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 WeekShawn 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 UraraUrara Iwasaki, Chef-Owner of Koryouri Urara, on her intimate, frequently changing omakase rooted in homestyle Japanese cookingA 1783 Tavern, Reborn: The Fountain InnGreg 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 TeaseTodd 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. 

We’re serving up a show full of flavor, innovation, and inspiration.– Cheetie Kumar, Chef/Owner of award-winning Ajja in Raleigh, NC, and Vice President of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, joins us to talk about two first-of-their-kind grant programs just launched by the IRC:  *A Disaster Relief Fund designed by and for independent restaurants.  *The “Innovator Awards,” celebrating independent restaurants and bars making bold moves to support their teams and communities. It’s an important and timely conversation for our industry.– Chef Kitima Boonmala of Birdsong is in the house—and yes, we’re going to coax out her secrets for creating those buzzworthy, inventive Thai dishes everyone’s talking about.– Victoria Simmerling brings us into the world of Casamara, a Mediterranean-influenced restaurant blending old-world European glamour with relaxed coastal chic—plus its Reynolds Bar, an Americana-inspired cocktail spot with vintage sophistication and a playful twist.– And from Gaia Supperclub, lead bartender Lily Heredia shakes things up. Gaia offers Mediterranean and Latin fusion cuisine alongside immersive entertainment inspired by the nightlife vibes of Mykonos, Dubai, and Saint-Tropez.Pull up a chair, it’s a delicious mix of ideas, talent, and stories you won’t want to miss. Listen to the full episode here. 

It’s Rammy Gala Sunday, and as one of this evening’s co-chairs and presenters, I’m buzzing with excitement. The nominees? All winners in my book.So to set the tone for a night of celebration, Foodie & The Beast is serving up a show that’s as full of flavor as it is fun:-Erin Hildreth, VP of Communications for Responsibility.org shares the latest on their mission to eliminate underage drinking, prevent drunk driving, and promote mindful alcohol consumption. Perfect timing, especially with the Rammy Gala tonight! She also walks us through their very cool (and very handy) Virtual Bar app, a tool to help you plan your drinking before that first sip.-We jet to the Amalfi Coast, without leaving DC. Francesco Amodeo, founder of acclaimed liqueur distillery Don Ciccio & Figli, is here to talk about Tarì Trattoria, a new concept in Union Market. Francesco brings the bold, simple flavors of his hometown, Furore, Italy, to life and we’re talking and eating aged fish.-Then, it’s fried chicken, but make it fancy. Reid Shilling and Sarah Quinteros of Shilling Canning Company introduce us to their delicious new Union Market pop up: Fancy Ranch Amish Fried Chicken. It’s crispy, juicy, and there’s a caviar waffle involved.-We’re joined by two stars from Marcus Samuelsson’s team at Marcus DC: Executive Chef Anthony Jones and Pastry Chef Rachel Sherriffe. They came in hot with blue cornbread + yassa butter and praline coconut cream cake, because how else should you pregame the Rammys? (Rachel is a nominee)-And finally, AJ Irawan, GM of Nobu DC, returns with Andre Bastien, Nobu’s Bar Director. This month’s featured cocktail is Ocean Bloom, a light and breezy sip perfect for August. They brought samples. We sipped.-Special Trend Report Roundtable —> discussion between Chef Anthony & Francesco about the dry-aged fish trend that is showing up on menus around the DMV and all over country.Another Foodie & the Beast is celebrating great food, great people, and a safe (but spirited) Rammy night! Listen to the full episode here. 

Foodie & The Beast lineup brought the flavor and the feels:Paul Carlson of Lulu’s Winegarden (a three-time RAMMY finalist for “Wine Program of the Year”) reminded us why Lulu’s is the casual, unpretentious wine oasis just off U Street. Ready for the pours.National Oyster Day is coming (August 5!), and Rick Allison of King Street Oyster Bar dropped by with slurp-worthy, salty details.The hospitality world has been reeling, closures, lawsuits, layoffs, and we could all use a collective exhale. That’s why we invited Giana Biscontini of Expanded Health, a clinical behavior analyst focused on transformative wellness for women, the AFAB community, and male allies. Mental health matters.Still National Ice Cream Month, yay! Pitango CEO Dinah Bengur came in to dish on their delicious gelato and their new scoop shop opening on 14th Street this winter.From sips to scoops to self-care, we covered it all.  Every Sunday at 11am on 1500 AM or here 

Sunday on Foodie & The Beast…Most Sundays, we’re all about the food, the fun, and the fabulous happenings across the DMV’s dining scene. But today, we’re diving deeper into what’s really going on behind the scenes in the hospitality industry.We’ve got a lineup of experts breaking down the policies shaping the future of dining:Shawn Townsend, President & CEO of RAMW, joins us to unpack Initiative 82, what it is, where it stands, and how it’s affecting restaurants and diners across the region.Matt Hetrick, President of Harmony Group and CFO to over 150 hospitality businesses nationwide, helps us make sense of Trump’s tax bill, what’s useful, what’s risky, and what restaurateurs should know.And in honor of National Ice Cream Day, we’re joined by Kyle Francis, Co-Founder and COO of Picnic, the startup that recently acquired beloved local brand Ice Cream Jubilee. We’re talking about scaling neighborhood favorites, honoring founder legacies, and building brands thoughtfully.And of course, keeping things cool and shaken throughout the show is Michael Riojas, Beverage Director at Matt & Tony’s All Day Kitchen & Bar in Alexandria, mixing up drinks and vibes.It’s a more serious show than usual, but still packed with flavor and insight. Listen to the full episode here. 

