In this episode of Chefs Without Restaurants, Chris Spear welcomes Steve Sando, the founder of Rancho Gordo, a company known for its heirloom beans. Steve shares his unconventional journey from a diverse range of careers, to becoming a renowned bean entrepreneur. They discuss the importance of preserving heirloom varieties, the benefits of cooking with beans, and the growing interest in sustainable agriculture.

Topics Discussed:

• Steve's Journey: Steve recounts his eclectic career path, including his time as a web designer, leading up to his discovery and passion for heirloom beans.
• Heirloom Beans: The unique qualities of heirloom beans, their flavors, and the significance of preserving these varieties.
• Entrepreneurial Insights: Steve and Chris discuss the challenges and rewards of starting a business later in life, emphasizing that success can come at any age.
• Cooking Tips: Steve provides practical advice on cooking beans, including soaking methods, using pressure cookers, and the benefits of cooking with clay pots.
• Health and Nutrition: The nutritional benefits of beans and tips for those who may experience digestive discomfort.
• Bean Club: An inside look at Rancho Gordo's popular Bean Club, which boasts a waitlist of 30,000 people eager to join.

STEVE SANDO & RANCHO GORDO
Rancho Gordo Website
Racho Gordo Instagram and Threads
Order The Bean Book
The Cooking with Clay Facebook Group

CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS
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In this episode of Chefs Without Restaurants, Chris Spear sits down with Carolyn Phillips, a renowned expert in Chinese gastronomy and the author of acclaimed cookbooks such as All Under Heaven and the upcoming The Art of Chinese Baking. Carolyn's deep knowledge and passion for Chinese cuisine make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in exploring the rich diversity of Chinese food and cooking. With accolades including being a James Beard Award finalist and a nominee for the MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award, Carolyn’s expertise is unmatched.

What You'll Learn:

• Carolyn's Journey: How Carolyn Phillips got into Chinese cuisine through her study of the language and her experiences in Taiwan.
• Regional Cuisines: A detailed exploration of the various regional cuisines of China, their unique ingredients, and cooking techniques.
• Dim Sum Insights: Understanding the art of dim sum and Carolyn's recommendations for must-try dim sum dishes.
• Chinese Desserts and Baking: A sneak peek into Carolyn's upcoming book, The Art of Chinese Baking, and the often overlooked world of Chinese desserts.
• Cooking Tips: Practical advice from Carolyn on how to elevate your Chinese cooking at home, including her recommendations for essential ingredients to buy at stores like H Mart.

CAROLYN PHILLIPS
Carolyn's Website
Carolyn's Instagram and Threads
Carolyn's Guide to Chinese Soy Sauce - Eater

CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS
If you enjoy the show and would like to support it financially, please check out our Sponsorship page (we get a commission when you use our links).
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Chris Spear's personal chef business Perfect Little Bites

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Today, I’m diving into a unique and cost-effective marketing strategy that has worked wonders for my personal chef business: using your vehicle as a mobile billboard. If you're a service-based business owner, you’ll want to hear about this!

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to Vehicle Marketing: Learn why using your vehicle as a mobile billboard can be a game-changer for your business.
• My Experience and Setup: I share the details of how I set up my car with magnets, a QR code, and business card holders, and the costs involved.
• Tracking Effectiveness: Discover how tracking your marketing efforts can help you understand what works best for your business.
• Real-Life Examples: Hear about my experiences parking in strategic locations and the results I've seen.

Links Mentioned:

• Vistaprint Magnets (I used 12 X 24)
• Amazon Business Card Holders
• Link to Visual Aids in Google Drive

CHEFS WITHOUT RESTAURANTS
If you enjoy the show and would like to support it financially, please check out our Sponsorship page (we get a commission when you use our links).
Get the Chefs Without Restaurants Newsletter
Chefs Without Restaurants Instagram, Threads, TikTok and YouTube
The Chefs Without Restaurants Private Facebook Group
Chris Spear's personal chef business Perfect Little Bites

Support the Show.