Per usual there is so much there’s so much going on and I’ve been eating, drinking, rubbing shoulders and shaking hands — I have really found myself chatting with some of the very best and brightest in the Industry - including today’s guest. I really do love what I do. Let’s go down memory lane shall we? I mean if you follow me on insta than you see a lot of what I am doing but you know I want to chat about it!  And then I will be bringing on this week’s guest:Journalist-turned-director-turned-activist: Joanna James. Joanna thinks a woman’s place is in the kitchen and I agree!Okay the DL on Chefs For EqualityYou know Your girl loves high tea and I just hosted a tea party at Zinnia in Silver Spring.I kind of just want to hang out at La Bonne Vache all the time. I want to just slather foie gras terrine on toasts and drink my roseRosedale is the new spot by Ashok Bajaj. It is exactly what a neighborhood restaurant should be: casual, pizzas, salads and Frank Ruta’s roasted chicken,Hungry? I didn’t event talk about my dinner at Dōgon, I’ll save that tasting trip until next week!Joanna James is  behind the film A Fine Line and is also the Founder & President of MAPP — MAPP is a 501-C3 non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the landscape of the hospitality & culinary industry through mentorship, advocacy, purpose, and the power of women (MAPP).Joanna likes to say, It shouldn’t be easier for a woman to be a CEO in this country than it is to be head chef and she is taking the standard, tearing it up into little pieces and demanding and effecting change - watch the full episode here or listen to it here.  

Hello it’s so good to be back on air. I did take another little break and there is a reason for that! I’ve had stuff!  There’s so much going on and I’ve been eating, drinking, emceeing and cavorting with some of the very best and brightest in the Industry. So as per usual I’m going to take you on a  little trip down memory lane on where I have been and what I have been doing.  AND then and only then I will be bringing on this week’s guest - the lovely and always entertaining Joe Yonan. I think Joe and I met a little over 15 years ago when he first came to the DC to jon the Washington Post Food section. Fast forward to today Joe is the 2x JBF award-winning food & dining editor at the Washington Post. He is the author of Cool Beans, Serve Yourself, Eat Your Vegetables and now the newly published Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking. Watch the full episode here or listen here.   

Last I left off that I was having lunch at Jose’s with Alice Waters and Joan Nathan — and a few others because Alice was in town to receive Julia Child Foundation award AND I was there at the Museum of American History and so was former award winners, Danny Meyers, Sean Sherman, Grace Young, Jacques Pepin on and one of my guests today  Toni Tipton Martin — to honor Alice who has been a champion of local sustainable agriculture for over four decades.So that is the perfect segue to Toni Tipton Martin and Morgan Bolling.Their glorious new cookbook, When Southern Women Cook from America’s Test Kitchen, reflects the diversity of the South, the women who live there and their personal culinary histories. My understanding is that this book came together thanks to Toni - (who is the EIC at Cook’s Country Magazine) and Morgan’s - (who is the executive Editor at the publication) — conversations about the intersection of food & women empowerment.More than 70 women (several of whom have been on this show) share their Southern roots through storytelling and recipes.Yes, there’s recipes for fried chicken (8 actually and we will find out why) and so many other favorites but more importantly Toni and Morgan provide a space for women to take control of the Southern Culinary narrative.When Southern Women Cook — History, Lore and 300 RecipesAnd if you do not know, Toni Tipton Martin is multi time James Beard Award–winning author and is one of the founders of the Southern Foodways AllianceAnd Morgan Bolling is a tv celebrity, as a cast member of the Cook’s Country TV show.Watch the full episode here or Listen to it here.  

Hello it’s so good to be back on air. Took a little break — well not really a break I’ve been working but I took a few weeks off from this show to get inspired and bring renewed energy.  Now to today’s guest. I love when I bring on people that I have known since the beginning of my time in this industry. Monica Bhide — nowMonica Saigal — we both started covering the food scene at the same time. Monica had a day job but she was writing mesmerizing articles for The New York Times, Bon Appétit, The Washington Post, and NPR. She has always blended stories of food with culture and her personal connections. She is a prolific writer — cookbooks like Modern Spice and The Spice is right, novels like Karma & The Art of Butter Chicken and Inspirational books like In Conversation with Exceptional Women (which Monica was generous enough to include me in) she now has a new book, a children’s book Papa’s Butter Chicken.Monica and I have truly not caught up in a bit. We are going to get personal and talk about her journey, her writing career and why everyone loves butter chicken! Listen to the episode here or watch it here.  

