RATF Presents: The Joy of Drinking Podcast with Joy Church - Ep #13 Christine & Steve Hopkins of Aimsir Distilling

The October edition of the Joy of Drinking Podcast is here.  Here, Joy Church talks to  Christine and Steve Hopkins, owners and founders of Aimsir Distilling, sat down to talk about their delicious foray into the wonderful world of spirits. The distillery will celebrate their one year anniversary in December. Such an impressive accomplishment!

Right at the Fork podcasts are supported by:

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

#292 Alex Frane - Food + Beverage Writer

Alex Frane, whom many may recognize from his writing with Eater, Thrillist and other publications, joins us to talk about many issues affecting the Portland food industry. Alex talks about how his the topics he wrote abouts changed from restaurant openings to social and business issues that hit so many beloved operators when Covid smashed down on us. Alex shares some of his favorites with us, which are peppered in throughout the interview.

We also talk about transportation issues in relation to writing about food.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

#291 Scott and Emily Ketterman - Pizza Kat

We connect with Scott and Emily Ketterman, well-known for their Crown Paella catering company all over Oregon, which became vulnerable to the effects of Covid and has had to cease operations--at least for now. Now, the duo is excited to move in a new direction with Pizza Kat, the just opened pizza spot on West Burnside in Portland, providing Scott and Emily with a viable business with which to move forward post-pandemic. We talk about how they met years ago in the kitchen, the influence working at Simpatica Dining and Laurelhurst Market had on Scott's career, as well as their pizza-specific inspirations, among other tasty topics.

Find them at Pizzakat.com and @pizzakat on Insta

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

RATF Classic: #25 The Paleys - Paley's Place

With the news that the Vitaly and Kimberly Paley will be closing down Paley's Place in November, we felt it important to bring back our original conversation with the couple.

Original Introduction:

Get to know the first couple of Portland's restaurant scene: Vitaly and Kimberly Paley. Hard working, generous of spirit, and still in love after 25 years and 3 restaurants.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

#290 Cameron Lee Dunlap - Morchella

Fresh off the heels of Cameron's excitement about his first mention in EaterPDX, we took it upon ourselves to host Cameron for the first time on a podcast.

Moving from the chef role at The Fireside, a second stint there, Cameron has gathered a team to open Morchella, slated to open its doors in mid-October, 2021. His first restaurant to which he can lay claim has his own will feature foraged edible food sourced by his staff. and others The restaurant will be built with a particular focus on quality of life for its employees, who will all be wearing numerous hats.

Cameron and Chris talk about the sustainability of social-forward restaurants, as well as his experiences at other restaurants, and which chefs he's watching in Portland.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

RATF Presents: The Joy of Drinking Podcast with Joy Church - Ep #12 Pechluck Laskey

In this episode of the Joy of Drinking Podcast, listeners get to hear from Pechluck Laskey.

Pech is a Portland-based food & beverage enthusiast, influencer, and blogger. She recently competed in Crater Lake Spirits annual "Claim Your Spirit of Adventure Cocktail Contest." Learn more about Pech's "Autumn Rejuvenation" entry and get tips on what to drink and where to eat this fall!

Read Pech's food and travel blog here: www.pechluck.com

Right at the Fork podcasts are supported by:

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

#289 Andrew Fortgang - Flor, Le Pigeon & Canard

After announcing the scheduled opening of his new retail wine shop, we caught up with Andy Fortgang, known to many as the business brains behind Portland's storied Le Pigeon and sister restaurant/bar Canard, which Andy owns with Chef Gabriel Rucker.

We discuss Andy's new project, Flor, and the genesis behind it, as well as the severe challenges of owning two restaurants through the recent pandemic. Andy tells us what the current operating situation is at both restaurants. This is a must-listen, since Andy will be expanding his horizons from and in addition to two of the most important restaurants in Portland.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

#288 Kurt Huffman - ChefStable

We catch up with Kurt Huffman of ChefStable to discuss lots to do with the state of the restaurant business in 2021. Having a stake in dozens of projects and restaurants gives Kurt and great perspective on some of the challenges facing both restaurants and their employees, and diners these days. We talk about his new projects in Lake Oswego and Beaverton and perhaps as far as the Oregon Coast. We touch on the evolution of buying the Tasty brand from John and Renee Gorham. Kurt also shares how boxing has helped him deal with the stresses of owning a host of restaurants.

Also, we hear why if all goes as planned, Kurt will be living in France in 2023.

Lastly, we talk about the loss of much of the foundation of Portland's hallmark restaurants and chefs with the exit of Andy Ricker, John and Renee Gorham, and Jose Chesa from the city.

The link to donate to Chef Chesa's GoFundMe campaign is here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-chesas-rebuild-their-home

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

RATF Classic: #281 Kyo Koo - Bokki Seoul NYC

Chef Kyo Koo, whom Portlanders will know from his days at BlueHour and more recently as proprietor of Danwei Canting, joins Chris to talk about working on his new concept in New York City, Bokki Seoul. Coming out of the pandemic, Chris asks Kyo about his thoughts about fast casual, take-out, and whether something closer to fine dining is something we can expect to return like the days of old.

Issues like rent and labor are considered, as well as what may be in store for Portland's food scene coming out of the pandemic (we hope!)

