Amused Bouche

In this lively episode, the co-hosts recap their experiences at two very different—but equally boozy—special events. But wait, there's more: from gourmet bites to standout dishes cooked at home, this episode is a flavorful ride through food, drink, and good conversation.

Live from the Charlotte StrEATs Festival! Join Jen and Abby as they eat their way through the city—sampling signature dishes from top restaurants in every Charlotte neighborhood. Along the way, they discover new local gems, reconnect with familiar faces, and share plenty of laughs (and bites) in this flavor-packed Mini Batch.

Terrell Johnson joins us in studio to discuss his journey into the world of wine and shares some exciting wine events coming up at Omakase by Prime Fish!

What does it mean to be a "regular" somewhere? Tune in for a batch close to Jen's heart on location at Lucky Dog Steele Creek. Jen goes behind the scenes with the man, the myth, the legend, Tre Edey of Tasty Tre's food truck. They don't do hotdogs, but you won't want to miss the soundscape on this one, ya'll.

Live from Lucky Dog Bark & Brew Steele Creek, join us as we dive into a mouthwatering taste-test of snacks straight from Abby's favorite UK grocery store! 

To kick off our series on giving back, Kristin Young of Ronald McDonald House brings some high energy to the studio to talk about the mission of RMH and how to get involved to bring home-cooked comfort to the families staying there.

Description: Jen and Abby return to the studio after an eventful break and look forward to the exciting season ahead. Just don't ask them what season it is. Numbers are hard.

Friend of the pod Rob Clement recently lost his beloved wife and mother of their two young children. We invite our listeners to join us in extending heartfelt condolences and support to Rob and his family.          

One more time! Live from 2024 PastryCon, Abby and Jen welcome Chef Kriss Harvey, award-winning pastry chef, chocolatier, and author, to talk cross-cultural influence, the importance of learning from the masters, and keeping chocolate the main player in chocolate making - fine by us!  Learn more (and check out his e-book) at krissharvey.com

Coming to you live from the 2024 National Pastry Conference in Charlotte NC, international superstar Chef (and Dark Lord of Pastry) ADRIANO ZUMBO sits down for a chat with Amused Bouche and reminds each of us to follow our passion: you never know where it might lead you. 

After a year of waiting, the Chef Showdown is back! Jen and Abby recount their experience at the final event, where the best culinary and mixology talent across NC served guests sweet and savory bites featuring local North Carolina ingredients.

From mime to wine, Tommy Trull has had quite a journey to his current role as GM and Wine Director at Peppervine. Tune in to learn what kind of cheese ignited the shift, geek out about wine for a while, and then run, don't walk, to Peppervine to try the insanely good food and wine pairings they're serving up with passion.

Join Jen & Abby at the National Pastry Conference in Charlotte, NC August 29-31! Justin Fry shares delicious details about the competition and how you can get involved. Hobbyists and pros, get your applications in soon: entries close July 31. Tickets on sale now at www.pastrycon.com 

Put on your fascinators, friends - it's Battle Afternoon Tea! Marking the end of the long battle hiatus, Jen and Abby duke it out for best pairing with secret ingredients selected way back in Batch #61. Spoiler alert: there were no losers.

Jen and Abby welcome farmers market favorite Mary Wilson of Thoughtful Baking Co into the studio. Mary's baking up more than just pies...she's making it easier for you to find locally-made comfort food in the Queen City. 

Another jam-packed session in the studio, Jen and Abby are inspired by the Ballantyne Hotel to set the stage for another food battle. They drool over their memories of a recent visit to Panzu, a must-visit restaurant and brewery in Mint Hill, and Jen and Abby reflect on recent unexpected cocktail experiences.

This is one indulgent batch, friends. Join Jen and Abby at Prime Fish Cellar as they sample sake, champagne, sashimi, and...the highlight of the evening...caviar! The team, led by General Manager Bill Cox, shares their immense knowledge and passion to help us learn a thing or two about this whole new world. Tune in to hear about all the incredible gourmet provisions you can take home from Prime Fish Cellar today.

Still floating on air, Jen and Abby regale listeners with their recent jam-packed foodie weekend featuring Phil Rosenthal and the return of Charlotte Wine + Food Week's Grand Tasting. In an attempt to sow division, the ladies share some of their culinary hot takes. Don't @ us.

Jen and Abby return to the studio to highlight Charlotte Wine & Food Week April 16-21. Abby brings some treats (and a few tricks) from her travels through Europe. 

Amused Bouche Season 4 coming April 15 PLUS a special announcement.

Kenzy Cunningham of Queen's Hand Collaborative is the friend we didn't know we needed. Kenzy shows us what it means to hustle and build a business with purpose: Queen's Hand Collaborative supports local (and often women-owned) beverage businesses to grow and succeed in this fast-paced, competitive industry. 

