New Episodes Drop Each Tuesday! Step into the high-pressure world of culinary chaos with Chef Spike Mendelsohn, the relentless renegade of the kitchen, as he serves up a no-holds-barred exploration of the restaurant industry. In this gripping podcast, Spike sits down with fellow chefs, restaurateurs, and industry insiders to dish out the raw chaos and brutal challenges of the industry. From the relentless rush of a dinner service to the intense moments of being "in the weeds," each episode explores the triumphs, challenges, and downright madness of life in the kitchen. With candid conversations and captivating stories, listeners are invited to pull up a seat and savor the flavors of this exhilarating journey through the heart of the culinary world. Get ready to indulge in the ultimate behind-the-line experience as Spike serves up insight, inspiration, and plenty of food for thought. Welcome to the In The Weeds Podcast, where the heat is always on and the conversation is always piping hot.
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New Episodes Drop Each Tuesday! Step into the high-pressure world of culinary chaos with Chef Spike Mendelsohn, the relentless renegade of the kitchen, as he serves up a no-holds-barred exploration of the restaurant industry. In this gripping podcast, Spike sits down with fellow chefs, restaurateurs, and industry insiders to dish out the raw chaos and brutal challenges of the industry. From the relentless rush of a dinner service to the intense moments of being "in the weeds," each episode explores the triumphs, challenges, and downright madness of life in the kitchen. With candid conversations and captivating stories, listeners are invited to pull up a seat and savor the flavors of this exhilarating journey through the heart of the culinary world. Get ready to indulge in the ultimate behind-the-line experience as Spike serves up insight, inspiration, and plenty of food for thought. Welcome to the In The Weeds Podcast, where the heat is always on and the conversation is always piping hot.
Spike sits down with Shawn Townsend, President and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington — aka the guy making sure the DMV’s food scene doesn’t burn out under pressure. Shawn has seen DC from every side of the line — behind the bar, behind the badge, and now behind the movement keeping restaurants alive. From his early days crushing grapes in Sicily to becoming DC’s first “Night Mayor,” Shawn breaks down what it really takes to keep a city eating — through politics, policy, and pandemic fallout. They dig into everything from third-party delivery fees and minimum wage battles to ICE raids, nightlife culture, and what “Together We Dine” really means for the future of dining out in DC.
This one’s for anyone who’s ever fought to keep the lights on, the kitchen running, and the city’s flavor alive.
From a hut in Ethiopia to Michelin-starred kitchens in France to running one of New York’s most iconic restaurants — Marcus Samuelsson’s journey is anything but ordinary. Chef Spike Mendelsohn sits down with the culinary legend to talk about humble beginnings, snow that looked good enough to eat, grandma’s meatballs, and the pressure of taking over Aquavit at just 23. Along the way, Marcus shares his love for DC Central Kitchen, why cooks are always needed, and how the next generation of chefs can create impact far beyond the plate. This is food, grit, and resilience — served up Samuelsson-style.
Chef Katarina Petonito has built her career in some of DC’s toughest kitchens—and now she’s running three powerhouse spots under one roof on Capitol Hill. From Filipino bread memories and CIA grind stories to finding her stride with an all-female leadership team, Kat opens up about ego-free cooking, surviving the chaos of the industry, and creating a work culture that actually takes care of people. It’s sharp knives, family meal confessions, and plenty of badass chef energy.
On episode 17 of In the Weeds Podcast with Chef Spike Mendelsohn, we’re joined by Chef John Mooney—a true chef’s chef who has worked alongside some of the most renowned names in the restaurant world. From the streets of Chicago to working the line in top kitchens, Mooney has built an extraordinary career opening restaurants for luxury brands across the globe. As the chef-owner of Bell Book & Candle in NYC and Bidwell in Washington, DC, he’s been at the forefront of sustainability and farm-to-table dining. Tune in as two culinary greats go deep on food, hard work, and the ever-evolving world of hospitality.
On episode 16, chef and food equity advocate, Michel Nischan gets In The Weeds with Spike Mendelsohn. From truck stop cook to James Beard Award-winning chef, Michel Nischan’s journey to the kitchen was anything but planned. He sits down with Spike Mendelsohn to talk about his unexpected path, cooking for the Dalai Lama, partnering with Paul Newman, and his dedication to food equity. Tune in as he shares inspiring stories and discusses his advocacy work, including his efforts to create lasting change in food policy.
On episode 15 of In The Weeds, Chef Grace Ramirez takes us on a journey—from working behind the camera at Nickelodeon to interviewing celebrities for TRL, to quitting her directing job on Bobby Flay’s show to pursuing culinary school and creating her own recipe for success as a celebrated chef, author, and advocate for women. Tune in for some good laughs, fun stories and to learn how Chef Grace uses food as a bridge to culture, community, and impact.
On episode 14 of In The Weeds, we sit down with the legendary Andrew Zimmern—chef, storyteller, and the man who introduced the world to bizarre foods. But this conversation goes much deeper than what’s on the plate.