So today I am back with the Peter Chang family at their latest restaurant in the DC Area - NiHao Arlington, at the new Amazon headquarters at National Landing in Arlington, VA. The vibe is very hip and summery, with an airy street-facing bar and lots of delicious small plates. Lydia Chang designed the gorgeous space and I cannot wait to catch up with her. ALSO on this show is good friend and recent James Beard & RAMMY award winner Masako Morishita — so excited to have two boss babes with in with me today.I met Masako before she was ever in a restaurant kitchen. I remember where I met her! We were at the opening of Officina and your boyfriend at the time (now husband) introduced us. You were making something — dumplings doing pop ups? Anyway a year or so later you joined me on F&TB — you were executing at Brent Kroll’s Maxwell. And now you winning all sorts of well-deserved accolades while behind the stove at Perry's. How did you go from being the captain of the Commanders cheerleading squad to the 2024 James Beard Foundation’s Emerging Chef and the 2024 RAMMY’s Rising Culinary Star of the Year.At the end of today’s show, Lydia and Masako agreed to a short panel discussion on the trials and tribulations of being immigrant Asian women in the hospitality industry. Lydia’s team laid out a feast for our discussion — it was honest and frank and delicious  — tune in here 

Hello and welcome to another episode of Industry Night! Taking a break this week from residencies — although haven’t they been fun?! Loved being out in Delaplane, Virginia sitting amongst the vines of Barrel Oak  and the mountains of the Shenandoah off in the distance. It's such a treat to tape this show on location but sometimes, just sometimes,— my guests are all the way across the country so we pop on the screen to chat here in my not nearly as sexy as a vineyard … office.So for those of you who know me it takes a lot for me to gush about my guests. I like to play it cool — I mean it’s my job to interview people and I have had the pleasure of chatting with so many of the greats in this industry. But today I am a little giddy, totally fan-girling and maybe a tad nervous of the— Chef, author, food activist and the founder and owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California —  Alice Waters — She is also this year’s recipient of the Julia Child Award — The award recognizes those who have an impact on the American culinary scene and has been given by the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts since 2015, and comes with a $50,000 prize. Previous awardees include Grace Young, José Andrés, Danny Meyer, and Jacques Pépin and last year’s award winner Sean Sherman - several of those I’ve interviewed here on this show.Alice will be honored with the Julia Child Foundation Award on 10/17 in Washington DC as part of the Smithsonian’s National Food History Weekend.Also in with me today to talk about the Award and its significance is-Curator of Food History at National Museum of American History; Paula Johnson — good friend and a return guest to the show-Eric W. Spivey, Chairman and Trustee, The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary ArtsListen to the full episode here or watch the episode here.  

Good friend, beer guru and beverage director and partner of Neighborhood Restaurant Group - Greg Engert - he’s out here with me today! And since we covered wine here at the winery part of Barrel & Oak it’s now time to talk the Brewery part!First and foremost, did you know that August is Virginia Craft Beer month? With more than 200 craft breweries throughout Virginia and being named one of the Top Seven Beer Destinations by Travel Channel, it's no surprise that the state dedicates the entire month of August to celebrating Virginia craft beer. And in with me with is Jon Bowman, Brewmaster here at Barrel Oak. The brewery was named Virginia Brewery of the Year at the 2024 New York International Beer Competition, thanks to Jon.You can listen to the latest episode here.  

Well, hello there and welcome to another episode of Industry Night with me, Nycci Nellis. I am back in Delaplane at the beautiful Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery.And let’s talk about today's show!Scott Drewno & Danny Lee. I’ve known these two for so long — I just can’t believe they’re both this old.So I was doing some research. I thought I’d met Danny first but I think I may have met Scott first. Danny & his mom, Mama Lee opened up Mandu around the corner from my old apartment on 18th & T in 2006. David and I frequented the spot but I have a very clear memory of meeting Danny when he opened up the 2nd Mandu in the Mt Vernon Triangle area in 2011. I think on opening night — we were with David Hagedorn & Michael Widomski — That area was just coming to life and Mandu, this beautiful gem serving Authentic Korean food. Find the full episode here. 

