Chefs In The City
Join Ann Fisher, Rich Terapak, and Steve Stover as they explore the vibrant food scene of Columbus, Ohio! Each episode, the trio dives into the city's best bites, hottest new restaurants, hidden gems, and everything in between. Whether you're a foodie, a local, or just someone who loves to eat, Chefs in the City is your go-to podcast for all things culinary in Columbus. From behind-the-scenes stories with chefs to insider tips on where to eat next, we’ve got your taste buds covered. Grab a seat at the table and tune in for the best food talk in the heart of Ohio.
Episodes
July 24, 2025 • 25 mins
Chef BJ Lieberman is back on Chefs in the City with a brand new restaurant—and a fresh perspective on hospitality. The James Beard semifinalist and owner of Chapman’s Eat Market and Ginger Rabbit Cocktail Lounge shares the story behind Metzi’s, his new Italian wood-fired concept in Italian Village. We talk about the power of approachable food, creating emotionally intelligent kitchens, the myth of house-made pasta, and why he refus...
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July 10, 2025 • 28 mins
In this earthy and delicious episode of Chefs in the City, Anne Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Tarapak sit down with Deb Knappke—aka Ohio’s Garden Sage—to talk gardening, cooking, and the sacred bond between dirt and dinner. From the history of her epic dinner club (running since 1982!) to the science of sourdough and her obsession with tomatoes, Deb shares what makes a homegrown, homemade meal truly magical. You'll hear:
- Why he...
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June 26, 2025 • 25 mins
In this catch-up episode of Chefs in the City, Anne Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Tarapack dive into everything sizzling on the Columbus food scene for 2025. From buzzy new restaurants like Mezzi and ILA to long-awaited reopenings like the iconic Blue Danube and Hunan Lion, the team breaks down what’s exciting locals and food lovers alike. Plus, updates on upcoming rooftop bars, James Beard semifinalists, major closures (goodbye N...
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June 12, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode of Chefs in the City, the gang sits down with Bob Vitale, food and dining writer for The Columbus Dispatch, to talk about the evolving culinary landscape of Columbus. From sushi spots and smash burgers to legacy Italian joints and the enduring love for Schmidt’s, Bob shares what he’s learned on the local food beat—without the critic’s hat. They discuss:
- Why “Before the Buzz” is his favorite series
- Which old-school...
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May 29, 2025 • 28 mins
What makes a great Italian restaurant? In this mouthwatering episode of Chefs in the City, the crew dives fork-first into Central Ohio’s incredible Italian food scene—from handmade pastas and house sauces to iconic family-run favorites and new culinary gems. They share their picks for the best bolognese, carbonara, happy hour bites, and stories about legendary chefs and long-standing local traditions. Whether you love red-sauce cla...
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May 8, 2025 • 27 mins
In this episode of Chefs in the City, the crew sits down with Rob Littleton, co-owner of Littleton’s Market in Upper Arlington, to discuss how a pandemic daydream turned into one of Columbus’ most exciting specialty food destinations. They dig into the story behind the market’s all-star team—including a James Beard-nominated pastry chef, the synergy between grocery, café, and culinary education, and how Littleton’s is redefining wh...
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In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Donnie Austin, co-owner of Aardvark Wine & Beer, to talk about how he turned a love of wine—and a background in engineering—into one of Central Ohio’s most welcoming neighborhood wine destinations.
Donnie shares the story behind Aardvark's unique setup (including the "Dive Bar" built over an old swimming pool), his philosophy on affordable, family-owned wines, and how his sh...
Donnie shares the story behind Aardvark's unique setup (including the "Dive Bar" built over an old swimming pool), his philosophy on affordable, family-owned wines, and how his sh...
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April 24, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Chef Andrew Smith, a longtime fixture in the Columbus culinary scene and the creative force behind the upcoming Marion Village restaurant, Isla. From his time at spots like Rockmill Tavern and The Rossi to the wildly popular private supper clubs he launched at home, Andrew shares why he stepped away from the traditional restaurant grind—and what drew him back.
We dive into the p...
We dive into the p...
