Snacky Tunes

This week on Snacky Tunes, Darin sits down with Chef Jeff Okada-Ramsey, executive chef of Mizumi at the Wynn Las Vegas, whose global journey—from being in a band to slicing sashimi—has shaped a truly unique culinary voice. We talk about his sushi beginnings, deep dives into Japan’s kitchen culture, and what it means to bring that depth & discipline to the Vegas Strip. Then we head into the archives for a live performance from She Keeps Bees—one of our all-time favorites. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Snacky Tunes, Darin Bresnitz heads to the Lone Star State for a conversation with Alba Huerta, the award-winning bartender and owner of Julep in Houston. Alba shares how her childhood backyard parties shaped her hospitality style, her journey to mastering the craft of cocktails, and what it meant to win a James Beard Award while giving back to her local community through mentorship. Then it’s a trip into the archives with a visit from Samira Winter of the band Winter, recorded live at Dangerbird Records in Silver Lake. Samira reflects on her college days in Boston and performs a few tracks off her shimmering release Infinite Summer. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Snacky Tunes, Darin brings listeners an all-new, all-live episode straight from the heart. First up is a powerful conversation with Chef Heena Patel of San Francisco’s Besharam. She reflects on her journey from India to the United States and how cooking her youth's bold, beautiful food has become a tribute to her family and heritage. It's an emotional and inspiring story of reinvention, culture, and courage. Then, singer-songwriter Mark Mallman joins for a live set and talks through his creative process, the long road to finishing his latest album, Magic Time, and performs a few new tracks. It’s a great listen—and a good hang. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Snacky Tunes, Darin sits down with Buddha Lo, executive chef and co-owner of Huso in NYC, and the two-time winner of Top Chef. Buddha shares how he started cooking in his family’s Chinese restaurant in Australia, his journey through London’s top kitchens, what drew him to New York, and how music plays a key role in shaping the vibe at his fine dining spot. Then we dig into the archives with a visit from 2:54, who stopped by while on tour from London. We chat about their then-new album and their unexpected love of Mexican food—a rare find in the UK then. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Snacky Tunes, Darin sits down with Marc Rose and Med Abrous of the iconic LA restaurant Genghis Cohen. In a heartfelt and candid conversation, they reflect on the emotional journey of deciding to close their original, legendary location and the hope and excitement of starting fresh in a new space. They discuss what it means to be woven into the cultural fabric of Los Angeles and the resilience it takes to keep a decades-old institution alive through change and upheaval. Later, we dive into the archives for a live set from Brooklyn’s own Active Bird Community, recorded just before the release of their album Amends. It’s a lively session filled with music, laughs, and good vibes that perfectly complement the spirit of our food story. For those looking to support LA restaurants, check out the Snacky Tunes Substack for donation links and action items. Also, a quick note: if you're looking to support the ongoing relief efforts for the LA fires, World Central Kitchen remains one of the best places to donate. Snacky Tunes: Music is the Main Ingredient, Chefs and Their Music (Phaidon), is now on shelves at bookstores around the world. It features over eighty of the world’s top chefs who share personal stories of how music has been an important, integral force in their lives. The chefs also give personal recipes and curated playlists too. It’s an anthology of memories, meals and mixtapes. Pick up your copy by ordering directly from Phaidon, or by visiting your local independent bookstore. Visit our site, www.snackytunes.com for more info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.