Best Book Crust Podcasts (2025)

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HEARD (017): pistachio halva rice krispie treat, sourdough pasta, chef’s press, Chicago style “Italian Beef” carpaccio, pie crust cookies, a chocolate bar collab, and fancy choco tacos. 8:06

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5d ago8:06

8:06

In this episode, Kappy shares what’s on his plate at the moment. Links and handles mentioned in this episode: hani's bakery + café | Miro Uskokovic | Shilpa Uskokovic | Daniel Alvarez | Jake Cohen BtP episode Bionaturae Sourdough Pasta | Rachael Ray Dimmi Dimmi Corner Italian | Chef Matt Eckfeld | Cornerstone Restaurant Group Janie’s Life Changing …

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Beyond the Drink: How Kevin Armstrong Built One of the Most Respected Bars in the World (S12/Ep.14) 21:42

8d ago21:42

21:42

Kevin Armstrong is a celebrated bartender, bar owner, educator, and author based in East London. His neighborhood bar has become a global destination - thanks in part to its daily-changing cocktail menu and one of the most thoughtfully trained teams in the business. In this episode, Kevin shares why he believes great bars are built on great experie…

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EP 156: From Super 8 Films to Stranger Things: A Hollywood Reinvention Story with Joe Lawson 53:47

15d ago53:47

53:47

What if the kid making Super 8 movies in his backyard grew up to shape some of the world’s most iconic brands? In this episode, I sit down with Joe Lawson, Head of Brand Licensing at Calm, whose career spans The Simpsons, Stranger Things, Angry Birds, Shrek, Netflix—and now wellness. Joe knew at age five he wanted to make films. While chasing that …

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Jake Cohen: How Hosting Dinner Parties Changed Everything (S12/Ep.013) 1:00:49

15d ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Jake Cohen is a two-time bestselling cookbook author, culinary content creator, and unapologetic dinner party enthusiast. In this episode, he shares how a childhood curiosity for hosting dinner parties and Shabbat dinners became a lifelong passion for bringing people together around the table. From CIA to food media, Jake opens up about his path th…

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HEARD (016): immersion blenders, pressure cookers, brand values, what knives I use, Chef Joel Gamoran, buy someone a restaurant gift certificate, and frozen charleston chews. 11:16

19d ago11:16

11:16

In this episode, Kappy shares what’s on his plate at the moment. Links and handles mentioned in this episode: Vitamix Immersion Blender and Attachments | IG Instant Pot Pressure Cooker | mine Beyond the Drink x Alexis Soler Mac Knives | Professional Series Chef Joel Gamoran | Homemade | ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit Follow Beyond the Plate on F…

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EP 155: Kneading More: Finding Purpose in the Perfect Crust with Adam Drucker 45:25

22d ago45:25

45:25

Ever wonder what it takes to walk away from a successful career and start over from scratch? Adam Drucker went from IT executive to dishwasher, then built something extraordinary. In this episode, I speak with Adam Drucker, founder of Doctor Dough. His Reinvention story is great. After a thriving career in IT, Adam walked away from the keyboard in …

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Beyond the Drink: How Miami Native Alexis Soler Became a Pioneer in Nashville’s Bar Scene (S12/Ep.12) 21:05

24d ago21:05

21:05

Alexis Soler made the leap from Miami’s high-energy bar world to a Nashville that looked very different from the city we know today. In this conversation, she shares how that move shaped her creatively and opened the door to building some of Nashville’s most thoughtful and dynamic hospitality experiences. We explore her process for developing cockt…

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Man-baby Manfred's Castle of Otranto 43:46

30d ago43:46

43:46

Its Thanksgiving and hosts Chelsea and Sarah are celebrating with Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole! Join in the festivities as they disect this ofspring of Shakespearean drama and ridiculous found footage cliche. Content Warning: this episode contains references to violent death instagram.com/ourdarklibrary ourdarklibrary.podbean.com…

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Vaughn Vreeland (LIVE): The Story Behind NYT’s Cookie Book Everyone’s Talking About (S12/Ep.11) 39:17

29d ago39:17

39:17

Vaughn Vreeland is a writer, recipe developer, and video series host for NYT Cooking - and the co-creator behind the wildly popular Cookie Week. We sat down for a live conversation at The Book Cellar in Chicago to talk about his journey from bakery counter to bylines, and how he brings joy and intention to everything he creates. Vaughn shares the i…

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Moon of the Crusted Snow... or is that blood? 1:15:05

