Spooky Season 2026 with Jeff Belanger and Katie DeCapria

It's officially October, which means it's time to dim the lights, pull up a chair, and explore the two things making this time of year irresistible: the stories that haunt us and the treats we wait all year for. First, Christina is joined by Jeff Belanger, one of the most fascinating voices in the…

Bringing the Energy for Season 3! Featuring Chef Josh Capon

Season 3 of Culinary Confidential is here! And what better way to kick off the season than with someone who can own and bring a unique kind of energy to the dining room. Chef Josh Capon has the kind of energy that just can't be manufactured. He's loud, passionate, unapologetic, and underneath it i…

The Two Year Anniversary Show! Featuring Shaina Nestor and Tony Mangia

Two years, 100+ episodes, countless conversations, and so many people that have helped shape Culinary Confidential along the way. Season 2 wraps up this week, and rejoining Culinary Confidential for a recap of the season are Shaina Nestor and Tony Mangia - two people who championed this show in wa…

The Fascinating World of Honey with Carla Marina Marchese

Honey: it's much more than just something sweet. This week on Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates dives into the world of honey with Carla Marina Marchese - beekeeper, author, honey sommelier, and one of the leading voices in honey sensory education. Carla founded the American Honey Tasting So…

From Recovery to Longevity, What Peptides May Mean Now

What are you putting in your body and what can it actually do for you? This week on Culinary Confidential, we’re taking that conversation to a whole new level with peptides, creatine, performance and longevity. First, we’re diving into one of the hottest and most talked-about areas of wellness ri…

Reimagining Hospitality from the Ground Up with Ryan Wagner

Hospitality is often described as an industry. But for Ryan Wagner, it's always been a discipline. One that's shaped by curiosity, precision, and the ability to make people feel anchored in a moment. This week, we spotlight Ryan's journey through some of the most influential corners of the hospita…

100th Episode Special: Chef Ivy Stark, City Harvest, and the Fight to Feed New York

It's official. Culinary Confidential has hit 100 episodes! And to celebrate this landmark episode, Christina Cates turns to a cause with a lasting impact across the five boroughs of New York City: the battle against hunger. To discuss this battle against hunger, Christina welcomes chef, restaurant…

Meet the Oyster Sommelier - Virginia Shaffer!

What does it really mean to know an oyster? On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes the oyster sommelier herself, Virginia Shaffer, a true authority on one of the most seductive, mysterious, and surprisingly complex foods we eat! Ordering oysters is one thing, but knowing t…

Bret Thorn On What’s Shaping The Future Of Restaurants

Looking for a clear view of an entire industry while it’s still shifting under your feet? This week, Christina Cates is joined by Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, and one of the most reliable chroniclers of American hospitality. Day after day, he speaks with c…

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Why Is It Liquid Gold?

What does it really mean to rethink of the ways we renourish ourselves? On this week's Culinary Confidential, Christina Cates welcomes Susan Julia - olive oil sommelier, educator, wellness advocate, and one of the most passionate voices championing the power of exceptional extra virgin olive oil. …