We are delighted to have some very esteemed guests on this week’s Food, Farms, & Chefs Radio Show, beginning with Chef Jon Raffa who co-owns 1911 BYOB in Philadelphia, then we speak with Chef Guillermo Pernot who is the Chef and Partner for Cuba Libre, and finally we speak with Lori White who co-owns Zed’s Bado-Brewing in New Jersey.
As we began the hour, we spoke with Chef Jon Raffa of 1911 BYOB, located on East Passyunk Ave in Philadelphia. Chef Raffa began his culinary career after serving our country as a Marine, and after a brief switch from Marine life to being a Pharmacist, he found his passion in the culinary business. Having gained his culinary talents from Walnut Hill College, he refined his skills as a chef while working at some of the more well-known (and loved) restaurants around the Philadelphia area; one of which introduced he and his future restaurant owner, Chef Michael Gringas. From there, the two decided on a joint venture which we now know as 1911 BYOB.
After a BYOB, we’ll take you to Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar with Chef Guillermo Pernot who is also a James Beard Award Winner two times over! Chef Pernot began his interview by discussing how he became a Chef, having started in the culinary world after owning a successful Bed & Breakfast in Glen Mills, PA with his wife Lucia. After his meals at the B & B garnered attention from food & restaurant reviewers, he had an epiphany and decided to pursue a career in the culinary industry as a Chef. Since then, he has become a world-renowned Chef, and has brought his Nuevo Latino cuisine to an innumerable amount of people. He does this through introducing individuals to his cuisines while traveling, by teaching others, and of course cooking for anyone who visits any of the Cuba Libre locations.
Lastly, we spoke with Lori White who co-owns Zed’s Bado-Brewing located in Marlton, NJ. Lori also holds other high positions when it comes to the world of craft breweries, including being the Chapter Leader of the Pink Boots Society in NJ as well as being on the Executive Board of the New Jersey Brewers Association. So after discussing some of the approachable and wonderfully piquant craft beers that are currently available on-tap at Zed’s, we opened an on-going discussion regarding the current ‘Special Restrictions’ implemented by New Jersey’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (NJABC). Although the restrictions are newly re-implemented as of July 1st, the legislation has not been passed into law as of yet, so we are going to follow what will happen with these “Special Restrictions” and the outcome by bringing Lori White to join us on Food, Farms, & Chefs for updates. And for anyone who would like to learn more about the restrictions and how you can help prevent them from having an enormous negative impact on your local NJ Breweries, please go to www.NJbeer.org.