Michael Cimarusti Earned What Only 38 Restaurants Have
Chef Michael Cimarusti just did something only a handful of chefs in the world ever will: his Los Angeles restaurant, Providence, earned three Michelin stars. Plus it also holds a Green Star for its commitment to sustainability. Only 38 restaurants in the world can make that claim.Since opening in 2005, Providence has become a cornerstone of Los Angeles dining, celebrated for its devotion to seafood, stewardship of the ocean, and a culture of mentorship that has shaped a generation of chefs. In this conversation, Antonio talks to Michael about the twenty-year journey of Providence, the responsibility of earning three stars, and the lessons Michael has learned about legacy, mentorship, and growth.Follow Michael Cimarusti: https://www.instagram.com/cimarustila/Follow Providence: https://www.instagram.com/providencela/Follow Antonio: https://instagram.com/liberateantonio Follow Life & Thyme: https://instagram.com/lifeandthyme 🎧 Subscribe to Unplated with Antonio Diaz for more conversations with chefs, founders, and thinkers shaping food culture: https://lifeandthyme.com/unplated About Unplated:Unplated with Antonio Diaz is a long-form interview podcast that delves into the lives and stories of the people shaping the world of food and hospitality. Hosted by Antonio Diaz, founder of Life & Thyme and Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, this podcast features in-depth conversations with chefs, founders, artists, and experts who are pushing boundaries and making an impact. Each episode goes beyond ingredients and recipes, exploring culture, history, and humanity, and uncovering the powerful stories that often remain hidden beneath the surface.Unplated with Antonio Diaz is an original podcast production by Life & Thyme. https://lifeandthyme.com
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The Founder Who Made Olive Oil Cool: Aishwarya Iyer
Most of us cook with olive oil every single day but how much do we actually know about what’s in the bottle?Aishwarya Iyer is the founder of Brightland, a company that has reimagined olive oil by working with small California growers to produce extra-virgin oils held to some of the strictest standards in the world. What began as a curiosity about the foundation of most of our dishes became a mission to bring transparency, craft, and beauty back to something we take for granted in the kitchen.In this conversation, Antonio talks to Aishwarya about her journey from India to Houston to New York to Los Angeles, the challenges of building in agriculture, and why design and art are as essential to Brightland as the oil itself. Aishwarya also shares the practices that helped her slow down and learn to love Mother Earth.Follow Aishwarya Iyer: https://www.instagram.com/helloaishwarya/Follow Brightland: https://www.instagram.com/wearebrightland/Follow Antonio: https://instagram.com/liberateantonio Follow Life & Thyme: https://instagram.com/lifeandthyme About Unplated:Unplated with Antonio Diaz is a long-form interview podcast that delves into the lives and stories of the people shaping the world of food and hospitality. Hosted by Antonio Diaz, founder of Life & Thyme and Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, this podcast features in-depth conversations with chefs, founders, artists, and experts who are pushing boundaries and making an impact. Each episode goes beyond ingredients and recipes, exploring culture, history, and humanity, and uncovering the powerful stories that often remain hidden beneath the surface.Unplated with Antonio Diaz is an original podcast production by Life & Thyme. https://lifeandthyme.com
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James Freeman on Building Blue Bottle Coffee and Leaving It Behind
What happens when you build a $700 million coffee empire and then walk away from it all? James Freeman, the visionary founder of Blue Bottle Coffee, shares his journey from a converted Oakland potting shed to creating one of the most iconic coffee brands in the world. With backing from Google Ventures and massive growth into the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, James built the Apple of coffee brands. But in 2017, when Nestlé acquired Blue Bottle for over $700 million, everything changed.In this candid conversation with Antonio, James opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of building something you love and ultimately leaving it behind. He also shares his thoughts on the current state of specialty coffee and what happens when your vision isn’t fully yours anymore.Follow James Freeman: https://www.instagram.com/wjamesfreeman/Follow