On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes extraordinary culinarian Christian J. Fischer, whose journey began in a family-run hotel in eastern Austria, surrounded by ten siblings and the hum of a busy kitchen. By age 14, he became a certified Master Chef, baker, and butcher. At 19, he opened his first restaurant and by 23, he was overseeing six successful establishments.

But Christian's journey goes far beyond the kitchen. Following decades in hospitality, he saw a gap: brilliant professionals often struggling to turn their expertise into influence. So he pivoted to becoming a sought-after coach who helps leaders build personal, resonating brands. Fischer is also the voice behind The Disruptive Chef Podcast, where food meets culture and transformation is always on the menu.

Learn more about Christian at www.christianjfischer.com.

On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes extraordinary culinarian Christian J. Fischer, whose journey began in a family-run hotel in eastern Austria, surrounded by ten siblings and the hum of a busy kitchen. By age 14, he became a certified Master Chef, baker, and butcher. At 19, he opened his first restaurant and by 23, he was overseeing six successful establishments.
But Christian's journey goes far beyond the kitchen. Following decades in hospitality, he saw a gap: brilliant professionals often struggling to turn their expertise into influence. So he pivoted to becoming a sought-after coach who helps leaders build personal, resonating brands. Fischer is also the voice behind&nbsp;The Disruptive Chef Podcast, where food meets culture and transformation is always on the menu.
Learn more about Christian at <a href="https://www.christianjfischer.com">www.christianjfischer.com.</a>

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

Chef Christian J. Fischer

Chicago, we are so back.

This week, Culinary Confidential heads back to the Windy City for a conversation with Robert Garvey and Dana Hokin, the founders of Robert's Pizza & Dough Company, the acclaimed riverfront pizzeria that’s redefined what artisan thin‑crust can be.

The husband‑and‑wife team behind one of Chicago's most celebrated pizzerias, has overseen what began as a home‑kitchen experiment into a chef‑driven restaurant that's now recognized among the Top 50 Pizzas in the USA and Top 100 in the World. Their signature “Za Dough,” a meticulously engineered sourdough‑based crust, is the product of relentless testing, fermentation discipline, and a belief that a proper slice should crack, not break.

Garvey, a New York native and certified pizzaiolo, spent decades deconstructing pizzas, turning their home into a test lab before opening their first small shop in 2016. By 2019, they expanded into their now‑iconic Streeterville location along the Ogden Slip — a neighborhood spot built for locals, regulars, and anyone who believes pizza can be both craft and culture.

Today, Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co. is known for its riverfront patio, brick‑oven artistry, bold flavor profiles, and a community‑driven mission that includes partnerships with Slice Out Hunger and local nonprofits. It’s Chicago hospitality at its most intentional — and most delicious.

Yes, Chicago keeps pulling us back, and for good reason! It’s a city where tradition meets reinvention, where chefs push boundaries without losing their roots, and where a single slice can tell a whole story.

Chicago, we are so back.
This week, Culinary Confidential heads back to the Windy City for a conversation with Robert Garvey and Dana Hokin, the founders of <a href="https://robertspizzacompany.com/">Robert's Pizza &amp; Dough Company</a>, the acclaimed riverfront pizzeria that&rsquo;s redefined what artisan thin‑crust can be.
The husband‑and‑wife team behind one of Chicago's most celebrated pizzerias, has overseen what began as a home‑kitchen experiment into a chef‑driven restaurant that's now recognized among the&nbsp;Top 50 Pizzas in the USA and Top 100 in the World. Their signature &ldquo;Za Dough,&rdquo; a meticulously engineered sourdough‑based crust, is the product of relentless testing, fermentation discipline, and a belief that a proper slice should crack, not break.
Garvey, a New York native and certified pizzaiolo, spent decades deconstructing pizzas, turning their home into a test lab before opening their first small shop in 2016. By 2019, they expanded into their now‑iconic Streeterville location along the Ogden Slip &mdash; a neighborhood spot built for locals, regulars, and anyone who believes pizza can be both craft and culture.
Today,&nbsp;<a href="https://robertspizzacompany.com/">Robert&rsquo;s Pizza &amp; Dough Co</a>. is known for its riverfront patio, brick‑oven artistry, bold flavor profiles, and a community‑driven mission that includes partnerships with Slice Out Hunger and local nonprofits. It&rsquo;s Chicago hospitality at its most intentional &mdash; and most delicious.
Yes, Chicago keeps pulling us back, and for good reason! It&rsquo;s a city where tradition meets reinvention, where chefs push boundaries without losing their roots, and where a single slice can tell a whole story.

