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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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.

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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

What do wood-fired pizza, gluten-free flour, and commercial kitchen equipment have in common? Brad Kent. In this episode of Kitchen Smarts, Hava Volterra chats with culinary engineer and pizza visionary Brad Kent—founder of Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria, co-founder of Blaze Pizza, and gluten-free innovator at Original Sunshine.

They explore how Brad went from experimenting in the kitchen as a kid to pioneering one of the most successful fast-casual pizza chains in the U.S. He shares the secret to great dough, why fermentation matters, and what it takes to scale food quality without losing soul. From bean burritos to flour made from wheat (that’s somehow gluten-free?!), this one’s got layers.

Guest: Brad Kent of Original Sunshine Gluten-Free Bagels, founder of Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria, and co-founder of Blaze Pizza.

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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 conversation, Hava speaks with Lisa Eberhart and Randy Lait, founders of Menu Analytics, about their journey in the food service industry, the importance of nutrition analysis, and the evolution of menu transparency. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior and food services, the role of technology and AI in the industry, and the future trends shaping food service operations.

Guest: Lisa Eberhart and Randy Lait of Menu Analytics

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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 conversation, Hava interviews Filippo Fiori, co-founder of Due’ Cucina, who shares his unique journey from a PhD in nuclear engineering to the culinary world. They discuss the challenges of starting a restaurant, the importance of authentic Italian cuisine, and the role of technology in streamlining operations. Filippo emphasizes the significance of staff training, customer experience, and strategies for growth and expansion in the competitive restaurant industry.

Filippo Fiori of Due' Cucina

Instagram@Due' Cucina

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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 engaging conversation, Hava speaks with Lisa Ludwinski, the founder of Sister Pie and the author of the Sister Pie cookbook, about her journey from theater to baking, the challenges of running a bakery, and the importance of community in the culinary world. They discuss the differences between home cooking and commercial baking, the impact of COVID-19 on the business, and Lisa's philosophy of a triple bottom line approach. The conversation also touches on customer preferences, evolving tastes, and future plans for expanding offerings and cookbooks.

Guest: Lisa Ludwinski of Sister Pie

📚Author of Sister Pie: The Recipes & Stories of a Big-Hearted Bakery in Detroit

🍒 Follow Lisa and Sister Pie on Instagram and Facebook

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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

What happens when a bodybuilder melts ingredients in his kitchen and accidentally launches a business? Hava Volterra sits down with Robert Sikes—founder and CEO of Keto Brick and host of The Savage Perspective—to talk keto, entrepreneurship, and building a food brand from scratch. Whether you're into fitness, food, or just love a good origin story, this episode delivers smarts, hustle, and heart.

Guest:Robert Sikes of Keto Brick

Instagram: @robertsikesketosavage

Keto Savage Podcast

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▶️ 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