Tag Archives: Johnson & Wales University

Show 598, October 12, 2024: Chef Chris Cosentino, Koast, Wailea Village Maui and “Losing Your Mind with Chris Cosentino” Podcast

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Chris Cosentino of Koast

Chris Cosentino is a passionate chef, author, cyclist, and philanthropist.

“A graduate of the culinary program at Johnson & Wales University in his home state of Rhode Island, Cosentino got his professional start at some of the country’s most beloved restaurants in Washington, D.C. and then the Bay Area. In his first executive chef position at Incanto, elevating a neighborhood Italian restaurant to the international scene. During his twelve-year tenure, Cosentino drew critical acclaim for his innovative Italian and whole animal cooking. Cosentino mastered the art of hand-crafted cured meats and helped raise awareness about sustainability & utilizing the entire animal. He also created Boccalone, a celebrated cured meat company, with manufacturing and retail operations in the Bay Area.”

“Cosentino won the popular series Top Chef Masters, competing against the nation’s top chefs to take the coveted title while earning over $140,000 for The Michael J. Fox Foundation. He has hosted, judged and competed on numerous national food television shows, including Top Chef; Top Chef Family Style; Iron Chef America; Next Iron Chef; Guy’s Grocery Games; The Best Thing I Ever Ate; Tournament of Champions; and Chefs vs. City.”

Currently, Chef Chris is gearing up to open Koast, a celebration of local ingredients and coastal cuisine, in Wailea Village on Maui, with a hoped-for launch for late 2024. Every other week Chef Chris releases a new episode of his “Losing Your Mind with Chris Cosentino” podcast.

Chef Chris Cosentino is our guest.

Show 472, April 30, 2022: Chef Lasheeda Perry of Queen of Flavor

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Lasheeda Perry of Queen of Flavor

“Lasheeda Perry, a C-CAP Alum, is a trained pastry chef and the owner of Queen of Flavor, LLC, a company that specializes in everything from revamping restaurant menus to helping a restaurant design and execute a dream dessert for a special event.”

“Lasheeda has always has a passion for the Culinary Arts, and luckily for the sweet tooth everywhere, this love has materialized into a successfully rewarding career. She received her culinary education from Johnson & Wales, and has studied abroad in Ireland, Australia and China to enhance her culinary skills.”

“Now based in Long Beach Chef Lasheeda has previously worked across America as an Executive Pastry Chef at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (including The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel) and for Bon Appetit Management Co. at LinkedIn. She also teaches fun and entertaining pastry classes on the Food Network App.”

For the afternoon Chef Jet Tila book-signing to benefit C-CAP, Chef Lasheeda Perry creatively adapted the Coconut Sticky Rice with Mango dessert recipe from 101 Thai Dishes. The winning result was a Coconut Rice Pudding Cake with Thai Tea Ice Cream and Caramelized Peanuts.

Chef Lasheeda joins us with rolling pin in hand.

Show 250, December 2, 2017: 2017 Roswell Wine Festival, Roswell, GA

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Executive Producer Andy Harris was in Roswell, GA (an incorporated City of 95,000 in the greater Atlanta area with a lot of living Civil War history) in early October with fellow members of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.) In this show we continue our coverage of the best of Roswell with a chat with the Producers & Co-Founders of the annual Roswell Wine Festival, an impressive, all-volunteer community effort that raises money in support of local non-profits. It always sells out weeks early…

The Roswell Wine Festival was established in 2012 by long- time friends Peggy Robinson and Dwight Cunningham. After graduating from college at Johnson & Wales University, both moved to the Roswell and fell in love with the area. With a shared passion for wine, they wanted to create an event which provides an exceptional experience for wine enthusiasts, supports the business community, and benefits local charities. Through ticket sales, sponsorships, and restaurant participation, the Roswell Wine Festival has been able to support many area non-profits including the 2017 beneficiary, Keep Roswell Beautiful.

It takes place over almost three-quarters of a mile of picturesque, and low-rise, Canton Street in the heart of Historic Roswell. In addition to the tasting stations on the street each participating restaurant on Canton St. samples their personal selections of fine wines.

There is also a popular VIP ticket option which we always recommend. It’s early access, admission to the VIP premium tasting tent which showcases the best of the best wines, and additional food samplings.

Roswell Wine Festival Co-founders Peggy Robinson and Dwight Cunningham uncork it for us.