The Food Lens Podcast

S3 Ep. 4: Tracy Chang is Feeding Frontline Hospital Workers and Spearheading Food Safety During the COVID-19 Crisis

Six weeks ago Tracy Chang didn’t expect to be spearheading a program serving 20,000 meals to frontline hospital workers — but that’s exactly what the chef-owner of Pagu (and new mother of a 4-month-old baby) is doing with the Off Their Plate initiative. Tracy shares her experience with transforming Pagu, how the organization is setting safety guidelines for foodservice during the COVID-19 crisis, and how she’s trying to plan for the future. 

S3 Ep. 3: How Pam Willis Is Caring for her Families at Work and Home During the COVID-19 Crisis

Pammy’s was never supposed to get into the takeout game, but these days owners Pam and Chris Willis are running a successful to-go operation, despite enormous challenges. Pam shares what it’s like to homeschool her kids while reinventing her business, and how she keeps up self-care during the COVID-19 crisis.

S3 Ep. 2: Jamie Bissonnette Feeds Health Heros and Gets Cooks Back in Kitchen

The chef and partner of Toro, Coppa, and Little Donkey talks about how he’s managing the Covid-19 crisis here in Boston, and at his restaurants across the globe in Bangkok and Dubai. We also get an update on his work with Off Their Plate, putting some of his restaurant staff back to work feeding front line healthcare workers, and what it’s like to be a Newlywed during the lockdown.

S3 Ep. 1: How Ming Tsai is Feeding His Restaurant Family During the Coronavirus Crisis

The chef-owner of Blue Dragon and host of Simply Ming on PBS says he’s “cried 8,000 gallons of tears” for the economically vulnerable staff he’s had to lay-off. But over the last couple of weeks, in partnership with the Lee Initiative, he’s turned his restaurant into a food bank for restaurant workers.

S2 Ep. 10: It All Began with a Blog for Brian Samuels

How do you turn a passion project into a full-time career? Just ask Brian Samuels, Director of Photography for The Food Lens. We sat down with Brian to hear what it was like to start his site A Thought For Food during blogging’s heyday, and how he went from taking pictures of his plates for fun, to becoming one of Boston’s most well-known, and loved (yes we’re biased!) food photographers. Don’t worry, we made sure to get some advice for upping your Instagram game in the process.

 

 

In light of everyone being stuck at home due to Covid-19, we also asked Brian to share one of his best pantry-staple meals from the blog - Pasta Puttanesca. Click HERE for the recipe! 

 

 

Weeknight dinner stress is cancelled! Catherine's company, not just co., helps you get a healthy, delicious meal done fast with their modern pantry staples, plus easy recipes for you on those evenings you aren't hitting the Boston restaurant scene. Use code TFL20 to receive 20% off your order.  

 

 

Thank you to our season two sponsors, Winestyr and Image Unlimited Communications. 

S2 Ep. 9: How Ashley Stanley Saves 75,000 Pounds of Food a Week with Lovin’ Spoonfuls

When Lovin’ Spoonfuls Founder Ashley Stanley discovered how much good food was being thrown out at big grocery stores, she started by loading up her car, and carrying it to a local shelter. 10 years later, the non-profit rescues 75,000 pounds of food every week. We talk to Ashley about how she got into the business of bringing food to people who need it most, what makes her non-profit unique, and the personal challenges that led her to change her life, and help so many others in the process. 

 

 

During the current coronavirus outbreak, communities served by Lovin’ Spoonfuls need our help more than ever. To donate, please go to https://lovin-spoonfuls.networkforgood.com/projects/9629-lovin-spoonfuls.  

 

 

Weeknight dinner stress is cancelled! Catherine's company, not just co., helps you get a healthy, delicious meal done fast with their modern pantry staples, plus easy recipes for you on those evenings you aren't hitting the Boston restaurant scene. Use code TFL20 to receive 20% off your order.  

 

 

Thank you to our season two sponsors, Winestyr and Image Unlimited Communications. 

S2 Ep. 8: The Business of Baking with Joanne Chang

Whether you want to learn how to bake a better brioche, or build a successful business, you’re going to want to grab a pen to take notes while you tune in. The baker/restaurant-owner/author shares how she went from a consulting gig as a recent Harvard grad, to scrappily figuring out her first Flour, to running 8 bakeries and 1 restaurant, while writing best-selling cookbooks, and creating a work culture where no one wants to leave. 

 

 

Weeknight dinner stress is cancelled! Catherine's company, not just co., helps you get a healthy, delicious meal done fast with their modern pantry staples, plus easy recipes for you on those evenings you aren't hitting the Boston restaurant scene. Use code TFL20 to receive 20% off your order.  

 

 

Thank you to our season two sponsors, Winestyr and Image Unlimited Communications. 

S2 Ep. 7: Building an Independent Beverage Business is a Real Hoot

How many people dream of quitting their desk jobs to start a successful craft-brewery? How many people actually take the plunge? We sat down with Night Shift co-founders Michael Oxton and Rob Burns to find out how they turned late night homebrew sessions in their apartment into a fast-growing craft beverage and distribution business.

 

 

Weeknight dinner stress is cancelled! Catherine's company, not just co., helps you get a healthy, delicious meal done fast with their modern pantry staples, plus easy recipes for you on those evenings you aren't hitting the Boston restaurant scene. Use code TFL20 to receive 20% off your order. 

 

 

 

Thank you to our season two sponsors, Winestyr and Image Unlimited Communications. 

S2 Ep. 6: How Elle Simone Scott Styled Herself a Career in Food

How do you get a job cooking on TV? According to Elle Simone, by saying yes to all manner of crazy experiences life serves up. Chef Simone shares the story of her winding path, from aspiring academic and social worker, to food stylist and on-air talent at America’s Test Kitchen. Elle gives us a peek behind the curtain of food TV production, talks about starting She Chef to empower women of color in the industry, and shares a couple of big, brand new projects she’s working on. Keep up!

 

Weeknight dinner stress is cancelled! Catherine's company, not just co., helps you get a healthy, delicious meal done fast with their modern pantry staples, plus easy recipes for you on those evenings you aren't hitting the Boston restaurant scene. Use code TFL20 to receive 20% off your order. 

 

 

Thank you to our season two sponsors, Winestyr and Image Unlimited Communications. 

S2 Ep. 5: There’s No Place Like Home for Mr. Kim

After running away to the islands, and popping up around Portsmouth, Gary Kim is back in his hometown with his new restaurant Mr. Kim’s. In this episode we talk about what hangs in the balance of new and old Portsmouth, wanderlust, finding your food voice, and why he has no fear of “fusion.”

 

Weeknight dinner stress is cancelled! Catherine's company, not just co., helps you get a healthy, delicious meal done fast with their modern pantry staples, plus easy recipes for you on those evenings you aren't hitting the Boston restaurant scene. Use code TFL20 to receive 20% off your order. 

 

 

Thank you to our season two sponsors, Winestyr and Image Unlimited Communications.