Supper with Sylvia Perez - Chicago's Foodie Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Chicagoan of the Year, Executive Chef, Humanitarian and Hall of Famer are just a few of the accolades bestowed upon Art Smith.  Most people know he got his start as Oprah Winfrey's personal chef and skyrocketed into the culinary world cooking meals for presidents, princesses  and heads of state.  Chef Art is often described as a celebrity himself, but there's no doubt he's most comfortable in the kitchen providing much needed food and warmth for thousands of people trapped in the unforgiving circumstances that come with poverty, natural disasters and war.  

The Show Notes
Chef Art Smith's Reunion- Chicago Navy Pier
Blue Door Kitchen and Garden- Chicago Gold Coast
Homecoming- Walt Disney World Florida
Sunshine Diner- Orlando Int'l Airport
Southern Art- Atlanta
Art Bird and Whiskey Bar- NYC Grand Central Terminal
Art & Soul- Washington DC

Common Threads- Charitable Organization

Chefartsmith.com

Supper with Sylvia is produced by Jane Stephens
Audio engineering and music by Donnie Cutting

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters

Monica Eng and Audarshia Townsend are veteran journalists who've been covering the Chicago food and restaurant scene for years. In this inaugural episode of Supper with Sylvia, these two foodies reveal some of the city's hidden gems and discuss how the culinary landscape has evolved since the great pandemic of 2020.


The Show Notes:
Read more from Monica Eng at Axios.com and listen to her podcast "Chewing" with the Chicago Tribune's Louisa Chu. Audarshia Townsend is the Content Director for SupplySide Food and Beverage Journal and Informa Markets' 2024 Star Storyteller Winner.

Supper with Sylvia is Produced by Jane Stephens
Audio engineering and Music by Donnie Cutting

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters

Introducing Supper with Sylvia, The Everything Food and Restaurant Podcast of Chicago. Veteran television journalist Sylvia Perez takes you on flavorful journey through the heart of the Windy City's culinary scene.  Each episode uncovers the stories behind Chicago's hottest dining spots, from iconic deep dish pizza  to hidden neighborhood gems and Michelin star restaurants. Sylvia talks to the talented and passionate chefs who are making Chicago a major food destination. Whether you are a connoisseur or just curious about the best places to eat, Supper with Sylvia will give you the insider tips and the latest food trends shaping the city.  Get ready to explore Chicago's rich food culture, one bite at a time.

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters

JOIN ME LIVE AUGUST 4th!⬇️

LIVE - Supper with Sylvia Perez feat. Chef Curtis Duffy - After - Chicago, IL | Tock | Tock

Ever wondered what happens when your love of hiking meets your passion for craft beer? Meet Dan and Jessica, the couple behind the inspiring new book Beer Hiking Chicago and Beyond. From urban trails with skyline views to suburban forest preserves, they’ve mapped out 34 unforgettable hikes paired with nearby breweries across Chicagoland.

In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, we dive into how the idea was born during the pandemic, why breweries are more family-friendly than you think, and how exploring your own city can be the most rewarding adventure of all.

Whether you’re an IPA fanatic, a weekend walker, or simply craving a new way to see Chicago, this episode is your guide to fresh air, community, and the perfect cold pint.

🌟 What You’ll Learn

✅ How Beer Hiking Chicago became a reality
✅ The best city and suburban trails to explore
✅ Why breweries can be the perfect place for families
✅ Tips on trail safety, etiquette, and planning your adventure
✅ Hidden gems like Palmasano Park and the Bloomingdale Trail (The 606)
✅ Favorite beer and hike pairings you can try this weekend

📚 Featured Book

Get The Book Here: Beer Hiking Chicago: The Tastiest Way to Discover the Windy City: Sedgwick, Jessica, Ochwat, Dan: 9783039640331: Amazon.com: Books

Beer Hiking Chicago and Beyond
Discover 34 hikes paired with the best breweries in Chicago, the suburbs, and nearby day trips. Perfect for locals, visitors, and craft beer lovers alike.

