Interviews

Exclusive interviews and Q&As with our favorites in food, drink, travel, and culture.

Sarah Simmons / City Grit

Quick Spin Interview: Chef Sarah Simmons of City Grit

The gregarious ginger-haired Sarah Simmons sat two rows in front of me on the airport shuttle to the 2010 Cayman Cookout, her wide-brimmed white sun hat resting comfortably on her head as she chatted with her accompanying friend.

A photo of a man sowing a garden

Touring Maui’s Evonuk Farms with Chef Isaac Bancaco

Born and raised on Maui, chef Isaac Bancaco embarked on a grand adventure to begin his culinary career. Growing up in a family, and a culture, where food and history are so revered, Bancaco made the early decision to pursue a life on the line.

Chef Marc Forgione

Daily Blender Exclusive: Chef Marc Forgione

Marc Forgione was visibly stunned when he was announced as the winner of last season’s The Next Iron Chef. The 32-year-old, an already accomplished chef, had survived the series by defeating nine other highly-skilled, award-winning competitors, securing his spot on Food Network’s Iron Chef America.

Scott Wright of Scott Paul Wines

Daily Blender Exclusive: Scott Wright of Scott Paul Wines

The story of self-proclaimed wine geek Scott Wright sounds much like the tales of his peers before him who have dabbled in the world of terroir. On a different path, he began his professional life elsewhere, making his way up the corporate ladder until the pull of vineyards and grapes just became too strong.

Skillet Street Food, Seattle

Daily Blender Exclusive: The Business of Food Carts

Growing at mind-boggling rates, mobile vendors have sprung up in cities across America, leaving city and state lawmakers scratching their heads and scrambling to enact new regulations, while traditional restaurateurs are left baffled at how to manage the customer ebb and flow due to this increasingly popular sector of the culinary world.

Scott Conant

Daily Blender Exclusive: Chef Scott Conant

Iā€™m surprised when chef Scott Conant addresses me by name at our first meeting. For a moment, Iā€™m a little stunned, standing at the base of the event stage with my hand extended, elevator pitch at the ready. Until he notes my rapid fire tweets from the weekend’s events.