FOODIE & THE BEAST: AUGUST 17, 2025

FOODIE & THE BEAST

Washington, D.C. is our home powered by an extraordinary hospitality community. Recent federal escalations (National Guard deployments, increased enforcement activity, and heightened visibility of multiple agencies) have created unnecessary intimidation that’s impacting residents, restaurant workers, and small businesses. Today’s show is about support: knowing our rights, showing up for local restaurants (hello, Summer Restaurant Week), and spotlighting the people making this city delicious.

  • Know Your Rights + How To Support Restaurant Week
    Shawn Townsend, President & CEO, Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), joins us to break down what diners, workers, and operators should know right now and how to show up for Summer Restaurant Week across the DMV.
  • Memoir: “Slanted Juice”
    Zed Wondemu, former restaurateur, shares the inside story of her first memoir, Slanted Juice, and the personal journey behind it.
  • Georgetown Is So Back: Koryouri Urara
    Urara Iwasaki, Chef-Owner of Koryouri Urara, on her intimate, frequently changing omakase rooted in homestyle Japanese cooking
  • A 1783 Tavern, Reborn: The Fountain Inn
    Greg Heitzig, Executive Chef & General Manager, on The Fountain Inn’s rare & vintage spirits tasting room, whiskey bar, and restaurant, honoring history with a modern palate.
  • National Rum Day, History, Myths, and a Tease
    Todd Thrasher of Tiki TNT and Thrasher’s Rum schools us on rum’s real story, dispels a few myths, and drops breaking news on a new activation.

Foodie & The Beast airs Sundays at 11AM on 1500 AM. Listen and support DC’s independent restaurants, now more than ever. Listen to the full episode here.