The LA Food Podcast

Today on Couch Potatoes, we’re breaking down the first six episodes of America’s Culinary Cup, the new CBS food competition series hosted by Padma Lakshmi—and her very public post-Top Chef return to the genre.
We get into what the show is trying to be, how it stacks up against Top Chef, and whether the high-level talent—from Michelin-starred chefs to James Beard nominees like Buddha Lo, Beverly Kim, and LA’s own Keith Corbin—is actually delivering. Then we unpack the competition structure, the early challenges (from meat to sustainability to dessert), and whether the twists and judging system are elevating the show or overcomplicating it.
Finally, we get into our hottest takes: who’s winning, whether the show has real staying power, and how America’s Culinary Cup compares to the current food TV landscape.
If you’re into Top Chef, food competition shows, or just strong opinions about who should be sent home, this one’s for you.

Today on The LA Food Podcast, we’re joined by Vanderpump Rules star and restaurateur Tom Schwartz for a candid, surprisingly thoughtful conversation about life in the hospitality industry.
Recorded at Mae Malai in Los Angeles, Tom opens up about his journey from aspiring actor to bar owner, what it really takes to open and operate restaurants like TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy’s, and why the industry is far more brutal than it looks. He reflects on the impact of reality TV fame, navigating one of the most explosive scandals in Bravo history, and how it all intersects with his love of food and dining across LA.
In Part 1, Karen Palmer joins to break down the latest in the LA food scene, including standout meals at Bar Di Bello, Osteria Mozza, Buena Bodega, Bianca Sicilian Trattoria, and Sqirl. We also dig into a major James Beard Awards storyline, the evolution of Ventura’s dining scene, and whether LA is finally getting the national recognition it deserves. And The Quiet Woman, of course.
On Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, we debate Noma’s latest move in LA, influencer culture’s impact on restaurants, and a controversial take that LA isn’t a “real food city.”
It’s Bravo, it’s restaurants, it’s LA dining—this one covers it all.
--
Presented by mva.wine. Discover amazing bottles that don't usually make it to the US. First 20 listeners to use code "LAFOOD" get $50 off their first collection.

Los Angeles shows out in a big way as the 2026 James Beard finalists are announced—and for once, it actually feels like the city is getting its due. We break down the biggest headlines, who got snubbed, and whether the Beards still mean what they used to for LA and fine dining at large.
Then, we dive into the growing backlash against fine dining, sparked by Khushbu Shah’s viral Substack and a New York Times piece on kitchen culture. Is the model broken, or just overdue for evolution?
In Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, we react to Bill Esparza’s “bagels are just bread” take, a new South Asian hand roll concept in Lomita, and the case for “middle-aged restaurants”—the spots that have outlasted the hype and might actually be at their peak.
In Part 2, Chef Brian Bornemann of Crudo e Nudo joins to talk about building one of LA’s most compelling restaurants from a pandemic pop-up, why the traditional restaurant model doesn’t work, and how local seafood—and smaller fish like sardines and mackerel—fits into the future of dining.
--
Presented by the wine geniuses at mva.wine. Subscribe to this totally unique wine collective to discover wines that don't typically make it to the US. First 20 people to use the code LAFOOD get $50 off their first collection.

On this episode of The LA Food Podcast, Luca checks in from Las Vegas in full Uncut Gems mode while Father Sal returns for a chaotic, no-holds-barred Q&A episode.
You asked, we answered. We’re talking everything from which LA food influencers are completely full of shit, why certain “terrible” restaurants stay packed, and how to actually navigate tipping culture in 2026, to deeper cuts like underrated LA chefs, Mexican breakfast standouts, and whether LA food media ignores entire regions of the city. We also get into real-life dilemmas like bad restaurant recommendations, ordering disasters, and yes, Luca’s advice on finding a wife.
On Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, the biggest stories in LA food get the treatment. A San Gabriel Valley institution is forced to pull its iconic stinky tofu after neighborhood complaints, sparking a larger conversation about culture, identity, and who gets to “smell” in Los Angeles. The Horses saga returns as Will Aghajanian denies the now-infamous cat-killing allegations in a bizarre and headline-grabbing interview. Meanwhile, the Noma Los Angeles fallout continues to spiral, with conflicting accounts around a viral abuse story complicating an already explosive situation. Plus, we break down the wild new Dodger Stadium menu, including bone marrow tacos and loco moco, and highlight Night Out for No Kid Hungry, one of LA’s biggest food events of the year. (Use code LUCA20 for a discount!)
In Part 2, we’re joined by world-class pizza chef Daniele Uditi live from Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. We dive into his latest project, Lele Dinner Club, and get into a full-on pizza myth-busting session. Should pizza have no flop? Is Neapolitan pizza supposed to be soupy? And are people crazy for expecting a dollar slice to still cost a dollar?
If you care about LA food, pizza culture, or just want brutally honest takes on the restaurant world, this one’s for you.
--
Also don't forget you can discover amazing wines by subscribing to MVA.wine - use code LAFOOD for $50 off the first collection (first 20 listeners only!)

Today on The LA Food Podcast, James Beard Award-winning author, restaurateur, and longtime Angeleno Noah Galuten joins as guest co-host for a wide-ranging conversation on LA’s past, present, and future as a food city.
In a moment where the restaurant world is dominated by headlines around René Redzepi and Noma, we take a different approach. Instead of focusing on controversy, we draft our Mount Rushmore of Los Angeles chefs—asking a deceptively simple question: who actually changed the game? Not just the best chefs, but the ones who reshaped how LA eats, cooks, and thinks about food. The result is a competitive, snake-style draft filled with legacy picks, bold calls, and a few names that might spark debate.
We also dig into recent meals across the city, including Bistro Na’s, Loreto in Frogtown, and Secret Pizza, before diving into Noah’s career. From his early days running the influential food blog Man Bites World, to helping define some of LA’s most important restaurants of the 2010s, to his upcoming cookbook Grill Time, Noah shares how he’s built a career at the intersection of media, restaurants, and storytelling.
In Chef’s Kiss / Big Miss, we break down some of the biggest conversations shaping the food world right now:
A Helen Rosner take on whether you can separate art from the artist in the wake of Noma

The rise of LA’s pop-up culture and whether it’s sustainable long-term

Celebrities stepping into chef roles at events like the Oscars

The growing presence of global restaurant brands entering Los Angeles

And a wild slate of new Taco Bell menu items for 2026

Plus, we kick things off with listener feedback and what might be the early stages of a beef with one of LA’s most iconic food publications.
--
Presented by mva.wine. To learn more about becoming a member of the mva.wine community and receiving regular access to incredible wines you won't find anywhere else, visit mva.wine/subscribe - first 20 people to sign up using code "LAFOOD" receive $50 off.