Industry Night with Nycci Nellis Podcast By Nycci Nellis cover art

Industry Night with Nycci Nellis

Industry Night with Nycci Nellis

By: Nycci Nellis
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Industry Night is the long-talk format radio show and podcast that brings you up close and personal with the trends and trendsetters across today’s diverse food, wine, spirits, brews and hospitality landscape. For in-depth insights and insider tips, join your host, Nycci Nellis, cohost of Foodie and the Beast, the DC area’s one and only food and wine variety show, and all the locally, nationally and globally renowned chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook authors, mixologists, somms, distillers, brewmasters, pit-masters and more that you’ll hear from on Industry Night.Copyright Heartcast Media Art Food & Wine
Episodes
  • The Journey Of Chef Eric Adjepong - Recorded at Yume Sushi

    The Journey Of Chef Eric Adjepong - Recorded at Yume Sushi
    Jan 1 2026
    This was an amazing show. I had a whole list of questions ready for my guest, but the second we sat down, we dug in deep and went off-script. We followed some fantastic rabbit holes: Michelin stars, hustle vs. flow, culinary storytelling, leadership, and the future of dining both here in D.C. and across the country.

    On this episode of Industry Night, I’m coming to you from Yume Sushi, the flagship of the Yume Hospitality Group and the place where their “dream” first began. I’ve had the absolute pleasure of taking this show on the road with this team: from the darling Thai street-food haven Rimtang with Chef Mama & Rock Harper, to the super-sexy Kyojin with Tom Sietsema, and now back to where it all started at Yume. I am so grateful for this partnership and the hospitality they bring to every table and every guest.

    My first guest is the brilliant Chef Eric Adjepong, Food Network host, Top Chef finalist, restaurateur, cookbook author, and one of the most important voices bringing West African cuisine into the American culinary mainstream. We talk about his rise, his mission, how he balances TV life with running his restaurants (Elmina and DAWA), and why the African diaspora continues to shape the global pantry.

    Then I sat down with the incredible team behind the Yume Hospitality Group — Jeff King, Chef Saran “Peter” Kannasute, and Cici Yang — to talk about the group’s evolution, their commitment to precision and their newest ventures. Plus whole fish omakase and catering.

    Listen in. Watch it. Dig in. This is Industry Night.

    Chapters:

    00:00 - Introduction
    02:03 - Chef Eric Adjepong's Culinary Journey
    05:33 - "Food, Culture, and Childhood Memories"
    06:41 - Emeril: America's Groundbreaking Chef
    12:24 - "Simple Solutions for Big Problems"
    13:28 - "Passion, Duty, and National Service"
    16:32 - "Serendipitous Career Journey"
    19:47 - "Finding Intentionality and Opportunity"
    23:44 - "Communal Dining and Hospitality"
    26:55 - "Storytelling Through Ingredients"
    29:11 - "Local Spot, Global Vibes"
    33:55 - "Prioritizing Rest and Creativity"
    37:19 - "Friendship Sparks Restaurant Collaboration"
    39:31 - "Embracing Whole Fish Cuisine"
    43:22 - "Distinct Vibes of Three Properties"
    44:22 - "Kaiojian: Elevated Dining Vision"
    49:31 - "Yume Hospitality Industry Night"
    50:42 - Outro

    Quotes:

    “I truly believe everyone has a purpose and was given something divine to do here on this earth by a divine purpose. For me, that’s expressing culture and love through food.”- Eric Adjepong

    “There is so much you miss by not stepping outside your comfort zone.”- Nycci Nellis

    Key Takeaways:

    From Humble Beginnings to Culinary Stardom
    Cooking Is a Calling
    The Power of Representation and Storytelling
    Legacy and Giving Back
    Elmina: Hospitality Rooted in Culture
    Navigating Opportunity with Intention
    The Power of Neighborhood Dining
    Looking to the Future

