Chefs In The City

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

December 18, 2025 28 mins
Central Ohio culinary heavyweight Chef Josh Dalton sits down with the crew to talk about everything happening in his world (there's a lot). From closing two restaurants in Delaware to reopening Rosebud’s, and then taking over the iconic Milestone 229 space to transform it into a Mediterranean-inspired concept called Rosalita, Josh opens up about the challenges, the excitement, and the quirks of running restaurants in Downtown Colum...
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Wine importer Patrick Allen returns to Chefs in the City — this time with a glass in hand and some tough truths about the international wine market. The crew dives into how the new 15% tariffs (and the looming return of an older 25% tariff) are reshaping the world of French wine, disrupting small family producers, and putting pressure on importers like Patrick, who champion the authentic, handcrafted bottles we love.

Patrick explain...
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Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak sit down with Daniel Phillips, co-owner of Weiland's Market, based in Clintonville since 1961. They dig into the “Weiland's tradition,” from its old-school neighborhood feel to its commitment to Ohio-grown meats, local producers, and next-level prepared foods. Daniel shares what it takes to keep an independent market thriving amid rising costs, national chains, and changing customer expect...
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This week on Chefs in the City, Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak sit down with Spencer Budros, the award-winning pastry chef and co-founder of Pistacia Vera in German Village. Spencer shares his creative journey from art student to nationally recognized chef — including how he and his sister built one of Columbus’ most beloved bakeries. Hear stories about mentorship, pastry precision, and why “affordable luxury” keeps Pis...
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This week, the gang takes listeners on a culinary tour through three of Columbus’s most exciting dining destinations: Gene’s in Old Dublin, the reborn Metsi’s in the Short North, and the cozy newcomer Isla in Merion Village. From French-inspired flavors to nostalgic Italian classics, this episode explores what makes each restaurant worth visiting and how Columbus’s food scene continually reinvents itself, one plate at a time.
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What makes a great burger timeless?

Chefs in the City hosts Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak sit down with Graydon Webb, founder of Ritzy’s, to talk about his journey from working with Dave Thomas at Wendy’s to reviving a legendary Columbus diner.
It’s a story of small-town roots, fresh ice cream, and the love of doing things the right way — the old-fashioned way.

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and share your favorite Col...
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Chef Rick Lopez, the force behind La Tavola in Grandview and Lupo in Upper Arlington, joins Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak to talk about the power of family, community, and authenticity in the kitchen. From humble beginnings as a busboy to owning two of Columbus’ most beloved restaurants, Rick shares stories from his 25+ years in the business — including his Italian inspirations, his love for slow, handmade cooking, and...
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What does it take to create a truly authentic French bistro in the heart of Columbus?

In this episode of Chefs in the City, Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak sit down with Chef Jacques Sorci, Director of Culinary for MakeReady at Chouette, a French bistro celebrating its first year downtown.

Chef Sorci shares how Chouette became the only U.S. restaurant certified by the French Association of Master Restaurateurs, what authen...
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While the weather’s still right, nothing beats a meal under the open sky. In this episode of Chefs in the City, Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak dig into the best patios, rooftops, and hidden gems for outdoor dining across Central Ohio. From classics like Lindey’s and Barcelona to rooftop views at Astra and Stories on High, the crew shares their favorite spots for every vibe—romantic twinkle-light dinners, people-watching...
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Since 1999, City Barbeque has grown from a single converted donut shop in Upper Arlington to 75 restaurants across 10 states. In this episode of Chefs in the City, Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak sit down with co-founder Jim Budros—one of the original “Barbecue Boys”—to talk brisket, burnt ends, and the story behind City BBQ’s rise.
Jim shares how backyard competitions, a love of Texas-style brisket, and some “barbecue pi...
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What started as a wild idea in 2011 has grown into one of the top-ranked food festivals in the U.S. — and it all began with 20 trucks, no budget, and a whole lot of hustle. In this episode, Ann Fisher, Steve Stover, and Rich Terapak. sit down with Chas Kaplan, the founder of the Columbus Food Truck Festival, to hear the story behind the scenes: the chaos, the community, and the creativity that made this event a national standout.
Fr...
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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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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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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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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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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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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...
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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...
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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...
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