Episode 21: “The Hidden Food Safety Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes”
In this episode of The Off The Menu Podcast, Wal, Joel, and Tom sit down with food safety expert and Rutgers University professor Don Schaffner to separate food safety facts from fiction.
Episode 20: “Why Are Beef Prices So High?”
In this episode of The Off The Menu Podcast, Wal, Joel, and Tom sit down with agricultural economist David Anderson from Texas A&M University to unpack the real reasons behind why beef prices are so high.
Episode 19: “The Surprising History of Beer, Taverns, and Human Connection”
In this episode, food historian Professor Jeffery Pilcher explains the surprising history of beer, how it fueled trade and community, why taverns changed society, how Prohibition transformed drinking culture, and why beer became the social drink of the modern world.
Episode 18: “The Hidden Psychology of Grocery Shopping with Paco Underhill”
In this episode of The Off The Menu Podcast, we talk with bestselling author and retail psychology expert Paco Underhill about the hidden psychology behind grocery stores — and how store layouts, lighting, smells, signage, and product placement influence what consumers buy every day.
Episode 17: “The Secret Life of Chocolate (From Bean to Bar)”
In this episode, we talk with Stephen Durfee of Dandelion Chocolate about the journey from cacao bean to chocolate bar, what “bean-to-bar” really means, and why sourcing and process completely change the flavor.
Episode 16: “Neurogastronomy: The Science Controlling Your Cravings”
In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Rachel Herz breaks down the science of food psychology, cravings, and eating habits—and how your brain, emotions, memory, and environment shape every food decision you make.
Episode 15: “BBQ on Wheels: What It Really Takes to Run a Food Truck”
In this episode, we talk with Danielle and Jason Tipton of Hogs N Hunnies about what it really takes to run a food truck — from overnight prep and nonstop logistics to the pressure of showing up, every single day. A conversation about hustle, risk, and why this path is anything but easy.
Episode 14: “Why Would Anyone Choose to Raise Bison?”
We sit down with Carie and Jerrod Star of Cherokee Valley Bison Ranch in Ohio to explore what it really takes to raise bison. From day-to-day operations and land management to the economics behind the business, this episode offers a practical look at a different approach to ranching
Episode 13: “America Has Food, So Why Are People Going Hungry?” Featuring The Farmlink Project CEO, Eliza Blank
In this episode, we talk with Eliza Blank, CEO of The Farmlink Project, about the surprising disconnect between surplus food and food insecurity — and how a group of college students built a nationwide movement to bridge that gap.
Episode 12: “Mammoth: It’s What’s For Dinner” Featuring Floyd Polasari
You’d be a fool to miss this episode! A former paleontologist turned food entrepreneur is bringing one of the most exclusive meats in history to the modern table… Mammoth.
Episode 11: “No Guest. No Script. Just Us.” (The Off The Menu Mailbag Episode)
In this special mailbag episode of The Off The Menu Podcast, we hit pause on our usual format and open up the conversation to you. From what makes a restaurant truly great to the foods we can’t stand, we’re answering listener questions and sharing more about who we are and why we started this show in the first place.
Episode 10: “You’re Walking Past Dinner: A James Beard Chef Explains Foraging” Featuring Chef Alan Bergo
In this episode of The Off The Menu Podcast, Chef Alan Bergo takes us into the world of foraging for wild food — how chefs discover edible plants and mushrooms, why wild ingredients are showing up on restaurant menus, and how reconnecting with nature can completely change the way you think about food.
Episode 9: “Young’s–Not Your Average Family Farm” Featuring Dan Young and John Young
Dan and John Young share how Young's Jersey Dairy grew from a small dairy farm selling milk on the honor system in 1958 into a destination known for ice cream, family traditions, and more than a million visitors each year.
Episode 8: “When Food Is the Enemy”
Kayla King shares what it’s really like to live with celiac disease — from food anxiety and cross-contamination to traveling gluten-free. A powerful conversation about resilience, awareness, and rediscovering joy in eating without fear.
Episode 7: “The Thumb Bread Sisters” featuring Fusun, Gonca, and Arzu Esendemir
For Fusun, Gonca, and Arzu Esendemir, opening a restaurant was a last-ditch solution to tragic circumstances. Their success was borne out of necessity, responsibility, and desperation.
Episode 6: “Southern Food, Family, and the Stories We Carry” — Featuring Sadaya “Daisy” Lewis
In this episode of Off The Menu, we sit down with Sadaya “Daisy” Lewis, chef and owner of Modern Southern Table, to explore how soul food is more than just a hearty dish—it’s a rich narrative of Black culture, family traditions, and Southern heritage.
Episode 5 - “Making Italian Food People Crave” - with Chef Matt Harding
In this episode of The Off The Menu Podcast, we sit down with Chef Matt Harding, the culinary force behind Piada Italian Street Food, a fast-casual Italian concept that’s grown to more than 60 locations across the country.
Episode 4: “Inside the Restaurant Industry” — Featuring John Barker
In this episode of The Off The Menu Podcast, we sit down with John Barker, President and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance, for an honest look at what it really takes to run a restaurant today.
Episode 3: “Heat, Hustle, and Heart” — Featuring Nicole DiTommaso of The Sauce Boss Gang
In this fiery episode of Off The Menu, we sit down with Nicole DiTommaso, the founder and flavor mastermind behind The Sauce Boss Gang — one of Central Ohio’s most beloved and boldest hot sauce brands.
Episode 2: “The Sweetest Connections” — Featuring Roy Adams, the Deathwish Beekeeper
This week on Off The Menu, we leave the kitchen and step into the garden with Roy Adams — the Deathwish Beekeeper, a fearless local legend who proves that real community isn’t just built at the table — it starts in the fields, the flowers, and the hive.