Joiners

Episode #92 - Monica Casillas-Rios of Elske

This week, we’re joined by the talented Monica Casillas-Rios, the acclaimed bartender at Chicago's Elske, whose exceptional cocktail program recently earned her the prestigious 2023 Michelin Guide Exceptional Cocktail Award. Monica shares her fascinating journey in the world of hospitality, from her early days discovering the art of cocktails in Detroit to her current role as the creative force behind Elske's inspired drink menu.
Throughout the conversation, Monica takes us behind the scenes of her creative process, revealing her preference for simple, yet innovative ingredients and her unique approach to incorporating elements from the kitchen into her cocktails. She also delves into her personal taste in drinks, her love for non-alcoholic beverages, her thoughts on the biggest misconceptions surrounding her craft, and so much more. 

Episode #91 - Alfredo Noguiera of Cane & Table, Cure, and VALS

This week, Tim and Danny sit down with Alfredo Nogueira, the talented New Orleans-born chef currently heading up the kitchens at NOLA's Cane & Table, Cure, and VALS. Alfredo shares his journey, from getting his start cooking in his hometown, to pursuing his passion for music in Chicago post-Katrina where he ended up falling in love with the kitchen life.
Alfredo takes us behind the scenes of his time as executive chef at Chicago's Analogue, where he brought classic Louisiana cooking to the Windy City. He reveals what drew him back home to New Orleans, and the challenges and triumphs of reimagining the menu at Cafe Henri. Alfredo also shares some insider tips on must-visit spots in NOLA, an intriguing McDonald's menu hack, and so much more.

Episode #90 - Monica Eng of Axios Chicago and Chewing Podcast

Monica Eng knows a thing or two about how to talk and write about food in Chicago and beyond. She got her start at the Chicago Sun-Times as a copy clerk in high school and spent sixteen years as a reporter on the food scene for the Chicago Tribune. She went on to write for every major Chicago outlet and currently writes for Axios Chicago, where she covers a wide range of issues, from food policy, to dietary health and beyond. You can also hear her talk food with Tribune food critic Louisa Chu every week on their popular podcast, Chewing. Her new book with David Hammond, Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites explores the history of some of the city’s most iconic delights. Monica’s natural curiosity and passion for food and people are crystal clear and on display in a lively episode that explores a career guided by Roger Ebert, the impact of AI on food journalism, her family’s chop suey legacy, and so much more.

Episode #89 - Jess Feller of Aged & Infused

This week we’re joined by beverage entrepreneur Jess Feller. She founded Aged & Infused with her husband, John — it’s a company devoted to providing innovative, palate-pleasing spirit infusion kits that take the fuss out of mixology at home. She tells us about what led her to leave behind the world of advertising to delve into the beverage industry. We talk about ingredients that infuse well (and the ones that don’t), her family's history of being prepared for a good time, her appearance on the Kelly Clarkson show, and so much more.

Episode #88 - Jason Vincent of Giant, Chef’s Special, and Pizza Matta

What does the future of the hospitality industry look like? What are the best ways to find work/life balance as a chef and parent? And does Danny have a solid gold car? We're sorting it all out with Chef Jason Vincent in one of our longest episodes yet. With decades of experience leading acclaimed restaurants like Nightwood and Giant, as well as spearheading industry healthcare initiatives, Jason has a wealth of wisdom to share. 
This week we're talking: Jason's winding path through some of the city’s most lauded kitchens; what the healthcare crisis looks like for both front and back of house staff; whether hazelnuts are over or underrated — and of  course, so much more.

Episode #87 - Todd Stein of Ballyhoo Hospitality

This week on Joiners, we are thrilled to welcome Chicago culinary legend Todd Stein. With over 30 years of experience working in acclaimed kitchens around the country and overseas, Todd shares incredible stories and insights from his extensive career. We cover his early days working under renowned chefs like Keith Korn and Michael Kornick, being on the opening team at MK, winning major accolades as executive chef of Cibo Matto, and as always, so much more.

Episode #86 - Adam Witt of Omnivorous Adam

Our guest this week is Adam Witt, AKA Omnivorous Adam, a chef and videographer bringing major energy and enthusiasm to the online food space. He sits down with us and tells us all about his unconventional journey, from washing dishes as a teen to jetsetting for celebrity clients later on. We get into everything that fuels his relentless curiosity, from epic food crawls around Chicago to nerding out over cookbooks and obscure YouTube channels. Plus: Adam’s stint on a food truck in LA, his favorite places to shop for ingredients, the key to making videos people actually want to watch, and so much more!

Episode #85 - Adrian Kane of The Infatuation

This week, we’re garnering critical consensus with Adrian Kane, Editorial Director of restaurant recommendation authority The Infatuation. We trace Adrian's unexpected path from recommending eateries while dying hair at the salon to leading one of Chicago's most influential food sites. Adrian tells us about getting her start with the company in its early startup days, how she approaches editing the diverse voices on her team, the method behind The Infatuation's dining alias strategy, and much more. From getting scoops on new openings to dealing with the occasional Twitter outrage, we get the inside look at life as an editor on the food scene beat in Chicago.

Episode #84 - Joe Briglio of Nine Bar

What happens when a hockey-loving finance major turned firefighter hopeful decides to trade in his gear for a shaker tin? This week we're exploring that trajectory with Joe Briglio, co-owner and beverage director of Chicago's Blade Runner-inspired cocktail den Nine Bar. We journey along Joe's unexpected career path that led him from college summers slinging drinks at concerts to designing some of the city's most interesting neon-tinged cocktails. Joe tells us about emerging reinvigorated after a shocking diagnosis, Tim and Joe reminisce about their time on the trading floor, we learn all about the genesis of Nine Bar, and so much more.

Episode #83 - Sandra Holl of Floriole Cafe & Bakery

This week, we’re flouring a clean surface with acclaimed pastry chef Sandra Holl, owner of the beloved Floriole Cafe & Bakery in Lincoln Park. Sandra shares her journey from growing up in Rockford, Illinois to unexpectedly falling in love with French pastries during a year studying abroad in France. She tells us about the process of opening Floriole, starting small with just a tent and a few pastries at local farmers markets, to establishing a flourishing cafe and bakery we know and love today. In a conversation that is both literally and figuratively sweet (she brought us a box of pastries), we talk: baking philosophy focused on the balance of quality ingredients and techniques, tips for enterprising home bakers, vying for the top of the class at culinary school, and so much more.