1M ago1:15:05

1:15:05

Ever wondered what it might be like to survive the end of the modern world as we know it? If so, join hosts Chelsea and Sarah as they dabble in some light cannibalism with this month's book, Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice. Content Warning: this episode contains references cannibalism and starvation instagram.com/ourdarklibrary ourdarkl…

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HEARD (015): A ‘London-Italian’ restaurant, soy sauceS, cookies, Chicago Chefs Cook, taste curators, corduroy aprons, and SHARPEN YOUR KNIVES. 8:28

1M ago8:28

8:28

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Beyond the Drink: Simon Ford Has Seen It All. Here’s What Still Surprises Him. (S12/Ep.10) 28:11

1M ago28:11

28:11

Simon Ford is one of the most respected voices in the spirits and cocktails industry - and a true steward of gin culture. In this episode, he returns to the pod and shares the story behind the second-ever release of Fords Sloe Gin, a centuries-old English tradition made by steeping wild sloes in gin. We cover some exciting things happening around t…

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EP 154: A Common Thread: From Celebrity Styling to Finding Divine Purpose with Jennifer Principe 39:45

1M ago39:45

39:45

Jennifer Principe is a stylist, author, speaker, and founder whose work blends fashion, faith, and emotional healing. After spending 14 years as a celebrity wardrobe stylist, she felt called to create something more meaningful — a space where style becomes a pathway back to confidence, dignity, and self-worth. She is the author of A Common Thread, …

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Chef Leah Cohen: She Stopped Cooking Other People’s Food - and Found Her Culinary Voice (S12/Ep.09) 48:50

1M ago48:50

48:50

Leah Cohen is the chef, author, and Top Chef alum behind NYC’s Pig & Khao. From delivering pizzas as a teen to training in Michelin-starred kitchens around the world, she carved her path the old-school way - through hustle, honesty, and a whole lot of rice. In this episode, Leah opens up about how traveling through Southeast Asia became the turning…

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HEARD (014): A Mexican restaurant in New Orleans, stand mixer attachment, cookie bar recipe, SNAP, a new seafood cookbook, panettone, and a vinaigrette. 9:26

2M ago9:26

9:26

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Beyond the Drink: Iain McPherson Studied Gelato - Then Became One of the World’s Best Bartenders (S12/Ep.08) 19:11

2M ago19:11

19:11

Iain McPherson is one of the most respected people in the bar world today - and his story starts in a lucid dream. He was recently named Best International Bar Mentor, while his bar took home awards for Best International Bar Team and World’s Best Cocktail Menu at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, Iain has rei…

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Don't Wanna Live My Life Again... Pet Semetary Pt 2 1:01:47

2M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

Doesn't matter how hard you fight it, hosts Sarah and Chelsea are gonna lead you down the dark path of morbid jokes and spine tingling finishing moves. Come along for the unsettling conclusion of Stephen King's Pet Semetary! Content Warning: this episode contains references to traumatic injuries, child death, and animal death relating to car accide…

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Carmilla's Crazy Halloween 29:32

2M ago29:32

29:32

Bite into one of the oldest written vampire stories with Hosts Sarah and Chelsea! In their first ever Halloween Special! With special guests congestion and asthema! You'll be coughing up a lung too when you hear what Carmilla does to young ladies! Content Warning: this episode contains references to sexual assault. instagram.com/ourdarklibrary ourd…

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Don't Wanna Be Buried In A... Pet Semetary Pt1 1:02:10

2M ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Holy crap Uncle Steve! Hosts Sarah and Chelsea finally dive in to one of the early works of the unoffical King of Horror, Pet Semetary. Stephen King sets a grave scene in part one of this cult classic. Content Warning: this episode contains references to traumatic injuries, child death, and animal death relating to car accidents. instagram.com/ourd…

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Kevin Boehm: He Built 46 Restaurants - Then He Had To Do the Real Work (S12/Ep.07) 1:05:41

2M ago1:05:41

1:05:41

Kevin Boehm is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Boka Restaurant Group, which has opened more than 46 restaurants over the past 30 years. In this episode, Kevin opens up about the journey behind his deeply personal new memoir, The Bottomless Cup - a story rooted in resilience, identity, and the pursuit of authenticity. We discuss his path from growing u…

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Piñata Pt 3 56:15

2M ago56:15

56:15

Forgive us our coughing fits, as we forgive those who cough upon us. Amen. Hosts Sarah and Chelsea are back after a long, unintended hiatus! They're wrapping up a crazy whirlwind of a book, Piñata by Leopoldo Gout, while trying not to cough their lungs out into your ears. The life of a podcast host... recording while sick. Content Warning: this epi…

