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The Food For ThoughtCast: Call Me Chef

Life is better with food. Join Melissa and Steve as we chat with each other, other chefs, and friends alike or just wax poetic on all the culinary things that bring us together. At the virtual table, there’s something tasty for everybody!

Recent Sound Bites

July 2, 2025

114. John O'Larnic- A Guest Ep!

Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast- We've got a guest for Episode 114! Today we're talking to Chef John O'Larnic from Chef's Backyard. We tackle the perils of creating content, grilling preferences, and the fun of payin...
June 26, 2025

113. Cookbook Time Capsule

Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast - It's time for Episode 113! After catching up a little, Melissa and Steve are taking you through the pages of a few of their cookbooks at home. We're asking each other.... What was th...
June 19, 2025

112. In Your Feelings

Hey there food fans! Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast. In Episode 112, Melissa and Steve are talking about breakup foods, first date foods, and a smattering of other off-topic rabbit trail tidbits- -you know, the usua...
June 19, 2025

112. In Your Feelings

Hey there food fans! Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast. In Episode 112, Melissa and Steve are talking about breakup foods, first date foods, and a smattering of other off-topic rabbit trail tidbits- -you know, the usua...
June 12, 2025

111. No Contest

Or yes Contest? You Decide! Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast, it's time for Episode 111. Today Melissa and Steve are chatting about the most outrageous restaurant eating contests. What would we do? Do we think we coul...
June 5, 2025

110. A Recipe or Not

Hey there food fans. Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast, today is episode 110 and we are extra feisty. Sorry moms! Melissa and Steve are talking about favorite recipes, what we do or don't use, how we come up with recip...

Recent Blog Posts

April 26, 2023

Columbus' Best of the Best

It was an honor to have Ray Chmielecki, host of the Spoon Mob podcast, on the show this week. Here are his shout-outs from the the Columbus, Ohio area. Comune (Plant-forward dining)Their Menu Looks Amazing!Veritas ( An excellent …

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April 22, 2023

St. Louis and Kansas City Food Tour! via Chef Steve

If you happen to be traveling through, check out these picks:Civil Life Brewery in St. LouisBeastButcher & Block in St. LouisJoe's BBQ in Kansas CityPappy's in St LouisSeoul Taco in St. Louis

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April 18, 2023

Zak Haynes- D.C. Recs and NY Food Shout-Outs

Our latest guest, Zak Haines- had some great recommendations for bar /pub food in the DC area:   Penn Quarter Sports TavernTight Five PubDon't forget to check out Zak's comedy:Zak Haines on YouTubeNY Food Shout-Outs:Salt Potatoes:Salt potatoe…

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About the Hosts

Melissa Reagan Profile Photo

Melissa Reagan

Host/chef/dog mom

Hi, I'm one of your hosts, Melissa Reagan! I'm a 20-year veteran of the foodservice industry formerly of steakhouses, private clubs, restaurants, other random locations, catering events, and near nervous breakdowns. I reside in North Carolina with my two greyhounds who are doing their best to make sure it isn't quiet enough for me to effectively record these podcasts. Food and wifi will bring us together.

Stephen Gonzalez Profile Photo

Stephen Gonzalez

Chef/kitchen ninja/ all-around good cooker

For some, cooking can be overwhelming. I relish giving those people confidence in the kitchen. Whether we admit it or not, food brings us comfort and joy. Life can be full of flavor, so let's talk about how to Getcha Grub On! Stephen joined The Food For ThoughtCast as an official co-host in October 2023, but be sure to check out his other amazing projects as well-- he has an amazing YouTube channel and of course his cookbook- Getcha Grub On!

Reviews

So good!!!

"I can’t wait for more episodes. Your story was so entertaining and now I want to experiment more with cooking."

FiveDeeSeven | Feb. 23, 2023

A fun, entertaining, and upbeat podcast all about food and more

"You’re invited to join a fun, upbeat conversation all about food. The laughter never stops! If you love food, you’ll love this show."

wabbitman1 | March 22, 2023

Foodies fun friend

"Such a fun and informative podcast. For years, I’ve thought podcast podcast podcast, but let me tell you Chef Melissa has totally changed my view. I’m listening to a podcast with this hysterical, inf…"

@@&);:()),;))$&@@&(; | May 23, 2023