Sound Bites

Michelle and Brandon O'Guin, the judging organizers for the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, join host Holly Whitfield to continue the discussion about all things barbecue. They talk about their favorite stories from years past and big judging changes for the 2026 competition. 

Host Holly Whitfield is joined by Michelle and Brandon O'Guin, the judging organizers for the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest. They talk about where Memphis in May is held, a potential merger with SmokeSlam and the next generation of barbecue pitmasters. 

Edible Memphis's Stacey Greenberg and founder of Memphis's AAPI Heritage Month SunAh Laybourn join Holly Whitfield to talk about the Hungry Tiger Food Club, how it all began and what you can expect from this year's Food Tour.

Allie Trotter joins host Holly Whitfield to talk about Whisks of Doom, a bakery business she started with the help of her dad. Allie shares her experience living in Albuquerque and how she carries those influences into the unique flavors of her pies. 

The Pop Spot co-owner Sylvia Leon joins host Holly Whitfield in the studio to talk about Brookhaven Circle's newest restaurant. They discuss the variety of items on the menu, the eclectic bar menu and the positive feedback Sylvia has received from diners since they opened two months ago.

Host Holly Whitfield is joined by Memphis content creator Jimmy Nguyen. Jimmy tells us about his background and love of food, his favorite restaurant recommendations, how he finds local hidden gems and what he hopes followers take away from his videos. 

Chez Phillipe's Chef de Cuisine Keith Clinton joins Holly Whitfield on this week's episode of Sound Bites to discuss Keith's culinary career, his background in Memphis and the recent award Chez Phillipe earned under his leadership. 

Eric Vernon continues the conversation with host Holly Whitfield. They talk about his role at The Bar-B-Q Shop, his views on the Memphis restaurant scene and they even address a rumor about the Memphis staple. 

Eric Vernon, owner of The Bar-B-Q Shop, joins Holly Whitfield to talk about the restaurant's origins in South Memphis to its international fame today. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this episode. 

Chef Jimmy Gentry continues the conversation with host Holly Whitfield to talk about The Lobbyist, including being named in the Michelin Guide American South Recommended Restaurants list. They also touch on the state of Downtown Memphis and the impact it has had on the local food and dining scene. 

Chef Jimmy Gentry of The Lobbyist and Paradox Catering joins host Holly Whitfield to talk about the beginning of his culinary career and his history with the Memphis food and dining scene.

The next era of Swamp Bar arrives this week. The Swamp Lounge is set to open soon as the Swamp Bar's casual cousin, located in the former Second Line space at 2144 Monroe Ave. Sam Reeves Hill is the bar manager at Swamp Bar and the guest on this week's Sound Bites podcast.

Stacey joins host Holly Whitfield to recap the Edible Memphis Cozy Issue and Champion Sip Soup Contest. She also talks about her Best Bites of 2025 and recaps her recent trip to Italy. 

The food stylists and cookbook authors continue the conversation with host Holly Whitfield. They talk about their 'three kitchen problem' and Amy's love of gardening. They even share their top food photography tips.

The food photographers, food stylists and cookbook authors join host Holly Whitfield to talk about the history of the carrot dog and their favorite vegetarian menus in Memphis. They also discuss the process of writing their four vegetarian-based cookbooks and the help they had along the way. Be sure not to miss Part 2!

Daishu McGriff joins Holly Whitfield to talk about The Artist Table, a "creative pop-up" concept that centers on chef residencies. She also talks about how she started Shroomlicious, "plant-forward" eating, and how her life experiences influence the food she makes today. 

Kelly English sticks around, as promised, for part two of his interview with Holly Whitfield in the new year. He tells us the reasons behind The Second Line's move to East Memphis. They also get into the differences between Cajun and Creole cooking (and which one Kelly prefers). 

Chef Kelly English joins Holly Whitfield to talk about the new location for The Second Line, Swamp Bar's expansion into the old Second Line space and his holiday traditions. 

Brothers Kellan and Davin Bartosch join Holly Whitfield to talk about the origins of one of Memphis' first breweries and their expanding menu offerings of both beverages and food.

Chefs Michael Hudman and Andy Ticer join Holly Whitfield to talk about what people can expect from their soon-to-open restaurant, Josephine Estelle, and the changes their other restaurants have seen over the years. 

Shayne Diaz joins Holly Whitfield to talk about Kuya, her soon-to-open South Main restaurant, and her inspiration behind the Filipino menu.

Ellen Chamberlain joins Holly Whitfield to walk through what a week in The Daily Memphian's food section looks like and her favorite food stories so far this year.

Theresa Schuenke joins Holly Whitfield to talk about her career in food, how she came to Memphis and the inspirations behind the menu at Fawn. 

