A Top Chef Pairing Interview: former cheftestant Chef Jim Smith episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 13, 2026 · 44 MIN

A Top Chef Pairing Interview: former cheftestant Chef Jim Smith

from But I’ll Take a Pinot Grigio

Chef Jim Smith of The Hummingbird Way and Top Chef seasons 14 and 15 joins Jeff and Sundi to trace his path from a Sonic car‑hop to Top Chef contestant and Alabama’s state executive chef. He gave us a lot of behind-the-scenes tea and valiated a few of Sundi's suspicisions from over the season.  He also had a few recommendations:  Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France's Greatest Treasure by Donald Kladstrup and Petie Kladstrup Survivor season 50 You can find him on Instagram  at his restaurant Hummingbird Way @chef_jim_smith And listent to his podcast: We Know Top Chef  Otherwise:  The Pinot Pod has gone posh, y’all and we’re delving into season 4 of Ladies of London. Listen to Sundi and special guest and former socialite, Emile, dissect what is basically the Real Housewives of London.  Find us for vintage VPR on Mondays and Fridays and for season 12 recaps on Tuesday nights dropping right after the show. Watch, listen, and find visual aids and poor decisions at @takeapinotpod on Instagram and on YouTube. Questions, complaints, and hot takes go to [email protected]. And please leave a review so more people can suffer through this with us.        

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 13, 2026

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Today we’re getting to dish on our new favorite show in its 23rd season, Top Chef! They are headed to the Carolinas this year and we will be watching and talking all about it. Jeff (our resident hospitality expert) finally gets to discuss some food and Sundi (with her Professor of Pop Culture POV) gives her ever evolving thoughts on what a chef exactly is. Hope you can join!

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A Top Chef Pairing Interview: former cheftestant Chef Jim Smith

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This episode was published on April 13, 2026.

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