“Il dolce far niente” is an Italian invitation to slow down, savor every lucious drop of life and immerse yourself in the magic of your surroundings.  When my boyfriend, Bryce, and I ventured to Italy in February, we were determined to embody the Italian lifestyle and rediscover the power of truly being present. After months of preparation, restaurant research and picking the perfect Valentine’s Day dress, I’m happy to report, we did exactly that.  We ate more plates of fresh pasta than I care to admit, drank Italian wines our lips had never before kissed and explored until our feet ..read more

On today’s Sunday Sauce feature, meet award-winning baker Brenda Villacorta, the creative force behind Sucré Table. We chat about Brenda's journey from the vivid culinary scene of New York City to what it’s like owning her own bakery in Tampa, Florida. If you’ve ever been curious about the intersection of food and entrepreneurship, this episode digs deep into the reality behind the wins we often see on Instagram and in the media. Join us as we unravel the layers of her culinary expertise, her experience leading pastry at a 3-Michelin Star restaurant, and the sweet story behind her Sucré Table ..read more

What goes on behind the scenes of a cooking competition show? Found out on today’s episode of Sunday Sauce, where I’m joined by Retro Rad Chef and Food Network queen, Emily Ellyn, and Chef Josiah Candelaria. The three of us recently appeared on Orlando-centric cooking competition show, Blind Kitchen, and reconvened to tease out exclusive behind-the-scenes moments. We share anecdotes, surprising incidents, and memorable experiences that occurred during the filming of the show. Get a glimpse into the making of this innovative production. P.S. If you loved this episode, don't forget to subscribe ..read more

Tableware nerds, rejoice! On today’s episode, I’m joined by 5th generation restaurateur and the Director of Sales at Fortessa, Cassandra Gonzmart-Hill, to chat about how the art of plating, and quite literally the plate, helps shape the way we see, eat and interact with food. Cassandra and I cover topics like plate design trends and her transition from restaurant life to selling tableware, plus we tease out some of Fortessa’s upcoming collection. Tap the links below to connect with Cassandra: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cassandralgonzmarthill IG:  Instagram (@fortessatableware ..read more

What are chefs really thinking when a ticket with a food allergy gets rung into the kitchen? Find out on today’s episode with Chef Bryce Bonsack, where we chat about food allergies from a chef and guest perspective. Bryce is the Executive Chef and owner of Rocca, an Italian restaurant that recently received a Michelin Star in Tampa. If anyone’s familiar with the request for a gluten-free plate of pasta, it’s this guy. Tap the links below to connect with Bryce: Bryce’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/bryce.bonsack/ Rocca’s IG:  https://www.instagram.com/roccatampa/ Website: http://www.roccat ..read more

If you’ve ever wondered what a restaurant looks like through the eyes of a seasoned food critic, you’re going to love today’s episode. I’m joined by special guest, Tampa Bay Times Food and Dining Critic, Helen Freund, whose words can make or break a restaurant. With 15 years of experience in the industry, Helen has developed an impeccable palate, an affinity for the details, and the ability to eat her way through any dish like a true connoisseur. So, sit back, pour yourself a glass of sangiovese, and get ready to learn everything from how Helen evaluates a restaurant to advice for aspiring foo ..read more

Thinking of shaking things up and making the switch from corporate life to entrepreneurship? Tune into today’s episode to learn from two incredible female mixologists Kim + Cha, known for their expert craft cocktail skills and passion for innovating the beverage space. This duo has worked their way through every hospitality role you can think of, gathering a lifetime of experience along the way. Today they’re the founders of Lucky Elephant Wine Products, Red Skirt Wines and Lucky Elephant Solutions, a luxury beverage consultancy that’s dedicated to optimizing the operator and guest experience ..read more

Is hydroponic farming the future of food? I’ll let you decide. Briant Wildes, brand storyteller and account manager at Brick Street Farms, chats with me about how it works, why it’s beneficial and what goes on behind the scenes to make it one of the most sustainable farming practices out there. I loved our leafy green infused episode and if you’re interested in where your food comes from, you will too. Follow along with Briant’s journey at Brick Street Farms by tapping the links below: Briant’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briantm2/ Brick Street Farms Instagram: https://www.i ..read more

Coffee. We love it. We meme it. We dream about it. On this episode of Sunday Sauce I’m joined by Roast Master and Chief Operating Officer of Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company, Chris de Mezzo, who shares an inside look into coffee’s seed to cup journey. We talk all about his travels to coffee farms across the world, how he learned the science behind roasting, and the day he landed the partnership that made Joffrey’s the official speciality coffee of Walt Disney World. Oh, and we may or may not have also had a quiet debate about iced coffee vs. cold brew. Connect with Chris and Joffrey’s by tappi ..read more

Do you ever wonder if you're living the best possible version of your life?  On this week's episode of Sunday Sauce, I had the pleasure of sitting down with mindfulness expert and serial entrepreneur, Case Kenny, to discuss how he built his personal brand on helping thousands of people around the world realize their whole potential. As humans, as professionals, as lovers.  As the host of the wildly popular podcast "New Mindset, Who Dis?", Case has reached new heights, climbing to the top of Apple and Spotify's top 25 charts, while gaining 450,000 loyal fans on Instagram. His powerful ..read more