On The Backburner Podcast
22 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsGet a sneak peek into the lives of chefs and services workers with our hosts Chef Dominic and Chef Tristin as they chat with special guests. On The Backburner is hosted by Tristin Rogers of Hollow Spirits Distillery and Dominic Valenzuela of Tako Ten.
Recorded and produced in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Directed by Volek Media & Marketing.
Audio Engineered and Edited by Mitch Pavelko.
Produced by 3 Birds Digital LLC.
Podcast Intro recorded and produced by Randy Savage, find him at SavageVO.com.
Original Music by Rocky Rhodes, check out his music at soundcloud.com/krzma.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/on-the-backburner-podcast/support
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Episodes
7 Deadly Sins and 3 Duckies
April 21, 2022 01:53 - 42 minutes - 64.1 MBKarla LaJeunesse, aka the NM Donut Kween, joins the chefs on this episode to chat about her love of food, travel, and the way her passion for donuts came about. Creating a local business out of a love of food is always a challenge when it comes to the business side, and the three brainstorm some ideas to expand the reach and appeal of these mini donuts, although they are already really delicious and appealing! Other topics include the legacy she’s created by instilling this passion for food a...
Competing Bowling Alleys In Socorro
March 29, 2022 05:49 - 48 minutes - 77.6 MBOn this episode, Dom and Tristin talk with Hollow Spirits’ head distiller, Mick Falter-Hahn. Join this rollicking tour of his experiences around New Mexico and in Albuquerque’s service industry. Thanks to his tenacity, he achieved his dream of becoming a premier beer brewer in his hometown. After achieving his goal of creating beautiful, delicious, and award-winning beers, Mick turned his attention to the distillation of spirits, where he has now also won Best Of awards for his various recip...
Fish and Cheese
March 09, 2022 06:48 - 43 minutes - 67.1 MBLife can throw you a curveball or ten, even when you’ve figured out your passion as a young person. Without understanding how to navigate some of these most challenging obstacles, it can all feel like it’s wrong. In this episode, Stephen Ormsby discusses some of his darkest times, even amidst professional success. His vulnerability and willingness to look these challenges in the eye are what has created for him an even greater opportunity to succeed and help others to do so as well. Stephe...
They Came In Like A Wrecking Ball
March 03, 2022 06:57 - 45 minutes - 69.1 MBBrittany and Courtney join the guys to discuss their experiences as front of house staff. What servers go through, some tips on etiquette, and what it takes to be a good waiter are topics discussed while also showcasing how their fetching personalities bring the effervescence that their place of work values the most. Brittany Sterling was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has been working in the service industry for 6 years. She’s currently waiting tables and tending bar at Hollow Spirit...
We're Gonna Do The Two Step
February 22, 2022 06:57 - 47 minutes - 69.8 MBEric Banda is an award-winning bartender in Albuquerque, NM who has learned from the best to create not only signature cocktails, but the tastiest version of your bartime classic, whatever it is, and how to have fun in a high-volume, high-energy environment at the Dirty Bourbon Dance Hall. Listen in to find out how he came up through the ranks of the kitchen’s best friend, the bar. He’s now been in the bar and restaurant scene for over 10 years, and hopes his high-energy vibe continues to en...
The Taste Of Love
February 15, 2022 01:37 - 58 minutes - 81.7 MBHappy Valentine's Day! This week we sat down with Chef and wife team, Kayla and Misty Vallejos, as they talked about the ups and downs of quitting their jobs to open an Italian/New Mexican fusion food truck and now their brand new brick and mortar, @tasteoflove_505, located inside Albuquerque's 505 Central Food Hall @505central. Kayla Vallejos is New Jersey born and raised. She moved to California for almost a year and then found her new home here in Albuquerque. Cooking is a passion and a...
