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THE ARTFUL GOURMET PODCAST | With Kristen Hess cover art

THE ARTFUL GOURMET PODCAST | With Kristen Hess

THE ARTFUL GOURMET PODCAST | With Kristen Hess

Written by: Kristen Hess
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Welcome to the intersection of culinary artistry, creative business, and retro soul. Hosted by Kristen Hess—professional Food Stylist for KitchenAid and Food Network, Commercial Photographer, and featured cast member of the 2026 "Women In Power" TV series—this is the podcast for those who believe life should be lived artfully, one bite at a time. From the high-stakes sets of NYC to the vibrant flavors of the modern kitchen, Kristen pulls back the lens on what it truly takes to build a creative life and a thriving brand. The Artful Gourmet Podcast features three signature series: ✨ INTO FOCUS Bring your vision and your business into high definition. This mindset and motivational series dives deep into the psychology of creativity, the "Art of the Pivot," and the resilience needed to succeed as a modern entrepreneur. 🎙️ UNFILTERED (New Series!) Raw, real, and inspiring conversations with the Creators, Tastemakers, and Movers & Shakers who are redefining their industries. Kristen sits down with world-class entrepreneurs to uncover the unfiltered stories behind their greatest successes and most pivotal lessons. 🕺 GROOVY EATS Step into the culinary time machine! This nostalgic series celebrates the iconic food, music, and culture of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Featuring guest artists and reimagined retro recipes, we’re bringing the "Groovy" back to the kitchen with style and soul. JOIN THE COMMUNITY: Whether you’re a foodie, a founder, or a fan of the "Hero Shot," subscribe to stay inspired, stay focused, and stay groovy. 🔗 Follow Kristen: https://linktr.ee/theartfulgourmet 👉 Visit Kristen’s Food Blog: http://www.theartfulgourmet.com/ 📸 Food Styling/ Photography Portfolio: https://www.Kristen-Hess.com 🎥 Watch Kristen in "Women In Power" TV Teaser: https://www.womeninpowertv.com/kristen-hess 📱 Follow the Journey: @artfulgourmet Instagram/ Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest 🎞️ TikTok: @foodiegirl87 ✍️ Substack Newsletter: https://artfulgourmet.substack.com/ If you like this content and want to support Kristen: ☕️ Buy Me A Coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/kristenhess 👛 Kristen’s Curated Finds Shop: https://shopmy.us/shop/kristenhessKristen Hess Art Cooking Food & Wine
Episodes
  • Episode 4: Disco Night Bites (1978): Donna Summer, “Last Dance,” Osko’s Disco & LA’s Legendary Late-Night Scene

    Episode 4: Disco Night Bites (1978): Donna Summer, “Last Dance,” Osko’s Disco & LA’s Legendary Late-Night Scene
    Jun 27 2026

    Step back into May 1978 at the height of disco fever as Groovy Eats explores Donna Summer’s iconic hit “Last Dance” from the cult classic film Thank God It's Friday. In this episode, Kristen Hess takes listeners inside the legendary nightlife of Los Angeles’ Restaurant Row, Osko’s disco club, and tiki hotspot The Islander—where glowing Midori Sours, PuPu Platters, + Crab Rangoon with Plum Sauce fueled the after-hours crowd.

    Discover the history behind Donna Summer’s rise as the Queen of Disco, the cultural impact of “Last Dance,” the Studio 54 Midori cocktail craze, and the late night bites of the 70s LA nightlife scene that defined an era.

    🎧 In this episode:• Donna Summer, her impact on disco + history• Thank God It’s Friday movie + "Last Dance" hit song story• Osko’s disco + 1970s LA Restaurant Row nostalgia• Midori Sour recipe + Crab Rangoon with Plum Sauce recipe• Spotify + YouTube disco playlists • Printable recipes + behind-the-scenes photos/videos

    Chapters/Timestamps

    00:00 Opening Theme

    01:18 Welcome to Groovy Eats

    02:11 Stepping Back to May 1978

    03:00 Donna Summer, "Last Dance" & Thank God It's Friday

    05:20 Donna Summer: The Queen of Disco

    06:40 Restaurant Row & Osko's Disco

    08:45 The Midori Sour & Studio 54

    10:05 Crab Rangoon, Pu Pu Platters & The Islander

    11:53 Tiki Bars, Late-Night Bites & LA Nightlife

    13:10 My 1978 Memories: Roller Skating, Disco & Simpler Times

    15:01 Watch the YouTube Cooking Episode

    16:00 Blog, Recipes, Spotify Playlist & Substack

    17:38 Closing Thoughts

    19:20 Outro

    Key Topics

    • Donna Summer's influence on dance music
    • The innovation behind 'I Feel Love'
    • Genre blending: disco, soul, rock, electronic, pop
    • The cultural impact of disco music
    • Brian Eno's praise for Donna Summer
    • The evolution of club music over 15 years

