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Dirk McCall de Palomá, Executive Director of the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District, is the featured guest on Sunday night’s episode of “CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL with CHRISTINA CATES.” Dirk and Christina will give listeners a “behind-the-scenes” look at Queens’ diverse culinary scene and will discuss some of the popular menu items found at the Empire Shop (a sandwich bar), Maison de Gateaux (a French bakery), and two restaurants: Seoul Bystro (Korean) and Shah’s Halal (Middle Eastern).

Dirk McCall de Palom&aacute;, Executive Director of the <a href="https://sunnysideshines.org/">Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District</a>, is the featured guest on Sunday night&rsquo;s episode of &ldquo;<a href="https://am970theanswer.com/radioshow/culinary-confidential">CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL with CHRISTINA CATES</a>.&rdquo; Dirk and Christina will give listeners a &ldquo;behind-the-scenes&rdquo; look at Queens&rsquo; diverse culinary scene and will discuss some of the popular menu items found at the <a href="https://empireshopnyc.com/">Empire Shop</a> (a sandwich bar), <a href="https://mdgcakes.com/">Maison de Gateaux</a> (a French bakery), and two restaurants: <a href="https://seoulbystro.com/">Seoul Bystro</a> (Korean) and <a href="https://www.shahshalalfood.com/astoria-ny/">Shah&rsquo;s Halal</a> (Middle Eastern).

Each week, on CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Christina Cates - a seasoned foodie who has worked at some of the New York City's top restaurants, will share her passion for the culinary world. Whether you're a professional chef, a restaurant enthusiast, or a lover of good food, Christina dives into the heart of hospitality - exploring the trends, triumphs, and challenges facing the food service profession...And you won't want to miss her chats with some of the most interesting and influential industry voices. CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Sunday nights, at 9PM... exclusively on AM 970 The Answer.

Each week, on CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Christina Cates - a seasoned foodie who has worked at some of the New York City's top restaurants, will share her passion for the culinary world.&nbsp;Whether you're a professional chef, a restaurant enthusiast, or a lover of good food, Christina dives into the heart of hospitality - exploring the trends, triumphs, and challenges facing the food service profession...And you won't want to miss her chats with some of the most interesting and influential industry voices.&nbsp;CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL, Sunday nights, at 9PM... exclusively on AM 970 The Answer.

Culinary Confidential with Christina Cates

Dirk McCall de Paloma

For Week Three of Culinary Confidential's Americana 250 series, patriots meet cowboys! Not the football teams but rather, two icons who embody patriotism, resilience, and heritage in their own powerful ways!

Scott LoBaido is a renowned American artist, activist, and creative patriot best known for his powerful paintings and murals of the U.S. flag. Born in Staten Island, LoBaido has spent 30+ years painting thousands of renditions of Old Glory on schools, firehouses, police stations, homes, and public buildings across all 50 states. His work honors veterans, first responders, and the American spirit, often dedicated to those who serve. A vocal advocate for patriotism and national unity, LoBaido’s art blends creativity with activism, turning public spaces into bold celebrations of freedom and pride.

Kent Rollins is a legendary chuckwagon cook, cowboy, bestselling author, and storyteller from Oklahoma. With over 34 years of experience cooking outdoors over live fire for ranches across America, he preserves the authentic traditions of the Old West. Raised around cattle and ranching, Kent bought his first chuckwagon in 1993 and has since become a beloved figure through his YouTube channel, cookbooks, and appearances on Food Network shows like Chopped Grill Masters and Beat Bobby Flay. He travels the country alongside his wife Shannon to share hearty recipes, frontier wisdom, and the camaraderie of cowboy life from their cast-iron skillet.

From bold strokes of red, white, and blue to the sizzle of cast-iron skillets over open flames, this conversation dives into the people, places, and traditions that continue defining our nation. 

And it's more than just flags and food. This conversation is all about patriotism in practice, heritage with heart, and the shared values that bind us: pride, perseverance, community, and the joy of serving something bigger than ourselves.

If you believe America’s soul shines brightest through its creators, its workers, and its unwavering spirit, you won’t want to miss this one.