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April 17, 2025 • 23 mins
In this episode of Chefs in the City, we’re joined by Bethia Woolf, co-founder of Columbus Food Adventures, a company that has helped shape how locals and visitors experience the Columbus food scene. Bethia shares how her passion for food, culture, and discovery led from blogging and taco truck maps to launching immersive, multi-neighborhood food tours.
We talk about the origins of the Alt Eats and Taco Truck tours, the evolution of...
We talk about the origins of the Alt Eats and Taco Truck tours, the evolution of...
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April 10, 2025 • 25 mins
In this episode of Chefs in the City, Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Tarapacki sit down with Patrick Allen, an independent wine importer specializing in small-production wineries from the South of France. Patrick shares how proposed tariffs could impact his business and the broader wine industry, and he dives into his exciting new partnerships with Columbus State’s Culinary Program. The group also talks about upcoming tastings,...
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In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Joshua Wickham, Senior Director and Chairperson of the School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts at Columbus State Community College. We dive into the impact of Mitchell Hall, the latest updates in the program, and how Columbus State is shaping the next generation of chefs and hospitality professionals. From hands-on training to industry partnerships, find out how this...
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March 27, 2025 • 27 mins
In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with James Beard semifinalist Dan Riesenberger, better known as Dan the Baker. From his early days selling loaves out of a basket at farmers' markets to running one of Columbus' most beloved bakeries, Dan shares his journey of mastering the art of breadmaking. We dive into the science behind sourdough, the magic of fermentation, and how each loaf carries the unique terroir of its en...
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March 27, 2025 • 18 mins
In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Annie Pierce, co-owner of Lawbird, one of the top 20 semifinalists for the James Beard Award for Best Bar in the Nation. Annie shares the story behind Lawbird’s welcoming atmosphere, their top-tier non-alcoholic program, and the creativity behind their latest art-inspired cocktail menu. We also dive into the evolving Columbus bar scene, the importance of hospitality, and what i...
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March 27, 2025 • 27 mins
In this episode of Chefs in the City, we sit down with Avishar Barua, 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist and the culinary visionary behind Agni and Joya’s in Columbus. Avishar shares his journey of creating unique dining experiences that blend his Bengali-American heritage with modern techniques while offering insight into his philosophy of empowering staff and embracing mistakes as part of the creative process. As part of our thr...
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March 20, 2025 • 23 mins
Steve Stover isn’t done with 2024 just yet—but this time, he’s using it as a springboard to drag us headfirst into 2025! In this episode, we discuss what’s on the horizon for the Columbus food scene, from fewer new restaurant openings to what’s next for Chefs in the City. With temperatures hovering around 4 degrees, we also take a moment to appreciate some of the coziest dining spots in town. And of course, we talk chefs.
#Columbus...
#Columbus...
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March 13, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode, Steve Stover breaks down what went down in Central Ohio's food scene in 2024—but not without first setting the stage with a look back at 2023, a year that saw nearly 200 new restaurant openings and just 56 closures. From standout spots to key trends and, of course, the chefs behind it all, this episode dishes out the stories, flavors, and moments that shaped Columbus' culinary landscape.
#ColumbusEats #FoodScene2024...
#ColumbusEats #FoodScene2024...
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February 20, 2025 • 20 mins
In this debut episode, get to know the voices behind Chefs in the City—Ann Fisher, Rich Terapak Sr., and Steve Stover. We dive into our personal approaches to food, restaurants, and travel, exploring how these passions intersect and why they matter so much to us. Plus, we share our deep love for chefs and their craft, and what makes them the heart and soul of any great dining experience. Tune in to discover what drives our obsessio...
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February 20, 2025 • 26 mins
Think you know Columbus? Think again! In this episode, we’re breaking down why the foodie world has fallen in love with Ohio’s capital. From its humble meat-and-potatoes beginnings to becoming a celebrated, eclectic hub of diverse restaurants and food shopping, Columbus has transformed into a culinary cornucopia. We talk about the city’s evolution, the rising stars in the food scene, and why we’re so passionate about the chefs who ...
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