    Key Takeaways

    • Donna Summer redefined what dance music could be.
    • 'I Feel Love' predicted the future of electronic music.
    • Donna's ability to blend multiple genres set her apart.
    • Her music influenced countless artists and genres.
    • Brian Eno called her single a game-changer.

    👉 Watch the Groovy Eats cooking video on YouTube - stay tuned, drops soon!👉 Read the full blog post on TheArtfulGourmet.com👉 Read the Substack essay with more photos, clips, and stories from the disco era

    What song instantly transports you back to another time and place?

    And if you could spend one night in 1978—would you be on the dance floor at Osko's, sipping a Midori Sour at The Islander, or roller skating to disco music in your living room?

    I'd love to hear your memories in the comments.

    Groovy Eats: Cooking Through the Decades, One Groove at a Time.

    Tags:

    Donna Summer, Last Dance, Thank God It’s Friday, 1978 Disco, Osko’s Disco, Restaurant Row Los Angeles, Studio 54, Midori Sour Recipe, Crab Rangoon Recipe, Coconut Shrimp, Disco Food, 70s Nostalgia, Groovy Eats, Retro Cocktails, Disco Music History, The Islander Restaurant, Donna Summer Podcast
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    20 mins
  • #UNFILTERED Ep5 | The Power of Reinvention: Tales of a Wine Innovator + Entrepreneur

    #UNFILTERED Ep5 | The Power of Reinvention: Tales of a Wine Innovator + Entrepreneur
    Jun 9 2026
    In this episode of #UNFILTERED on The Artful Gourmet Podcast, Host Kristen Hess dives deep into the extraordinary journey of Matthew Ackland, a man who’s built an empire of resilience, reinvention, and storytelling through luxury branding, wine, and life itself. This episode is a call to all entrepreneurs, creatives, and dreamers: your true strength lies in how you shape yourself through adversity and authenticity.Key Topics:​How Matthew’s roots in luxury branding and international advisory shaped his understanding of high-end experiences​The pivotal moment when wine transcended product — becoming a vessel for emotion and storytelling​The emotional and philosophical journey behind the creation of Two Tuxedos, a vegan Sauvignon Blanc inspired by cats and charitability​The raw truth of entrepreneurship during crises — tariffs, climate, the pandemic, and resilience​The unique philosophy of blending luxury with accessibility without losing integrity​The significance of animals Morris and Tora in Matthew’s branding and personal healing​How veganism and sustainability influence modern winemaking and brand philosophy​Lessons learned from fencing, discipline, and the importance of mental fortitude in business​The upcoming charity event, The Final Pour, blending wine, giving back, and community connectionChapters/Timestamps00:00 - Introduction​Welcome and episode overview​Introduction to Matthew Ackland and his journey00:10 - Luxury Branding to Wine​Matthew’s transition from luxury branding to the wine industry​Key influences and inspirations01:02 - Wine as an Emotional Journey​How wine became more than just a product​The storytelling aspect of winemaking02:30 - Creation of Two Tuxedos​The inspiration behind the vegan Sauvignon Blanc​The role of cats and charity in the brand03:45 - Entrepreneurship During Crises​Challenges faced during tariffs, climate issues, and the pandemic​Strategies for resilience and adaptation05:00 - Branding with Morris & Tora​Emotional connections and personal healing through branding​The significance of animals in Matthew’s life06:15 - Luxury Meets Accessibility​Balancing high-end branding with accessibility​Maintaining integrity in brand philosophy07:30 - Vegan Winemaking​Innovations and ethics in sustainable winemaking​Environmental impacts and brand philosophy09:00 - Lessons from Fencing​Discipline and mental fortitude in business​How fencing influenced Matthew’s entrepreneurial journey10:45 - Community and Resilience​The role of faith and community in business success​Building mental resilience12:00 - Two Tuxedos​Details about the brand and upcoming events​How it supports animal welfare and community connection13:30 - Conclusion and Reinvention​The importance of passion, persistence, and authenticity​Closing thoughts and call to actionIf you're ready to lean into your own reinvention and craft a life—professionally and personally—that resonates authentic strength, this episode is your blueprint. Cheers to resilience, to growth, and to stories worth sharing.What does reinvention mean to you, and how have you embraced change in your personal or professional life? Share your story below!And if you enjoyed listening/watching this episode of #UNFILTERED, please give us a like, rating, subscribe + share The Artful Gourmet Podcast, that helps the show grow and keeps us able to create more inspiring, delicious content!Resources & Links:​Two Tuxedos WineConnect with Matthew:​LinkedIn​Instagram​MA Selections Private AdvisoryConnect with Kristen:​Artful Gourmet​Artful Gourmet Instagram​Food Styling/Photography Portfolio​Artful Gourmet Substack#WineInnovation #LuxuryBranding #Vegan #Winemaking #EntrepreneurialResilience #Sustainable #Wine #MatthewAckland #TwoTuxedosWine #CharityEvents #ArtfulGourmet #TheArtfulGourmetPodcast #KristenHess #FoodAndWine #Entrepreneurship #WineAndSpirits #Sustainability #PersonalDevelopment #Branding #Marketing #NYC #FoodPodcasts #WinePodcasts #Success
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • UNFILTERED Ep4 | Inside the Mind of Victoria Granof: Food Styling, Fashion, Art & Storytelling

