C-Welcome to Episode 25 of This Is Yu Podcast.

C -This Is Carole Yu  and Scott Stewart

This Is Yu Podcast Music intro….

C-You just heard a clip from Justin Warner’s show for Marvel called “Eat the Universe.” More on that later.

But, first, today, taking inspiration from Justin and his quirky science meets food mashup world, we’re going to talk Molecular Gastronomy.  Stay tuned to after the interview with Justin where we’ll actually step you through one of his super galactic recipes.

S-Carole, I remember about ten years ago you bought Dara a molecular gastronomy kit for her to play around with. I think you got it on Amazon right? How did that come about as even an option?

S- Today we welcome Justin Warner who burst onto the food scene by winning Season 8 of Food Network Star.

What’s amazing is he’s totally self taught and has created a life full of creative and idiosyncratic food.

C- I remember watching that season, and I was so blown away by his inventiveness.  I think because he doesn’t have that formal training, his vision isn’t clouded by traditional ways to cook foods, and pair flavorings.

S- We talk to Justin about his early competitive spirit when he was still in middle school in Maryland.  Justin worked his way up through the front of house in restaurants, until he worked in NYC for Danny Meyer.  He was a captain at The Modern which is a restaurant in the Museum of Modern Art.

C- Justin then appeared on 24 hour restaurant battle on the Food Network in August 2010 and won with his brunch restaurant concept. Then, he got called back in 2012 to be on Alton Brown’s team on the 8th season of Food Network Star.  He won, and that’s how his food media career took off.

S- Around this same time, Justin had a restaurant called Do Or Dine, in Brooklyn, which paired unusual tastes together, like and caviar nachos, shishito with yuzu, wasabi, hickory and green tea, or venison wontons with Jarlsberg cheese.

C- I remember we ate there with Dara,  and Justin was super engaging and even sat down with us for half an hour talking about food TV competitions, since Dara had just finished her show on MasterChef Jr.   I was dying over the fish and chips.  It had an entire deep-fried fish that looked like it was swimming on top of a huge pile of fries.  Mmmm, so mouthwatering. 

S- Justin has several cookbooks, and more to come and now has a partnership where he has done over 47 videos for Marvel Comics with his Eat the Universe cooking show. He represents as Marvel’s food expert at all the great comic conventions.

C-  Here you go, Take a listen…..

C-Thank you so much to Justin for joining us in today’s conversation.  It’s been so awesome to follow your career from restauranteur to Food Network Star to Marvel comics food expert. 

S- We’re so happy that you’ve found a way to really make the most of your creative and innovative food spirit!

S-As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. 

C-You can reach us on Instagram or Facebook at [This Is Yu Official] or you can leave us a voice memo at [562-291-6037]. We listen to all the voicemails.

S- Home base is www.ThisIsYu.com

C- Thanks for listening to the show. Speaking of APPLE PODCASTS, Please SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT and RATE our THIS IS YU PODCAST. 

S-Have a great week!  Thanks for listening and letting us make your life more delicious.

Justin Warner's Information:
Twitter @EatFellowHumans
Instagram @EatFellowHumans
Marvel & Justin - Eat The Universe - On You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKWPfouH9vc
Website - http://www.eatfellowhumans.com/

Welcome to Episode 24 of This Is Yu Podcast.

This Is Scott Stewart and Carole Yu

You just heard a clip from when today’s guest, Maneet Chauhan, competed on Iron Chef America. She is an intrepid competitor, having made hundreds of appearances as a contestant and judge on the Food Network. This woman is a passionate and determined restauranteur, mother, wife and celebrity chef.

But, first, today is all about Fruits, nuts, and flakes.

Your relatives Carole?  

Nope we’re talking about cereal.  

Today, we welcome Maneet Chauhan, Maneet was born in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. 

S-She went to the Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel administration in India.  After asking her professor what the best cooking school in the world was, she went to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York and got her Associates degree in Baking and Pastry.

C- True, and might I add, that’s where Dara is going for the exact same degree!  Well, Maneet graduated the top of her class with high honors, sweeping all awards.

S- Right after graduation in 2000 she was hired as management for a startup restaurant in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where she headed a team and expanded the restaurant's capacity from 70 seats to 140 seats. 