Brad McCarley and Holly Whitfield discuss what's available at Buster's Butcher: imported rare cheeses, locally-sourced meats and McCarley's mom's chicken salad recipe. This is part two of the interview.

Buster's Butcher co-owner Brad McCarley joins Holly Whitfield to share his journey from rock climber to recording artist to restaurant Renaissance man. This is part one of the interview.

Grecian Gourmet Kitchen owner Corinne Knight joins Holly Whitfield to talk about the journey from a farmer's market staple to a South Main restaurant, and now the focus on catering and Grab and Go.

Soul & Spirits owners Blair Perry and Ryan Allen join Holly Whitfield to talk about how their brewery came to be and what's next for their outdoor space. 

Host Holly Whitfield is joined by podcast producer Natalie Van Gundy to recount some of their favorite recent eats, as well as a list of places they'd like to try soon. 

Amy and Hayes McPherson join host Holly Whitfield to talk about the transition from owning and operating a coffee shop to roasting coffee and canning beverages. 

Travis Ritzie, owner of Ritzie's Barbecue, joins Holly Whitfield to talk about his beginnings with Texas barbecue, his time at Leroy & Lewis in Austin and the process of opening his own food trailer with his wife, Paige. 

Hive owner Josh Steiner joins host Holly Whitfield to talk about his years in the restaurant industry, what led him to open Hive and a breakdown on bagels. 

Holly Whitfield is joined by DJ Naylor and Reny Alfonso of Brazen Restaurant Group, which owns Celtic Crossing, Bog & Barley and the newly opened Maeve's Tavern in Collierville. The two talk about what their restaurants have in common and how they differ, as well as big shifts they've seen in the industry.

Cole Jeanes and Harrison Downing join Holly Whitfield to talk about Sundays, the Kinfolk pop up at Hard Times Deli. They also discuss what people can expect from Gussied Up, a bar that Jeanes, Downing and Schuyler O'Brien will open in the Edge District next year. 

The owners of Memphis Whistle join Holly Whitfield to talk about the beginnings of their lounge and craft cocktail bar and what makes their prohibition style drinks so unique. 

Cristina McCarter joins Holly Whitfield to talk about the upcoming Craft Food & Wine Festival in a new venue and the journey that led her to have two locations for her cafe, Feast and Graze.

Hopper Seely joins Holly Whitfield to talk about the origins of Grind City Brewing, the experience of opening the taproom in 2020 and what lies ahead for the future outdoor venue.

Taylor and Hannah Widdon, the owners of JoJo's Espresso, join Holly Whitfield to talk about their journey from coffee cart to cafe, as well as their favorite picks on the menu. 

Ryan Glosson and the husband-and-wife team of Bryant and Heather Bain join Holly Whitfield to talk about their experience owning and operating two restaurants in Midtown, their favorite dishes on each menu and restaurant recs around town.

The Daily Memphian's new restaurant writer joins Holly Whitfield to share her favorite chefs and dishes in town. 

Ellen Chamberlain joins Holly Whitfield to talk about her career in media and Memphis food news of the week. Join us for part two next week. 

Matteo Servente joins Holly Whitfield to talk about how film making brought him to Memphis, what inspired him to open the gelateria and what flavors customers love most. 

Savannah Kenney, owner of Jacques Louise Bakery, joins Holly Whitfield to talk about opening the bakery in the former 17 Berkshire space in Overton Square and what inspired her to begin gluten free baking. 

Holly Whitfield is joined by Stacey Greenberg with Edible Memphis to talk about her recent trip to Mexico City and classic Memphis restaurants.

Owners Sarah Cai and Arturo Leighton join Holly Whitfield to talk about the importance of scratch-made food, their television appearances and where they like to dine in Memphis. 

Chef Kelly English joins Holly Whitfield on this week's Sound Bites to talk about the Second Line's renovations, their Hawaiian pop-up and a surprise celebrity visit to Restaurant Iris. English offers plenty of Memphis food recommendations and several hot takes on crime, Kroger and more.

With 20 years behind the bar at Bari, Hunter Coleman's had time to break down the art and the science of craft cocktails. On this week's Sound Bites, he shared tips of the trade and talked about Bari, amaro and his partnership with a Memphis gin brand.

In addition to riffing on what makes good barbecue and why Memphis is number one on her list, Gina and host Holly Whitfield discussed the upcoming SmokeSlam barbecue competition.

Host Holly Whitfield is joined by Memphis in May's Kevin Grothe and Tiffani Perry to talk about what people can expect from this year's WCBCC at Tiger Lane. 

Husband and wife duo Clay Schuchardt and Felicia Willett-Schuchardt talk about the relocation and reopening of Felicia Suzanne's on South Main with host Holly Whitfield. 

Host Holly Whitfield and podcast producer Natalie Van Gundy discuss this spring's local line up of food festivals and events and share their favorites.