Getting Nourished

Welcome back to Industry Night, the podcast where we dig deep into what’s cooking, literally and figuratively, across the culinary and hospitality industries. I’m your host, Nycci Nellis, and I’m thrilled to kick off my new residency at City Ridge!City Ridge isn’t just another development, it’s a 10-acre reimagining of the former Fannie Mae headquarters into a thriving mixed-use community. Think Wegmans, Equinox, sleek residences, buzzing restaurants, and thoughtfully curated retail. As someone who’s always been fascinated by how large-scale developments come to life, especially when it comes to nailing the aesthetic and attracting the right culinary talent, this is a total dream assignment.In this episode, I sit down with Rob Wolcheski, who’s been involved with the City Ridge project since day one. We chat inside the gorgeous new Shinwa Izakaya, where Chef Winston sends out an incredible sushi spread while we unpack how City Ridge evolved from blueprints to a neighborhood anchor.Then, I head over to King Street Oyster Bar for a briny intermission (see: massive tray of oysters in front of me) as I welcome two very special guests: Tatiana Mora and Miguel Guerra, the powerhouse culinary duo behind MITA. We talk about their Michelin-starred journey, deep cultural roots, and how MITA blends Latin American cuisine with a holistic, wellness-driven philosophy.Tatiana is the first Venezuelan female chef to earn a Michelin star. Miguel? The youngest Venezuelan chef to achieve that same feat. Together, they’ve created more than a restaurant, it’s a mission, a movement, and a must-visit.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction02:24 - "Michelin Stars & Culinary Conversations"05:13 - Community-Centric Experiential Living07:02 - Cultivating Intimate Community Living10:50 - Wegmans D.C.: Diverse Culinary Offerings13:46 - "Youngest Chef's Award-Winning Mita"16:30 - "Reimagining Luxury in Dining"21:44 - Reluctant Stay Amidst Political Tensions24:08 - Starting a Home Experience Initiative28:44 - "Culinary Transition and Pursuit"29:26 - Mita's Unique Fine Dining Experience33:26 - "Tasting the Chef's Mood"38:38 - "Nourishing Hospitality at Mita"39:22 - "Creating a Homely Restaurant Atmosphere"45:15 - Essential Restaurant Collaborations Explained47:43 - Balancing Work and Relationships50:02 - "Culinary Adventures with YC Cinelli"51:05 - OutroKey Takeaways:Reimagining City LivingBuilding Communities, Not Just BuildingsAward-Winning Plant-Based ExcellenceThe Power of Collaboration and ConnectionHospitality with HeartCultural and Culinary FusionResilience and InspirationPursuing Passion and JoyGuests Social Media Links:Podcast Locations:https://www.instagram.com/cityridgedc?igsh=dnZtNWVhbmdlbzlzhttps://www.instagram.com/kingstreetoyster?igsh=OXBqNnBncXdzMmk2 https://www.instagram.com/shinwaizakayadc/Rob Wolcheski:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/shinwaizakayadc/Tatiana Mora:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mita_dc/Website: https://www.mitadc.comMiguel Guerra:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mita_dc/Website: https://www.mitadc.comMaru Valdes:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/maru_valdes5?igsh=bDkxZWdnZWVqNHNtFeaturing Nycci NellisInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/Website:https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/Produced by Heartcast Mediahttp://www.heartcastmedia.com