C- By 2003, at the age of 27, she became the opening executive chef of Vermilion in Chicago, Illinois, earning her 3-Stars from The Chicago Tribune. A few years later in  2007, she moved to NYC to open At Vermilion[13] where she was nominated as the 'Best Import to New York' by Time Out Magazine. Her style is described as "global fusion" with roots in Indian cuisine.[14]

S- Maneet has been on Food Network for 12 years, starting as one of the original judges of “Chopped”.  She is not only a full time judge, she also competes on the network.  She is the only Indian female ever to compete on Iron Chef. She has made numerous guest appearances on TV shows, and at the top food and wine festivals.

C- You’d think she would be busy enough as a judge and competitor, but she also has Morph Hospitality group, and four restaurants in Tennessee. If you want to check them out, she has her signature Chauhan Ale and Masala House, Mockingbird, a southern American restaurant, Tansuo, contemporary Chinese, and Chaatable, Indian Street Food.

C-Thank you so much to Maneet for joining us in today’s conversation.  What a fun conversation time we had, time literally sped by on that interview. You were such a joy to speak with Maneet!

S- Maneet you have such positive energy, and I will come back and listen to you if I feel my energy needs a boost, either that or I’m going to sit right down with a big bowl of Lucky Charms!

S-As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach us on Instagram or Facebook at [This Is Yu Official] or you can leave us an anonymous voicemail at [562-291-6037]. We listen to all the voicemails.

C- Home base is www.ThisIsYu.com

S- Thanks for listening to the show. Speaking of APPLE PODCASTS, Please SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT and RATE our THIS IS YU PODCAST. Have a great week!

C -Thanks for listening and letting us make your life more delicious.

Maneet Chauhan's details:
http://www.morphhospitality.com/
https://www.instagram.com/maneetchauhan/
https://www.maneetchauhan.com/

March Of Dimes:
https://www.marchofdimes.org/index.aspx

Welcome to Episode 23 of This Is Yu Podcast.

This Is Carole Yu and Scott Stewart

Those were sounds of Rome where I had the pleasure of living with my family back in 2000. And where our guest, Kristina Gill lives today.  We speak with Kristina about her former life at Design Sponge, the menagerie that lives in her backyard in Rome, how she gets inspiration and her beautiful cookbook.

But, first, we continue our ever popular kitchen hacks segment. 

Today, we welcome Kristina Gill, former food and drinks editor at Design Sponge, cookbook author and International traveler.

Kristina grew up in Tennessee, earned her BA from Stanford, and her MA from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.  She transferred to Rome in 1999 and has lived there since.  She connected with Grace Bonney online, and became the food and drinks editor for DesignSponge.  

Her column in the late 2000’s till last year” In the Kitchen With” expanded the reach of the magazine into food in cooperation with design and lifestyle.  She is also a food and travel photographer, having traveled extensively in south east asia.  She also works as a humanitarian advisor managing a portfolio of assistance that responds to emergency situations in the fight against hunger.

This is our Rome episode. Carole, tell our listeners why you lived in Rome.

I love Rome, the sounds, the experience, and as Kristina also mentioned, all the smells of Mama’s home cooking wafting from small kitchens to fill the bellies of all they love.

Thank you for visiting Rome with us today.

Thank you so much to Kristina for joining us in today’s conversation.  We loved to hear about your life in the countryside in Rome, you brought back many visions of Rome and Italy that we could appreciate during this time when all we want to do it travel further than our front driveway.

As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach us on Instagram or Facebook at [This Is Yu Official] or you can leave us an anonymous voicemail at [562-291-6037]. We listen to all the voicemails.

 Home base is www.ThisIsYu.com

Thanks for listening to the show. Have a great week!
Thanks for listening and letting us make your life more delicious.

Scott & Carole

A special thank you to Kristina. Please reach out to her here:

https://www.kristinagill.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kristinagillfood/

The book stores Kristina recommended:

https://www.booklarder.com/
https://www.strandbooks.com/
https://kramers.com/
https://www.parnassusbooks.net/

Kristina's book is called:

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Clarkson Potter (March 29, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804187185
• ISBN-13: 978-0804187183

Welcome to Episode 22 of This Is Yu Podcast.

This Is Scott Stewart and Carole Yu

Today we welcome Aarti Paarti, the winner of Season Six of The Next Food Network Star.  Listen in as we speak  about her childhood in Dubai, food critics, her beautiful cookbook, and imposter syndrome.

But, first, we’ve got 10 Random Food Facts that will make you Ridiculous at Trivial Pursuit!

