With Bowl and Spoon
by With Bowl and Spoon
With Bowl and Spoon is a podcast about people’s personal food evolution—the journeys that shape how we eat, cook, grow, and share food. Host Shelly Danko+Day sits down with guests to explore family traditions, culture, friendship, and lived experiences that shape our connections to food. Each episode digs into food memories, resilience, creativity, and meaning. From cooking and gardening to food justice, sustainability, and food systems, it’s for eaters, makers, cooks, gardeners, farmers, and anyone curious about food traditions, history, and stories.
Episodes
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Marcus Wyatt, Windy Bridges Brew
Season 4, Episode 32 This week on With Bowl and Spoon, Shelly talks with Marcus Wyatt of Windy Bridges Brew about how a love of beer, community, and learning led him to start brewing his own. Marcus shares how growing up in Chicago and now calling Pittsburgh home inspired the name Windy Bridges,...
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Helena Shorter Alston — Kia Vida Superfoods
This week on With Bowl and Spoon, Shelly sits down with Helena Shorter Alston, founder of Kia Vida Superfoods—a woman whose life has been steeped in food from the very beginning. Born into a family rooted in cooking, farming, and restaurant ownership, Helena was said to be cooking by age two! By…
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Sarah Kaminski — Best Ever Granola
🎧 Season 4, Episode 30 This week on With Bowl and Spoon, I’m joined by Sarah Kaminski, founder of Best Ever Granola — a small-batch, vegan and gluten-free granola sweetened only with pure maple syrup. Before launching her granola business, Sarah worked as a health coach and created a recipe for...
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Irwin Mendelssohn, Fulton Commons
🎧 Season 4, Episode 29: Building Community Through Shared Kitchens This week on With Bowl and Spoon, I talk with Irwin Mendelssohn, whose path—from Pennsylvania to Florida and later to major cities like Chicago, L.A., New York, and beyond—has been shaped by curiosity, creativity, and a love of...
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Selena Orkwis, Nurture PGH
🎧 Season 4, Episode 28 This week on With Bowl and Spoon, I sit down with Selena Orkwis — whose path has taken her from kitchen tables and punk shows to new cities and cultures, all guided by a love of food and connection. Selena grew up just outside D.C. in a home where everyone was welcome and...
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Dexter Edwards, Phat Bagel
🍩 Season 4, Episode 27 This week on With Bowl and Spoon, I talk with Dexter Edwards, the creative mind behind Phat Bagel—joined by partners Anna Carley and Tom Hermanowski who round out the team with systems, operations, and finance know-how. Together, they’ve built something that just clicks....
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James Longanecker, Farmers Market Manager
James Longenecker came to Pittsburgh from Florida to train for the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge—and, thanks to what I call a “Pittsburgh agent,” she never left. After a short stint doing sales for Who Cooks for You Farm, she landed her current role as the City’s Farmers Market Manager, where…
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Jody Noble Choder, Urban Chicken Farmer
Season 4, Episode 25 Content warning: This episode includes honest talk about the realities of chicken ownership, including loss, illness, and death. I met Attorney Jody Noble Choder back in 2008 when she asked me about keeping chickens. And the rest is history. A devoted Martha Stewart fan, Jody...
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Larissa Russo and Cassandra Ross, Today's Organic Market
Season 4, Episode 24 Today’s interview wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I showed up at Today’s Organic Market ready to meet Carrie — someone I’d heard described as a powerhouse for local farms, food businesses, and community. But when I arrived at 9 a.m., Carrie wasn’t there. Instead…
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Jessica Wilson Graves, Una Biologicals
In this episode of With Bowl and Spoon, Shelly sits down with Jessica Wilson Graves, founder of Una Biologicals, a Pittsburgh-based botanical beauty and wellness company creating all-natural, plant-based bath and body care. Jess shares how her journey as a plant geek, organic farmer, and mom with...
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Jamie Moore, Eat'n Park
Season 4, Episode 21 – Jamie Moore, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group Jamie Moore’s food journey started back in Greensburg in 1979, making omelets for neighbors after church. From homemade pasta to Italian classics, his passion followed him into the Navy, where he ran the galley, joined the fire...