Go Fork Yourself
February 08, 2022 06:52 - 40 minutes - 60.1 MBIn this episode, we delve into the details of expanding a project, and what it takes, from making the boards for a charcuterie experience that begs to be replicated, to deciding to open Sundays to create an unforgettable brunch experience. How far are you willing to go to make your vision come true? Chef Josh Kennon is a Deming, NM native and local restaurateur. Kennon trained at Le Cordon Bleu and honed his expertise in restaurant kitchens and private chef gigs in Los Angeles, Nashville an...
Rollin With The Punches
February 01, 2022 08:59 - 47 minutes - 72.1 MBWant to talk about grit and determination? Check out this episode, where Raul Maestas recounts his journey from Hawai'i to the 505. Raul started when he was 19 years old, after he got out of the Army, in a Hawaiian Japanese restaurant in Las Vegas, NV. He worked there for 7 years. Then he moved back to NM and started at Hyatt Tamaya, working in Fine Dining at the Corn Maiden restaurant for 7 years. He then moved on to Sakura Sushi and Grill for 3 years. Soon after, he worked at Bien Shur l...
Giraffe vs Anaconda
January 26, 2022 02:12 - 49 minutes - 46.1 MBHollow Spirits’ brand manager is on the podcast! His name is Kicker Gonzales and he’s lived in New Mexico his whole life. He loves Albuquerque and its industry people. He’s been in the service industry for more than 10 years, and says it’s been awesome growing with the city and industry people. He’s held many positions through the years, but bartending is his favorite. He loves cocktails, serving people, and his current job at Hollow Spirits. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.s...
Best of Backburner 2021
January 17, 2022 00:25 - 1 hour - 86.8 MBHappy New Year! It comes as no surprise that the end of the year’s city-wide best of polls netted wins for several of last year’s OTBB guests and hosts. Our last episode of the season covers some of the best bits of those interviews, as well as sneak peeks to upcoming Season 2 episodes with two more Best Of winners. Congratulations to Dominic Valenzuela of Tako Ten, Kate Gerwin of Happy Accidents, Mike White of Highpoint Grill, Marie Yniguez of Slowroasted Bocadillos, Frank Holloway and t...
Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe
December 20, 2021 13:44 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBHappy holidays! On this Merry Christmas episode, Mikey Vince joins the pod to discuss starting a food truck during a pandemic as well as some of his favorite Christmas foods and traditions. Mikey's love for food began as a kid. His passion ignited at age 4 when he tried to surprise his grandma and almost burned down her kitchen. Mikey’s connection to food and family traditions are embedded in his unique version of New Mexican street food. Regardless of his career path, be it as CEO of Live ...
Sabor
December 13, 2021 10:19 - 45 minutes - 42.3 MBDominic and Tristin have the opportunity to sit down with a mentor and former boss. Marco Espinoza traces his career from the dish pit in the kitchens of Las Vegas to overseeing multiple properties for an international hospitality chain. Now, Marco has his sights set on achieving yet another goal, which is to bring his sabor to Albuquerque. So, sandwiches or tacos? Find out! Originally from Compton CA, Marco spent most of his early years line cooking in Las Vegas NV. He began his career in ...
From The Seoul
December 06, 2021 10:14 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBJohn talks about bringing his Korean flavors to Albuquerque. We learn about his passion for people and their stories, and how that can create unexpected results. John also explains what makes Korean food so special! Award-winning Chef/Owner John Katrinak is based in Albuquerque, NM. Learning the love of food from his grandmother, you can find him creating traditional and fusion Korean cuisine at his restaurant Soo Bak Seoul Bowl in Nob Hill. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.s...
