#180 Jenn Topliff - Roons

Roons started out in a kitchen in Napa Valley back in 2010, when Jenn Topliff noticed a severe lack of (delicious) gluten-free treats.  Enter Jenn's homemade macaroons.

Hear what led Jenn to start up Roons... and what ultimately brought her and her family to Portland. And, check out Roons at www.EatRoons.com

This episode of Right at the Fork is sponsored by:
Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steak House: www.RingSideSteakHouse.com 
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

 

#179 Becky McGrath - Burgerville

Chef Becky McGrath has been Burgerville's Director of Food Production since 2016. Hear what it takes to keep one of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic food brands running day to day - and how Becky makes sure the Tillamook Cheeseburger you eat in Tigard tastes just as good in Vancouver.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com

Learn more about Chris' Portland Food Adventures, including an upcoming trip to Australia at www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

#178 Philip Oswalt - Multnomah Athletic Club

Philip Oswalt is the Executive Sous Chef at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Hear how he found his passion in the kitchen, and his journey from Oregon to the East Coast, to France, and eventually to the MAC.

Learn more about Chris' Portland Food Adventures at www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

Soundbite - Wendy Bumgardner: Vancouver, WA Update

It's been over three years since we had Wendy Bumgardner of the blog Locavoregon on to talk about what's happening in the food world in Vancouver. She's back with a long list of new places to check out... and a few old reliables.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#177 Carina Comer - Carina's Bakery

Carina Comer isn't your ordinary baker. The legally blind baker founded Carina's Bakery in Beaverton in 2017, offering vegan baked goods to the masses.

In this episode of RATF, Carina talks to Chris and Cort about what prompted her to become a baker, and what it takes to run a vegan bakery day to day.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#176 Lucian Prellwitz - Beast/West

When we booked Lucian Prellwitz to come on the podcast, we had no idea of the big changes coming his way. Neither did he.  Hear Lucian talk about his jump into the food world, and what has brought him to help open up West in the old Wildwood spot.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#R88 Lisa Schroeder - Mother's Bristo

It's another classic episode of Right at the Fork.

Chris feels that Lisa Schroeder should be cited as "Portland's Official Mother."  Lisa visits the RATF studios to talk about the challenges of running a packed Portland culinary institution, especially in light of a the increased responsibilities she's taken on to provide love and care to her grandchildren.  Lisa shares some stories and grief of the loss of her beloved daughter, Stephanie.

Photo by Tim Sugden, About Face Magazine.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#175 Michael Kanter - Eliot's Adult Nut Butters

If the name doesn't grab your attention, the taste of Eliot's Adult Nut Butter will. Founder Michael Kanter joins the podcast this week, to talk about his trek from the restaurant scene to the world of nut spreads.

What makes his nut butter adult and who the hell is Eliot? Find out in this week's episode of Right at the Fork.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#174 Lisa Marcus - DigitalPour

What DOESN'T Lisa Marcus do?  From being the CEO and co-founder of DigitalPour, to helping run the annual Oregon Country Fair, Lisa stays busy.  Let's also add in fire dancing - and maybe biggest of all, plans to adopt a baby.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#173 Mike Thelin - Feast Portland 2018

2018's Feast Portland is just days away, which makes co-founder Mike Thelin visit to the podcast perfectly timed.  It was.  

Hear what it takes to put together Portland's biggest food week, as well as what events still have availability.  Check out www.feastportland.com.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

Find out more about Chris' upcoming trip to Australia at www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com. 

#R133 Aaron Franklin - Franklin's Barbecue

As Feast Portland approaches, we decided to look back a year, when Aaron Franklin had to cancel his planned trip to PDX and instead, deal with a restaurant fire.

From the original podcast:

On the heels of a fire that caused Aaron Franklin's famed Austin restaurant to rebuild for a few months, the storied barbecue king talks about learning about barbecue as a kid and his perception of his craft that his parents never had.

