Chef Eric Adjepong on Food TV, Skipping The Bear and His Wildest Kitchen Mistake
Celebrity chef Eric Adjepong joins hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm to dive deep into the realities of food television, leadership in the kitchen, and the secrets behind surviving the restaurant world.
🔥 In this episode:
The mentors who shaped Eric’s culinary journey
Lessons from working with Bobby Flay
Why top chefs struggle to cook at home
Navigating personality clashes and communication styles
The challenge of handling bad reviews with grace
Why Eric still hasn’t watched The Bear
His biggest kitchen fail involving onions and dessert 😅
Follow the chefs:
Eric: @chefericadjepong
Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham
Joe: @insta.flamm
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Culinary Beginnings & Kitchen Confessions: Rhubarb, Raw Salmon, and Real Talk with Adrienne Cheatham & Joe Flamm
In the latest episode of The Chef's Cut, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm share how they got their start as chefs — and the paths that brought them to New York and Chicago.
They dive into:
Big debate: Is rhubarb ever worth the trouble?
Why they both love Le Creuset (how could you not?)
The challenges of transitioning from culinary school to a real working kitchen
A brutal one-star review from someone who didn’t even eat at the restaurant
Adrienne’s honest confession: the time she accidentally sent out raw salmon
This episode blends humor, honesty, and behind-the-line insight from two acclaimed chefs.
🔗 Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham
🔗 Follow Joe: @insta.flamm
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Live from the 2025 James Beard Awards: Stephanie Izard on Winning, Top Chef, and Chicago’s Culinary Scene
In this episode of The Chef’s Cut, recorded live from the 2025 James Beard Awards launch party at BLVD Steakhouse in Chicago, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flam sit down with celebrity chef Stephanie Izard (Top Chef, Girl and the Goat) to talk about what it’s really like to win a James Beard Award.
🎙️ Topics covered in this episode include:
Is it more memorable to win Top Chef or a James Beard Award?
Stephanie’s lasting impact on the Chicago restaurant scene
Behind the scenes at a James Beard Awards after party — and how to have the best time
Which is tougher: innovating food or beverages in today’s industry?
Stephanie’s earliest memories from Girl and the Goat (including some wild outfit choices!)
A full recap of the 2025 James Beard Awards winners
👩🍳 Follow the chefs on Instagram:
Stephanie: @stephanieizard
Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham
Joe: @insta.flamm
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Kristen Kish Dishes It All
Adrienne and Joe welcome their first guest, chef Kristen Kish, onto the podcast to talk about their favorite Top Chef memories, coming up in the Chicago food scene, and some juicy food headlines. In this ep we also discuss:
Kitchen mentorship (with an assist from the San Pellegrino Young Chef Academy)
Adrienne, Joe, and Kristen’s earliest memories of one another
The Charlie Trotter pop up everyone's talking about
Fork It or Forget It: Raspberry Espresso
Tom Colicchio’s secret Top Chef finale tradition
Kristen’s Walk In Confession about her worst kitchen mistake
Burning Foie gras and forgetting to buy meat
Kristen’s memoir Accidentally on Purpose
Follow Kristen: @kristenlkish
Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham
Follow Joe: @insta.flammy
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Top Chef Reunion: Adrienne & Joe Talk TV, Tofu, and Friendship
Chefs Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm debut their brand new podcast with conversation about how they went from being Top Chef finalists together to becoming co-hosts and real world friends. In this episode we also discuss:
Gregory Gourdet’s bold return to NYC
Padma’s new cooking show and how much the winner will receive
Review Review: People who complain about sunshine
Fork It or Forget It: Pickle Lemonade + NYT talking Caesar Salad & French Fries
Joe’s story about tofu in a wok almost taking off his eyebrows
Adrienne’s horror story about a Brillo Pad that made it all the way to the dining room
Follow Adrienne: @chefadriennecheatham
Follow Joe: @insta.flamm
The Chef’s Cut focuses on the stories and techniques behind the food you love the most! Each week, Top Chef alums Adrienne Cheatham and Joe Flamm give you behind the scenes kitchen access and share food tips that will make you look like a culinary hero, all while hanging out with their celebrity chef friends and making you laugh a lot. If you’re a foodie, there’s a good chance The Chef’s Cut will be the highlight of your week! New episodes drop every Tuesday.
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