The Food For ThoughtCast: Call Me Chef
Life is better with food. Join Melissa as she chats with other chefs, and friends alike or just waxes poetic on all the culinary things that bring us together. At the virtual table, there’s something tasty for everybody!
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98
March 13, 2025
98. Dan Abel Jr. - A Guest Ep!
Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast, it's time for Episode 98 and life just got a little sweeter. Today we are talking to the Willy Wonka of The Midwest, Dan Abel! He is the Chief Chocolate Officer at Bissinger's in St. Louis, Missouri- not only is he an incredible podcast guest and natural conversationalist, this guy really knows chocolate- and he should, after all- this chocolate-making tradition has a history that dates all the way back to 1668! We ask Dan all of the burning questions- d
108
May 22, 2025
108. Phillip Foss- A Guest Ep!
Hey there food fans, welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast! Melissa and Steve are honored (and Steve is so excited!!!) to talk to Chef Phillip Foss today. Chef Phillip is not only one of Steve's culinary idols, he's also got one heck of a story pioneering his way through the food world. He is currently at El Ideas in Chicago- an incredible restaurant that hopes to flip the script on fine dining. From their home page: Paying homage to Chicago’s elevated train system, EL ideas is an abbreviati
113
June 26, 2025
113. Cookbook Time Capsule
Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast - It's time for Episode 113! After catching up a little, Melissa and Steve are taking you through the pages of a few of their cookbooks at home. We're asking each other.... What was the one recipe you bought this book for? What is your favorite part? What all have you actually cooked out of this book? Why did you buy it? Sometimes, not unlike some of our listeners I'm sure- we've purchased them for the title or the pictures-- and other times, the book has
122
Sept. 25, 2025
122. Chef Joe Sasto- A Guest Ep!
Hey there food fans! Get ready to lose your minds and be inspired to grow creative facial hair- because Chef Joe Sasto is here! You may know him from Top Chef: Colorado, Chopped, or The Great Food Truck Race or you may also know him for having the sickest handlebar mustache this side of a crazed railroad villain. Whatever the case, we're glad you're here. It's time for Episode 122 of The Food For ThoughtCast. We are talking about pasta, white people taco night (that's what Chef Sasto has nicknam
124
Oct. 9, 2025
124. Bennett Rea- A Guest Ep!
Would you ever try beef tongue jello or Newt's fruit? What about tuna loaf or a mayonnaise ice cube with pears and nuts? Bennett would, and he has! Buckle up food fans, today we're talking to Bennett Rea from Cookin' with Congress. It's time for Episode 124 of The Food For ThoughtCast. You may have seen his content through Facebook or Instagram, the Los Angeles Times, Eater, or NBC California. Bennett is an incredible guest with tales of woe from all over the culinary map- including his unique,
Recent Sound Bites
158
July 23, 2026
158. Kalm with Kava with Morgan Smith
Hey there food fans, welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast. Episode 158 brings us Morgan Smith from Kalm with Kava. Morgan is the CEO of Kalm with Kava. He has spent the past decade immersed in the world of kava. What is kava? Listen to find out! It is as much ritual and tradition, as it is beverage and ingredient. His work regularly takes him across the South Pacific, where he works directly with growers in Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga, and Hawaiʻi to learn from local communities, collaborate with f
158
July 16, 2026
158. The Quails of South Carolina
Hey there food fans! Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast. I'm glad you're here! You're just in time for Episode 158. Today I'm talking to Brittney Miller. Brittney is the CEO of Manchester Farms, America's first and oldest quail farm. This was an amazing conversation. More than 40 years ago, her dad started raising quail as a backyard hobby. Today, that small family project has grown into a thriving business that raises 80,000 quail every week, all without antibiotics or hormones. Since ste
157
July 9, 2026
157. Farmer, Interrupted
Hey there food fans! After a short hiatus, I am glad to bring you more of The Food For ThoughtCast. Thank you so much for listening and for following on social media. I am joined today for Episode 157 by Wayne Swanson Jr. He is the Founder and CEO of Swanson Family Farm, a Black-owned, multi-generational farm dedicated to producing premium, pasture-raised meats while advancing sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty. We discuss getting to know your food supply, the hype around organic, and
156
June 18, 2026
156. Pasta and Other Stuff
In quite possibly the most "Seinfeld" episode ever of The Food For ThoughtCast, Steve and Melissa take a soft glance at random pasta shapes, talk briefly about pasta sauces, go on rabbit trails galore, and explore lots of other tangents about absolutely nothing. Sometimes we need a break from the hard-hitting journalism to just catch up. Jimmy Dean waffles ain't it. Welcome back to the pod, food fans, it's time for Episode 156! Find us wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to rate, rev
155
June 11, 2026
155. What Happens In Atlanta
After a bit more shenanigans than usual, we're back for Episode 155 of The Food For ThoughtCast. Melissa returns from a trip to Atlanta and surrounding areas, visiting a couple of dear friends, and tells Steve all about it. If you're around the area, be sure to check out Marietta Fish Market, Rocket Fizz, Dough In A Box, Rumi's Kitchen, Douceur de France, Piedmont Provisions, Bottega Italian Market, and Bantam & Biddy. Thanks so much for listening. Sorry for the language, food fans. Some flavors
154
June 4, 2026
154. Chef Hawkes Returns!
Hey there food fans, we have a special guest returning for his third time on The Food For ThoughtCast- Chef Dominic Hawkes! You may remember him from such favorites as Episodes 67 and 100. He's the incredible culinary educator , all around food hero, a master chef of Great Britain, and foodie extraordinaire. Not to mention, he's a super nice dude. There were stories, there were tangents, there were numerous updates about the state of culinary education- and most of all, we talked about lots and
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About the Host
Melissa Reagan
Host/chef/dog mom
Hi, I'm your host, Melissa Reagan! I'm a 20-year veteran of the foodservice industry formerly of steakhouses, private clubs, restaurants, other random locations, catering events, and near nervous breakdowns. I reside in Texas with my two canine companions who are doing their best to make sure it isn't quiet enough for me to effectively record these podcasts. Food and wifi will bring us together! Thanks for listening.