens, what drew him to New York, and how music plays a key role in shaping the vibe at his fine dining spot. Then we dig into the archives with a visit from 2:54, who stopped by while on tour from London. We chat about their then-new album and their unexpected love of Mexican food—a rare find in the UK then. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Snacky Tunes, Darin sits down with Marc Rose and Med Abrous of the iconic LA restaurant Genghis Cohen. In a heartfelt and candid conversation, they reflect on the emotional journey of deciding to close their original, legendary location and the hope and excitement of starting fresh in a new space. They discuss what it means to be woven into the cultural fabric of Los Angeles and the resilience it takes to keep a decades-old institution alive through change and upheaval. Later, we dive into the archives for a live set from Brooklyn’s own Active Bird Community, recorded just before the release of their album Amends. It’s a lively session filled with music, laughs, and good vibes that perfectly complement the spirit of our food story. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Snacky Tunes, Darin sits down with chef Jesús “Chuy” Cervantes, the force behind Damian and Ditroit Taquería in Los Angeles. From growing up in El Paso to cooking alongside Enrique Olvera, he shares his journey through kitchens, cities, and flavors—including the big moves that brought him from Brooklyn to DTLA. Plus, we talk about this week’s can’t-miss Pujol pop-up at Damian (pro tip: try the bar). Later, Darin pulls up a performance from the archive by the Big Ups (featuring former HRN Engineer Joe Galarraga!) who had recently released their album, Eighteen Hours of Static. The crew discussed band life, touring, and which band member dominated the kitchen. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Snacky Tunes, host Darin Bresnitz heads back to his hometown of Philadelphia for a delicious convo with chef and restauranteur Kelsey Bush. From growing up in Hershey to culinary school to working on a farm, Kelsey shares the journey that led her to feed none other than the reigning Super Bowl champs—the Philadelphia Eagles—serving up Pop-Tarts and pastries from her new restaurant, Loretta’s, at every home game this past season. Then, we dig into the archives for a dreamy live set from Brooklyn trio The Unders, who stopped by to perform tracks from their EP and preview their upcoming LP. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Snacky Tunes, host Darin Bresnitz welcomes back Leah Ferrazzani, founder of Semolina Artisanal Pasta and now the heart behind Ferrazzani’s, her new café in Altadena. Leah shares what it’s been like shifting from the world of CPG to running a neighborhood spot, how she's been nourishing her community in the wake of the Eaton Canyon fire, and the sounds that set the tone inside her café.  Then, we head into the archives for a performance from rapper False Prpht, who recounts the chance airport encounter in North Carolina that led to a creative partnership with producer Poozy—and the music that followed. Want to support Leah’s work and help feed folks in Altadena? Hit this link to donate! For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week’s episode of Snacky Tunes, host Darin Bresnitz sits down with the ever-talented Peter Som to celebrate the release of his new book, Family Style: Elegant Everyday Recipes. They chat about Peter’s early career in fashion, his roots in the kitchen cooking alongside his mother and grandmother, and how those formative family dinners sparked a lifelong love of food—even while working in couture. Then, we dip into the archives for a dreamy live set from Mahogany, who dropped by the HRN shipping containers to share their lush, electronic soundscapes. They performed a few tracks from their then-new album and talked about touring in support of its release. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Snacky Tunes, host Darin Bresnitz sits down with two of his favorite voices in the LA restaurant scene—Ari Kolender and Joe Laraja of Found Oyster and Queen Street. They dive into the inspiration behind Queen Street, the Charleston-influenced seafood spot that’s quickly become a local favorite, and what it’s like running two standout restaurants at the same time. Ari also shares insights from his new cookbook, How to Cook the Finest Things in the Sea, a must-have guide for cooking seafood at home. Whether you're grilling, shucking, or just getting started, this book demystifies the process and highlights sustainability in the kitchen. Then, we dip into the Snacky Tunes archives for a special performance from Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Prima, who stopped by the studio in 2017 to play tracks from her debut EP. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Snacky Tunes, we welcome back our good friend Mike Traud to talk about the Chef Conference happening in Philadelphia from April 4th-7th. It’s a hometown hero kind of event, bringing some of the biggest culinary names and local legends to the City of Brotherly Love for a few days of food, conversation, and community. Mike gives us the inside scoop on the Noma Project joining the conference this year, the top-tier guest lineup, and the major industry issues shaping the restaurant world right now. And since we’re keeping it all Philly, we’ve got a performance and interview with SNACKTIME, one of the best acts to emerge from the local scene in recent years. Go Birds. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Snacky Tunes, we sit down with Randy Clement of Good Neighbor Bar and West Altadena Wine & Spirits—part of the Everson Royce family of neighborhood spots—to talk about the Altadena area and how it was impacted by the Eaton Canyon fire. Randy shares what it was like being on the ground with his son, looking up houses as the flames still burned, the emotional weight of reopening for the community, and the long road to recovery. Then, we dive into the archives for a set from French Horn Rebellion, the Milwaukee-born, Brooklyn-based indie electro-funk duo. They break down what it’s like to be brothers in a band and play some jams from their then-new album. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Snacky Tunes by becoming a member. Snacky Tunes is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Snacky Tunes, Darin’s back in Bed-Stuy, chopping it up with Chef Jilbert El-Zmetr about his brand-new restaurant, Laziza. From growing up in the family business to globe-trotting his way to Williamsburg, Jilbert shares the journey that led him to open a spot that blends killer mezze, vintage vibes, and a soundtrack straight from his personal vinyl collection. Then, we keep the Brooklyn love going, digging into the archives for a performance from Bad Credit No Credit. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the latest Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Snacky Tunes by becoming a member. Snacky Tunes is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Snacky Tunes, Darin heads down to San Diego to catch up with Chef Tara Monsod of ANIMAE and Le Coq. She shares her journey from growing up in LA to shaping a new kind of restaurant experience that blends her Filipino heritage with modern flavors. We talk about her culinary philosophy, the energy of her kitchens, and what makes a Saturday night at her spots something special. Then, we take a trip into the archives for a performance from Freelance Whales, the very first band ever featured on Snacky Tunes. While their debut appearance is buried deep in episode 26 (go find it on Heritage Radio Network if you’re curious), today, we’re spinning their second live session—an early gem from the show’s history. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the latest Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Snacky Tunes by becoming a member. Snacky Tunes is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this special installment of Snacky Tunes, Darin continues the conversation on how the Los Angeles culinary community is responding to the devastating L.A. fires. First, we welcome back Brad Metzger and Jacqui Leanza, who are behind one of the most incredible fundraising dinners—Chefs Love LA. The event features an all-star lineup including Ruth Reichl, Daniel Boulud, Nyesha Arrington, Billy Harris, Phil Rosenthal, Jeremy Fox, Curtis Stone, Jonathan Waxman, and more!!! The dinner at the legendary Lawry’s is raising critical support for World Central Kitchen and Restaurants Care. In the second half of the show, we sit down with Zak Fishman, owner of Prime Pizza and a longtime Altadena local, to discuss the impact of the fires on the neighborhood and the restaurant community. He shares his experience navigating the aftermath and the path to rebuilding. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the latest Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Snacky Tunes by becoming a member. Snacky Tunes is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.