Toby Roberts is a restaurateur at heart with over two decades in the hospitality industry. He started Thaan while serving as President of the acclaimed Pok Pok, and kept the flame alive while launching James Beard–recognized restaurants Gado Gado and Oma’s Hideaway.

Across all of his ventures, Toby has championed hospitality, human connection, and creating unforgettable experiences around the table. That same perspective fuels his work with Thaan Charcoal — building tools that make live-fire cooking safe, beautiful, and part of everyday life.

https://thaangrill.com/foodorigins

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In this episode of the Food Origins Podcast, host David Sands sits down with Salvador Delgado, founder of Sonoran Honey Co. in Blythe, California.

Salvador shares his journey growing up around bees, learning the craft of beekeeping from his father, and building a company rooted in honesty and purity. We dive deep into the art of honey making, the hard realities of beekeeping, and expose the misconceptions and “dirty side” of the honey industry — from imported blends to misleading “pure honey” labels.

Discover what it takes to produce real, small-batch American honey and how Sonoran Honey Co. keeps integrity at the heart of everything they do.

https://sonoranhoneyco.com

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Arn’s BBQ is more than just a food trailer in Whitefish, Montana—it’s a taste of true Central Texas barbecue in the heart of Big Sky Country. Founded by Arn and Leigha Mendez, the couple took their Houston roots and passion for low-and-slow smoked meats and built something special in northwest Montana.

From the very beginning, Arn’s goal was to keep it real: post oak wood imported from Texas, brisket smoked to perfection, house-made sausage, chicken, and ribs, all paired with scratch-made sides and that signature Texas hospitality. Even the details matter—the menu is tight, the quality is high, and nothing is served unless it meets Arn’s standards.

Family is at the heart of the business. Arn and Leigha’s kids pitch in wherever needed—prepping sides, helping on service days, and being part of the welcoming atmosphere that locals and visitors have come to love. Though the trailer is only open a few days a week, lines form quickly, and the food sells out just as fast.

In this episode we sit down with Arn to talk about the journey from Houston to Whitefish, the challenges of building a barbecue business in Montana, the culture of Central Texas barbecue, and the joy of creating a family-run spot that’s earned a loyal following.

This is a story of food, family, and community—and how one pitmaster brought a taste of Texas smoke to the Montana mountains.

https://www.arnsbbq.com/

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Brandon Dearden is a passionate and driven executive chef with over 20 years of experience in fine dining and luxury hospitality. Known for his relentless work ethic and dedication to his craft, Brandon has built a career defined by discipline, creativity, and a true love for hospitality.

Throughout his career, Brandon has held leadership positions in award-winning restaurants and luxury hotels, including Saison Hospitality Group, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air, and L’Escalier at The Breakers Resort. His expertise extends beyond the kitchen he is deeply passionate about research and development, menu innovation, and the business side of hospitality.

Today, Brandon is the proud owner of his two restaurants in Hamilton, Montana Ember and Grano where he blends his fine dining background with a passion for creating memorable, approachable experiences.

Beyond the restaurant, he has become a respected voice in the culinary community through his YouTube channel, where he shares advice, tutorials, and mentorship for other culinary professionals. With a growing audience on Instagram and TikTok, Brandon continues to inspire both up and coming chefs and passionate food lovers by offering a behind the scenes look at the hard work, creativity, and dedication that define the life of a chef.

Through his restaurant, digital platforms, and unwavering drive, Brandon Dearden has established himself as not only a chef and entrepreneur but also a mentor and leader shaping the next generation of culinary talent.

https://embermontana.com

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Javier Contreras is the CEO of Rancho El 17, a regenerative cattle ranch in Sonora, Mexico. Carrying forward the vision of Mr. Zambrano, Javier is helping reshape the ranch into a model of sustainable practices, ethical cattle raising, and premium beef production.

