Beyond the Plate

Massimo Bottura is the chef of Osteria Francescana, a three-star Michelin restaurant in Modena, Italy. The restaurant has been on San Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants list since 2010, and reached #1 in 2016. He was featured in the Netflix series “Chef’s Table.” His most recent book, Bread is Gold: Extraordinary Meals With Ordinary Ingredients, was born out of a soup kitchen he created during Expo 2015 in Milan. He has a nonprofit, Food for Soul, that promotes social awareness of food wast

Chef Tom Colicchio is the chef & owner of Crafted Hospitality. He is the Head Judge of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” a cookbook author, a food advocate, and more. In this episode, Tom shares a recipe that he recently made for his own family (one he makes every Christmas Eve for the Feast of the Seven Fishes), a Tuscan Fish Stew called Cacciucco. Tune in to learn why he changed up his cooking method for the first time in 30 years this holiday season. If you missed Tom’s full episode, check out Episode 025.

Tom Colicchio is the chef & owner of Crafted Hospitality, which currently owns and operates restaurants in NY, LA, and Las Vegas. Colicchio is the Head Judge & Executive Producer of Bravo’s “Top Chef.” He is a long-standing social& political activist when it comes to increasing access and affordability to nutritious food for all Americans. He & his restaurants give back to the community by helping other organizations such as Children of Bellevue, City Harvest, Wholesome Wave & more.

Gail Simmons is the Special Projects Manager for Food & Wine and a judge on Bravo’s Top Chef. In this episode, Simmons shares a recipe from her new cookbook, Bringing it Home: Favorite Recipes From a Life of Adventurous Eating. She walks you through her Rustic Fish Soup with Fennel and Orange, a great recipe for entertaining. If you missed Gail’s full episode, check out Episode 023 from last week.

Gail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer, & television personality. She has been a judge on Top Chef for 15 seasons, since the show’s inception in 2006. Her first cookbook, Bringing It Home, was released in October 2017. Gail shares her time (and money) with organizations such as Spoons Across America, City Harvest, Hot Bread Kitchen, Common Threads, the Institute of Culinary Education and more. Gail was born and raised in Toronto, Canada and moved to New York City in 1999.

Tony Mantuano, Chef/Partner of Spiaggia Restaurant in Chicago, was a contestant on “Top Chef Masters” and is an influential culinary force, particularly in Italian cuisine. For our second 5th Wednesday episode, we sat at Soho House Chicago as part of a live radio series with Lumpen Radio. Mantuano talks about his work with the Academy for Global Citizenship in Chicago; and his commitment to Alex’s Lemonade, an American pediatric cancer charity. We also dive in to the history behind 5 classic Italian d

Chef Magnus Nilsson has been featured in the Netflix series “Chef’s Table” and is the author of three books. He is the head chef of Fäviken Magasinet restaurant in Sweden, one of the top restaurants in the world. In this episode we share an excerpt from his book, The Nordic Cookbook; plus, you’ll hear from Nilsson about his point of view on Nordic food and culture. Kappy, cooks a Creamed Kale recipe from The Nordic Cookbook. If you missed Chef Magnus Nilsson’s full episode, check out Episode 020.

Chef Magnus Nilsson is the head chef of Fäviken Magasinet restaurant in Sweden. He has been featured in the Netflix series “Chef’s Table,” as well as “Mind of a Chef,” and is the author of three books. Since taking over the kitchen at Fäviken, the restaurant has become a mainstay on San Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Nilsson is one of the most intelligent humans we know and has a fascinating perspective about giving back as it relates to his community in Sweden.

Chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin in NYC is one of the greatest seafood chefs in the world. In this episode, he teaches you how to make his Seared Tuna with Soy Ginger Vinaigrette and Baby Bok Choy recipe. Enjoy these A+ tips from a four star chef. If you missed Chef Ripert’s full episode, check out Episode 018 from last week.

Chef Eric Ripert is the chef & co-owner of acclaimed NYC restaurant Le Bernardin. Born in France, he worked in Paris & Washington DC before moving to NYC in 1991. He later came to work at Le Bernardin, where he has established himself as one of NY’s - and the world’s - great chefs; consistently earning top ratings year after year. Ripert is the Vice Chairman of the board of City Harvest, a food rescue organization in NYC, working to increase the quality and quantity of food donations to hungry New Yorke

Kappy (Host) gets his hands on Alice Waters original Mesclun Salad with Baked Goat Cheese recipe. This recipe is the one that Alice says she’s the most proud of from her 40 years at Chez Panisse. Kappy made this at home and walks you through this simple, fresh and delicious salad. For the recipe, visit BeyondThePlatePodcast.com. If you missed Alice’s full episode, check out Episode 016 from last week.

Alice Waters is a food icon. She is a chef, author, food activist, and the founder and owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California. Waters has been a champion of local sustainable agriculture for over four decades. In 1995 she founded the Edible Schoolyard Project, which advocates for a free school lunch for all children and a sustainable food curriculum in every public school. It is easy to see why there are hundreds of chefs across the country that look up to Alice Waters.

Chef Rick Bayless is known for his Mexican cooking. This week, he puts it aside and shares a dish he only makes a few times year. This recipe is so near and dear to his heart as it comes from his family’s BBQ restaurant they had in Oklahoma for 37 years- it’s his Oklahoma Style BBQ Ribs. Check out Episode 014 to hear Rick’s full episode from last week.

