New Brunswick, NJ has long been acknowledged as the fastest-growing and most dynamic city in the Garden State but of late it's also been recognised as the cuisine capital of the state.
And that's in no small part due to the gastronomical genius of Irish American restaurateur Francis Schott and his business partner Mark Pascal, owners of the renowned Stage Left and Catherine Lombardi restaurants in 'The Hub City'.
For the culinary colleagues not only made a name for themselves by serving up mouthwatering fare for diners in New Brunswick and its environs but two decades ago, they launched the Restaurant Guys podcast - a world first — which really put New Brunswick cuisine on the map.
Recently revamped and relaunched, The Restaurant Guys podcast prides itself of broadcasting the "type of conversation chefs would have among themselves after-hours", Schott tells the Echo. "We're talking to the titans of the restaurant industry but in a way which is informed by the fact that we're on our feet in our restaurants five-nights-a-week - in short, the drama of the restaurant is our lives. What the listener gets is really smart people talking food."
But the online podcast, downloaded in over 70 countries weekly, is just a taster for The Restaurant Guys' main course: live podcast conversations at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center with some of America's most famed chefs. The series kicked off with chef Rocco DiSpirito who is celebrated for his outstanding culinary skills, television personality, and authorship of fourteen cookbooks. Next up on 17 April is two-time James Beard Award-winning chef Scott Conant. With a career spanning four decades, the cookbook author, and TV personality brings a deft touch and unwavering passion to creating culinary experiences with thoughtful hospitality and soulful cuisine. His portfolio of acclaimed restaurants includes The Americano in Atlanta, Georgia, and Cellaio at Resorts World Catskills in Monticello, New York.
Thank you all for the immense support over the years! More news coming soon 😊 #peacelovepasta https://t.co/kdfMfLMLAG
— Scott Conant (@conantnyc) May 3, 2024
With five million people within one hour's driving distance of New Brunswick (not to mention only a 40-minute ride from Penn), the live Restaurant Guys' shows are proving a magnet to attract 'foodies' to New Brunswick. "We're delighted to host the very top food personalities, celebrity chefs, and restaurateurs in America," says Schott. "These are people who, if this were New York, would be appearing in Town Hall. And the reason we can get them is that they know we have spent a lifetime travelling the world exploring the very best of food, wine and the finer things of life — and then bringing what we've learnt back to New Brunswick. We brought the most outstanding cuisines in the world to New Brunswick, now we're bringing the most outstanding chefs and celebrities here."
And Schott, proud Irish American and recipient of the Belfast Ambassador medal, says he'd like to see more of his compatriots turn out for the live shows. "There's no doubt but that Mark brings Italian love of food and wine to the party but I like to think I bring the Irish gift of the gab. Any Irish American attending will recognise immediately that what they are seeing on stage is just three people shooting the breeze, exactly like you'd see in a restaurant after-hours in Ireland when the chefs get together after-hours."
To find out more about the Restaurant Guys' live shows, go to The Restaurant Guys' podcast.
