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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

April 24, 2025

104. Aaron Shapiro- A Guest Ep!

Hey there food fans! Today we are talking to Aaron Shapiro of Grillicious. Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast. Melissa and Stephen are celebrating 104 episodes today, and we are chatting about what it takes to make an idea a reality. Aaron tells...
April 17, 2025

103. Shawn Walchef- A Guest Ep!

Today we have the honor of talking to Shawn Walchef, the owner and founder of Cali BBQ restaurants and Cali BBQ Media. It's time for Episode 103 of The Food For ThoughtCast; welcome back! Steve and Melissa want to know what California BBQ looks like ,...
April 10, 2025

102. Veeda Bybee- A Guest Ep!

Hey there food fans! It's time for Episode 102 of The Food For ThoughtCast! Today Steve and Melissa are talking to Veeda Bybee, an accomplished author of both fiction and nonfiction and a food enthusiast - not to mention the mastermind behind the...
April 3, 2025

101. Dennis Turcinovic- A Guest Ep!

Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast- We are excited to be joined today for Episode 101 by Dennis Turcinovic of Delmonico's, Tucci, and Boogie Lab USA. Yes THAT Delmonico's, in Manhattan! Delmonico's is credited with being the first restaurant in...
March 27, 2025

100. Chef Hawkes Returns for the 100th!

This is it folks, we've reached 100 Episodes! The Food For ThoughtCast proudly welcomes back Chef Hawkes- the incredible culinary educator and all around food hero- the master chef of Great Britain and foodie extraordinaire, and just an amazing guy....
March 20, 2025

99. Kitchens and Mental Health

Welcome back to a very special episode of The Food For ThoughtCast. In Episode 99, Stephen and Melissa are talking about mental health in kitchens and the hospitality industry. We discuss what we do to cope, some of the better and worse experiences...

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