Well, hello there, and welcome to another episode of Industry Night with me, Nycci Nellis. If you are watching the show, you may be like — she is at a winery but not the one she was at last episode — and you would be right! This week, I am taking a break from Barrel Oak in Delaplane and out further in Virginia! I am in Culpeper, Virginia, at the Old House Vineyard. It's a Vineyard, A Brewery, A Distillery, a restaurant, and so much more! And more about that in a minute. Let me tell you how I got here: A year ago, I was invited to a MATPRA conference — MATPRA The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance is all about regional tourism in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. Basically, it brings together journalists and destinations within the mid-Atlantic - now I know you know there's so much going on in this region because I tell you — but so many counties and municipalities offer an incredible array of fabulous things to do, eat, and drink. So, at this MATPRA event, I met Nicole Warner, Comms/Marketing Manager for the town of Culpeper. We hit it off for various reasons, but she really taught me what was going on in Culpeper. She was like, did you know we have a truffle farm? Um, no. And a Bison Farm — that you can go and visit? Um, no. And we have Virginia's first trifecta — a what? The first winery/brewery and distillery at Old House Vineyards.So, needless to say, I needed to get to Culpeper and see, touch, smell, drink, and eat everything happening there.And Voila! Industry Night With Nycci Nellis Goes to Culpeper was born.On today's show, I am chatting with:-Paige Read, Director of Culpeper Tourism-Ryan Kearney, General Manager of Old House Vineyards-Olivia Taylor & Vanessa Shea of Virginia Truffles-Steven Williams of Virginia Bison Company-Joclyn Yarnell, Head Chef Green Ribbon Restaurant here in Old House VineyardsIt's all so exciting because not only am I going to talk to all these people doing exceptional things here in Culpepper, but I am also going to get my hands dirty! Listen to the full episode here.  

Hello again. Here I am out in beautiful Delaplane at the magnificent Barrel Oak Winery and Brewery. My residency is out here for a good part of the summer and can I just tell you what a treat it is to be out here? So if you live in the DMV or in the Philly area or really anywhere this part of VA — the Fauquier and Loudon Counties — of Virginia. As you drive out here and the highway gives way to a two lane road — and the strip malls morph into pastures with cows and horses. Your blood pressure just comes down. It’s really really nice — especially since I have had a busy busy week.Is it just me? Or does everyone feel like they are running and gunning? My days are just slammed. At 630 or 7pm I’m like what just happened? I look at my List of things to do, places to go and people to see and I’m like — well there’s always tomorrow!So where have I been that you should be checking out? Well, if you follow me @nyccinellis you know I have been checking out some of the latest places.-Namak — Saied Azali’s Middle Eastern Mecca with tastes from Turkey & Iran — the saganaki & watermelon!-Kiyomi Sushi by Uchi — Sushi Nakazawa alum Masaaki "Uchi" Uchino is offering a $40 "quick omakase" at the Square food hall. 7 pieces of sushi, hand roll and miso soup - photo-ready sushi.-Almeda - Chef Danielle Harris in the former Himitsu space — innovative cuisine featuring dishes from the African Diaspora — spaghetti & fried catfish-Kalaya - a quick trip up to Philly to see family and eat, duh. Last year's James Beard Award winning Kalaya — incredible Thai food — 8 pm on a Sunday night place is jumping in Fishtown. Whole Grilled Fresh River Prawns, Crispy Garlic Chive Rice Cakes — and the florets of shaw muang dumplings.But back to Barrel Oak. As I said earlier, I love the drive out here but also like it out here. I’m kind of obsessed with all there is to do. Did you know that access to the Appalachian Trail is here via Sky Meadow State Park - and one of my favorite hikes is Lost Mountain. You start in a pasture, walking by cows, then you climb/walk up the mountain — take in the incredible views and come back down THEN — you reward yourself by hanging out at one of the area’s beautiful wineries and then going for dinner!So a little reminder I am Just East of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery. The 30-acre vineyard with its traditional Vitis Vinifera and American French hybrids has 10 varieties of grapes growing here including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Petit Manseng oh and Virginia’s premiere native grape Norton. We talked to the winemaker Jeremy Ligon last week about the fabulous wines here but this week general manager Adriana Lucca is joining me to chat about this gorgeous property. AND THEN I’m going to be talking with two chefs who are serving this region. Jarad Slip — we have known each other since the Nectar/Tahoga days — a really long time ago — he was at several other restaurants in DC including Fames City Zen as FOH. Oh and did I mention he is a Master Somm? We did reconnect when he was at RdV vineyards and now he has not one but two restaurants of note in Middleburg — Knead Wine & Tremolo, which I am a bit obsessed with and you can get here at the vineyard!And - also cooking out here is Chef Roderick (Pete) Smith. Chef Pete became the Chef de Cuisine at the age of 22 at Restaurant Medure in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. At this Four Diamond Restaurant, he was the youngest African American chef ever to run a Four-Star restaurant — he moved up here to work at Salamander and is now at The Piedmont Golfer Club and behind The Chef Feature Company. And, he is on the Taste of Blue Ridge advisory board and if you stay at the posh cottage out here — he will cook for you.Listen in to hear the full history here, or watch the episode here.