Show Notes
Expense Account is currently between seasons, but we had an opportunity to speak to culinary legend Tom Colicchio at his home in New York. We have more exciting announcements about the show later this spring, but in the meantime, enjoy this intermission episode. This week, J Lee spoke to Tom Colicchio. The restaurateur and TV star just celebrated the 25th anniversary of his iconic restaurant Craft. You might also know him as a judge on all 21 seasons of “Top Chef,” and as a co-founder of Gramercy Tavern. This episode covers: * What it was like to shop at Union Square Farmer’s Market in the ‘90s * How the cost of opening a restaurant in New York City has changed over the last three decades * Training in restaurants vs. training in culinary school * How Tom almost ended up in “The Sopranos” Expense Account is a food podcast for everyone. Insiders, outsiders, your mom, your dad, New Yorkers, Angelenos and also people from Florida (we love you). Anyone who enjoys eating food. It’s even for people who hate food. Feed Me’s resident food critic, J Lee will be joined each week by interesting and noteworthy guests from various fields who will make you laugh, they might even make you cry, who knows. You’ll find us here each week. Subscribe to stay relevant.
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Marcus Samuelsson needs no introduction. He’s that guy, and he’s been that guy for a long time. He was the youngest chef ever to earn three stars from The New York Times, for his restaurant Aquavit. He’s the winner of Top Chef Masters, and you’ve probably seen him on Chopped. He has 15 restaurants around the world, and he looks great in a hat. His new book, Back to Green, is full of healthy, diverse, exciting meals to cook for your family and friends. Marcus is someone who inspires me, and after listening to him, I think you’ll be a little inspired too.
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I love all of my guests. They’re all special. They’re all brilliant, but there’s just something about Patti Jinich. There’s a warmth that feels like a hug, or a Patagonia puffer vest. You can feel it through the TV. You can feel it through her words. She’s the host of Pati's Mexican table, Pati Jinich Explores PanAmericana, and La Frontera With Pati Jinich, all on PBS. She’s doing god’s work. If you’ve not watched her shows you really should. It’s some of the best travel and food TV since Bourdain, IMHO. She has a new cookbook called Foods of La Frontera, and two new seasons of her TV shows. We talked about life on the road, bordertown burritos, Kewpie mayo, and how she manages to do it all, all the time.
Our guest today is none other than Tanya Sichynsky, writer of the fantastic New York Times newsletter The Veggie and now author of Veg Everything: Recipes for Weeknights, Parties, and the Bites in Between. Vegetables are beautiful and delicious, and Tanya will be the first to tell you that you don't need to be a vegetarian to cook vegetarian meals. We talk about Atlanta, where Tanya is from. We talk about sports and Magic City wings. We really go in on Trader Joe's. And we talk Shrimpmas, your new favorite holiday. Tanya, I promise I'll be there this year.