🍻 Featured Breweries & Trails Highlighted in This Episode

• Alarmist Brewing near North Park Nature Center
• Mars Community Brewing by McKinley Park
• Palos Park Trail System & Pollyanna Brewing Company
• Raceway Woods & Scorched Earth Brewing
• Chicago Riverwalk & Revolution Brewing Collaboration
• Bloomingdale Trail (The 606) & Piece Brewery

💡 Pro Tips for Your Beer Hiking Adventure

✔️ Go early in the day for safety and the best experience
 ✔️ Always hydrate, snack, and consider smaller pours to sample different beers
 ✔️ Bring the kids—many breweries have games and family-friendly spaces
 ✔️ Use public transportation when possible
 ✔️ Explore new neighborhoods to discover Chicago’s diverse community spirit

🎧 Credits

Produced by: Jane Stephens
Audio Engineering & Original Music: Donnie Cutting
Social Media & Promotions: Magali Blasdell

📲 Stay Connected & Subscribe

✅ Follow Supper with Sylvia on Instagram: @SupperwithSylvia
✅ Email:

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters

Meet me LIVE-⬇️

 LIVE - Supper with Sylvia Perez feat. Chef Curtis Duffy - After - Chicago, IL | Tock | Tock

TODAY!  Meet the powerhouse and visionary behind one of Chicago’s most beloved bakeries: Justice of the Pies. Sylvia chats with Maya-Camille Broussard, who shares how baking became her superpower—and how her late father's legacy, social equity, and a hunger for change shaped her mission.

From crafting irresistible bourbon pecan pies to hosting workshops for underserved youth, Maya-Camille is more than a baker—she’s a changemaker. Hear the behind-the-scenes stories of her Netflix debut (Bake Squad), the entrepreneurial journey that shaped her business, and her unwavering commitment to creating “a bakery that believes in second chances.”

Chef Maya-Camille’s book, Justice of the Pies: Sweet and Savory Pies, Quiches and Tarts Plus Inspirational Stories from Exceptional People not only shares more than 85 mouthwatering recipes, it tells the stories of heroes outside of the kitchen- luminaries who strive for social justice and equity - and shares recipes they’ve inspired. The book was published by Clarkson Potter (Penguin Random House) and is available at bookstores worldwide.

Whether you're a foodie, aspiring entrepreneur, or simply love stories that stir the soul and satisfy your sweet tooth, this episode is a must-listen.

🔑 Episode Highlights:

• Maya-Camille’s origin story and the tribute behind Justice of the Pies
  
  
  
• How she blends baking with activism and social impact
  
  
  
• The role of food in community healing
  
  
  
• Her Netflix experience and what it taught her about resilience
  
  
  
• Business lessons for creatives and changemakers
  
  
  
• Advice for aspiring foodpreneurs in Chicago and beyond
  
  
  

🍰 Follow Justice of the Pies:

Website: https://www.justiceofthepies.com
Instagram: @justiceofthepies
Order Maya-Camille’s cookbook: [Insert Book Title if applicable]

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Find Supper with Sylvia on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere you get your audio fix.
⭐ Don’t forget to rate & review—it helps support diverse voices in the food podcast space.

The Show Notes:

Justice of the Pies - 8655 Blackstone Ave. Chicago 60619

justiceofthepies.com

In 2020, Maya-Camille Broussard founded The Broussard Justice Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that focuses on food-related and health-related issues. It works to eradicate food insecurity and decrease health disparity issues in underserved communities.

Chef Maya-Camille’s book, Justice of the Pies: Sweet and Savor

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters

Three years ago, the world watched in heartbreak as Russian bombs devastated Ukraine, forcing thousands of families to flee with nothing but their lives. Amid the chaos and destruction, a remarkable group of Chicago chefs decided to take action in the only way they knew best—through food and compassion.

In this inspiring episode of Supper with Sylvia, we explore how award-winning chefs Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno, Chicago) and Sarah Stegner (Prairie Grass Cafe, Northbrook) co-founded Chicago Chefs Cook, a humanitarian initiative that delivered warm meals to Ukrainian refugees on the frontlines of a devastating war.

Partnering with Rotary International, these culinary leaders transformed tragedy into hope by uniting the restaurant community and proving that food is more than nourishment—it is a lifeline.