Clappin Cheeks And Smokin Meats
November 29, 2021 10:47 - 47 minutes - 44 MBListen in as Michael Mondragon traces his steps back to the time in his life when a dream became a reality. The owner of Mighty Mike’s Meats Food Truck describes how he gained the clarity after his near death experience and how it changed his view of life. We learn what Mike lives each day for and how it brings joy to so many. He even gives us a couple BBQ tips too, shhhh. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/on-the-backburner-podcast/support
Fill Your Hollow
November 22, 2021 11:34 - 45 minutes - 42 MBFrank Holloway, owner of Hollow Spirits, talks about how he turned his failures into motivation as a young entrepreneur, and how he found the leader within by welcoming the challenges life has thrown him. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/on-the-backburner-podcast/support
Low and Slow
November 15, 2021 12:23 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBMarie talks about the key that she recommends for all entrepreneurs to grab, and her new restaurant and food truck concepts. Explore some of the driving forces behind one of Albuquerque’s most well-known local chefs in this discussion of her success as well as the challenges she’s encountered to achieve her goals. Marie Yniguez, known locally for her appearances on Food Network shows such as Diners Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy’s Grocery Games, and Chopped, delves into these topics with her sig...
Philanthro-Pissed
November 08, 2021 10:22 - 47 minutes - 44 MBChef Mike talks about opening multiple locations, his struggles with mental health, and his many endeavors in philanthropy. Chef Michael W. White is a restaurateur, chef, and philanthropist who has resided in New Mexico for over 25 years. He is the owner of High Point Rustic Kitchen, founder of The Kitchen Kids Inc., and director of 505 Food Fights. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/on-the-backburner-podcast/support
Pecan Do It!
November 01, 2021 09:00 - 46 minutes - 43.5 MBXavi joins the podcast to discuss his new restaurant concept, his upbringing, and issues he's faced getting to where he is today. Chef Javier Montano starting his culinary career in Albuquerque in the 1990s where he worked at Scalo and the very first Il Vicino. He moved to San Francisco in 1997 where he would work at world-renowned restaurants including Rubicon, Acquerello, Dio Deka, and Limon. He spent 4 years as the corporate chef of Electronic Arts where he ran a culinary team of up to 4...
Just Happy Little Accidents
October 25, 2021 09:06 - 47 minutes - 44.1 MBOn this episode Dominic and Tristin discuss Kate Gerwin’s views on Yelp reviews, her extensive background in bartending, and her many accolades. Kate Gerwin, a widely celebrated restaurateur and mixologist, is well-known in the bartending world for being the first woman and first American to win the Bols Around the World Bartending Championship in 2014, but this is just one of her many worthy accomplishments. In her more-than-20-year career, Gerwin has been named by Drinks International as ...
Born To Be Wild
October 18, 2021 08:28 - 49 minutes - 45.8 MBSo, Casino or Good Fellas? Adrienne talks about starting off as a bartender, where she has won numerous accolades, to leading the kitchen at a fun, out-of-the ordinary bar that she's at now, which also happens to be the hottest place to get a drink in town. Listen to Chef Dominic and Chef Tristin explore the intricacies of becoming a leader in the kitchen, and how that changes depending on what part of the industry one might be coming from. Finding a balance of excellence in the kitchen a...
Hear Me Roar
October 18, 2021 07:37 - 46 minutes - 43 MBDid you take the chicken out? Join chefs Dominic and Tristin as they listen to Chef Bryan Romero from the Rancher’s Club talk about his work ethic and his inspiration to thrive as a young head chef in Albuquerque, NM. How do you jump into a profession that you never thought you’d be a part of? What does it take to get to the top of the kitchen game? Bryan is the son of a cook and his history includes: Chama River Brewing Company and Bien Shur. He is a longtime creator, painter, reader, an...
Amuse-bouche
October 18, 2021 06:37 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBTristin and Dominic have an organic conversation about how they started in the industry and where they’re at currently. Who are these two and what are they doing on a microphone? Take a sneak peek behind the scenes of the kitchens and restaurants in Albuquerque, New Mexico, starting with this first dive into the minds and work of two of Albuquerque's top chefs. Special appearance by up and coming chef Adrienne Miller from the latest hot spot, Happy Accidents. Get to know what happens and...