Antonio: https://instagram.com/liberateantonio Follow Life & Thyme: https://instagram.com/lifeandthyme About Unplated:Unplated with Antonio Diaz is a long-form interview podcast that delves into the lives and stories of the people shaping the world of food and hospitality. Hosted by Antonio Diaz, founder of Life & Thyme and Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, this podcast features in-depth conversations with chefs, founders, artists, and experts who are pushing boundaries and making an impact. Each episode goes beyond ingredients and recipes, exploring culture, history, and humanity, and uncovering the powerful stories that often remain hidden beneath the surface.Unplated with Antonio Diaz is an original podcast production by Life & Thyme. https://lifeandthyme.com
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The Ben Hundreds Playbook: From Streetwear King to Restauranteur
In this episode of Unplated with Antonio Diaz, Antonio sits down with Ben Shenassafar (aka Ben Hundreds), co-founder of The Hundreds, the streetwear brand that sparked a legacy in the fashion world. Known for blending skate culture, hip-hop, and Los Angeles’ rebellious spirit, The Hundreds became a cultural phenomenon in the fashion world. Now, Ben is venturing into a new world: the restaurant industry with The Benjamin in Hollywood. A modern tribute to old Hollywood glamour, The Benjamin brings classic American dishes to life through a contemporary lens. In this conversation, Ben talks about his transition from building a streetwear empire to opening a restaurant, and how his vision for community, style, and storytelling continues to drive his work.Follow Ben Hundreds: https://www.instagram.com/benhundreds/Follow The Benjamin: https://www.instagram.com/thebenjaminhollywood/ Follow Antonio: https://instagram.com/liberateantonio Follow Life & Thyme: https://instagram.com/lifeandthyme About Unplated:Unplated with Antonio Diaz is a long-form interview podcast that delves into the lives and stories of the people shaping the world of food and hospitality. Hosted by Antonio Diaz, founder of Life & Thyme and Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, this podcast features in-depth conversations with chefs, founders, artists, and experts who are pushing boundaries and making an impact. Each episode goes beyond ingredients and recipes, exploring culture, history, and humanity, and uncovering the powerful stories that often remain hidden beneath the surface.Unplated with Antonio Diaz is an original podcast production by Life & Thyme. https://lifeandthyme.com
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Chris Bianco: The Man Behind America's Best Pizza
The James Beard Award winning pizzaiolo, Chris Bianco, began making waves in the culinary world with Pizzeria Bianco, which opened in 1988 in a small corner of a grocery store in Phoenix, Arizona. What started as a modest venture has since become what many consider to be the best pizza in America.We dive deep into Chris’s philosophy on food, hospitality, and building relationships with the people that surround you. From his early days struggling with asthma to his passion for local sourcing, Chris shares the lessons he’s learned along the way and what it really takes to build a lasting legacy. Follow Antonio: https://instagram.com/liberateantonioFollow Life & Thyme: https://instagram.com/lifeandthymeAbout Unplated:Unplated with Antonio Diaz is a long-form interview podcast that delves into the lives and stories of the people shaping the world of food and hospitality. Hosted by Antonio Diaz, founder of Life & Thyme and Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, this podcast features in-depth conversations with chefs, founders, artists, and experts who are pushing boundaries and making an impact. Each episode goes beyond ingredients and recipes, exploring culture, history, and humanity, and uncovering the powerful stories that often remain hidden beneath the surface.Unplated with Antonio Diaz is an original podcast production by Life & Thyme. https://lifeandthyme.com
Unplated with Antonio Diaz is a long-form interview podcast that delves into the lives and stories of the people shaping the world of food and hospitality. Hosted by Antonio Diaz, founder of Life & Thyme and Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker, this podcast features in-depth conversations with chefs, founders, artists, and experts who are pushing boundaries and making an impact. Each episode goes beyond ingredients and recipes, exploring culture, history, and humanity, and uncovering the powerful stories that often remain hidden beneath the surface.
South Africa