In The Weeds with Ben Randall
417 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 53 ratingsI began cooking when I was 14 years old and I never looked back. Enjoy the pirate ship.
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Episodes
Episode 240: The Feast and The Furious
August 24, 2021 01:39 - 1 hour - 164 MBWelcome back! We're talking fancy donuts, 'potato broth', ditching out of restaurant work, theme cruises and why the hell is there no Fast & Furious/Olive Garden crossover? When you're here, you're FAMILY. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter) https://www.redbubble.com/peop...
Episode 239: Lac-Taters
August 11, 2021 20:50 - 1 hour - 141 MBToday we're talking the ongoing labor shortage PLUS foodservice-related jobs you can get which are not in the super-stressful restaurant scene. Also, there's potato milk? And of course, Dick's Sporting Goods did me wrong. Dick's Sporting Bads? Dick's Unsporting Goods? Spotted Dick's Unsporting Bads? As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-wi...
Episode 238: Chicago, Tacos & Popcorn
July 27, 2021 02:11 - 2 hours - 172 MBToday we're talking further news about Nini's Deli's (ill-concieved, hate-filled) reopening, really goofy ice cream flavors and what kind of food town is Chicago, really? As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 237: Farmers Marketing
July 19, 2021 18:42 - 1 hour - 154 MBHeya kids! Today we're talking farmer's markets, getting back out into the world, a couple of local joints we like, sub sandwiches, Panera's absolutely loco swimwear and more on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter) https://cz.pinterest...
Episode 236: Chef Greg León vs The RRF
July 12, 2021 23:59 - 38 minutes - 53.5 MBYou guys, today we're joined by Chef Gregory León (@ChefGLeon1) of Amilinda restaurant (@amilindamke) to talk about the debacle that was the rollout of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The upshot is this; call your representatives and tell them to release more funds! Restaurants are dying! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-ran...
Episode 235: Subway To The Tuna Zone
June 29, 2021 20:36 - 2 hours - 170 MBToday we're talking the tuna-free Subway tuna sandwich, seasonal allergies (possibly to backyard chickens), another nut heist and whatever happened to the band Hinder? As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 234: The Big Nono
June 20, 2021 03:37 - 2 hours - 189 MBTonight we're talking Pizza Hut's innovation drought, a listener update on radioactive food, Seattle's sticking it to food-delivery services (findally), and Nini's Deli is coming back, doubling down on their hate speech. It's gonna be hot in Chicago this summer! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr....
Episode 233: Don't Eat The Cicadas
June 07, 2021 03:16 - 1 hour - 147 MBYou guys, today we're learning. We're learning about chicken shortages, possible cicada allergies, we get an update on Lummi Island, and we mull over some people management strategies. It's a full day. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 232: Sydney Says
May 30, 2021 19:27 - 50 minutes - 69.3 MBYou guys, today we have a guest! We're joined by Sydney to talk about the female experience in the foodservice industry (FOH, BOH, and agriculture)! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 231: Slimeheads & Mudbugs
May 24, 2021 01:28 - 1 hour - 147 MBTonight we're talking the ongoing restaurant employee 'shortage', hastily renamed fish and questionable Marvel-based breakfast foods. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 230: Tweezer Chefs
May 09, 2021 14:13 - 1 hour - 163 MBToday we're talking Mother's Day, The Offspring, wage theft, sexual and physical abuse in restaurants, lying about dem Costco chickens and much more. Maybe there'll be Chicken Pepperoni? Who knows? As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 229: Rad Food
April 25, 2021 22:20 - 1 hour - 156 MBOn the anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster (April 26, 1986), we talk radioactive food! Also, homemade bacon, airfrying french fries and we float more first-time uses for the octopus bundt pan! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 228: Playing Ketchup
April 19, 2021 03:35 - 1 hour - 146 MBTonight, we're talking shortages; ketchup packet shortages, cook shortages, politeness shortages, you name it. Also, we continue planting our backyard gardens, get an airfryer and smoker update, and we talk Book Club! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 227: Sausage Taco
April 13, 2021 02:57 - 1 hour - 147 MBWe're a day late but we're back! Today we're talking Chicago-Style hotdogs, olde-timey cookies, home improvement (or at least -adjustment) and more air frying! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 226: Bad Barbecue
April 05, 2021 01:51 - 1 hour - 149 MBYou guys, Ben went on vacation, Steve got the vaccine, and we talk LOTS of home improvement stuff. Also, Southern Illinois is really hit & miss for BBQ, and there's suddenly a really expensive strawberry out there? As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 225: No Objective
March 29, 2021 00:15 - 2 hours - 174 MBWant to apply for a restaurant job? Worried that your resume isn't up to the task? We can help! Also, there's cows in the Suez canal and we skipped getting an update on the Air Fryer. Next time!
Episode 224: 2 Weeks Notice or Not 2 Weeks Notice
March 22, 2021 00:07 - 1 hour - 152 MBTopic of the evening: do you give your employer 2 weeks notice when you're leaving, or do you not? Also, Florida & Texas are reopening, we do some grilling, smoking & airfrying, and Steve still doesn't have a bathroom.