A little politics, and we talk business: Why he won't open another Franklin Barbecue, sourcing his meat for his brisket, and what the Visa commercial he did bought him, and why he did it. And also, you know, the usual stuff, like Obama visiting your restaurant.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#171 Micah Camden - Super Deluxe, Little Bean, Blue Star Donuts

Returning guest Micah Camden is responsible for Little Big Burger, Yakuza Lounge and Blue Star Donuts.  Chris and Cort invited Micah back to the podcast to talk about his latest venture, Super Deluxe - but were surprised to find out about an entirely new project, years in the making.

How many hours of sleep does Micah get each night? We'll find that out, too.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#170 Nolan Hirte - Proud Mary

A coffee at Proud Mary in NE Portland is not your average coffee stop.  On this episode of Right at the Fork, we talk to Nolan Hirte, the co-founder of Proud Mary in Portland, and Melbourne, Australia. 

Hear what makes coffee to important to Nolan - and maybe most important, the care and service that goes into it. Plus, get details on a special Portland Food Adventures dinner on August 23rd, as well a preview of a PFA International trip next year.  See more at www.portlandfoodadventures.com.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com 
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

Connect with Chris and Cort: www.RightAtTheFork.com

#169 Ryley Eckersly - Quaintrelle

Ryley Eckersley has worked in restaurants all over the world.  From Belize to Barcelona and nearly everything in between.  On this episode of Right at the Fork, Ryley tells Chris and Cort about his upbringing in London, his time spent at the family vacation home in France... and what ultimately led him the Pacific Northwest.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
Ringside Hospitality Group: www.RingsideFishHouse.com
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#R136 Patrick McKee - Perlot

When we spoke with Patrick McKee back in October 2017, he had just opened Southfork in the old Smallwares space.  Recently, Patrick has given the restaurant a new name, prompting a visit to this "classic" but recent episode.

Patrick McKee, now manning the knives at Southfork, was by Vitaly Paley's side for years. Patrick talks about his Iron Chef and Knife Fight appearances with Chef Ben Bettinger, how he balances home and work life with kids ranging from newborn to teenagers, and also, what he's learned as a parent of a child who's shown him how to view things in a different light.

And has refresher, check out our first convo with Patrick (with Ben Bettinger) on Episode #50 in the RATF archives.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
Ringside Hospitality Group: www.RingsideFishHouse.com
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#168 Renee Gorham - Toro Bravo Group

Not only does Renee Gorham oversee front of the house operations for all Toro Bravo Group restaurants, she runs the PR, produces events, and keeps her cool.  She's also raising a family and navigating through the scary world of her husband John's  Stage 2 glioma brain tumor .

We talk to Renee about how she got into the service industry and how she and John have dealt with their successes and setbacks, along with their dreams and priorities..

Also, a little about Tuna Week at their restaurants.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
Ringside Hospitality Group: www.RingsideFishHouse.com
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

Connect with Chris and Cort: www.RightAtTheFork.com

#167 Gabriel Rucker - Le Pigeon, Little Bird Bistro, Canard

Gabriel Rucker left a busy lunch service at his newly opened Canard to talk to Chris and Cort about how life has changed for him since opening his third restaurant, while raising a family.

Hear about how he manages his time and what people should expect at Canard.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
Ringside Hospitality Group: www.RingsideFishHouse.com
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com

#166 Sam J. Reed - Pizzeria Otto

Pizzeria Otto's Sam Reed is a force to be reckoned with in the Portland pizza scene.  He's fresh from a trip to Naples where he spent a week one-on-one with Master Pizzaiolo Enzo Coccia of La Notizia.

This episode also features Pizzeria Otto owner Clark Hale, talking Neapolitan pizza... and you can be sure they'll address clam pies.

Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com
Ringside Hospitality Group: www.RingsideSteakHouse.com
San Pellegrino: www.SanPellegrino.com