Today on Foodie & The Beast we’re serving up agave, accolades, and absolutely fabulous hair. Let’s go:-Agave, baby! We’re sipping and talking with the powerhouse trio behind 3708 American Agave Spirits: CEO Mitchell Linton, President Tony Ajayi, and CMO Zachary Spence. What makes agave spirits different from tequila? What makes 3708 stand out? We’re pouring it all out.Then, we sit down with culinary dream team Matt Conroy & Isabel Coss, the husband-and-wife chefs behind Lutèceand Pascual (hello, Washington Post’s #1 Best New Restaurant ), and soon-to-open Maison Bar à Vins with restaurateur extraordinaire Omar Popal. Beard noms, RAMMYs, innovation, and staying in love while running a kitchen? They spill.From Mapel Ave to Chinatown, Tim Ma has been redefining American Chinese cuisine. With Chef Robbie Reyesand Bev Director Sunny Vanavichai, we’re diving into the Lucky Danger story and Tim’s wild ride from engineer to restaurant mogul. Also, be on alert for the return of the scorpion bowl.And of course, the man behind Nycci’s signature blonde curls, Jack Howard of The Jack Howard Salon. He’s a salon legend, customer service king, and he’s drawing the line between great hair and great hospitality.Tune in, sip in, and don’t miss a minute.. Listen to the full episode here. 

Today’s Foodie & The Beast was a lively one.  We’ve got scoops, quizzes, cocktails, and culinary stars. YALA or MILK-We’re screaming for ice cream, Greek-style! Award-winning broadcaster Tommy McFly and his husband, brand marketing guru Chrys Kefalas, joined us in studio to talk about their delicious new venture: Yala Greek Ice Cream. It's yogurt-based, it's bold, and it’s about to hit Georgetown with a brand-new brick-and-mortar on National Ice Cream Day.From sweet to historic, we took a deep dive into the 100th anniversary of the Mayflower Hotel, one of DC’s most iconic landmarks. Joe Nacci and Macauly Cacioppo brought in a taste of their new cocktail menu and quizzed us on our Mayflower trivia. (Spoiler: someone needs to study up.)She couldn’t be with us in studio, but we still raised a glass to Ruth Gresser of Pizzeria Paradiso, who is this year’s recipient of the RAMMY Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award. A true DC icon and champion of the community, congrats, Ruth!And then this!  Mr. Make It Happen happened. Chef Matt Price, Instagram and YouTube sensation with over a million fans, stopped by to talk about his brand-new restaurant, Fraiche, now open in Columbia Heights. French, Cajun, South American, Caribbean influences it’s all on the menu.So whether you're here for the history, the hospitality, or the hot new openings — today's show brought the heat and the chill. Listen to the first episode here. 

 Today on Foodie & the Beast...We kicked things off with serious sweetness thanks to a donut drop from Donisima Fresh from Chicago, newly crowned James Beard Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, Carlos Delgado joins us to talk about his big win and the vision behind his restaurants, Causa and Amazonia.Meg Schiffman, co-founder of The Farmside Kitchen, shares how she’s redefining fast casual with vibrant, veggie-packed grain bowls.Political reporter Alex Demas gives us a look inside his piece on D.C.'s cocktail renaissance, and how he survived the research.Ndidi Agu, founder of Cafe Shuga and Shuga x Ice, talks blending modern African flavors into coffee, ice cream, and frozen treats.Every Sunday at 11am on 1500am or here.  

 It’s another delicious Sunday on Foodie & The Beast, and today we’re serving up global flavors and immigrant stories:-We’re starting off with a seriously spirited drink segment from Jo-Jo Valenzuela, Executive Chef and Managing Partner at Tiki on 18th. Polynesian vibes meet Filipino flair in the glass and on the plate.-We’re getting delicate with Leah Culley, the pastry queen behind Sweet Almond and her beautifully crafted French macarons. She’ll tell us why they’re the ultimate high-maintenance dessert.-Next, a culinary crossroads like you’ve never tasted before: Dr. Fatema Issa from Vera Cocina & Bar join us to talk about their inventive menu connecting Lebanese and Mexican flavors that is all inspired by real migration history.-And from one fusion to another, Michelin-starred Chef Masaaki “Uchi” Uchino and Dean Mosones, co-owner of Bar Japonais, take us into their sleek world of Japanese cuisine with French elegance. Umami for days.We’re closing things out with Derek Battle of Flave, the app that lets you turn your food pics into real rewards. Everyone takes photos of their food  now receive some serious bonuses for eating out and showing up.Craving a cocktail, a cookie, or culinary adventure, Foodie & The Beast has your tastebuds covered every Sunday at 11AM on 1500AM or here

🎙️Today on Foodie & The Beast, we’re raising a glass, passing the cheese, and celebrating some serious culinary resilience. Let’s break it down:🍷 Kiernan Slater of Slater Run Vineyards joins us to toast 10 years of winemaking magic. Farming, winemaking and thriving in Virginia wine country, deliciously.🎨 Carole D’Agostino calls in with the lowdown on Maryland CraftedL Centreville, formerly DrinkMaryland, happening Saturday, June 7. Think: 40+ local winemakers, artisans, and makers all turning downtown into a delicious sip-and-shop street fest.🍽️ If you haven’t been to Elle in Mt. Pleasant, consider this your sign. Co-owner Nick Pimentel and new Chef, Tyson Barrett are in studio with why this neighborhood gem is a must  and what’s new on the menu.🌱 From vineyards to dairy farms to full-blown ag innovation, Jennifer McCloud of the Ag District is here to tell us how she turned personal challenges into a powerhouse food and farm destination in Middleburg.💪 And finally, we’re closing strong with the fierce Ryan Ross, chef, consultant, culinary producer, and author, who shares how her journey through health struggles inspired a career that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.Settle in, pour something local, and tune in here.