#402 Andrea Falaschi - 4th Generation Tuscan Butcher and Maialata Marquee Guest
Right At The Fork
Joining us this week is Andrea Falaschi, fourth generation butcher from Macelleria Falaschi in San Miniato in the heart of Tuscany. Andrea's family business is celebrating its 100th year in 2025. Andrea takes us through his family history with some anecdotes about how the business started back in 1925 with his great Grandfather Guido emigrating from Argentina with no reading and writing skills to open San Miniato's first butcher shop. Moving through Fascism in Italy we hear about the discord between his grandfather Vasco and Vasco's brother Bruno, and you must hear...
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#401 Carlo LaMagna - Magna Kusina & Magna Kaina (Denver)
Right At The Fork
We catch up with Carlo Lamagna, chef and owner of his Magna restaurants in both Portland and Denver. Carlo is creating communities and success in promoting Filipino cuisine, so much so that he's garnered recognition from the James Beard Foundation and diners around the globe since his humble start in the business from Detroit to Chicago to Portland. He's had his eye on Denver since before he landed in Portland years ago, and so now he's reaching his dream of opening a place there. Carlo talks about the difference between his two restaurants, and how appreciative he is that...
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RATF Classic: #386 Sam Smith - Yaowarat
Right At The Fork
Chef Sam Smith has been a notable figure in the Portland culinary scene since he arrived in the city from the Bay Area. He is currently the chef at Yaowarat, Portland Monthly's 2023 Restaurant of the Year. Sam talks about the experiences of traveling through Thailand with his team doing extensive research to develop the recipes for the restaurant, as well as why the team of Sam, Akkapong Earl Ninsom, Kyle Webster and Eric Nelson is such a powerhouse. Smith has honed his skills through experiences at renowned establishments like Zahav in Philadelphia and Ava Gene's in...
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#400 Jim Angelus - Cole Valley Tavern and Bacon Bacon
Right At The Fork
Join host Chris Angelus for a lively conversation with his cousin Jimmy Angelus, proprietor of San Francisco's Cole Valley Tavern and Bacon Bacon. Jim's history, which he talks about here, includes accolades from Julia Child and Jacques Pepin, criticism from Martha Stewart, mentions on Saturday Night Live, a Chopped! appearance and a host of fun stories about the fun people in his family and circle of friends, some of whom with whom you may be familiar. The most fun anecdote just may be his story of his Dad's fame as NYC's PAR-KING. You have to hear that one. ...
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#399 Sandra Tavares - Portugal's Travel Designer
Right At The Fork
Sandra Tavares knows the people, places and things that make up a wonderful culinary and wine journey throughout Portugal. Sandra started her career as a journalist and found herself covering a burgeoning food scene, to the point where she realized she would enjoy developing tours and experiences for people, and taking them to the best Portugal has to offer, rather than just writing about them. Eventually she met her husband Vitor, and as things happened, eventually they landed in a beautiful vineyard and winery owned by Portugal's benchmark Kopke wines, where Vitor...
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#398 Mary Cressler & Sean Martin - Vindulge
Right At The Fork
We are delighted to have Mary Cressler and Sean Martin on the podcast to talk about their venture, Vindulge. We talk about how it came about and evolved, especially through the pandemic, when their business model had to change. Vindulge is a wife and husband team who create delicious ways to enjoy cooking and entertaining outside with family and friends. Combined, they have two decades of experience in recipe development, entertaining, education, writing, and professional cooking. Mary Cressler: Mary Cressler is a wine, food, and travel...
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Chris and Cort talk Travel & 2024 Election + Classic Episode (#394): Kurt Huffman talks food at PDX
Right At The Fork
After experiencing the new Portland airport (PDX), we revisit our recent interview with Kurt Huffman of ChefStable who talks about the ins and outs of having multiple restaurants at PDX, from Grassa to Loyal Legion. Chris and Cort express how this first impression visitors will have of Oregon and Portland is key to the area's growth. And... For the first time in the Right at the Fork's 10+ year history, Chris and Cort decide it's time to talk politics on the podcast, but from the perspective of travel and how the world not only looks at our country, but how history may...
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RATF Classic: #353 Vince Nguyen - Berlu, Berlu Bakery
Right At The Fork
Right at the Fork is supported by: Zupan's Markets: RingSide Steakhouse: Portland Food Adventures: With the news that Berlu Bakery is closing (to relocate), following the perminant closure of Berlue last November - we wanted to revisit our conversation with Vince Nguyen just after his James Beard Foundation award win (Best Chef NW). Original post This week Portland had a big week at the James Beard Awards, and one of those big winners was Vince Nguyen of Berlu, taking home Best Chef NW/Pacific honors. And speaking of honors, it's an honor to have Vince on the podcast for a...
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RATF Classic: #364 Nat West - Closing Reverend Nat's Hard Cider
Right At The Fork
This classic episode comes from September of 2023, when Nat West was shutting down his business of 12 years. He's now one of 100 candidates on the ballet for one of 12 city council positions for the new Portland city government. Original Post We were able to catch up with Nat West, founder, president and cidermaker at Reverend Nat's Hard Cider. Nat announced the closing of his business after over a dozen years building the business from scratch. Nat tells us what led to the close and the decision to do it, the challenges and joys he experienced, and what he plans going...
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#397 Guest Host Bill Oakley talks to Nori De Vega - @nomnom_nori
Right At The Fork
We are honored to have Bill Oakley guest host this episode of Right at the Fork, featuring Nori De Vega - one of Portland's most prominent food and restaurant video creators on Instagram and TikTok. Nori De Vega was born in Manila, Philippines, and currently lives with her husband and two basenjis in Portland. Her immediate family originally immigrated to Reno, Nevada in the 90’s before everyone but Nori decided to relocate back abroad in the early 2000’s. Nori spent her formative years in the US during the school year and in Manila during winter and summer breaks. Her passion...
info_outlineWe catch up with Farmer Evan Gregoire again, while he's on vacation in the San Juan Islands. Even operates an urban farm, from where he supplies veggies to consumers and the restaurant industry, as well as an opportunity to purchase seeds for those growing their own. Chris and Evan we talk about some of the joys and challenges that come with that. We also discuss some of Evan's favorite chefs and places.
From Evan's Heirloom Seedhouse website:
At the heart of the Seedhouse beats a passion for nurturing nature’s bounty and preserving its precious gifts. We dream of cultivating a diverse array of specialty vegetables and flowers, not just for their culinary delights, but as living legacies of resilience. Our mission stretches far beyond the fields; it’s a commitment to safeguarding these resilient varieties for generations to come.
As we gaze into the future, we see a changing landscape, both in our region and our climate. It’s a call to action, urging us to deepen our understanding and connection to our local food systems. Through the simple act of planting and saving seeds, we can weave a tapestry of resilience, rooted in the soil of community and nourished by knowledge.
In our journey, education becomes our guiding light, illuminating the path towards a more sustainable tomorrow. We invite our community to join us, to learn, to grow, and to sow the seeds of change together. For in this shared endeavor lies the promise of a brighter, greener future, where every seed planted is a testament to our collective stewardship of the Earth
It’s through the valuable input of growers, chefs, and our community that we can continually refine and elevate the flavors of our vegetables. By listening to their insights, preferences, and suggestions, we not only enhance the taste of our produce but also cultivate a strong demand for these unique varieties. So, let’s keep those lines of communication open and thriving, because together, we can cultivate a truly exceptional culinary experience!
Right at the Fork is supported by:
Zupan's Markets: www.Zupans.com
RingSide Steakhouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com
Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com