In this episode, Hava Volterra and Mica Talmor discuss Mica's journey in the culinary world. From growing up surrounded by familyfood traditions to becoming a restaurant owner navigating an ever-changing industry. Mica opens up about the realities of restaurant ownership, the emotional differences between catering and running a restaurant, and why business knowledge is just as essential as culinary skill. The conversation also explores the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the evolution of Mica's restaurant Pomella, and the impact of economic shifts on the food industry. Mica shares her aspirations for the future, emphasizing the importance in resilience, community, and building food businesses rooted in care, connection, and innovation.

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Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software

Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife.
Artwork by Dennis Mukai
Music by Brandon McCulloch

In this episode, Melody Miranda, National Director of Culinary for Sodexo’s Good Eating Company, takes us inside the world of corporate dining. She shares her path into large-scale food operations, her role in managing corporate cafeterias, and how chefs balance creativity with consistency at scale. Melody also discusses adapting to food trends, honoring regional tastes, the impact of COVID-19 on corporate dining operations, and the company’s commitment to sustainability and regenerative agriculture. Known for her chef-led approach, Melody has helped redefine how creativity shows up in corporate dining. At the core of it all is one guiding principle: listening to guests and building menus that are thoughtful, diverse, and deeply satisfying.

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Support the show

Thank you for listening!
For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com.

Follow us:
Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast
X @Kitchen_Smarts

Subscribe:
▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts

Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software

Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife.
Artwork by Dennis Mukai
Music by Brandon McCulloch

In this episode, Hava Volterra sits down with Emily, founder of Boichik Bagels, to talk about how a mechanical engineer with zero culinary background built one of California’s fastest-growing bagel brands. From learning the science behind New York–style bagels to running 24-hour production and scaling across multiple cities, Emily breaks down the challenges, systems, and mindset behind building a food business that doesn’t compromise on quality. They also dive into social media, logistics, franchising, and what it really takes to grow while staying true to the craft.

Enjoying the podcast? Send us your thoughts!

Support the show

Thank you for listening!
For inquiries, collaborations, or feedback, please contact us at kitchensmartspodcast@gmail.com.

Follow us:
Instagram @kitchensmartspodcast
X @Kitchen_Smarts

Subscribe:
▶️ YouTube: KitchenSmarts

Hosted by: Hava Volterra, CEO & co-founder of Parsley Software

Kitchen Smarts is a production of Stereoknife.
Artwork by Dennis Mukai
Music by Brandon McCulloch