What the hell is happening at Otium? Where the hell is Chef Tim Hollingsworth? And what are its former employees trying to do about it? We’re joined by former Otium employees Rylee Ratcliff and Melissa Mendoza for a raw and honest conversation about the exhausting, frustrating, and maddening weeks they’ve had since the acclaimed Downtown restaurant closed its doors for good on September 8.

Father Sal also joins us to give Chef Tim some PR advice. We talk about LA Taco’s latest and greatest Taco 69 list, Ina Garten’s salacious new memoir, why the California legislature is banning farm-raised octopus, and what Paul Hollywood has been up to in his free time.

Helpful links:

Our free newsletter LA FOODSTACK, where you'll find most of the articles we referenced today https://thelacountdown.substack.com/

Otium Unpaid Staff Instagram Page https://www.instagram.com/otium_la_unpaid_staff_feed/?hl=en

The LA Food Podcast is produced with the help of:

Adam Skaggs

Tiffany Perez

Tim Bertolini

Abdo Hajj

–

Get 10% off at Rusty’s Chips using code “LACOUNTDOWN” https://rustyschips.com/discount/LACOUNTDOWN

--

Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

Today on the LA Food Podcast, the most recognizable chef on the planet joins us for an interview - and I’m not talking about Chef Boyardee.

Wolfgang Puck is with us today, alongside his son Byron Lazaroff Puck for honestly one of my favorite conversations we’ve ever had on this platform. Wolfgang has been one of the most if not THE most trailblazing chef in America for more than 40 years, and we discuss the many changes he’s seen in the Los Angeles food scene since he opened Spago back in 1982. But don’t just talk about the past - I was truly impressed to find that the Wolfgang Puck group of restaurants is as innovative and vibrant as ever and much of that is down to the passion and savviness of Byron Lazaroff Puck, Wolfgang’s son and heir apparent to the legendary restaurant empire. Wolfgang, Byron and I discuss what it’s like to operate as a father/son duo, how Wolfgang navigates the temptation to micromanage and how Byron approaches the pressure that naturally comes with the territory. Most interestingly, I ask them both about their vision for the company’s future, and I think their answers might surprise you.

But first, Father Sal is with us to quickly recap the New York Times’ list of Best Restaurants in America, how the Los Angeles Times blatantly disrespected me by crowning somebody else LA’s sandwich king, and to dream brand new name for our beloved segment bad idea/horrible idea. RIP, all good things to come to an end, and all that jazz.

Helpful links:

Our free newsletter LA FOODSTACK, where you'll find most of the articles we referenced today https://thelacountdown.substack.com/

Wolfgang Puck https://wolfgangpuck.com/

The LA Food Podcast is produced with the help of:

Adam Skaggs

Tiffany Perez

Tim Bertolini

Abdo Hajj

The Wolfgang Puck interview was produced by Matt Polizzi https://www.instagram.com/matt_polizzi/

–

Get 10% off at Rusty’s Chips using code “LACOUNTDOWN” https://rustyschips.com/discount/LACOUNTDOWN

--

Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

Today on the LA Food Podcast, which LA restaurant was named one of Bon Appetit’s Best New Restaurants of 2024? What’s the secret to Chef Josiah Citrin’s longevity? And which famous Los Angeles fruit did Tejal Rao dedicate an entire New York Times column to?

Father Sal’s with us to discuss all of it, in addition to the pros and cons of guest chef dinners, the magical world of restaurant music playlists, and a round of bad idea/horrible idea featuring vegan food festivals, insane customized drinks, and a new LA Times seasoning rub question mark?

In Part 2, we’re joined by olive oil specialist Lisa Pollack of Corto Olive Oil, located in Northern California. We do something a little different and I actually hand the reins of the pod over to Lisa so that she can treat us to our very own olive oil masterclass.

Helpful links:

Our free newsletter LA FOODSTACK, where you'll find most of the articles we referenced today https://thelacountdown.substack.com/

Corto Olive Oil https://corto-olive.com/

The LA Food Podcast is produced with the help of:

Adam Skaggs

Tiffany Perez

Tim Bertolini

--

Get 10% off at House of Macadamias using code "LAFOOD" https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/pages/la-foods

--

Get 10% off on your first purchase of wagyu beef at First Light Farms using code "LAFOOD10" https://www.firstlight.farm/us/