Blending tradition with innovation, Javier is deeply committed to honoring the legacy of the land while looking ahead to the future of ranching. We were introduced through our mutual friend Mark Melnick from Trex, and in this episode, we dive into Javier’s journey, his passion for the ranch, and what it means to continue a mission rooted in heritage and purpose.

https://www.ranchoel17.com

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In this episode of the Food Origins Podcast, I sit down with my friend Russell Savage, founder and pitmaster of Pico's BBQ. Russell’s culinary journey started in the kitchen long before he ever lit a smoker — attending Johnson & Wales University and training under acclaimed chef Guillaume Bienaime (a fellow podcast guest EP. 20).

From fine dining to fire and smoke, Russell later spent nearly five years in Texas, learning the art of barbecue at legendary spots like Terry Black’s BBQ, before returning home to build Picos BBQ from the ground up.

We talk about the evolution of his craft, what it takes to run a serious barbecue operation, and how honoring both classical training and Texas tradition helped him find his unique voice in the culinary world. This episode is packed with heart, heat, and real food talk — don't miss it.

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In this episode, we sit down with Master Butcher Noriaki Numamoto, a true craftsman in the world of wagyu and whole animal butchery. With decades of experience across Japan and the U.S., Noriaki has become a leading figure in the art of Japanese-style meat preparation — known for his precision, philosophy, and deep respect for the animal.

This special conversation was recorded on-site at Niku Butcher Shop in San Francisco, with Mark Melnick generously providing Japanese translation. Numamoto traveled all the way from Japan for this rare gathering, which also included respected figures like Guy Crims , Jared Montarbo and Justin from Team Trex. From wagyu grading to the soul of the craft, we dive deep into the mindset and mastery behind elite butchery.

Note: Be patient — this episode is a mix of Japanese and English, offering a raw and authentic look into the world of Japanese butchery and its cultural depth.

このエピソードでは、和牛と丸鶏の世界で真の職人、マスターブッチャー沼本憲明氏にインタビューします。日本とアメリカで数十年にわたる経験を積んだ沼本氏は、日本式食肉処理の第一人者であり、その緻密さ、哲学、そして動物への深い敬意で知られています。

この特別な対談はサンフランシスコのNiku Butcher Shopで収録され、マーク・メルニック氏が日本語通訳を担当しました。沼本氏はこの貴重な会合のために日本から遠路はるばるやって来ました。この会合には、ガイ・クリムズ、ジャレッド・モンターボ、チーム・トレックスのジャスティンといった著名人も参加していました。和牛の格付けから職人技の魂まで、一流の食肉職人の精神と熟練の技に深く迫ります。

注：このエピソードは日本語と英語が混在しており、日本の食肉の世界とその文化の奥深さをありのままに、そして真摯に捉えています。

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Meet Nico Lechuga and his wife Lauren, the founders of Señor Lechuga Hot Sauce out of Brooklyn, NY. What started as a small-batch passion project turned into a bold brand with serious fire—earning collabs with Joe Rogan, Hot Ones, Half Face Blades, Café Unido, Huckberry, Cosmo/GQ gift guides and so much more.

Unable to find a clean hot sauce that delivered maximum heat without compromising flavor, Nico began crafting his own blends in the kitchen of his Williamsburg apartment. Like a mad scientist, he tinkered with ingredients and ratios until they were just right. At first, the sauces were for personal use—but after rooftop BBQs with friends and family who kept saying, “If you sold this, I’d buy it,” Nico decided to test the market. That first batch sold out instantly.

Together with his (then very pregnant) wife Lauren Cosenza—the creative force behind the brand—Señor Lechuga Hot Sauce was born. Now, with their two kids alongside them, Nico and Lauren continue to build an ever-growing, flavor-packed brand with purpose.

I’m incredibly honored to share their story. As a customer for over four years, their support in my journey means the world. This episode isn’t just about hot sauce—it’s about bold moves, authentic roots, and the kind of passion that truly inspires.

Tap in and taste the story.

https://www.senorlechugahotsauce.com/

Show Notes

https://www.foodoriginspodcast.com/podcast-episode-59

A Food Origins Podcast Production Original music by Ulisses Bella of Ozomatli

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