Episode 223: The Pants Code
March 10, 2021 02:50 - 1 hour - 161 MBWelcome Back! Tonight we talk the Economic Stimulus' effect on restaurants, to mask or not to mask, smoking meat and olde timey comedy variety shows. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 222: Rich Jones Music & Food
March 05, 2021 03:13 - 1 hour - 98.4 MBSpecial treat tonight, folks! We're talking to Rich Jones, Chicago native musician and all around life-lover. We talk the music scene, the food scene, BBQ and what reopening venues looks like. When? Not so much. Find Rich here! https://richjonesmusic.bandcamp.com/music As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 int...
Episode 221: Stupid Exploding Potatoes
February 28, 2021 22:59 - 2 hours - 167 MBToday we're exploring food idioms from around the world, we talk grocery store closures, Little House on the Prairie and somehow (Mr.) Potatohead?
Episode 220: Red Alarm, Dippin' Dots!
February 21, 2021 23:16 - 2 hours - 173 MBToday we owe an apology to Dippin' Dots, we talk through Pork Wellington, there's a mystery song on the internet, Ben gets fully vaccinated and we apply trite movie lines to restaurant work. It's a smorgasbord of talk!
Episode 219: Feels Good & Smells Great
February 14, 2021 16:54 - 1 hour - 134 MBIt's Valentine's Day folks, so of course we don't talk about it at all (but don't go out, though. For serious.) Today we're talking more restaurant pivots, landlords taking it right in the investments, and kitchen ASMR. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 281: The Situation in Colorado with Chef Clyde Dolan
February 07, 2021 18:23 - 58 minutes - 79.8 MBIt's interview time again, kids! Today we're sitting down with Chef Clyde Dolan (@chefcdolan on Instagram) to talk about the culinary scene in Colorado & Boulder! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 218: The Situation in Colorado with Chef Clyde Dolan
February 07, 2021 18:23 - 58 minutes - 79.8 MBIt's interview time again, kids! Today we're sitting down with Chef Clyde Dolan (@chefcdolan on Instagram) to talk about the culinary scene in Colorado & Boulder! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 217: Neither Grapes Nor Nuts
January 31, 2021 22:10 - 1 hour - 128 MBYou guys, it's time to talk COVID again, and its effect on restaurant employees, restaurants themselves and the economy at large. Also, we talk about GrubHub trying to sneak into Disney, snow and Chicago and the Great Grape-Nuts Shortage of 2021. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharol...
Episode 216: Dear Margaret
January 27, 2021 03:13 - 1 hour - 96.8 MBYou guys. I got to sit down and have a discussion. Like with real people. It was glorious. I met with the owner (Lacey Irby) and head chef (Ryan Brosseau) of Dear Margaret, an intimate French Canadian bistro that just opened in Chicago! (https://www.dearmargaretchi.com/) Give us a listen! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randa...
Episode 215: Charming Garbage
January 18, 2021 18:46 - 2 hours - 177 MBHeya kids! Today we're rockin' some Audience Appreciation! We talk returning to schools, Oreo's bonkers flavors, GrubHub drivers being pieces of shit without any repercussions, and of course, Taiwanese food. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 214: Grandma Flavored KitKats and Tequila Mustard
January 11, 2021 01:22 - 1 hour - 129 MBToday Ben & Steve are sampling candy from Japan and mustard from the National Mustard Museum! No news this week because we're all waiting to see what the next season of 'America Implodes' brings us. As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ (instagram) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com @wurstharold (twitter)
Episode 213: Precariously Positive About 2021
January 06, 2021 14:40 - 1 hour - 161 MBToday we're talking about food media's predictions for the 2021 trends, which include austerity, the continued rise of vampiric third party delivery systems, and the death of the salad bar. But there's hope! There's always pizza! As always, find us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/774902433251568 https://www.instagram.com/chefbenrandall/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-the-weeds-with-ben-randall/id869521547 intheweedswbr.com
Episode 212: 2020, Don't Let The Door Hit Ya
December 31, 2020 23:21 - 2 hours - 187 MBHappy soon-to-be-New-Year everyone! Is it too early to celebrate? Probably!
Episode 211: Add Marshmallows, That'll Fix It
December 28, 2020 18:44 - 2 hours - 166 MBToday we're talking weird one-off junk food flavor combos, the continuing miasma of confusing COVID-related directives for restaurants and how operators are handling all of that. Also, you can drink in airports!
Episode 210: Did It All For The Cookies
December 21, 2020 18:14 - 1 hour - 104 MBToday we're talking Christmas (holiday) Cookies, Guy Fieri's foundation for out of work restaurant folk, and the 2020 food trends that never were.