For Week Three of Culinary Confidential's Americana 250 series, patriots meet cowboys! Not the football teams but rather, two icons who embody patriotism, resilience, and heritage in their own powerful ways!
Scott LoBaido is a renowned American artist, activist, and creative patriot best known for his powerful paintings and murals of the U.S. flag. Born in Staten Island, LoBaido has spent 30+ years painting thousands of renditions of Old Glory on schools, firehouses, police stations, homes, and public buildings across all 50 states. His work honors veterans, first responders, and the American spirit, often dedicated to those who serve. A vocal advocate for patriotism and national unity, LoBaido&rsquo;s art blends creativity with activism, turning public spaces into bold celebrations of freedom and pride.
Kent Rollins is a legendary chuckwagon cook, cowboy, bestselling author, and storyteller from Oklahoma. With over 34 years of experience cooking outdoors over live fire for ranches across America, he preserves the authentic traditions of the Old West. Raised around cattle and ranching, Kent bought his first chuckwagon in 1993 and has since become a beloved figure through his YouTube channel, cookbooks, and appearances on Food Network shows like Chopped Grill Masters and Beat Bobby Flay. He travels the country alongside his wife Shannon to share hearty recipes, frontier wisdom, and the camaraderie of cowboy life from their cast-iron skillet.
From bold strokes of red, white, and blue to the sizzle of cast-iron skillets over open flames, this conversation dives into the people, places, and traditions that continue defining our nation.&nbsp;
And it's more than just flags and food. This conversation is all about patriotism in practice,&nbsp;heritage with heart, and the shared values that bind us: pride, perseverance, community, and the joy of serving something bigger than ourselves.
If you believe America&rsquo;s soul shines brightest through its creators, its workers, and its unwavering spirit, you won&rsquo;t want to miss this one.

Americana 250: Patriots Meet Cowboys!

In Week Two of Culinary Confidential's Americana 250 series, Christina Cates is honored to welcome Chef Robert Irvine - entrepreneur, best-selling author, veteran advocate, and one of the most respected leaders in hospitality today.

Most people know him from television, but some of his most important work happens far from the cameras. Through the Robert Irvine Foundation, he’s dedicated his life to supporting our nation’s service members, veterans, first responders, and their families, reminding us that leadership is all about showing up for others when it matters most.

As America celebrates 250 years, this conversation explores the values that have always defined our nation: service, resilience, sacrifice, grit, and the power of giving back. Christina and Robert discuss building teams, leading with purpose, supporting those who’ve worn the uniform, and why hospitality is ultimately an act of caring for people.

This is not just a conversation about food. It's one about patriotism in action, leadership with heart, and the responsibility we all share to leave our communities stronger than we found them.

If you believe the American story is still being written every day by people prioritizing service over themselves, this episode is one you definitely won't want to miss.

In Week Two of Culinary Confidential's Americana 250 series, Christina Cates is honored to welcome Chef Robert Irvine - entrepreneur, best-selling author, veteran advocate, and one of the most respected leaders in hospitality today.
Most people know him from television, but some of his most important work happens far from the cameras. Through the <a href="https://www.robertirvinefoundation.org">Robert Irvine Foundation</a>, he&rsquo;s dedicated his life to supporting our nation&rsquo;s service members, veterans, first responders, and their families, reminding us that leadership is all about showing up for others when it matters most.
As America celebrates 250 years, this conversation explores the values that have always defined our nation: service, resilience, sacrifice, grit, and the power of giving back. Christina and Robert discuss building teams, leading with purpose, supporting those who&rsquo;ve worn the uniform, and why hospitality is ultimately an act of caring for people.
This is not just a conversation about food. It's one about patriotism in action, leadership with heart, and the responsibility we all share to leave our communities stronger than we found them.
If you believe the American story is still being written every day by people prioritizing service over themselves, this episode is one you definitely won't want to miss.

Americana 250: Food, Purpose, and the Power of Giving Back with Robert Irvine

Culinary Confidential's Americana 250 series kicks off on the right foot, as culinary historian Jay Reifel returns to the show with a sweeping, historically grounded exploration of the food traditions that shaped the United States as we know it today.

In “A Culinary Time Capsule: 1776–2026,” Reifel traces the evolution of American cuisine from the Revolutionary War to the present day, examining the dishes that defined early American life, the communities that forged regional flavors, and the modern forces reshaping how America eats. It’s a candid, deeply informed conversation about heritage, change, and the stories our food continues to tell.

Because when a conversation carries this much history, it becomes part of the story.

Culinary Confidential's Americana 250 series kicks off on the right foot, as culinary historian Jay Reifel returns to the show with a sweeping, historically grounded exploration of the food traditions that shaped the United States as we know it today.
In &ldquo;A Culinary Time Capsule: 1776&ndash;2026,&rdquo; Reifel&nbsp;traces the evolution of American cuisine from the Revolutionary War to the present day, examining the dishes that defined early American life, the communities that forged regional flavors, and the modern forces reshaping how America eats. It&rsquo;s a candid, deeply informed conversation about heritage, change, and the stories our food continues to tell.
Because when a conversation carries this much history, it becomes part of the story.

Dirk McCall de Paloma

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