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HEARD (013): A Chophouse in NJ, cookies in Nashville, smash dumplings, Bronx honey, a new memoir, my NYC recap, and rice cookers. 9:12

2M ago9:12

9:12

In this episode, Kappy shares what’s on his plate at the moment. Links and handles mentioned in this episode: Capon’s Chop House | Josh Capon IG Pink Door Cookies | Matt Rice IG stevescookssomething smash dumplings IG post Boogie Down Bronx Honey IG | Ceres Food Film Festival | Ceres IG Kevin Boehm IG | The Bottomless Cup book Fly Fish Club | Fly F…

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Beyond the Drink: How Mr. Lyan Is Redefining What Hospitality Can Be (S12/Ep.06) 36:39

2M ago36:39

36:39

Ryan Chetiyawardana, known globally as Mr. Lyan, is not your average bartender - he’s a boundary-pushing innovator whose work continues to reshape how we think about food, drink, and connection. From his early days in kitchens to launching award-winning bars around the world, Ryan shares how curiosity, collaboration, and care are at the heart of ev…

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Asma Khan: She Was Told She’d Never Matter - Then She Changed the Game (S12/Ep.05) 51:10

2M ago51:10

51:10

Asma Khan is the chef and changemaker behind Darjeeling Express, the London restaurant powered by an all-female kitchen of home cooks. Born into Indian royalty but made to feel invisible, she rose from an uncelebrated daughter to become one of the most powerful voices in food - earning a spot on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People and captivating mi…

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HEARD (012): A Ukrainian Cafe, fancy snacks, a Rachael Ray hot dog recipe, community fridges, my Austin food recap, and Fritos. 9:36

2M ago9:36

9:36

In this episode, Kappy shares what’s on his plate at the moment. Links and handles mentioned in this episode: Abrah Bakery & Daily Bistro IG | Soloway Coffee IG Martie IG Rachael Ray IG | NYC Wine & Food Festival IG | Burger Bash One Love Community Fridge IG Siti | Franklin Barbecue | Rockman | Desnudo | KG BBQ Fritos Follow Beyond the Plate on Fac…

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Beyond the Drink: How Abe Vucekovich Turns Chaos into Creativity Behind the Bar (S12/Ep.04) 21:16

3M ago21:16

21:16

Abe Vucekovich is one of Chicago’s most imaginative bartenders, known for bringing storytelling and creativity to his cocktails. After nearly a decade at The Violet Hour, Abe now leads the bar programs at The Meadowlark and Friends of Friends - where each menu tells a story. In this episode, he shares how his background in writing influences his ap…

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Chef Gavin Kaysen: The Hard Truth About Success in the Restaurant World (S12/Ep.03) 49:18

3M ago49:18

49:18

Gavin Kaysen is a two-time James Beard Award winner, a former Bocuse d'Or competitor, and a true force behind Minneapolis’ rising culinary scene - but his story is about far more than accolades. In this episode, Gavin opens up about his early childhood influences and how a sandwich shop taught him the power of hospitality. He shares the story of a …

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HEARD (011): Coffee in Philly, Roman-style fish sauce, Filipino meatballs, Haitian rum, 2 new cookbook recs, and our Beyond the Drink premiere. 8:32

3M ago8:32

8:32

In this episode, Kappy shares what’s on his plate at the moment. Links and handles mentioned in this episode: Rival Bros Coffee | Rival Bros ig | Jonathan Adams Maine Garum Co | Dave Arnold Beyond the Drink episode Filipino Meatball Recipe | Sarima Cafe St. Benevolence Rum IG | Innovating Health International Jake Cohen | Dinner Party Animal book C…

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Ep 153 - Two Moms, One Book, Endless Ambition with Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores 39:54

3M ago39:54

39:54

Sometimes the most powerful Reinventions don’t start with a plan, but with two people realizing their different strengths belong in the same story. In this episode, I chat with the wonderful Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores, the dynamic co-authors of the sizzling debut novel Happy Wife. Happy Wife has captured national attention as a "Read with…

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Beyond the Drink: How Dave Arnold Redefined What a Cocktail Could Be (S12/Ep.02) 36:37

3M ago36:37

36:37

In this season's first Beyond the Drink episode, Kappy sits down with Dave Arnold - an inventor, bar owner, author, and one of the most influential figures in the modern bar world. Known for challenging conventional thinking, Dave reflects on the early days of modernist techniques and how they’ve become common practice behind bars today. From shapi…