Today, we welcome Aarti Sequeira the bubbly winner of Season 6 of The Next Food Network Star.  Aarti is a global citizen. She was born in Mumbai, India, and raised in Dubai. In 2000 she graduated from the Northwestern Medill School of Journalism in Chicago, and went directly to work as a producer at CNN in NY. 

After moving to Los Angeles, she landed in the Kingdom of Culver City, where I’m actually The King of Culver City and I’ve got a video to prove it - SEARCH King of Culver City on You Tube. She lived he for over a decade.  During this time, she went back to Cooking school, and started her own online cooking show, Aarti Paarti.

It was this show that led to the next stage of her life. She won The Next Food Network star in 2010, and she’s never looked back. She’s competed and won many shows on Food network, like Guys’ Grocery Games, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Chopped All Stars.

Aarti now lives in Raleigh, NC, with two beautiful daughters and actor husband, Brendan McNamara.

We’ve had several people comment on the This Is Yu hotline that they loved the kitchen hacks we talked about on our Christine Ha podcast. So, let’s give them what they want! Kitchen Hacks, Round 2.

So here’s our list of 14 Essential Chinese Pantry Ingredients 

Thank you so much to Aarti for joining us in today’s conversation.  Your warmth and passion for cooking and family is genuine and it shows!

Plus I loved to hear your great laugh, it’s so open and joyous!

As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach us on Instagram or Facebook at [This Is Yu Official] or you can leave us an anonymous voicemail at [562-291-6037]. We listen to all the voicemails.

Home base is www.ThisIsYu.com
Let's connect on Instagram @ThisIsYuOfficial

Visit Aarti on her website: www.AartiSequeira.com
Aarti on Instagram @AartiPaartiPics

Thanks for listening to the show. Have a great week!

Thanks guys for letting us make your life more delicious.

Scott & Carole

Ep# 21 - Tyler Florence Celebrity Food Network Star

Welcome to Episode 21 of This Is Yu Podcast where we make Your life More delicious.

This Is Scott Stewart and Carole Yu

Today I was totally fan gurrling during our interview with Tyler Florence. I first noticed Tyler on Food Network twenty years ago on Food 911. I totally loved that show.  Then, in 2012 I bought his cookbook, Tyler Florence Fresh, and I was so so hooked. He makes beautiful food that is clean and modern, relying on the terroir of the ingredients to shine through.

New Segment - First we’re going to taste and talk about a recipe that Carole made from that cookbook, Poached Salmon, Grains, Grapefruit, and Chile.  

Make sure you listen to the whole podcast because after talking to Tyler, Scott will tell you about our This Is Yu website revamp he did this week, and then I’m going to explore a hidden gem on Netflix, “Midnight Diner:Tokyo Stories.”

Carole, why did you choose this recipe from Tyler Florence Fresh?

First off, it’s Corona time, so I had to see what protein and other ingredients we had in the house.  We had salmon, grapefruit, grains and peppers and herbs.  I also had purchased some lemon grass a few weeks ago to make our sticky Lollipop Chicken Wings Recipe, but I decided to pivot to make Tyler’s recipe with the lemongrass.

Were there any techniques that were new to you?

Often, I do a lot of one-pot cooking mostly to save time.  Everything is prepared together, and then you just spoon it onto the plate.  In this recipe, the different components are prepared individually.  First, there’s a grapefruit mayo.  Next, the grains are each cooked separately, Wheat berries, quinoa, and couscous. and finally, the salmon is poached by itself.  I felt like a chef because I was then plating these different simple to prepare ingredients together into a composed dish. I love exploring food and combinations that wouldn’t be something that most people would pair together. 

I also thought it was great to use the lemon grass stalks to rest the salmon fillets on when poaching them. If you haven’t used lemongrass before,  it’s citrusy with a lemony and lemon mint flavor, and is also kind of gingery. 

Tyler Florence Celebrity Food Network Star 

Tyler Florence has built his career over the past 24 years of being on the Food Network.  He has a true love for his fans, and it shows.

Tyler was born in Greenville, South Carolina, went to Johnson and Wales studying culinary arts and hotel restaurant management.  He worked for years in New York, opening the restaurant “Cafeteria” when he was only 27.  It’s still open to this day.