Andrew opens up about his battle with addiction, his journey to sobriety, and how those struggles shaped his career. He reflects on his friendship with Anthony Bourdain, sharing personal stories and insights about the man behind the legend. We also dive into his passion for storytelling and why food is one of the most powerful tools for connection and change.
From the state of the industry to sustainability, from resilience to redemption, this episode is packed with the kind of real talk that defines In The Weeds. Whether you're in the trenches of service or just love a good story, you won’t want to miss this one.
On episode 13, Chef Scott Drewno gets In The Weeds with Chef Spike Mendelsohn to talk about his journey through the culinary world. From his humble beginnings on the fry station at Applebee’s to working with Wolfgang Puck in Las Vegas, Scott shares how he found his passion for Asian cuisine. He also dishes out his hot take on buffalo wings, debates the pros and cons of sous vide cooking, gives us the inside scoop on his Montreal food tour (complete with a bagel back-and-forth with Spike) and he doesn’t hold back on his beef with the tip wage law. Tune in for a fun, unfiltered conversation packed with industry insights and a few spicy opinions!
On episode 12, Daniella Senior (CEO& Founder of Colada Shop) gets In The Weeds with Chef Spike Mendelsohn. In this episode, Daniella shares how cooking for her family shaped her passion for the culinary world and how food was more than just a meal, it was a way of life. She opens up about her journey as a woman leader and entrepreneur in the restaurant industry, the challenges she has faced, and the lessons she has learned along the way. From cultural roots to business growth, this conversation is a must-listen for food lovers and aspiring restaurateurs alike.
On episode 11, Chef Rocco DiSpirito goes In The Weeds with Chef Spike Mendelsohn, sharing how his early life shaped his passion for the culinary world. From studying at The Culinary Institute of America to taking a leap of faith in Paris—only to find out the restaurant he traveled for had no position for him—Rocco’s journey is one of resilience and determination. Tune in to hear how he navigated that challenge, built a celebrated career as a chef, restaurateur, and TV personality, and, of course, don’t miss the ultimate bagel debate: New York vs. Montreal. Which side are you on?
On episode 10, Seth Goldman gets In The Weeds with Chef Spike Mendelsohn. These two friends and co-founders dive into Seth’s childhood, his political and social advocacy work, and how he discovered that private sector could be a source of positive and impactful change. Seth lends listeners many nuggets of wisdom about taking leaps of faith, perseverance and using your platform and business to enact meaningful and significant shifts to make the world a better place for everyone.
On episode 9, Chef Victor Albisu—the mastermind behind Taco Bamba—gets In The Weeds with Chef Spike Mendelsohn, one of his first friends in the DC food scene. From their early days of hustling in kitchens to building their own culinary empires, this episode is packed with a whole lot of flavor and even more mezcal.
On episode 8, Chef Doron Petersan gets In The Weeds with Chef Spike Mendelsohn. The two chefs dive into how Doron got into veganism, her time in the restaurant industry and how those led her to opening up her vegan bakery, Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats. We also learn how these two both dislike sprinkles but like the word 'moist'. What's up with that chefs? How do you think they feel about Yelp? Tune in to find out the answer and hear more stories about navigating the ups and downs on the restaurant industry.
Doron Petersan is a celebrated vegan chef, entrepreneur, and cookbook author (Sticky Fingers’ Sweets: 100 Super-Secret Vegan Recipes), best known as the founder of Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats, a renowned plant-based bakery in Washington, D.C. A two-time winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, she has demonstrated that plant-based sweets can be both delicious and innovative.
On episode 7, Chef Erik Bruner-Yang gets In The Weeds with Chef Spike Mendelsohn. The two dive headfirst into the highs, lows, and madness of the restaurant industry. Erik is a culinary rebel who shook up the industry with his bold flavors and unfiltered opinions. From his unconventional rise in the food world to redefining what it means to cook with heart, Erik doesn't hold back. We talk about his roots, the influences behind his game-changing dishes, and why he refuses to play by the rules. Expect a deep dive into his journey, his philosophy on food, and some behind-the-scenes stories you won't hear anywhere else. Tune in for an unfiltered, unapologetic conversation with one of the most exciting chefs in the game today.
New Episodes Drop Each Tuesday! Step into the high-pressure world of culinary chaos with Chef Spike Mendelsohn, the relentless renegade of the kitchen, as he serves up a no-holds-barred exploration of the restaurant industry. In this gripping podcast, Spike sits down with fellow chefs, restaurateurs, and industry insiders to dish out the raw chaos and brutal challenges of the industry. From the relentless rush of a dinner service to the intense moments of being "in the weeds," each episode explores the triumphs, challenges, and downright madness of life in the kitchen. With candid conversations and captivating stories, listeners are invited to pull up a seat and savor the flavors of this exhilarating journey through the heart of the culinary world. Get ready to indulge in the ultimate behind-the-line experience as Spike serves up insight, inspiration, and plenty of food for thought. Welcome to the In The Weeds Podcast, where the heat is always on and the conversation is always piping hot.
