This week on Shelling Peas, we’re revisiting a conversation from the early days of the podcast — and it’s one that feels more timely than ever. Chef Ryan Jennings sits down with Matt Yaeger, owner of Pinnacle Wine & Liquor, to talk about the evolving wine landscape and the heart of independent business.

Matt shares candid insights about the challenges facing small wine shops, from shifting consumer habits to competing with big-box chains, and how he's embracing creativity, community connection, and authentic hospitality to thrive. The conversation touches on family entrepreneurship, navigating industry headwinds, and how storytelling and content creation play a growing role in keeping traditions alive.

Whether you’re discovering this episode for the first time or returning for a second listen, it’s a thoughtful reminder of why supporting local matters — and how resilience can take root in unexpected places.

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

As we head into Earth Month, Chef Ryan is joined by Abigail McHugh-Grifa, Executive Director of the Climate Solutions Accelerator, for a timely conversation about what it means to learn how to care for the Earth—and help others do the same.

Abby shares her unexpected path from music education to climate leadership, and how her work now focuses on making climate action more accessible and collaborative. From electrifying homes to shifting mindsets, she breaks down what local solutions can look like and why they matter.

They also discuss the broader mission of the Climate Solutions Accelerator, including policy advocacy and practical support for individuals, businesses, and communities looking to take meaningful action.

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

This week on Shelling Peas, we’re revisiting one of our most exciting and impactful episodes of 2024. Early on in his podcasting journey, Chef Ryan Jennings had the opportunity to sit down with the legendary Dr. Michael Greger, a leading voice in lifestyle medicine and plant-based nutrition.

Dr. Greger shares the story of how his grandmother's miraculous recovery from end-stage heart disease shaped his mission to educate the world about the life-saving potential of a whole-food, plant-based diet. He unpacks the critical role of nutrition in preventing premature deaths, combating dietary misinformation, and empowering individuals to take charge of their health.

This episode perfectly captures what Sweet Pea Plant-Based Kitchen is all about. Whether you’re returning or tuning in for the first time, this conversation is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

This week on Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings catches up with hospitality pro Evan Pierce. From running events at Max Rochester to launching ButaPub and now representing top spirits at Empire Merchants, Evan shares stories from a career shaped by service, adaptability, and a passion for great experiences. They dive into the evolution of Rochester’s dining scene, the fast-paced world of events, and what truly defines hospitality. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the industry!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings sits down with Angela Giuseppetti, Special Events Manager at the Seneca Park Zoo Society. They dive into the art of event planning, the power of storytelling in fundraising, and the meticulous effort behind Zoobilation, one of Rochester’s most anticipated galas. Angela shares how her background in theater production shaped her approach to immersive, mission-driven events and why sustainability plays a critical role in her work. From engaging experiences to behind-the-scenes event pivots, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about community-driven initiatives, conservation, and creative problem-solving.

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings sits down with Joe Morrell, Director of Marketing & Sales for the Swan Family of Restaurants and a contributor to City Magazine. They dive into Joe’s journey from growing up in restaurants to becoming an industry storyteller, discussing the importance of local journalism, the evolving restaurant scene, and how Rochester’s culinary community supports the next generation of hospitality professionals. Plus, Ryan shares some big news about Sweet Pea’s expanded home delivery service and upcoming plans for new locations! Tune in for an inspiring conversation about food, media, and the power of connection.

Mentioned in this episode:

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

A pillar of Rochester’s business community, Howie Jacobson has spent decades shaping brands, taking bold risks, and turning big ideas into reality. In this episode of Shelling Peas, he sits down with Chef Ryan Jennings to share the defining moments of his career—from importing Colombian soccer balls to landing an unprecedented brand deal with a Beatle. With sharp insights on adaptability, risk-taking, and the power of community, Howie’s journey is as inspiring as it is insightful. Packed with hard-won lessons and unforgettable stories, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

In this episode of Shelling Peas, Chef Ryan Jennings continues the food innovation conversation with Ryan Steenberg, co-founder of Panacheeza. Last week, Janessa Steenberg, Ryan’s wife and business partner, joined Chef Ryan on Connections with Evan Dawson to discuss how food producers are adapting to growing consumer demand for plant-based options.

Now, Ryan shares how Panacheeza evolved from a homemade recipe to a Whole Foods success story, the challenges of scaling a food startup, and the pivotal role that RIT Venture Creations Incubator and their mentor, Brad VanAuken, played in guiding their journey. With mentorship from Brad—who also worked with Jennings’ Sweet Pea Plant-Based Kitchen—Panacheeza found its footing in the competitive plant-based market and navigated the complex world of product development, branding, and retail expansion.

Tune in for insights on startup growth, breaking into retail, and how mentorship and community support helped shape Panacheeza’s success!

Mentioned in this episode:

Food About Town

Food About Town hosted by Chris Lindstrom, focusing on restaurants, food and drink of all kinds, and whatever topics I want to cover! https://foodabouttown.captivate.fm/

Pauly Guglielmo Show

Pauly Guglielmo is a former radio guy turned food business entrepreneur. While running a manufacturing facility is his day job, he likes to dust off his broadcasting skills once a week on this podcast and talk to entrepreneurs and other influencers.

Sweet Pea Plant Based Kitchen

Based in Rochester, NY, Sweet Pea is a plant-powered kitchen creating transformative ways of wellness. Harnessing the power of food as medicine, we help you realize your happiest, healthiest self. Use promo code Lunchador15 for 15% off your order!

Joe Bean Roasters

Joe Bean Coffee - Coffee that lifts everyone. Use promo code Lunchador for 15% off your order! https://shop.joebeanroasters.com