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Sandi Kern, DTBW Juicery
Season 4, Episode 21 Sandi Kern is the founder of Desire to Be Well Juicery, and an integrative health practitioner whose story starts in the suburbs of Maryland, winds through years of chronic inflammation, and lands in a barn-turned-juice-bar in Washington County, Pennsylvania. When I first met...
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Chad Townsend, Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream
Season 4, Episode 20 What if your big idea started with a borrowed credit card, a Paco Jet, and a dream? In this sweet and satisfying episode, I sit down with Chad Townsend, co-founder of Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream, to hear how he and his wife Lauren turned a chef’s side hustle into one of...
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Rich Patti, Kali Vita Fresca
🎙️ Season 4, Episode 19 – Rich Patti, Kali Vita Fresca This week on With Bowl and Spoon, I sat down with Rich Patti, chef and founder of Kali Vita Fresca—a Mediterranean-inspired meal prep business born from a personal health wake-up call and rooted in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean...
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The Brinery
Two people meet in rehab. Fall in love. Make pickles. Launch a food truck. Open a sandwich shop. Raise a family. Build a community. In this episode, I sit down with Madi Donaldson and Joe Bardakos, the co-owners of The Brinery in Sharpsburg that’s serving up scratch-made sandwiches, homemade...
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Two Pittsburgh Food Podcasters walk into a Sichuan Restaurant...
What happens when two Pittsburgh food podcasters finally sit down for lunch? A little spice, a lot of laughter, and some deep conversation about what it really takes to make a podcast — from equipment quirks to sponsorship struggles to storytelling philosophies. In this episode, I share a meal…
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Healthy HeartBeets
In this episode, I’m joined by Julian Figaretti and HongChing Cheung, the co-founders of Healthy HeartBeets, a Pittsburgh-based startup offering a nutritious beet powder blend made with hemp and chia seeds. The two share the story of how their paths crossed and how a shared passion for health and...
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Lauren Marzullo, Roots To Petals
In this episode, I talk with Lauren Marzullo, owner of Roots to Petals—a florist and plant shop specializing in unique, locally grown flowers. Lauren tells me about Pittsburgh’s surprising number of year-round flower farms, the challenges of growing, and how flowers help create a welcoming...
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Kim Flurry: AKLW Bone Broth
In this episode, retired Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher Kim Flurry shares how a personal health issue inspired her to start AKLW Bone Broth. Drawing from her family's deep food traditions and her years in the classroom, Kim talks about transforming her home cooking into a business—starting…
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Nadia Sundlass, Integrated Dermatologist
In this episode of With Bowl and Spoon, I chat with Dr. Nadia Sundlass, an integrative dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology. We dive into the fascinating connection between the gut microbiome and our skin, how fermented foods play a role, and why modern dermatology is expanding to include...
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Jayashree Iyengar, Popping Mustard Seeds
After 25+ years as a mechanical engineer at Westinghouse, a career shift led Jayashree to start teaching Indian cuisine, inspired by friends who raved about her meals. What began as a challenge—her first class was far from perfect—has grown into Popping Mustard Seeds, where she offers cooking...
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Ron Gaydos, Keystone Development Center (KDC)
Ron Gaydos, Cooperative Development Director at the Keystone Development Center, has been instrumental in developing cooperatives across various sectors. He aims to create a more equitable and sustainable food system by connecting local producers and empowering urban farmers. Growing up in...
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Teaira Collins, Lion of Judah Enterprises
Meet Teaira Collins, a mom of five, including Judah, who has Down syndrome. In this episode, she shares her inspiring journey of navigating unique parenting challenges, especially with food. In addition to developmental delays, people with Down syndrome don't know when they're full, so Teaira...
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Eric White, PGH Dumplingz
Everyone thought Eric was a picky kid when it came to food. Little did they know he just had high standards! Eric’s culinary journey evolved from take-out at the bus stop, to culinary school, P.F. Changs, to IronBorn Pizza and now his own venture into dumplings. He tells us about his “most...