Tune in to hear how two extraordinary chefs mobilized resources, crossed borders, and brought the healing power of food to those who needed it most.

Resources & Links

Learn more: Chicago Chefs Cook

Tony Priolo: Piccolo Sogno Restaurant, Chicago

Sarah Stegner: Prairie Grass Cafe, Northbrook

This episode is produced by Jane Stephens

Audio engineering and original music by Donnie Cutting

Social Media and Promotions by Magali Blasdell

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters

CChicago Pastry Chef Casey Doody has never been afraid to let her dreams guide her journey. Best known for her signature Sky High Key Lime Pie and popular Focaccia Fridays, she has built a reputation for creating unforgettable desserts that turn any occasion into a celebration.

From honing her pastry craft in Dallas, New York City, and Chicago’s top restaurants, private clubs, and luxury hotels, Casey has carved out her place in the culinary world. But her story goes beyond the kitchen.

In this inspiring episode of Supper with Sylvia, Chef Casey reflects on her early dream of becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader—and how that ambition unexpectedly shaped her path to culinary success, personal growth, and life balance.

Resources & Links

Follow Chef Casey Doody on Instagram: @cndoody_

Connect with Chef Casey on LinkedIn: Casey Doody

Produced by Jane Stephens
 Audio engineering and original music by Donnie Cutting
 Social media and promotions by Magali Blasdell

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters

Want to learn how to make the perfect pizza pie? Look no further than the North American Pizza and Culinary Academy of Lisle, Illinois.  Every year, Chef Anthony Iannone shares the secrets from the Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli in Italy with fellow chefs and novices alike.  Roman, deep dish, thin crust, Detroit, sliced or squared, Chef Anthony and his team are the dough virtuosos for anyone wanting to dig deep into the history of the greatest loved and one of the oldest culinary creations on earth.  Hope you enjoy this episode of Supper with Sylvia!

SHOW NOTES:
North American Pizza and Culinary Academy of Lisle, Illinois
630-395-9958
Class offerings and schedules check out pizzaculinaryacademy.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pizzaculinaryacademy

This episode of Supper with Sylvia was produced by Jane Stephens
Audio engineering and music by Donnie Cutting

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters

Every year Chicago restaurant insiders gather for the annual Jean Banchet Awards. Named after the legend behind the famed Le Francias Restaurant in suburban Wheeling, the honor recognizes original talent behind Chicago's most loved establishments, touching on pizza, pastries, fine wine and great neighborhood joints. Its most enthusiastic supporter and master of ceremony this year is Michael Muser of the Michelin starred "Ever." In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, Muser promises the January 26th event will be a night to remember.  

SHOW NOTES:
thebanchetawards.com
ever-restaurant.com

This episode is produced by Jane Stephens
Original music and audio engineering by Donnie Cutting

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters

An era ended in 2021 when acclaimed restaurant critic Phil Vettel retired from the Chicago Tribune.  Behind the shadowy figure in his by-line, Vettel brought the tastes of a diverse and vibrant culinary landscape to thousands of loyal readers for 31 years.   In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, Vettel details the modes operandi he used to keep his identity a secret to the hundreds of restaurants he visited during his storied tenure,  and how the game changed with the explosion of social media.  Phil Vettel is a true Chicago legend and we hope you enjoy this episode.

Show notes:
Phil Vettel is still working and his latest reviews can be found in Naperville Magazine.
https://napervillemagazine.com/

This podcast was produced by Jane Stephens
Music and audio engineering by Donnie Cutting

📌Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
📩Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

This episode is brought to you by MARIANO'S.

🛒 Proudly Sponsored by Mariano’s

Looking for local flavor you can bring home? Discover chef-crafted sauces, pastas, oils, and more from your favorite Chicago chefs — now available through Mariano’s We Love Local program. Support local artisans, savor authentic taste, and celebrate Chicago’s culinary spirit with every bite.

👉 Explore Mariano’s We Love Local Products

Social Media Marketing: Magali Blasdell

Video and Audio Editor: Donnie Cutting

Marketing and Media Relations: Julie Lokun

Producer: Jennifer Waters