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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

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...
March 13, 2025

98. Dan Abel Jr. - A Guest Ep!

Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast, it's time for Episode 98 and life just got a little sweeter. Today we are talking to the Willy Wonka of The Midwest, Dan Abel! He is the Chief Chocolate Officer at Bissinger's in St. Louis, Missouri- not only...
March 6, 2025

97. Carolyn Haeler- A Guest Ep!

Today we have the pleasure of talking to Carolyn Haeler, the Executive Baker and mastermind behind Mightylicious. Their mission is to create flavor packed, gluten-free cookies made for everyone. Melissa and Stephen dive into the chemistry of...
Feb. 27, 2025

96. Now Trending

Get ready for Season 3 , ya'll! Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast. It's time for Episode 96- the culinary trends of 2025. Today Stephen and Melissa are looking at the lists that the experts compile of what is going to be big in food for the...
Feb. 18, 2025

95. Season 2 Finale- Culinary Characters Unlocked Collab!

Hey there food fans! Welcome back to The Food For ThoughtCast, it's time for the Season 2 finale of this podcast, can you believe we have been podcasting for two years?! Thank you so much for listening and watching every week. It means so much to us....
Feb. 13, 2025

94. Leftovers and Reheats

Welcome back to Episode 94 of The Food For ThoughtCast! Today, Steve and Melissa are tackling all of the questions you never asked about eating leftovers, reheating togo food, and using the air fryer for fried stuff. Melissa doesn't know how to record...

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