Cultivated By Caryn

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini travels to the PEZ Candy Manufacturing Facility and Visitor Center in Orange, CT to speak with guest, Shawn Peterson, author, historian and Project Manager at PEZ Candy. Prior to working at PEZ, Shawn authored Collector’s Guides to PEZ and conceived of the idea of the PEZ Visitor’s Center, which features a collection of history, trivia and memorabilia related to one of the world’s mo...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by John Meadow, founder and President of LDV, a stylish and refined hospitality group, dedicated to bringing the spirit of ‘La Dolce Vita’ through dynamic culinary and cocktail experiences. A graduate of the Cornell School of Hotel Management, John began his career at the Plaza Hotel’s Oak Room before making the move to forge his own path, going on to build an empire that spans ...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Dr. Micaela Pallini, President and CEO of Pallini Company, a fifth generation, award-winning Limoncello and liqueur producer in Rome, Italy. The company was established in 1875 and remains one of Rome’s oldest and most important companies in the beverage industry - and today is the only remaining distillery in Rome. Micaela began her involvement with Pallini 25 years ago, eve...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Mark Simmonds, Founder of Broken Shed Vodka, a super premium quality vodka with award-winning, smooth taste and sustainable distillation practices, operating out of Wanaka, New Zealand. As a master blender with 30 years of experience in the beverage industry, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and was been a pivotal force in the creation of Broken Shed vodka; He is one of thre...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Claudio Stefani Giusti, owner and CEO of Acetaia Giusti, the oldest balsamic vinegar producer in Modena, Italy. Before joining the family business, Claudio graduated in management engineering from the University of Bologna followed by an extensive consulting career where he traveled the globe working with important multinational companies. In 2005, Claudio brought his knowled...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Navah Frost, the creative force behind Frosted by Navah, a New York City based cake business, known for its stunning botanical buttercream cakes and cupcakes. A former classical pianist, Navah spent years captivating audiences with her artistry and precision on the piano. Today, as a self-taught baker, she brings that same passion, discipline, and creativity to the world...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Franz Mitterrutzner, a seasoned Italian food marketing executive and agribusiness leader, who is known for his advocacy for protecting and recognizing the uniqueness of regional food products through international geographical designations. Franz served as CEO of the Consortium for Speck Alto Adige, the quality consortium safeguarding South Tyrol’s signature speck, a PGI‐prot...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Mohammad Salehi, owner of Heray Spice, a Chicago-based Saffron and spice company committed to quality, freshness and transparency. Born and raised in Herat, Afhganistan, Mohammad grew up in a farming family. As a teenager he became a linguist and interpreter for the U.S. Army and Marines at Camp Stone in 2014. Receiving a special visa, he immigrated to the United States and a...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by José Valdez, Maestro Tequilero at Partida Tequila in Jalisco, Mexico. A trained industrial engineer turned master distiller, José oversees every step of the production, from agave harvest to barrel aging, always maintaining Partida’s signature additive‑free purity and precision. Under his guidance, Partida has earned acclaim as ‘the world’s highest‑rated tequila.’ In add...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Olive Hamilton Russell, a vintner, award-winning author, media personality and owner & operator of Hamilton Russell Vineyards Oregon. The vineyard is a producer of carefully selected single vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Olive grew up in South Africa on a cattle farm, which had been in her family for nearly 200 years. She wen...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Alex Gomberg, Vice President of Brooklyn Seltzer Boys, a family run business now in its fourth generation. Alex is currently the youngest seltzer man in the United States, the owner of the last remaining seltzer shop in New York City, and his company is one of only three siphon seltzer bottling plants left in the country. Originally operating as Gomberg Selzer Works, Brooklyn...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Cassidee Dabney, Executive Chef at the Barn at Blackberry Farm, a luxury resort and farm located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Chef Cassidee grew up with an appreciation for nature’s bounty and seasonal freshness which provided a solid foundation for her culinary path. She is a graduate of the New England Culinary Institute and worked in various l...

Chef Tom Hishon, co-founder of Daily Bread Bakery, and Kingi, an award-winning restaurant, dedicated to highlighting sustainable seafood, which is located in Auckland, New Zealand at the Hotel Britomart. Chef Tom grew up in Auckland then traveled the world as a young chef before returning to his home country where he first opened Orphan’s Kitchen and then Daily Bread. In October 2020, he opened Kingi with his business partners and ...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Chef David Burke, one of the leading pioneers in American cooking and President of David Burke Hospitality Management, based in New York. Chef David was first recognized for his kitchen mastery at the age of 26 while Executive Chef at New York’s legendary River Cafe, receiving a 3 star review from the New York Times. He also won the prestigious French award, Meilleurs Ouvrier...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Michelin-starred and critically acclaimed Chef John Tesar.  John is an author, consultant, seasoned media personality and the owner and chef of the Tesar Restaurant Group, based in Dallas Texas, which has a footprint in the south as well as both coasts. With over 40 years of experience in the culinary industry, John is known for his classically trained chef’s appr...

 On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Chef Mauro Colagreco in Palm Beach, where he helms Florie’s restaurant, delivering the spirit of the French Riviera through his exceptional cuisine. South Florida is Chef’s home away from home, as he and his family reside in Menton, France where he operates his acclaimed flagship restaurant, Mirazur, a three Michelin starred restaurant which opened in 2006. Withi...

On this week’s episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by Dino Borri, an Italian born, New York based global connecter who brings, people, brands and cultures together through food, wine, design and stories. Dino hails from the town of Bra in Piemonte, a region in Northern Italy celebrated for its rich culinary traditions. Dino is a prominent figure in the global culinary scene, and began his career organizing and creating gastronom...