46 episodes

Join Co-hosts Molly Ford, Co-Founder of The Food Lens, & Catherine Smart, Co-Founder of notjust.co as they look past the plate, chatting with chefs, tastemakers and restaurant industry insiders. They’ll be digging into business, passion projects, and food trends to see what’s shaping the New England restaurant scene. This season no tasty topic is off limits: from peeling back the politics of sustainable seafood, to farming data on customers, to high-end cannabis cuisine. We’re curious. We’re hungry. And we know you are too.

The Food Lens Podcast The Food Lens

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 61 Ratings

Join Co-hosts Molly Ford, Co-Founder of The Food Lens, & Catherine Smart, Co-Founder of notjust.co as they look past the plate, chatting with chefs, tastemakers and restaurant industry insiders. They’ll be digging into business, passion projects, and food trends to see what’s shaping the New England restaurant scene. This season no tasty topic is off limits: from peeling back the politics of sustainable seafood, to farming data on customers, to high-end cannabis cuisine. We’re curious. We’re hungry. And we know you are too.

    S4 Ep.15: Ultimate Self-Care Strategies from Chef Matt Jennings

    S4 Ep.15: Ultimate Self-Care Strategies from Chef Matt Jennings

    Matt Jennings knows a thing or two about self-care. Back in 2016 the chef and owner of critically acclaimed Townsman drastically changed his lifestyle; he lost 160 pounds, stopped drinking, and started using his platform to bring health and wellness to the restaurant world. We caught up with Matt from his current home in Vermont where he is launching new food projects, seeking solace in the natural world, and surviving 2020 by staying committed to strategies like journaling and prioritizing sleep... and we’re taking notes.
    Looking to stock up on wine for the holiday season? Check out our sponsor, 90+ Cellars! This Boston-based wine company travels the world to bring you great wines, at affordable prices. Head to NINETYPLUSCELLARS.COM to shop their Reserve Collection for bottles in that $15-$20 sweet spot, or step up your wine-gifting game with something from their new Collector Series. While you’re browsing, check out their quarterly wine club (you’ve earned wine shopping from your couch this year!), and get 10% off your order with promo code THEFOODLENS at checkout.
    A monthly subscription of artisan cheese? Yes please! Locals Jenn and Matt Mason of Curds & Co. started this incredible subscription, which comes with 3 cheeses, 3 specialty food pairings, a themed Spotify playlist, a Curdcast podcast, and a wine pairing card. Gift someone a subscription, and share the experience. Head to CURDBOX.COM and use code FOODLENS at checkout to receive $10 off your first order. 
    Our theme music is "Tropical Pop," by OSIANRECORDS.

    • 32 min
    S4 Ep. 14: Jenny Johnson’s Pandemic Playbook

    S4 Ep. 14: Jenny Johnson’s Pandemic Playbook

    Producer and co-host of Dining Playbook Jenny Johnson manages to gracefully juggle TV and radio jobs with family life, all while pursuing studies in Ayurveda - a practice she started exploring after managing a health crisis with her young daughter. We dive into how the pandemic has reset priorities, why she’s so inspired by the hospitality community, and how we can all help local non-profits in this time of tremendous need. 
    Stay tuned at the end of the episode to hear from Jared Sadoian, General Manager at Craigie on Main. This is the third in a series of short conversations with folks in the hospitality industry about how their jobs and lives have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.
    Looking to stock up on wine for the holiday season? Check out our sponsor, 90+ Cellars! This Boston-based wine company travels the world to bring you great wines, at affordable prices. Head to NINETYPLUSCELLARS.COM to shop their Reserve Collection for bottles in that $15-$20 sweet spot, or step up your wine-gifting game with something from their new Collector Series. While you’re browsing, check out their quarterly wine club (you’ve earned wine shopping from your couch this year!), and get 10% off your order with promo code THEFOODLENS at checkout.
    A monthly subscription of artisan cheese? Yes please! Locals Jenn and Matt Mason of Curds & Co. started this incredible subscription, which comes with 3 cheeses, 3 specialty food pairings, a themed Spotify playlist, a Curdcast podcast, and a wine pairing card. Gift someone a subscription, and share the experience. Head to CURDBOX.COM and use code FOODLENS at checkout to receive $10 off your first order. 
    Music in this episode includes "Teamwork," by Scott Holmes. Our theme is "Tropical Pop," by OSIANRECORDS.