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Chef Keith Butler and Dietitian Judy Dodd, Chef’s Outreach Association
In this podcast episode, Chef Keith Butler and Dietitian Judy Dodd discuss their work with Chef's Outreach Association, a non-profit that goes beyond cooking classes to focus on mindful eating, food selection, and cultural appropriateness. Chef Keith shares his personal journey with Type 1…
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Justin Lee, Wild Onyinz
Justin Lee is a Pittsburgh native, raised in one of the city's first Chinese restaurants. He initially pursued a career in teaching but found his joy in the service industry, working as a bartender. He later refined his skills in Las Vegas before returning to Pittsburgh. Influenced by his father...
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Fermentation Camp
In October 2013 I drove to Tennessee to attend Sandor Katz fermentation workshop, which we affectionately refer to as "Fermentation Camp." Along with other attendees across North America, we camped out and participate din various fermentation activities, including making sauerkraut and pear…
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Reminiscing About the Olive Harvest in Lebanon
Welcome to the third episode of Fermentation February! Today we talk about a food that's not very local for us here in Pittsburgh, but it is in Lebanon, where Marcelle Newman grew up. After a fall hike brings back fond memories from her youth, Shelly and Brett team up with Marcelle to replicate…
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Trevor Ring, Community Cultures
Trevor Ring, founder of Community Cultures, has transformed his passion for fermentation into a thriving small business. For the past two years Trevor has focused on sourcing ingredients locally and even foraging some himself. Trevor's approach emphasizes quality, community-building, and...
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Jeonghee Choi, YeGa Kimchi
Jeonghee is a Korean native with a passion for sharing the Korean table with the people of Pittsburgh. Jeonghee shares her insights on authentic Korean meals and her love for cooking and creating a sense of community. She believes that sharing a meal transforms a house into a home. Discover why...
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Alexis Williams, Earth Offerings GCAI
Alexis (Lex) Williams, the founder of Earth Offerings Garden Consulting and Installation, is at the forefront of a new generation of eco-activists. Her journey from a suburban upbringing in Natrona Heights to becoming a passionate advocate for sustainability and nature connection in urban...
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Celebrating Mick Luber: A Pioneer of Organic Farming in Ohio
Mick Luber, the visionary behind Bluebird Organic Farm in Cadiz, Ohio, embodies the spirit of sustainable agriculture and self-sufficiency. As a trailblazing organic farmer, Luber has been a cornerstone of the local agricultural community for over four decades, demonstrating how self-sustaining...
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Total Solar Eclipse 2024
It's New Years Eve, the last day of 2024 and I'm cleaning up some bits and pieces from the year and I couldn't leave this behind! This episode is from the Total Solar Eclipse in April which we were lucky enough to attend.
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Chris Balouris, Salonika Imports
Chris Balouris, Salonika Imports and retail store, & EVIA Greek Restaurant Chris Balouris and his family own and operate Salonika Imports, a Greek wholesale and retail business in Lawrenceville, and EVIA Greek Restaurant in Bellevue. Food, culture, faith, and family are the cornerstones of his...
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Heather Knepper, Ocho Salsa
Heather shares delightful stories from her childhood in Southern California, where she savored family traditions centered around fresh, flavorful food. Her journey has taken her across the country, from California to New York and Florida, before finally settling in Pittsburgh. It was here that...
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François Nadeau, Fromagerie Kapuskoise
This week on With Bowl and Spoon, meet François Nadeau, the owner of Ontario's northern-most cheese company Fromagerie Kapuskoise Artisan Cheese, located in Kapuskasing, Ontario. François shares his journey into the world of cheese-making, which began during his travels in Asia where he…
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Ontario Adventures Part 1
In this week’s episode we kick off our two-part series exploring the stunning province of Ontario, Canada! This journey takes us to four of the five Great Lakes and as far north as there are roads, focusing on the beautiful Canadian landscape. We decided on Ontario after a year of stagnation...
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Chef Zach Keeshig, Naagan
Chef Zach Keeshig specializes in progressive indigenous cuisine, sourcing from a very local area around Owen Sound, Ontario. His restaurant, Naagan, opens this month! He puts his money where his community is, and works with local, indigenous farmers, hunters, fishers, foragers, and growers to...