    Eric Adjepong Social Media Links:
    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/chefericadjepong/
    Website:https://www.chefadjepong.com/
    Twitter:https://x.com/chefadjepong?lang=en

    Featuring Nycci Nellis
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/
    Website: https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/

    Produced by Heartcast Media: http://www.heartcastmedia.com
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    51 mins
  • The Man, The Myth, The Legend, Chef Rock Harper - An Industry Night Exclusive at Rimtang

    The Man, The Myth, The Legend, Chef Rock Harper - An Industry Night Exclusive at Rimtang
    Dec 5 2025
    Hey, it’s Nycci! Welcome to Industry Night: my pod/vod love letter to the people who feed us, pour for us, and keep the DMV delicious. We’re posted up in Georgetown at Rimtang —huge thanks to Cici Yang, Chef Saran “Peter” Kannasute, and Chef Prapit “Mama” La Femina — for hosting this shiny new residency.

    Today’s guest! My friend Chef Rock Harper. You know him, Hell’s Kitchen winner, community builder, Queen Mother’s fried-chicken maestro, and now the mind behind Hush Harbor, DC’s first phone-free bar on H Street NE. We talk about presence over doomscrolling, Southern-leaning comfort, and what hospitality in the DMV and across the country looks like right now.

    Then, Rimtang. “Rimtang” means “by the roadside,” and that’s the vibe: Thai comfort, family recipes, and Mama-level hospitality that tastes like home. Peter and Mama join me to chat about roots, and the growing YUME family.

    Plug in and let’s eat, talk, and actually look each other in the eye.

    Chapters:

    00:00 - Introduction
    01:50 - "Industry Insights with Chef Rock"
    04:42 - "Cooking, Tea, and Rim Tang"
    06:50 - Capri Suns and Thai Food
    09:55 - Rock Harper: Chef & TV Personality
    14:28 - "Theater Skills and Hospitality"
    17:55 - Food TV: Pros and Cons
    21:11 - Culinary Trends Through TV
    24:51 - Passion for Culinary Mission
    28:01 - "Building the Nikki Nellis Brand"
    30:17 - Restaurant Disappointment Reflections
    32:02 - "Chaotic Restaurant Dream Unraveled"
    36:11 - Restaurant Business Operations Insights
    40:41 - H Street's Community Advocacy
    42:00 - Capitol Hill or 8th Street?
    45:15 - Smartphones and Dining Experience
    49:03 - "Phone Locking System Explained"
    52:33 - "Comfort Food with Quality Ingredients"
    56:56 - "Follow Me Everywhere!"
    57:47 - Outro

    Quotes:

    "To truly thrive in this industry, you must grasp every component—from the front of house to the back, and the vital heartbeat in between. With this knowledge, you can weave magic anywhere."- Nycci Nellis

    "In this business, you must be versatile—acting as a plumber, psychologist, and woodsman. But above all, lead with empathy and embrace learning from every role you undertake."- Rock Harper

    "Cooking alongside my mother connects me to my roots. I aim to share that spirit with everyone, ensuring each dish narrates the story of our heritage."- Peter Kanasood

    "Every dish is crafted with love, balancing spice, richness, and a touch of sourness—just like life in the kitchen and at home."- Prab Pit

    Key Takeaways:

    What It Means to Be a True Hospitality Professional
    H Street—Home of Innovation and Community
    No Phones Allowed! Rediscovering Connection
    The Evolution of America’s Food Scene
    Rooted in Family & Heritage—A Taste of Rim Tang
    Entrepreneurship: Dream Big, Plan Smarter
    Supporting Local—Why It Matters
    Legacy, Love, and the Power of Food

    Connect with Rock Harper
    Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rockharper/?hl=en
    Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/iamrockharper/
    Website:https://www.chefrockharper.com/
    LinkTree: Rock Harper

    Featuring Nycci Nellis
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/
    Website: https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/

