Top 5 Episodes of The Ultimate Dish Podcast from 2023

When it comes to educational tools, books are crucial and TV shows can be valuable. But for the culinarian who’s always on the go, podcasts can offer a wealth of knowledge in an easily digestible format.

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts has its very own podcast, The Ultimate Dish, hosted by our Boulder campus president, Chef Kirk T. Bachmann. He interviews a diverse range of guests from all corners of the industry and beyond, diving deep into their stories and insights.

Here are the top five episodes of The Ultimate Dish Podcast in 2023.

1. How Celebrity Influencer Gaby Dalkin Grew a Food Media Empire

Gaby Dalkin made quite the statement when she traded in her fashion PR job for an apron and started culinary school. She then put those new-found skills to good use as a full-time blogger in 2009. As time has passed, Gaby has become the “go-to girl for all things California” as she stands at the helm of her digital cooking empire and blog, What’s Gaby Cooking.

Millions of people flock each month to keep up with her social media posts and connect with her through comments and messages. She’s also been featured in People, Glamour, The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, and more. Her thriving brand has helped her monetize content and book major collaborations, such as her popular line of cooking products for Williams-Sonoma.

Tune into a great conversation where Gaby tells the story of how she landed her first cookbook deal, developed such a strong personal brand with messaging that resonates with millions, and built a lasting legacy.

Listen to or watch the full episode here.

2. Why “Rainbow Plant Life” Founder Nisha Vora Ditched Law for Food Blogging

There’s no one better poised to advocate for the culinary community than lawyer-turned-foodie and full-time blogger, Nisha Vora. Nisha has spent countless hours perfecting flavorful vegan recipes, cooking videos, and tips for making a vegan lifestyle easy through her blog, “Rainbow Plant Life.” Listen in as she shares her tips of the trade and dishes all the details on how she built a thriving social media presence of over 1 million YouTube subscribers and more than 700k followers on Instagram.

Learn how Nisha first became “plant curious,” how she landed a cookbook deal, and how she found success after such a startling career change.

Listen to or watch the full episode here.

3. What “Risk-Taking” Can Do For Your Culinary Career

James Porter started his career in the hospitality industry more than 33 years ago, working in clubs and boutique hotels. He is nothing short of a creative visionary, and it shows in the one-of-a-kind business he’s developed. TERRA is a combined restaurant and rustic farm cooking school located in the Prescott National Forest in Arizona. The cuisine at TERRA is as inventive as its owner. James prioritizes supporting local businesses, farmers, and ranchers with his fresh, innovative menu ideas that still remain nostalgic.

Hear how Chef Porter built his food mecca from the ground up, his transition from apprentice to culinary risk-taker, and how he continually stays one step ahead with unique ideas.

Listen to or watch the full episode here.

4. “Breaking Bread” — The Secret to an Immersive Restaurant Experience

Nikhil Abuvala is the owner and executive chef of Roux 30A and Nanbu Noodle Bar in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Nikhil has loved to cook ever since he was tall enough to reach a kitchen countertop. Some of his earliest memories are of working in the kitchen alongside his grandmother as they rolled out fresh Indian flatbread. These experiences led him to pursue culinary arts as a career. Over the last 20 years, Nikhil has cooked in over 30 countries and specialized in creating unique dining experiences that highlight his love of global ingredients, food, culture, and ambiance. All his endeavors are predicated upon the idea that the most intimate thing you can do is break bread with your family.

Lend a listening ear as Nikhil talks about his grandmother’s influence, starting his culinary career at age 13, and the joy of “breaking bread” at one big table.

Listen to or watch the full episode here.

5. Beyond the Michelin Stars: Chef Iliana Regan’s Transition to the Great Outdoors

Meet Iliana Regan, a self-taught chef who built a Michelin-starred restaurant just to leave it all behind. It may be hard to imagine, but Iliana once owned an internationally recognized restaurant, Elizabeth, and turned it over to her employees in favor of running a 150-acre bed and breakfast, Milkweed Inn — set deep in the upper peninsula of Michigan. In this episode, she divulges intimate details about finding her identity as a chef and what it took to write her debut memoir, Burn the Place, which was included on the National Book Award Longlist — receiving the first award given to a food writer since Julia Childs.

Listen as Iliana talks about growing up on a 10-acre farm, relying on instinct and memory to create dishes, and serving “new gatherer” cuisine at Milkweed Inn.

Listen to or watch the full episode here.

Want to Hear More From Professional Chefs?

Podcasts, books, and TV shows are a great place for any budding culinarian to start. But if you’re ready to take your pursuits to the next level, consider exploring the degree and diploma options at Escoffier. Many of these can be completed online, so you can get your culinary credentials while working or taking care of a family.

Courses are taught by chef instructors with decades of industry experience and tons of knowledge to impart. If you’ve dreamed of having a professional chef as a mentor, culinary school is a great place to start. Contact us to take the next step toward your dream career.

HERE ARE SOME MORE HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR THE INSPIRED CULINARIAN:

• How Gen-Z is Shaping Modern Food Trends
• The Future of Culinary Education is Here: This is What it Looks Like
• 7 Apps for Restaurant Managers

This article was originally published on December 27, 2021, and has since been updated.