Twenty years later, he has restaurants on both coasts, home goods stores, is married with three kids, and lives in Mill Valley, CA North of San Francisco.   He’s written numerous cookbooks and has his fingers in so many different areas of the food world.  We talk about how to stay relevant, and his philosophy about keeping your passion alive.

New Segment - Netflix Review - Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

Thank you so much to Tyler for joining us in today’s conversation.  We’re really grateful for you joining our podcast and sharing your focus of food and life with us.

As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach us on Instagram or Facebook at [This Is Yu Official] or you can leave us an anonymous voicemail at [562-291-6037]. We listen to all the voicemails.

www.TylerFlorence.com

@tylerflorence on all social media

www.ThisIsYu.com

@ThisIsYuOfficial

Thanks for listening to the show. Have a great week!

Bye, buy bye, buh bye…….

Welcome to Episode 20 of This Is Yu Podcast.

This Is Carole Yu and Scott Stewart

This Is Yu Podcast Music intro….

Today you’ll be inspired by our interview with Christine Ha, the winner of MasterChef Season three. She was the first Asian winner of MasterChef. If you don’t know about Christine, you gonna wanta listen to find out what makes her so special! 

But first let’s tackle the Asian kitchen hacks that my mom taught me when I was growing up. Make sure you listen to the whole podcast because after talking to Christine, we’re giving you another five bonus hacks that will help you save time in your kitchen. We’re fairly confident, maybe even pretty confident that there will be at least one kitchen hack you’ve never heard of! 

And, what you’ve been waiting three weeks for, our $25 Amazon Gift Card giveaway. We announce the winner today! Who doesn’t love free money?

First, let’s tackle some Asian Kitchen Hacks.  Carole’s mom taught Chinese cooking when Carole was a wee lass.  Here are a few Asian Kitchen hacks that Carole picked up along the way.

Back in 2012, Christine Ha won Season Three of MasterChef.  Today we catch up with her whirlwind life over the past 8 years.

Christine has gone on since the show to publish a cook book, win accolades from James Beard, and the Helen Keller Personal achievement award. She’s traveled the world representing the US as a culinary envoy. She has  a fast concept restaurant already in Houston, and another full sit-down restaurant in the works.

Also, Carole, there’s a lot of chatter in the streets about her opening a 3rd restaurant in Culver City! We talk to her about cutting her husband’s hair and a super innovative technology that allows her to wander the streets of Manhattan to purchase ingredients for a special surprise dinner. And we find out the worst thing Christine has ever eaten.

Christine Ha Interview

We already investigated some Asian kitchen hacks that Carole was taught by her mom.  Now let’s probe into some other time saving kitchen hacks.

There you have it! Send us your kitchen hacks, we’d love to share them with all of you!

Drum Roll Please…Thank you for those of you that subscribed to and left a review for This Is Yu Podcast.  We appreciate your time because the more reviews the more awareness is brought to This Is Yu Podcast. 

So, the winner of the $25 Amazon Giftcard giving us a Fantastic” and 5 star review, said…

Please contact us to receive your gift card.  Stay tuned for future giveaways, you’re all winners out there!

Thank you so much to Christine for joining us in today’s conversation.  We really are astounded by all you’ve been able to accomplish since you won MasterChef.  Thank you for the inspiration you’ve given us. You’re a shining example  that proves with dedication, hard work, and focus, all dreams are possible!

As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach us on Instagram or Facebook at [This Is Yu Official] or you can leave us an anonymous voicemail at [562-291-6037]. We listen to all the voicemails.

Home base is www.ThisIsYu.com

Thanks for listening to the show. Have a great week!
Thanks guys for letting us make your life more delicious.

Check out Christine Ha Here:

http://www.theblindcook.com/

Best,

Scott & Carole

Welcome to Episode 19 of This Is Yu Podcast.

This Is Carole Yu and Scott Stewart

The jingle you just heard  introduces our segment later in the show on every kid’s Breakfast love “Pop Tarts”. 

But, first, we speak with self proclaimed dork Matt Armendariz, Celebrity Food Photographer, Gardener, Zumba Motivator, and one of the most upbeat and positive people you’ll ever meet.  

Although it was a 20-year career as a graphic designer, art and creative director within the specialty foods world where he got his start, it was the photographic process that energized, thrilled, and motivated Matt enough to trade in my cubicle for a camera.

Now as a photographer, he loves capturing the moment and story of food for a variety of editorial and advertising clients as well as various cookbook publishers and publications. He’s  based in Los Angeles, California.