    Produced by Heartcast Media: http://www.heartcastmedia.com
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    58 mins
  • Wealth of Whiskey Knowledge With Noah Rothbaum

    Wealth of Whiskey Knowledge With Noah Rothbaum
    Nov 27 2025
    Get ready for a wealth … I mean a WEALTH … of Whiskey knowledge.Today I am not at one of my Industry Night residencies. No City Ridge, no restaurant, no bar. I am actually home, surrounded by my plants… and, believe it or not, a frankly ridiculous amount of whiskey.I went to my own bar and pulled a little selection for today because I am very honored to be joined by someone who has probably forgotten more about whiskey than most of us will ever know: Noah Rothbaum.Noah is the spirits editor at Men’s Journal, one of the world’s leading authorities on cocktails and spirits, a James Beard Award winner, and a fellow at the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits at the University of Kentucky.He’s written The Art of American Whiskey, The Business of Spirits, and he was associate editor of the award-winning Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails.And now he’s back with a brand new doorstop of a book:The Whiskey Bible: A Complete Guide to the World’s Greatest Spirit — more than 600 pages of history, secrets, lore, producers, timelines, and 60 cocktail recipes that cover everything.So let’s pour a little something, and talk about how you take all this knowledge and tasting and turn it into a bible.Chapters:00:00 — Home Studio Intro & Whiskey Setup00:59 — Noah’s Whiskey Authority & New 600-Page Bible01:45 — Noah Joins & Whiskey Everywhere02:26 — From Scotland Semester to Spirits Journalism04:07 — St. Andrews Pub Life & Early Exposure05:49 — Food & Wine Internship & Cocktail Legends08:27 — Pre-Renaissance Cocktail Culture09:18 — Breaking Into Spirits Writing & First Book11:23 — Rye Whiskey: Decline, Confusion & Revival12:57 — Whiskey Styles: Global Categories 10114:27 — Scotch Deep-Dive: Single Malt vs Blended19:13 — Irish Whiskey Traditions & New Distillers22:23 — Bourbon vs Rye: Mash Bills & Flavor Impact24:32 — Canadian Whisky’s Flexible Rules & Blending Culture25:25 — Becoming a Kentucky Colonel26:05 — Japan’s Whiskeys: Origins, Hype & Blending Scandals31:15 — Barrel Aging: Angel’s Share & Flavor Creation36:12 — Char Levels, Wood Chemistry & Barrel Finishes38:03 — Peated Scotch: Smoke, Isla, and Flavor Identity41:45 — Whiskey in Cocktails: Myths, Water & Technique46:33 — Highballs, Ginger Mixers & Everyday Drinking49:03 — Final Notes, Book Access & Upcoming GuestsQuotes:“The beauty of whiskey is that there are very few hard and fast rules… you should feel empowered to experiment and try things.” - Noah Rothbaum“There is so much history… not just to the whiskeys, but to cocktails and to our history as Americans.” - Nycci NellisKey Takeaways:Whiskey Knowledge Isn’t Inherited — It’s LearnedScotland Shaped Noah’s Whiskey IdentityThe Cocktail Renaissance Had Humble BeginningsRye Whiskey Was Nearly ExtinctBlends vs Single Malts Is Mostly MarketingWhiskey Categories Are Simpler Than People ThinkJapanese Whisky Is Much Newer Than Its Reputation ImpliesBarrels Drive Most of Whiskey’s FlavorThere Are No Real Rules About How to Drink WhiskeyThe Whiskey World Is Bigger—and More Accessible—Than EverGuest Social Media Links:Instagram: noah_rothbaumOrder ‘The Whiskey Bible’: Hachette Book Group - The Whiskey BibleRead his Article on 92NY: Bourbon Barons: A Conversation on Jews on the Bourbon TrailFeaturing Nycci Nellishttps://www.instagram.com/nyccinellis/https://www.thelistareyouonit.com/Produced by Heartcast Media http://www.heartcastmedia.com
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    52 mins
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