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Patty Lopez’s journey begins in Hialeah. Her love for food and curiosity led her to New York, where she launched her culinary career. Eventually, she made her way to Italy, where fate intervened at a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, introducing her to her husband and business partner, Nunzio Fuschillo.

Back in South Florida, Patty worked alongside some of our city’s great culinary talents, including at Fort Lauderdale’s Valentino’s, Michael’s Genuine, and Aventura’s Bourbon Steak, before co-founding Effe Café in Cooper City — a thriving spot uniquely located inside a gas station.

In this episode, Patty reflects on her path, the lessons learned along the way, and the philosophy that drives her approach to running Effe Café.

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For 20 years, she lived a life shrouded in mystery: dining anonymously at some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants, and deciding which ones would earn (or lose) the coveted MICHELIN stars. In this rare and candid interview, “P” — a Sicilian-born, Bronx-raised former MICHELIN Guide inspector — shares her fascinating journey from anthropology and food studies to becoming one of the most elusive figures in the culinary world.

From the rigorous inspector training in France, to her most unforgettable meals, to the pressure of evaluating a potential three-star dining experience, “P” takes us behind the curtain of MICHELIN’s closely guarded process. She answers YOUR listener and viewer questions revealing how restaurants are chosen, what really sets a 3-star apart from a 2-star, the truth about “pay-to-play” rumors, why certain stars shocked her, and yes… whether inspectors get a discount on tires.

In This Episode:

• How she became a MICHELIN inspector
• The truth about inspector training & assignments
• What inspectors really look for (and what they don’t)
• How stars are decided and why some ratings surprise even insiders
• Behind-the-scenes challenges, controversies, and unforgettable dining moments
• Advice for young chefs chasing their first star
• Her thoughts on the guide’s evolving global presence and credibility

If you’ve ever wondered how the MICHELIN Guide really works or dreamed of what it’s like to live the “secret star life” this episode is a must-listen.

LISTEN HERE or on your favorite podcast platform:

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Thank you for listening. As always, from my “palette” to yours,

Cheers!

Brenda

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In this exceptional episode, I welcome Yves de Launay, Executive Vice President of the Americas for Château Angélus, one of the most prestigious wine estates in Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux. With a resume that includes Cheval Blanc, Krug, Dom Pérignon, and Cartier, Yves brings a wealth of luxury industry expertise to this deep-dive into Bordeaux’s Right Bank.

We explore the fascinating multi-generational legacy of Château Angélus, led today by Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal, only the third woman to run the estate in 250 years. Yves shares insights into the château’s visionary expansion into hospitality—including Michelin-recognized restaurants—and discusses how sustainability, Cabernet Franc-forward winemaking, and the limestone-clay terroir of Saint-Émilion shape the estate’s elegant and age-worthy wines.

Other standout moments:

• Why Château Angélus withdrew from the Grand Cru Classé A classification in 2022
• The story behind the iconic three-bell logo and its spiritual origins
• How Château Angélus is marketing fine Bordeaux to new generations
• Tackling wine counterfeits and navigating U.S. allocations
• Personal favorites from South Florida’s fine dining scene

Whether you're a Bordeaux collector, fine wine investor, or simply love a Right Bank masterpiece, this episode uncorks insider access to one of the world’s most revered estates.

Listen here:

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Thank you for listening. As always, from my “palette” to yours,

Cheers!

Brenda

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