This episode of Right at the Fork is sponsored by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com 
Andina: www.AndinaRestaurant.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com 

#287 Jason F. French - Personal Coach for Men

Jason French was once referred to as an "Portland ambassador" by our host Chris Angelus when it came to Portland's food world, but even beyond that: embodying much of the spirit of the city, a dozen years ago to the point before Covid hit. Cut to 2021, and Jason is moving out of the hospitality business and into personal coaching for men, utilizing many of the skillsets and experience he gained as chef/owner of Ned Ludd, which he's now selling.

We talk about his years at Ned Ludd, where Portland is now as a city and how we got here, and also why men can benefit from his introspective coaching.

Email Jason at jason.f.french@gmail.com

Or check him out on Instagram: @jasonffrench

And his wife Carrie: @carriekalscheuer

RATF Presents: The Joy of Drinking Podcast with Joy Church - Ep #11 Carrie & Jody of Greater Goods

The Joy of Drinking Podcast returns, as Joy sits down with Carrie from Greater Goods!

If you've ever tasted their delicious CBD chocolates, you know that everything they create is of superior quality and is absolutely delicious.

Carrie and Jody share with Joy details about a new line of products: 100% vegan CBD gummies.

Right at the Fork podcasts are supported by:

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

#286 Mary Amter - Mary's Culinary Classes for Kids

We venture outside of Oregon this week with Mary Amter, host Chris' former beloved neighbor in Connecticut, who joins us to talk about her cooking classes geared for kids and adults.

Covid brought her classes online, which can be found on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/mccguilford/videos.

Mary talks about her childhood cooking with Mom and Dad, her husband's chef and teaching world, and how she decided, as a busy mother of three teenage kids, to start offering cooking classes on the Connecticut shoreline.

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

#285 Lauro Romero - República

Lauro Romero, chef of República  , a new hotspot on the Portland food scene, joins us to discuss his childhood and Mom's influence in his native Mexico on his food sensibilities.  We track his journey from farms in Mexico through Utah to Portland, where Chef Lauro helmed one of Portland's best seafood spots, King Tide.  Chef talks about the things that came together with his partners to form what he believes is a perfect team to offer great food, drinks, coffee and service at República.

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

RATF Classic: #217 Kristen Murray - MÅURICE

MÅURICE's Kristen Murray's story begins in Southern California, baking with her great-grandmother and great-aunt. On this episode, hear about Kristen's journey from California, to New York City, to France and eventually Portland (with many more stops in between), and the eventual creation of MÅURICE.

Right at the Fork is supported by: 

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

#284 Mike Thelin - Feast Portland

Mike Thelin joins us again to talk about rethinking Feast Portland, and what's important to the pared down, revised festival this year, and as the organization looks beyond the pandemic to future years. Chris and Mike get into a discussion about restaurants and Portland and quality of life. Mike always gives us a great conversation, and this is no exception.

You can hear about Mike's food, life and business background in episode 122.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

#283 Anne Hubatch - Helioterra Wines and Alter Ego Cider - Road Trip!

We asked Anne Hubatch to join us to discuss her family trip around the west this summer with her kids, visiting national parks and monuments along the way.  The first part of the podcast is dedicated to the wonders of long summer road trips, and then in the second segment we talk about Anne's journey to become a self-employed winemaker.  We discuss Helioterra and how she managed to weather the pandemic after 8+ years in the business. Anne also tells us about the women winemaker events at Division Wines.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

#282 Katherine Benvenuti - Fills

Katherine Benvenuti, pastry chef and proprietor of Fills , joins us to talk about all the ups and downs she's experienced since opening Bar King six days before the pandemic.  That upheaval has led to her new venture, Fills Donuts, as well as being partner in the new Tasty restaurant.  We discuss donuts, tipping, work/life balance, sweet versus savory, how Lake Oswego compares to Portland, the challenging labor market and how best to navigate that from an operator's perspective, and more.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

RATF Classic: #231 Kelsey Glasser - Arden

Looking back to February 2020, before everything changed, with Kelsey Glasser of Arden.

Kelsey Glasser is the owner and sommelier of Arden in Northwest Portland.  She joins the podcast to talk about what took her from the Willamette Valley to pursue acting in New York and L.A... and how wine brought her back to the Pacific Northwest.  Plus, she'll share how Arden brought the two career paths together.

Right at the Fork is supported by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse:  www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com

#281 Kyo Koo - Bokki Seoul NYC

Chef Kyo Koo, whom Portlanders will know from his days at BlueHour and more recently as proprietor of Danwei Canting, joins Chris to talk about working on his new concept in New York City, Bokki Seoul. Coming out of the pandemic, Chris asks Kyo about his thoughts about fast casual, take-out, and whether something closer to fine dining is something we can expect to return like the days of old.

Issues like rent and labor are considered, as well as what may be in store for Portland's food scene coming out of the pandemic (we hope!)

This episode of Right at the Fork is sponsored by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
Finex: www.FinexUSA.com  
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com 

#280 Jeff Ridabock - Home Grown Smoker Vegan BBQ

This episode of Right at the Fork is sponsored by:

Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
Finex: www.FinexUSA.com  
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com 

Jeff Ridabock hails from the same town host Chris Angelus, so in this fun episode Chris and Jeff reminisce about growing up in privileged Darien, Connecticut in the 60s and 70s. (You may not want little ears to hear this!) Also, Jeff talks pandemic in the restaurant business, and reaches back to his best memories of Portland when he arrived to the city in 1979.

Also, Jeff talks about how vegan food's acceptance has changed since he started making vegan BBQ over a half dozen years ago.