Episode 209: The Chicago Charge
December 13, 2020 22:42 - 1 hour - 149 MBTonight we're talking about DoorDash's new grift, Christmas menu plans, Arby's and we're working on a 2020 wrapup, which is just as horrible as you'd imagine! Find us here: @soberchefben (twitter) ChefBenRandall (instagram) inthweedswbr.com [email protected]
Episode 208: Thanksgiving Post-Mortem
November 29, 2020 18:36 - 1 hour - 144 MBIt's the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and we're up to our eyeballs in leftovers! Today we talk turkey roasting, family favorites, international listener mail and US politics (obviously). Catch us out in the social media world! Instagram: ChefBenRandall Twitter: @soberchefben Email: [email protected] Website: intheweedswbr.com
Episode 207: Give Me One Good Raisin
November 23, 2020 03:46 - 2 hours - 170 MBYou guys, it's almost Thanksgiving! Tonight we're talking pie (again), ChowNow and (for some reason), raisins. Do you have a family favorite Thanksgiving dish that NOBODY else eats? Tell us about it! Find us @soberchefben on Twitter, ChefBenRandall on Instagram, or email us at [email protected]!
Episode 206: PanDisneyEmic
November 18, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 135 MBYou guys. Steve went to Disney. Like the World. The Happiest Place On Earth. Or, possibly the Happiest Place To Get Coronavirus. Let's find out!
Episode 205: Greg H, Out In The Field
November 09, 2020 01:25 - 1 hour - 106 MBTonight we talk about the future of restaurant assistance from our 'new' federal government, and we have a guest!
Episode 204: Ham Candy & Turkey Rollups
November 02, 2020 02:47 - 2 hours - 179 MBYou guys. Brach's has made an abomination. Also, we talk Halloween in the time of COVID, restaurant dining restrictions, the further shenanigans of GrubHub, and we rank candies.
Just The Tip Episode 16: Cut Fingers & Mental Health
October 25, 2020 20:47 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBRight when everything's about to crash down, that's the best time to injure yourself, right?
Episode 203: Fling Candy Out Your Mail Slot
October 18, 2020 13:35 - 2 hours - 173 MBThis episode we're talking 2020 COVID kitchen hiring, Halloween, cold coffee, non-traditional Thanksgiving and the end (?) of restaurants in this country.
Episode 202: If You Can't Beat 'Em, Peacotum
October 12, 2020 11:54 - 2 hours - 179 MBToday we're talking ongoing staffing issues in hospitality, weird fruit hybrids and food on sticks. Who doesn't love food on sticks?
Episode 201: Ghosted!
October 04, 2020 11:46 - 1 hour - 148 MBSorry we skipped a week, kids, but I lost an employee two weeks ago and have been up to my eyeballs in production work. On top of my management work. It's been a ride. Today we talk restaurant cover charges, restaurant openings, roll-feed printers and how NOT to quit a job. Roller. Coaster.
Episode 200: Curated Balls, $12
September 21, 2020 00:07 - 2 hours - 175 MBIt's our 200th Episode! Tonight we're talking about menu writing, specifically descriptive word choice. Also, we dissect a particularly awful article from 2016, and the restaurant news is still all bad.
Episode 199: 1 Wedding & 3 Funerals
September 13, 2020 14:51 - 2 hours - 206 MBThere are two things that I am extremely happy to NOT be doing in 2020: dating and getting married. How do you even do that? Also, we get an in-school foodservice update, and a drop-in from Ben's younger brother Luke! (Spoilers, he WENT to a wedding recently!)
Episode 198: Everything Sucks And You Get To Be Part Of It
September 06, 2020 14:58 - 2 hours - 194 MBIt's a long one today, kids! We're talking long-term restaurant design planning in the time of COVID, grocery delivery ideas, Kool-Aid Pickles and Ben's first full week back to work. Let's be honest; this episode is therapy in action.
Episode 197: Aggressive Nachos
August 30, 2020 15:03 - 2 hours - 188 MBOh, man you guys, Ben's back to work! Also we talk menu writing, 3rd-party delivery systems, food lathing and product shortages, outages & delays.
Just The Tip Episode 15: Back To School
August 16, 2020 22:20 - 20 minutes - 28.7 MB...and you thought back-to-school shopping sucked? How about going back to school in 2020? IT'S WAY WORSE.
Episode 196: The Maduro Split
August 11, 2020 14:51 - 1 hour - 160 MBOk kids, today Steve & Ben are talking Back To School, fancy KitKats, desserts that are also probably sex moves and Star Wars restaurant food. ft: The Matcha Train, Pumpkin Squeezins and Don't Lie To The Clown
Episode 195: Salt Iron Twitter
August 03, 2020 03:10 - 1 hour - 147 MBIt's Equipment Care 101 tonight, folks! Also we cover a bit of obligatory COVID housekeeping, pitch a haunted house movie and try to find parts for Steve's old-ass stove.
Episode 194: Fueled Up For Paletas Gringos
July 27, 2020 13:00 - 2 hours - 172 MBLet's fix cultural appropriation in restaurants! No, there is too much. Let's start with moldy jam and paletas. Also, how much is a pizza worth, what's YOUR favorite energy drink, and who actually eats pandas?