Walk-In Talk Podcast

• Chef Massimo Orlando and Jack Ross on Italian Roots, Food Culture, and Resilience

  In this episode of the Walk-In Talk Podcast, Carl sits down with Chef Massimo Orlando and Jack Ross for a powerful conversation about Italian heritage, food culture, and the stories that shape who we are.   Chef Massimo Orlando shares his journey from growing up in Italy and learning to cook in his grandmother's kitchen to working professionally at a young age in the kitchens around Lake Como. His path took him across the ocean to Miami Beach and eventually to California, where he built a life, a career, and a community. Massimo opens up about mentorship, immigration, the impact of the pandemic, rebuilding after loss, and how mental health and therapy changed his leadership and outlook on life. He also discusses his role with A.P.C.I. North America and the mission to protect and promote real Italian food and culture in the United States and Canada.   Joining the episode in the studio is Jack Ross, the creator of YO! Meatball. Jack is a home cook whose Sicilian family recipes are rooted in tradition, comfort, and the Sunday table. While cooking his signature meatballs live, Jack shares how family food traditions became a way to connect with community and preserve heritage outside of the professional kitchen. This episode explores two different paths connected by one common thread. Food as memory, identity, resilience, and connection.     Brand & Industry Partners • Metro https://www.metro.com • RAK Porcelain USA https://www.rakporcelain.com/usa • Pass the Honey https://www.passthehoney.com • Aussie Select https://www.aussieselect.com • Ibis Images Studio https://www.ibisimages.com Official Trade Show & Event Partners • New York Restaurant Show https://www.nyrestaurantshow.com • California Restaurant Show https://www.californiarestaurantshow.com • Florida Restaurant Show https://www.floridarestaurantshow.com • Pizza Tomorrow Summit https://www.pizzatomorrowsummit.com • U.S. Culinary Open at NAFEM Show https://www.usculinaryopen.org Cause & Community Partners • The Burnt Chef Project (Mental health advocacy in hospitality) https://www.theburntchefproject.com • Operation BBQ Relief https://operationbbqrelief.org • Hogs for the Cause https://hogsforthecause.org • Sustainable Supperclub https://www.sustainablesupperclub.com

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• Barbecue With Purpose: Stan Hays and Champion Pitmaster Tillman Lee Nelson III

  In this episode, Carl sits down with Stan Hays, co founder and CEO of Operation BBQ Relief, to talk about what it really looks like to feed people on the worst day of their lives. From the recent deployment to Jamaica after a massive hurricane to the emotional weight of serving their thirteen millionth meal, Stan shares the stories behind the numbers, including the moment a simple pulled pork sandwich became a symbol of love, humanity and hope. Joining the conversation in studio is champion pitmaster Tillman Lee Nelson III of Tillmans BBQ. Tillman rolls in with award winning brisket, his Perfect 200 rub and honest talk about the grind of the competition circuit, marriage on the road, barbecue family and why he still watches every face in the room when people take that first bite. Together, Stan and Tillman dig into why barbecue has such a deep emotional pull, how the barbecue community shows up for each other, and what it means to use food as a vehicle for comfort, connection and service. Key takeaways: • What it takes for Operation BBQ Relief to activate in places like Jamaica and why safety, dignity and cultural respect matter as much as the food. • How a pulled pork sandwich, a parking lot and one stranger's gratitude helped Stan find his "why" and changed how he sees the work forever. • Why competitive barbecue is a family sport for Tillman, how his wife Amy became the real secret weapon, and why the barbecue community feels like a second family. • Simple ways listeners can get involved, from volunteering with OBR at OBR.org to supporting the people doing the cooking in their own communities. About Walk-In Talk Podcast and Walk In Talk Media: Walk-In Talk Podcast is hosted by food industry veteran and storyteller Carl Fiadini, shining a light on the flavor, the hustle and the heart of the industry. Walk-In Talk is the official podcast for the New York, California and Florida Restaurant Shows and the Pizza Tomorrow Summit, and the on-site media partner for the US Culinary Open at the NAFEM Show. Walk In Talk Media is also the North American media platform for The Burnt Chef Project and regularly supports cause driven partners like Operation BBQ Relief and Hogs for the Cause. Recorded at Ibis Images Studios, where food photography comes alive and Carl gets the first bite. Learn more at thewalkintalk.com. Mentioned in this episode: Aussie Select - Fully cooked, premium Australian lamb Fully cooked, premium Australian lamb—ready to serve and packed with clean flavor. RAK Porcelain USA -Tableware We use RAK for all in-studio tableware—clean, durable, and designed for chefs.