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Chris Kosin, GaiaScape Landscaping
In this episode we visit the world of ecological landscaping with Chris Kosin, the owner of GaiaScape Landscaping. Chris's journey from the medical field to sustainable gardening showcases his innate desire to nurture, which he now channels into creating thriving urban ecosystems that nurture and...
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Dr. Audrey Murrell
Dr. Murrell is a different kind of academic, focusing not just on studying a problem but on creating and implementing solutions to the problem, and not any small problems! We talk about her family, her three decades at the University of Pittsburgh, and her "baby", Food 21.
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Cup Of Wontons Darren Cheng
Today my guest is at Darren Cheng, PhD student at Carnegie Mellon University, and also one of the owners of Cup of Wonton food stand at the Squirrel Hill Sunday farmers market. We talk about his family and his food and his epiphany to start a wonton business. Hope you enjoy our conversation.
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Wise County Biscuits
Lena Laskaris and James Wolfe almost opened an oyster bar, but their love of breakfast and community turned them towards biscuits. Lucky for us! Hear about how they met, what inspired their love of food and hospitality, and what's in store for the future of Wise County Biscuits.
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The Pittsburgh Pie Guy
Today is Lou the Pittsburgh Pie Guy Day! Lou and I met at his kitchen on a rainy day this summer to talk about his pie making roots, biking across the country, and the future of Pies in Pittsburgh.
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Sustainable Gardener Lexy Baird
Lexy Baird has the dream job of many food studies graduates. As a sustainable gardener for a family, she has the freedom to cultivate a variety of crops, experiment with preservation methods, and share surplus produce with her community. For "funzies" Lexy also leads educational sessions at…
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The Story of a Pittsburgh Food Planner
In this episode, Shelly shares her story as the City of Pittsburgh's first Food Planner. She talks about challenges, achievements, and circumstances leading to her parting ways with the City. Despite the trauma, this episode offers a reflective and detailed account of her experiences and hopes…
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Jak's Bulgarian Bakery
In this episode of With Bowl and Spoon, we welcome Zhelyazko (Jak) and Molly Freedman Latinova, the founders of a charming bakery in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh. They share their journey from Bulgaria, where Jak discovered his love for baking and established a successful bakery, to...
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Footprints Farm
In today's episode of With Bowl and Spoon, we chat with Ellen Swartzfager from Footprints Farm in southwestern PA. Ellen shares the journey and philosophy behind their regenerative farm, which specializes in pastured meats. She emphasizes the importance of connecting with local farmers and...
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Rick's Famers Market Adventure
Today is a special day at With Bowl and Spoon—it's Rick Sebak Day! Join us as we celebrate the beloved documentary filmmaker from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Rick Sebak, a Bethel Park native, has charmed audiences with his unique storytelling, capturing the historical essence of Pittsburgh and...
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Fallen Aspen Farm
Jake Kristophel and Desiree Sirois, owners of Fallen Aspen Farm, share their journey of developing their farm over the past decade. Starting with Delila the pig, who briefly lived as a house pig, their farm has included chickens, ducks, rabbits, sheep, cows, pigs, and vegetables. Jake and Desiree...
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The Evolution of a Garden Guru...Doug Oster
In this episode I have a lovely conversation with Doug Oster, an Emmy award-winning garden host, writer, and producer, at his forested homestead in the North Hills. We delve into Doug's journey into gardening, starting from his grandmother's garden to becoming a renowned garden guru. Doug…
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About this show
With Bowl and Spoon is a podcast about people’s personal food evolution—the journeys that shape how we eat, cook, grow, and share food. Host Shelly Danko+Day sits down with guests to explore family traditions, culture, friendship, and lived experiences that shape our connections to food. Each episode digs into food memories, resilience, creativity, and meaning. From cooking and gardening to food justice, sustainability, and food systems, it’s for eaters, makers, cooks, gardeners, farmers, and anyone curious about food traditions, history, and stories.
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With Bowl and Spoon