When Passion Becomes A Pizzeria

This week on Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates travels from the ramen alleys of Tokyo to the hidden izakayas of Manhattan with Massud Ghaussy, the creator of the fast-growing TokyoManhattan platform.

Ghaussy has become a trusted bridge between Tokyo's culinary traditions and a global audience hungry to understand them. Not as trends but as living cultural practices rooted in discipline, precision, and history. His work blends travel, anthropology, and culinary storytelling, offering a rare insight into ramen culture, omakase philosophy, and the quiet rituals that define Japanese dining.

From omotenashi hospitality to the worldwide rise of Japanese food culture, this conversation goes way beyond sushi. It's one of craftsmanship, restraint, storytelling, and the deep respect that shapes every plate.

This week on Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates travels from the ramen alleys of Tokyo to the hidden izakayas of Manhattan with Massud Ghaussy, the creator of the fast-growing TokyoManhattan platform.
Ghaussy has become a trusted bridge between Tokyo's culinary traditions and a global audience hungry to understand them. Not as trends but as living cultural practices rooted in discipline, precision, and history. His work blends travel, anthropology, and culinary storytelling, offering a rare insight into ramen culture, omakase philosophy, and the quiet rituals that define Japanese dining.
From omotenashi hospitality to the worldwide rise of Japanese food culture, this conversation goes way beyond sushi. It's one of craftsmanship, restraint, storytelling, and the deep respect that shapes every plate.

Beyond Sushi: The Real Story of Japanese Cuisine with Massud Ghaussy aka TokyoManhattan

On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates sits down with Sam Bakhshandehpour, President of Merchants at Bilt, and one of the rare executives who has shaped hospitality from every angle: luxury, lifestyle, loyalty, and the evolving business of belonging.

Sam's path cuts across the modern hospitality map, helping steer the Jose Andrés Group's global rise as CEO, and leading SBE Entertainment as President & CEO in a defining era of lifestyle, dining, and nightlife. But well before that, Sam got his start in the engine room of JPMorgan's real estate and lodging investment banking division, working at the intersection of strategy, scale, culture, and community.

This conversation looks forward. How loyalty shifts from transactions to identity, how technology rewrites the guest journey, how brands build communities that feel lived-in as opposed to manufactured, and why the next era of hospitality will reward connection, trust, and emotional intelligence as much as design and service. Sam brings clarity, candor, and a sharp read on where the industry goes from here!

On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates sits down with Sam Bakhshandehpour, President of Merchants at&nbsp;Bilt, and one of the rare executives who has shaped hospitality from every angle: luxury, lifestyle, loyalty, and the evolving business of belonging.
Sam's path cuts across the modern hospitality map, helping steer the Jose Andr&eacute;s Group's global rise as CEO, and leading SBE Entertainment as President &amp; CEO in a defining era of lifestyle, dining, and nightlife. But well before that, Sam got his start in the engine room of JPMorgan's real estate and lodging investment banking division, working at the intersection of strategy, scale, culture, and community.
This conversation looks forward. How loyalty shifts from transactions to identity, how technology rewrites the guest journey, how brands build communities that feel lived-in as opposed to manufactured, and why the next era of hospitality will reward connection, trust, and emotional intelligence as much as design and service. Sam brings clarity, candor, and a sharp read on where the industry goes from here!

Chef Christian J. Fischer

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