    • 28 min
    S4 Ep. 13: How to Build a Food Blog into a Successful Business

    S4 Ep. 13: How to Build a Food Blog into a Successful Business

    Boston-based baker and blogger Sarah Crawford explains how she built her casual blog Broma Bakery into a successful business. We dig into the evolution of food sites, the “3 waves of blogging,” and why vulnerability is more important than ever. Plus, she’s got tips for holiday baking, and making your food photos pop on Instagram.
    Click HERE for her bourbon pecan pie recipe to take your Thanksgiving to the next level! 
    Stay tuned at the end of the episode to hear from Bartender and Event Manager Garvey Salomon from Parlor Sports and Trina’s Starlite Lounge in Somerville. This is the second in a series of short conversations with folks in the hospitality industry about how their jobs and lives have been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.
    Looking to stock up on wine for the holiday season? Check out our sponsor, 90+ Cellars! This Boston-based wine company travels the world to bring you great wines, at affordable prices. Head to NINETYPLUSCELLARS.COM to shop their Reserve Collection for bottles in that $15-$20 sweet spot, or step up your wine-gifting game with something from their new Collector Series. While you’re browsing, check out their quarterly wine club (you’ve earned wine shopping from your couch this year!), and get 10% off your order with promo code THEFOODLENS at checkout.
    A monthly subscription of artisan cheese? Yes please! Locals Jenn and Matt Mason of Curds & Co. started this incredible subscription, which comes with 3 cheeses, 3 specialty food pairings, a themed Spotify playlist, a Curdcast podcast, and a wine pairing card. Gift someone a subscription, and share the experience. Head to CURDBOX.COM and use code FOODLENS at checkout to receive $10 off your first order. 
    Music in this episode includes "Teamwork," by Scott Holmes. Our theme is "Tropical Pop," by OSIANRECORDS.

    • 30 min
    S4 Ep. 12: How Does a Restaurant with 1 Table Survive 2020

    S4 Ep. 12: How Does a Restaurant with 1 Table Survive 2020

    Before coronavirus, meals at Tanám were shared among strangers at one 10-seat table; a setup that clearly wasn’t going to work when they reopened this fall. We chatted with chef-owner Ellie Tiglao about how she and her colleagues are reimagining the small restaurant in Somerville, what exactly she means by the term “narrative cuisine,” and what’s at the heart of Filipino food.
    Looking to stock up on wine for the holiday season? Check out our sponsor, 90+ Cellars! This Boston-based wine company travels the world to bring you great wines, at affordable prices. Head to NINETYPLUSCELLARS.COM to shop their Reserve Collection for bottles in that $15-$20 sweet spot, or step up your wine-gifting game with something from their new Collector Series. While you’re browsing, check out their quarterly wine club (you’ve earned wine shopping from your couch this year!), and get 10% off your order with promo code THEFOODLENS at checkout.
    A monthly subscription of artisan cheese? Yes please! Locals Jenn and Matt Mason of Curds & Co. started this incredible subscription, which comes with 3 cheeses, 3 specialty food pairings, a themed Spotify playlist, a Curdcast podcast, and a wine pairing card. Gift someone a subscription, and share the experience. Head to CURDBOX.COM and use code FOODLENS at checkout to receive $10 off your first order. 
    Music in this episode includes "Teamwork," by Scott Holmes. Our theme is "Tropical Pop," by OSIANRECORDS. 

    • 26 min
    S4 Ep. 11: How Staying in Start-Up Mode Helped Sarah Murphy Bring Back Vinal Bakery

    S4 Ep. 11: How Staying in Start-Up Mode Helped Sarah Murphy Bring Back Vinal Bakery

    At a time when so many restaurants are struggling, it’s great to hear from a business that has bounced back - despite facing so many challenges. Find out how staying in start-up mode helped Sarah Murphy figure out how to re-open Vinal Bakery, why a sense of humor gets her team through, and of course, what breakfast treats we should be ordering to keep us all going this fall. 
    One of our favorite spots, Celeste in Union Square, is offering TFL listeners 10% off all takeout orders! Whether you want to get cozy with their famous Peruvian creamy chicken stew, or pretend you are on a warm and sunny vacation with a fresh ceviche, Celeste has you covered, just use code TFL10 at checkout! www.celesteunionsquare.com 

    • 17 min
    S4 Ep. 10: Why Josh Childs Is Serving up Nostalgia to Save His Bar

    S4 Ep. 10: Why Josh Childs Is Serving up Nostalgia to Save His Bar

    Everyone in the Boston restaurant industry seems to have something nice to say about Josh Childs, the beloved bartender-turned-restaurant-owner behind Trina’s Starlite Lounge, Audubon Boston, The Paddle Inn, and Parlor Sports, which pandemic-pivoted to Trina’s Snack Shack. We talk with Josh about the nostalgia he’s serving up at the snack shack, why transparency with his team is key, and how he’s thinking about getting through this winter. 
    One of our favorite spots, Celeste in Union Square, is offering TFL listeners 10% off all takeout orders! Whether you want to get cozy with their famous Peruvian creamy chicken stew, or pretend you are on a warm and sunny vacation with a fresh ceviche, Celeste has you covered, just use code TFL10 at checkout! www.celesteunionsquare.com 
     

    • 19 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
61 Ratings

61 Ratings

selfcensored ,

My favorite Boston podcast

If you love food (duh), passionate hospitality industry veterans, authentic conversation, and staying in the know about the Boston food scene, then this is your new favorite podcast! These women are smart and awesome!

marisaclemens ,

Engaging and fun!

Love listening to this pod and feeling like part of the Boston hospitality industry family. Catherine & Molly’s upbeat and hilarious rapport sweetens the deal. Always looking forward to the next episode!

lwm4444 ,

Really interesting

I’m getting a lot of out of the most recent run of eps focusing on how the restaurant industry is coping in the context of Covid. Highly recommend.

Top Podcasts In Arts

Fresh Air
NPR
The Moth
The Moth
Add to Cart with Kulap Vilaysack & SuChin Pak
Lemonada Media
99% Invisible
Roman Mars
The Recipe with Kenji and Deb
Deb Perelman & J. Kenji López-Alt
Be My Guest with Ina Garten
Food Network