Chef Rick Bayless has made a profound impact on Mexican cuisine in Chicago & across the country. He has multiple restaurants throughout Chicago and beyond. In addition, he has a successful line of grocery store products; multiple cookbooks; won Top Chef Masters; received seven James Beard Awards; has a long running series on PBS; recently was the 2nd recipient of the Julia Child Foundation Award; and founded an extraordinary Foundation that has changed the lives & businesses for hundred of Midwest farmers.

This week is a twofer! Rocco DiSpirito shares his Snickerdoodle Protein Balls from his new book, Rocco’s Healthy & Delicious! Also, our host Kappy grabs the mic and takes you through his favorite meatball recipe of all time, which happens to be Rocco’s Mama’s recipe. Not only will you get detailed first-hand instructions, he shares tips and tricks along the way to ensure success in your own kitchen. If you missed Rocco’s full episode, check out Episode 012 from last week.

Rocco DiSpirito is one of the country’s best chefs. He helmed the kitchen of Union Pacific, a restaurant that was a NYC culinary landmark for years. His health took him on a different path than the food world may have hoped for, but in turn, he now cooks and coaches clients to achieve their best health. He’s authored 13 books, was the Healthy Food Coach on ABC’s Extreme Weight Loss, & Dr. Oz presented him with his foundation’s Golden Heart Award. He is also an advocate for food security & obesity is

Chef Scott Conant walks you through his smooth and delicious Polenta recipe- one that is on all five of his restaurant menus in NYC, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Arizona. Check out Episode 010 to learn how this dish literally changed our host, Kappy’s, life.

Chef Scott Conant is a regular judge on Food Network’s Chopped. He currently has restaurants in NYC, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Arizona. Conant’s accolades span from Food & Wine magazine to James Beard Awards and more. He is one of the most compassionate people we know, giving his time to helping good friends and their causes, while also giving back to his team at his restaurants by mentoring, coaching and teaching them about the industry.

This week kicks off our first “5th Wednesday” where we introduce you to impactful organizations and discuss the positive social impact they have on communities around the world. Each 5th Wednesday we’ll ask five question; and we’re starting with three young women in Guatemala who are promoting better nutrition through sustainable farming of protein-rich mealworms. Don’t say yuck so quick…80% of the world’s population eats insects as a regular part of their diet.

Restaurateur Rich Melman of Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You currently operates over 125 restaurants coast to coast. In this episode, he breaks down the original menu from R.J. Grunts- the first restaurant he opened in 1971. Enjoy these stories, some dating back 46 years ago. Melman says, “I believe R.J. Grunts is the most influential restaurant we’ve ever opened.” If you missed Rich Melman’s full episode, check out Episode 007.

Rich Melman is Founder and Chairman of Lettuce Entertain You, a Chicago-based restaurant group that owns over 125 restaurants. Lettuce has done over 200 concepts to date and is known for founding some of the most celebrated restaurants in America. Melman formulated the widely-used philosophy based on the importance of partners, of sharing responsibilities and profits with them, and of developing & growing together. People claim Melman invented the salad bar- tune in as he settles this debate once & for all.

Chef Michael Solomonov is the executive chef and co-owner of Zahav, Philadelphia's pioneering modern Israeli restaurant and one half of CookNSolo Restaurant Partners. In this episode, he walks you through a one pot Iraqi Jewish chicken and rice dish called Tabit. This is a dish he makes at home for his two children. If you missed Mike’s full episode, check out Episode 005.

Israeli-born Chef Michael Solomonov is behind one of the country’s best restaurants, Zahav. He has multiple concepts around the city of Philadelphia as well as in NYC & Miami. Michael is a four-time James Beard Award winner. His philanthropic Rooster Soup Company donates 100% of its profits to support Philadelphia's most vulnerable citizens. Solomonov shares some ups and downs throughout his career and how he overcame them to get where he is today.

Andrew Zimmern walks you through his Chairman Mao Style Red Braised Chicken, a family favorite he makes at home at least once a week. He says it is the most requested meal from guests of his home and universally cannot be disliked. If you missed Andrew’s full episode, check out Episode 003.

He is the host of Bizarre Foods on Travel Channel. What you may not know is that he was homeless for over a year of his life & overcame a serious drug & alcohol addiction before making a profound impact on the lives of humans around the world. Andrew Zimmern shares which of the 170+ countries he's visited has had the most influence on him, & why just 3 hours before recording this interview he was sitting in his hotel writing letters to the Minnesota House of Representatives & the Minnesota State Senate.

Rachael Ray takes you step-by-step through her Carbonara Pasta recipe that she makes every year for her husband John Cusimano’s birthday, including what brand of pasta she uses (hint: it’s the Pope’s pasta brand of choice). Her husband John then walks you through how to mix a perfect Negroni cocktail.

Rachael Ray is one of the most well-known food TV personalities in the world, and one of the most generous human beings in the business. She has authored 22 cookbooks, logged thousands of hours of TV shows, established her own monthly magazine, created a line of cookware, developed food products, produced a line of super premium pet food & treats, designed a home furnishing collection & more. Her philanthropic initiatives include a cooking & kids charity called Yum-o!, as well as helping animals in need.

Host Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan introduces Beyond the Plate, a podcast dedicated to the culinary world + the stories behind an 800 billion dollar industry. During this introductory episode, Kappy shares who he is + why he started a podcast; what you're going to get out of each episode when tuning in; and he explains the shows format + schedule. After hearing all that, you're going to want to subscribe. Prepare to be inspired by these conversations with the world’s culinary elite.