Our next Featured Foodie takes us to Pins Mechanical where a unique food truck awaits: Mariah's Taco Spot. Chef Reyaña of Your Braisen Chef shares some secret ingredients, culinary tips, and advice for entrepreneurs while we taste some of the best wings and tacos in the city.

Jen and Abby reflect on their favorite autumnal traditions and share some NC State Fair news. 

Chayil Johnson, Executive Chef at Community Matters Cafe, brings more than just pastries to the studio for this batch: he shares a mission and a strategy to transform the lives of members of our local community battling addiction. The Charlotte Rescue Mission provides recovery programs that offer skills, opportunities, and hope for the future. To learn more and get involved, visit charlotterescuemission.org and grab a bite at Community Matters Cafe today!

Tune in for the premiere of our new segment, "Featured Foodie" where we ask notable Charlotteans to take us to their favorite spots around town. First up, Tim Edwards of Splatter Charlotte smashes it out of the park with a delicious experience at Sub One Hoagie House.

It finally happened! Tune in as Abby and Jen cover the incredible 2023 NCRLA Chef Showdown Grand Finale, featuring conversations with many of the talented award winners, punctuated by drool-worthy dish descriptions. You'll want to start planning your culinary road trip through North Carolina at the end of this one, friends.

We're back! Heidi Billotto returns to dish on the Aug 14 Grand Finale of the 2023 NCRLA Chef Showdown in Raleigh: a competition months in the making featuring chefs, mixologists, and ingredients from all over this great state. We'll see you there! Tickets available at ncchefshowdown.com

In our last batch before a hard-earned summer break, join Abby and Jen for a delicious dim sum experience (their first!) at the new Open Rice Metropolitan location, a spot that never disappoints. 10/10. Would gorge again.

Get your sweet tooth ready! The amazing Sam Ward of Wentworth & Fenn (our new lady-crush) shares her journey to Camp North End, her culinary hot takes, and her drool-worthy pastries. You won't be skipping dessert after this one, friends.

Great food, great friends, and a great destination: Abby chronicles her intrepid adventures in Portugal and brings some Portuguese snacks into the studio for a taste test. 

Load up on antacids and tune in for a spicy batch featuring the lovely Susannah Brinkley Henry, the talent behind the renowned cocktail blog, Feast + West. In addition to dropping solid home bartending tips, Susannah guides us through a blind Bloody Mary taste test with some shocking(ly delicious) results. 

Coming to you from Jen's personal zoo, this home batch covers a LOT of ground – We got puppies (cute!). We recap Biblio (nom!). We get amped for Charlotte Wine + Food Week (woo!). AND we hear about Abby's recent Family Food Challenge. Grab you a snack, cuz this one will leave you hongry.

From Myrtle Beach beginnings all the way to his own Restaurant Constance, Chef Sam Diminich has had a remarkable [flavor] journey. Tune in to hear how being “sober out loud” has allowed him to stay in the solution and not the problem, making meaningful impacts in the Queen City and beyond. We have a feeling he's just getting started.

Meet Fresca lover and self-proclaimed debaucherous human, Amanda Cranford of Dish and Paper Plane fame. This batch shares her journey as a Charlotte native, her people-first approach, and her serious condiment standards (why yes, there IS a perfect ketchup...)

Comin' in hot! A jam-packed batch featuring the infamous John Cochrane, AKA the "Neighborger." We hear John's superhero origin story AND conduct some science experiments in studio that blew. our. minds. This one's a must!

What should you do when time ceases to matter? What's the most underrated kitchen tool? How big (or not) is Abby's mouth? Get answers to these classic questions and more stuffed into this sweet mini-batch.

What happens when you say yes? Welcome Heidi Billotto to the podcast, culinary expert and food blogger who has built a vast and impressive career out of this principle. With a passion for spreading happiness through food and shining a light on local produce and talent, Heidi is truly a legend in the regional culinary scene.

In this final batch of 2022, Abby and Jen hear an update on the cardamom challenge, take on a cheesy challenge of their own, set up the next epic Battle, and recap the amazing highs of an incredible year. We'll see you in 2023 (with some very special guests), friends! 

Abby and Jen take Savannah! Or was it the cave of wonders? Were there ghosts? Probably. All this, AND a recap of the hard-fought Battle Movie Magic. Grab a cocktail and settle in, friends. This ones a goodun.

The second half of our Chef Will menu kicks off with a birthday surprise and an enthusiastic (but non-sponsored) plug for a must-have kitchen device. Stay ‘til the end to learn how to book your own private chef experience!

Multiple courses, locally sourced ingredients, and an in-home chef - all on a Wednesday AND while wearing sweatpants from the comfort of home?! Yeah. We'll take that. Meet Chef Will Philips – mushroom fanatic, fermentation boss, and private chef – in another super fun two-parter.

If there's one thing we've learned, it's how much we have left to learn. Tune in for a lesson in authentic sushi and unlocking the third flavor with Chef Robin of Prime Fish and Omakase by Prime Fish. Plus, Chef Robin brings along a crowd-favorite: Sake Sara!