He’s never met a pizza he didn't like.”

After various jobs in the grocery business, Matt worked his way up to marketing, eventually leading the advertising campaigns for Bristol Farms.  After he started his own very successful  food blog, Matt Bites, he transitioned into celebrity food photography full time.

He has a very clean vision, his photographs are modern, and exciting, catching the eye of large companies such as Target, Walmart, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and Chipotle. We talk about his growing up in Texas, traveling, and he gives us tips on food photography trends.

Matt also gives us the scoop on working on cookbooks with celebrities Gaby Dalkin, Laila Ali, Chrissy Tiegen, and more.

It’s the last week for the $25 Amazon giftcard giveaway! Through May 19th, 2020 you can still enter. It’s simple! Just go to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to and leave a review of This Is Yu Podcast. We will choose our favorite review, and announce the winner on May 19th on the podcast.

Thank you so much to Matt Armendariz for joining us in today’s conversation. Carole has definitely caught the Zumba bug from you! We appreciated the peek into the world of cookbook photography, zumba and Matt’s inspirational positivity!

Please spread the word about This Is Yu Podcast!  Please take a couple minutes to give us a rating and review on iTunes / Apple Podcasts. The more reviews, the more awareness will be brought to This Is Yu Podcast.

As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach us on Instagram or Facebook at [This Is Yu Official] or you can leave us an anonymous voicemail at [562-291-6037]. We listen to all the voicemails.

www.MattArmendariz.com
@MattArmendariz

www.ThisIsYu.com
@ThisIsYuOfficial

Thanks for listening to the show.

Scott & Carole.

Episode #18 - Winner - MasterChef Season 4 -  Luca Manfe

Welcome to Episode 18 of This Is Yu Podcast.

This Is Carole Yu and Scott Stewart

Today, we catch up with Luca Manfe, winner of MasterChef season 4. After a devastating rejection from season 3, Luca fought his way back to victory and into the hearts of all MasterChef fans.  

He was always one of the fan favorites because he rejected the conniving and pettiness of other contestants.  He was always a gentleman, making us laugh, his blue eyes sparkling with passion for his food.

We learn about Luca’s family, not only his American family, but we go back to his roots in Aviano, Italy where he grew up. He tells us about his private catering business “Dinner with Luca”, and the tiny house where he, his wife Cate, and children Luca and Valentino now live. 

Luca answers fan questions, and tells us about his journey from MasterChef to The Lucky Fig food truck, to his current daily life.  If you are a Luca fan, you may get chills as I did when talking to him. It was an intimate conversation, and we were so lucky to connect with him.

After our conversation with Luca, you won’t want to miss our segment, “New Tech Cooking”  where we talk about our annual Sous Vide feast.

 ____________________________________________________

Have you entered our giveaway already?  Through May 19th, 2020 enter our giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card!  It’s simple! All you have to do is go to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to and leave a review of This Is Yu Podcast. We will choose our favorite review, and announce the winner on May 19th on the podcast. 

____________________________________________________

New Segment - New Tech Cooking

Have you seen those “Sous Vide Egg Bites” at Starbucks and wondered, “What is Sous Vide?”

Our family was first introduced to Sous Vide when Dara was asked to the White House where she was an honored guest at Obama’s first “Maker’s Faire.” Where she ran into a person who made a sous vide machine..  Afterwards, she sent Dara one of their circulators.  

What does Sous Vide mean? Listen to the podcast to find out how to make your food so moist!

Thank you so much to Luca for joining us in today’s conversation.  We loved learning what your family means to you and how they are a shining beacon in your life. 

His positive spirit inspires us.  We appreciate you Luca for taking the time to share your journey from MasterChef to your life now full of love of family and food.

Thanks for listening to the show.

If you like the idea of more people hearing this series and this show in general please think about taking just a couple minutes to  give us a rating and review on iTunes or your podcast app of choice. If we get enough of those, the apps show This Is Yu to more people to find out we exist.

As always, we really appreciate your thoughts and feedback about the show. You can reach out to us on Instagram or Facebook at [This Is Yu Official] or you can leave us an anonymous voicemail at [562-291-6037]. We listen to all the voicemails.

www.DinnerWithLuca.com

www.ThisIsYu.com
@ThisIsYuOfficial

Ciao!

Ciao Bella!