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• Chef Freddy Money - Michelin Excellence at Atlas and the U.S. Culinary Open

  Takeaways: The Walk and Talk podcast serves as a vital platform for food lovers and culinary professionals alike, highlighting the intricate narratives behind the culinary arts. Chef Freddie Money, the 2025 US Culinary Open champion, reflects on his journey, illustrating the significance of discipline and creativity in a professional kitchen. Traveling extensively allows chefs to immerse themselves in diverse culinary techniques and ingredients, fostering a broader understanding of gastronomy around the world. The evolution of the culinary industry emphasizes the importance of education and mentorship, ensuring the next generation of chefs is well-prepared for the challenges they will face. A Michelin-starred restaurant operates as a cohesive unit, where collaboration among chefs, servers, and beverage experts is paramount to delivering exceptional dining experiences. In culinary arts, one must appreciate the balance between creativity and tradition, ensuring that the essence of a dish remains true to its foundational elements. Mentioned in this episode: Metro Foodservice Solutions Kitchen and back-of-house systems for better flow and function. Aussie Select - Fully cooked, premium Australian lamb Fully cooked, premium Australian lamb—ready to serve and packed with clean flavor.

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• Cooking Through the Cuts: How Chef Ciji Castro Fights Food Insecurity Through Tradition

  Chef Ciji Castro imparts invaluable insights into the art of transforming humble ingredients into delectable comfort food, emphasizing the critical need for resourcefulness in the face of escalating food insecurity. Throughout our dialogue, she shares her expertise in crafting a traditional puerco guisado, a slow-cooked pork stew, while ingeniously demonstrating how to stretch this dish to nourish a family of five for under ten dollars. Furthermore, Chef Castro elucidates the significance of culinary traditions, not merely as recipes but as vessels of resilience and community connection, inviting listeners to engage with their own familial narratives through food. She also provides practical tips on reducing kitchen waste, showcasing the importance of creativity in meal preparation. Our conversation ultimately serves as a poignant reminder of the power of food to unite and uplift individuals during challenging times, as well as the importance of seeking assistance without stigma. Takeaways: Chef Ciji Castro emphasizes the importance of resourcefulness in cooking, especially during times of food insecurity. In this episode, we discuss how traditional recipes can be adapted using modern techniques without losing their authentic flavors. The conversation highlights the significance of community support in addressing hunger and food insecurity issues in Tampa Bay. Ciji shares practical tips on turning affordable staples into delicious meals that can feed a family while keeping costs low. We explore the cultural significance of dishes like pasteles and their role in preserving family traditions and history. The episode stresses the need for open-mindedness when it comes to food sustainability and making the most of available ingredients. Mentioned in this episode: Aussie Select - Fully cooked, premium Australian lamb Fully cooked, premium Australian lamb—ready to serve and packed with clean flavor.

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• Chef Janine Pezarro: From Michelin Kitchens to the Warrior's Path with Chef Brett Wright from Palm Beach Meats

  In this very powerful episode of the Walk-In Talk Podcast, host Carl Fiadini sits down with Chef Janine Pezarro and Chef Brett Wright to explore what resilience truly looks like behind the kitchen doors. Janine opens up for the first time about the murder of her family, the trauma that followed, and how she transformed that pain into purpose — from Michelin-level pastry kitchens to the founding of The Warrior's Path, a course helping men reconnect with courage and emotional strength. Brett shares his own transformation — escaping gang life, finding salvation in cooking, and building Bib Gourmand recipient, Palm Beach Meats, and the only Kobe-certified operations in the U.S. into a budget friendly experience. His leadership philosophy centers on empathy, equality, and giving his team the opportunities he never had. It's raw, vulnerable, and inspiring — proof that food can be the bridge between survival and strength. 🎙️ Featuring: • Chef Janine Pezarro — Founder, The Warrior's Course • Chef Brett Wright — Executive Chef / Owner, Palm Beach Meats • Hosted by Carl Fiadini, Walk-In Talk Media Takeaways: Chefs Janine Pezarro and Brett Wright discussed their innovative approaches to classical dishes, exemplified by their unique use of beurre blanc with beef, showcasing culinary creativity. Brett Wright emphasized the importance of accessibility in gourmet dining, striving to make high-quality wagyu meat available to the average family rather than limiting it to fine dining establishments. Janine Pezarro shared her profound personal journey, illustrating how her experiences have shaped her culinary philosophy, emphasizing the emotional connection food can foster. The conversation highlighted the challenges faced by women in the culinary industry, with Janine recounting her experiences of harassment and the resilience required to navigate a male-dominated environment. Both chefs expressed a strong commitment to mentoring and uplifting their staff, recognizing that true leadership involves empowering others to reach their potential in the kitchen. The episode concluded with reflections on personal growth, as Janine shared her desire to inspire others through motivational speaking and her journey of self-discovery in the culinary arts.

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