A pillar of Rochester’s business community, Howie Jacobson has spent decades shaping brands, taking bold risks, and turning big ideas into reality. In this episode of Shelling Peas, he sits down with Chef Ryan Jennings to share the defining moments of his career—from importing Colombian soccer balls to landing an unprecedented brand deal with a Beatle. With sharp insights on adaptability, risk-taking, and the power of community, Howie’s journey is as inspiring as it is insightful. Packed with hard-won lessons and unforgettable stories, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings continues the food innovation conversation with Ryan Steenberg, co-founder of Panacheeza. Last week, Janessa Steenberg, Ryan’s wife and business partner, joined Chef Ryan on Connections with Evan Dawson to discuss how food producers are adapting to growing consumer demand for plant-based options.

Now, Ryan shares how Panacheeza evolved from a homemade recipe to a Whole Foods success story, the challenges of scaling a food startup, and the pivotal role that RIT Venture Creations Incubator and their mentor, Brad VanAuken, played in guiding their journey. With mentorship from Brad—who also worked with Jennings’ Sweet Pea Plant-Based Kitchen—Panacheeza found its footing in the competitive plant-based market and navigated the complex world of product development, branding, and retail expansion.

Tune in for insights on startup growth, breaking into retail, and how mentorship and community support helped shape Panacheeza’s success!

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Join Chefs Ryan Jennings and Ali Lawrence for a plant-powered crossover, as they dive into the art of fermentation, the rise of vegan cuisine, and the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Ali shares her journey from the Culinary Institute of America to founding Spirit & Abundance, where she crafts small-batch, cultured plant-based cheeses that are redefining dairy-free dining in Rochester, NY. The two culinary experts connect over their shared passion for food innovation, and even tease another potential collaboration on the horizon.

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings chats with Leah Stacy, Editor-in-Chief of City Magazine, formerly known as Rochester City Newspaper. Leah shares her background in hospitality, her journey in journalism, and her passion for the Rochester Cocktail Revival, where she serves as a producer. The conversation delves into the evolving media landscape, the balance of work and personal life, and Leah's vision for the future of City Magazine and its impact on local journalism and community engagement.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings catches up with longtime friend, Mark Cupolo, the chef-owner behind beloved Rochester institutions Rocco and Rella. Together, they reflect on Mark’s 20-plus years in the restaurant industry, the camaraderie of kitchen life, and the art of creating spaces where guests and staff alike feel at home. From lessons learned during the pandemic to the unsung heroes of the kitchen, Mark shares his thoughts on leadership, mentorship, and the ever-changing challenges of running a restaurant. Along the way, the two chefs reminisce about wild industry stories, the joy of teaching, and finding inspiration in unexpected places. Join Ryan and Mark for an honest, insightful conversation about passion, perseverance, and the heart of hospitality.

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

In this heartfelt episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings reconnects with his old friend, Cliff Palmore, a seasoned wine professional and hospitality veteran. The two reminisce about their shared history, discuss the evolution of the restaurant and wine industries, and dive into the intricacies of creating exceptional experiences—whether through food, drink, or life itself. Along the way, they explore the joys of parenting, the power of regenerative farming, and the beauty of pursuing what you love. Join Ryan and Cliff for a rich conversation full of laughter, wisdom, and a shared appreciation for the simple pleasures in life.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings interviews Chef Ana Northrop, of Leonore's, part of the Swan family of restaurants in Rochester, NY. Anna shares her culinary journey, from her early fascination with food inspired by Food Network stars to her first jobs in Hemlock and Canisius Lake. She discusses the challenges and growth she faced in various kitchens, including her experiences at Ox and Stone, Char, and Good Luck. Ana also reflects on the importance of collaborative menu development, effective communication in the kitchen, and her aspirations for the future. This episode offers a glimpse into the life of a dedicated and evolving young chef navigating the complexities of the culinary world.

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

This week on Shelling Peas, we’re revisiting one of our most exciting and impactful episodes of 2024. Early on in his podcasting journey, Chef Ryan Jennings had the opportunity to sit down with the legendary Dr. Michael Greger, a leading voice in lifestyle medicine and plant-based nutrition.

Dr. Greger shares the story of how his grandmother's miraculous recovery from end-stage heart disease shaped his mission to educate the world about the life-saving potential of a whole-food, plant-based diet. He unpacks the critical role of nutrition in preventing premature deaths, combating dietary misinformation, and empowering individuals to take charge of their health.

This episode perfectly captures what Sweet Pea Plant-Based Kitchen is all about. Whether you’re returning or tuning in for the first time, this conversation is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone.

Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/