Épisodes

  • The Year in Food: Columbus Restaurants, Comebacks, Closures, and What’s Cooking for 2026

    The Year in Food: Columbus Restaurants, Comebacks, Closures, and What’s Cooking for 2026
    Jan 22 2026
    In this episode of Chefs in the City, the Crew has a wide-ranging, no-rush conversation about the year that was in Central Ohio food—and what’s shaping up next. From long-awaited openings and beloved institutions making a comeback to tough closures and lessons learned the hard way, the trio walks through 2025 restaurant news with context only longtime observers can offer. They talk Metsi’s, Chapman's Eat Market, Chef-o-nette’s return, the reopening of Hunan Lion, downtown’s evolving dining scene, and why some restaurants thrive by staying small while others stumble trying to grow too fast. They also look ahead to 2026, touching on significant developments such as the future of Milestone 229, Josh Dalton’s next moves, the revival of the Worthington Inn, and why collaboration, rather than competition, continues to define the culinary landscape in Columbus. It’s part food news, part history lesson, and part barstool philosophy—exactly how talking about restaurants should be.
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    28 min
  • Tricia Wheeler on Teaching, Travel, and the Joy of Cooking Well

    Tricia Wheeler on Teaching, Travel, and the Joy of Cooking Well
    Jan 8 2026
    In this episode of Chefs in the City, the gang sits down with Columbus native Tricia Wheeler — chef, teacher, traveler, and the founder of The Seasoned Farmhouse. Tricia shares the unconventional path that led her from a successful first career to graduating at the top of her class from the French Culinary Institute in New York, and back home to Central Ohio with a mission to teach people how to cook with confidence.
    The conversation explores why technique matters more than recipes, how teaching became her true calling, and how food has shaped her life through travel, culture, and connection. Tricia also dives into her culinary travel experiences — from truffle hunting in Tuscany to cooking schools in England — and explains how she creates immersive trips that go far beyond the tourist checklist.
    Along the way, the group talks about the evolution of home cooking, the power of shared meals, her expanding class offerings, surprise-filled food tours, and why cooking is one of the best ways to understand a place — and each other. Whether you love to cook, love to travel, or just love a great food story, this episode is a reminder that the best meals are built on curiosity, generosity, and a willingness to learn.
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    29 min
  • Chef Josh Dalton on Rosalita, Downtown Dining & the Future of Columbus Food

    Chef Josh Dalton on Rosalita, Downtown Dining & the Future of Columbus Food
    Dec 18 2025
    Central Ohio culinary heavyweight Chef Josh Dalton sits down with the crew to talk about everything happening in his world (there's a lot). From closing two restaurants in Delaware to reopening Rosebud’s, and then taking over the iconic Milestone 229 space to transform it into a Mediterranean-inspired concept called Rosalita, Josh opens up about the challenges, the excitement, and the quirks of running restaurants in Downtown Columbus. He digs into:
    • Why the 229 Civic Center space spoke to him
    • What “Mediterranean” really means for the new concept
    • DORA drinks, walk-up windows, and menu experimentation
    • The future of downtown dining
    • Why he stopped reading cookbooks and started reading leadership books
    • His path from line cook to running a small restaurant group
    • Columbus' unique chef community — and how they support each other Plus: memories, mentorship, New Orleans influence, travel, staff culture, Yelp reviews, and how he still refuses to cook in a home kitchen. It's one of the most candid looks yet at what it takes to run some of Columbus' most exciting restaurants — and where the city’s food scene is headed next. 📍 Guest: Chef Josh Dalton
    📍 Restaurants: Veritas, Speck Italian Eatery, Citizens Trust, Rosebud’s (reopening), and upcoming Rosalita (2026)
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    28 min
  • What Wine Tariffs Mean for Columbus? Patrick Allen's Back to Break It Down

    What Wine Tariffs Mean for Columbus? Patrick Allen's Back to Break It Down
    Dec 4 2025
    Wine importer Patrick Allen returns to Chefs in the City — this time with a glass in hand and some tough truths about the international wine market. The crew dives into how the new 15% tariffs (and the looming return of an older 25% tariff) are reshaping the world of French wine, disrupting small family producers, and putting pressure on importers like Patrick, who champion the authentic, handcrafted bottles we love.

    Patrick explains how uncertainty—not just the tariffs themselves—has “eviscerated” summer sales, why some French vineyards are literally being ripped out, and how shifting global consumption (including China’s explosive domestic wine growth) is changing the landscape. They also explore his work at Columbus State, where he’s building a wine program that’s capturing the imagination of both younger drinkers and seasoned enthusiasts. And yes — they taste a bottle or two along the way.

    From Rhône wines to perfect Thanksgiving pairings, Patrick demonstrates why authenticity remains the ultimate luxury in a complex global market. Pour a glass and settle in — it’s a fascinating look at how world events land right in your wine glass.
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    32 min
  • The Art of Pastry in Columbus - Spencer Budros of Pistacia Vera

    The Art of Pastry in Columbus - Spencer Budros of Pistacia Vera
    Nov 20 2025
    This week on Chefs in the City, Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak sit down with Spencer Budros, the award-winning pastry chef and co-founder of Pistacia Vera in German Village. Spencer shares his creative journey from art student to nationally recognized chef — including how he and his sister built one of Columbus’ most beloved bakeries. Hear stories about mentorship, pastry precision, and why “affordable luxury” keeps Pistacia Vera thriving after 20+ years.

    Subscribe for more episodes highlighting the chefs, bakers, and restaurateurs shaping the 614. #ChefsInTheCity #PistaciaVera #ColumbusEats #ColumbusFood #PastryChef #OhioEats #ColumbusBakeries #FoodStories
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    30 min
  • Keeping It Local: Weiland's Market and the Heart of Clintonville

    Keeping It Local: Weiland's Market and the Heart of Clintonville
    Nov 20 2025
    Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak sit down with Daniel Phillips, co-owner of Weiland's Market, based in Clintonville since 1961. They dig into the “Weiland's tradition,” from its old-school neighborhood feel to its commitment to Ohio-grown meats, local producers, and next-level prepared foods. Daniel shares what it takes to keep an independent market thriving amid rising costs, national chains, and changing customer expectations, all while staying true to its roots.
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    30 min
  • A Tour of Columbus Dining: Gene’s, Metsi’s, and Isla

    A Tour of Columbus Dining: Gene’s, Metsi’s, and Isla
    Nov 6 2025
    This week, the gang takes listeners on a culinary tour through three of Columbus’s most exciting dining destinations: Gene’s in Old Dublin, the reborn Metsi’s in the Short North, and the cozy newcomer Isla in Merion Village. From French-inspired flavors to nostalgic Italian classics, this episode explores what makes each restaurant worth visiting and how Columbus’s food scene continually reinvents itself, one plate at a time.
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    29 min
  • Graydon Webb on Reviving Ritzy’s and Columbus’ Burger Culture

    Graydon Webb on Reviving Ritzy’s and Columbus’ Burger Culture
    Oct 23 2025
    What makes a great burger timeless?

    Chefs in the City hosts Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak sit down with Graydon Webb, founder of Ritzy’s, to talk about his journey from working with Dave Thomas at Wendy’s to reviving a legendary Columbus diner.
    It’s a story of small-town roots, fresh ice cream, and the love of doing things the right way — the old-fashioned way.

    📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share your favorite Columbus burger spots below! #ColumbusEats #ChefsInTheCity #Ritzys #614FoodScene #OhioRestaurants #FoodStories
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    31 min