    UNFILTERED Ep4 | Inside the Mind of Victoria Granof: Food Styling, Fashion, Art & Storytelling
    May 22 2026
    In this episode of #UNFILTERED, host Kristen Hess sits down with legendary food stylist, creative director, author, and visual storyteller Victoria Granof for an inspiring conversation about creativity, branding, food as art, and building a lasting career in an ever-evolving industry.A James Beard Award finalist, Cordon Bleu-trained chef, and one of Cherry Bombe’s 100 Most Inspiring Women in Food, Victoria’s visionary work has shaped iconic campaigns for brands including Vogue, Calvin Klein, Nespresso, Grey Goose, Banana Republic, Coca-Cola, and Häagen-Dazs.From collaborating with legendary photographer Irving Penn to creating edible art installations and cinematic food imagery, Victoria shares the creative philosophy behind her extraordinary career and how she continues to stay inspired after decades at the top of the industry.Key Topics:​Food styling as emotional storytelling​The intersection of fashion, luxury, art, and food​Building an authentic creative voice​Working in New York and Los Angeles​Branding, aesthetics, and visual identity​Creative longevity and reinvention​Staying inspired in today’s fast-moving content worldSound Bites“Food can be art, edible or not.” — Victoria Granof“I fight for imperfect, rebellious food images.” — Victoria Granof“Building a life-size Marie Antoinette out of candy.” — Victoria GranofChapters / Timestamps00:00 — Introduction to Victoria Granof02:43 — The Journey into Food Styling07:13 — Visual Arts, Emotion & Storytelling Through Food10:03 — The Philosophy of Imperfection & “Rebellious” Food Imagery12:47 — Client Relationships, Branding & Creative Direction20:43 — Therapeutic Baking, Community & Human Connection24:11 — Creative Inspirations, Candy Sculptures & Unique Projects28:10 — The Evolution of Food Styling & Industry Changes32:46 — Navigating the Digital Landscape, Social Media & AI35:29 — Starting Over, Reinvention & Lessons from the Past42:08 — Personal Reflections, Music, Soundtracks & Culinary Dreams45:40 — Final Thoughts/ClosingIf you love food media, photography, fashion, advertising, editorial storytelling, creative direction, or simply hearing how visionary careers are built — this conversation is for you.Watch episode on Substack and read storyWatch the episode on YouTubeWatch/Listen to the episode on SpotifyListen now on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio✨ If you enjoyed this episode of UNFILTERED, please:​Follow, rate and subscribe to The Artful Gourmet Podcast so you never miss an episode​Leave a rating and review to help more listeners discover the show​Share this episode with fellow creatives, food stylists, photographers, chefs, designers, and storytellersFollow Victoria:​Visit Victoria Granof Studio to view her portfolio, creative projects, books, and visual storytelling work​Explore her directing and motion work at Taste in Motion – Victoria Granof​Follow her on Instagram @victoriagranof for daily inspiration, food imagery, creative insights, and behind-the-scenes moments​Subscribe to Delicious Tangents on Substack for essays, storytelling, recipes, creative reflections, and more​Listen to the BEKNEADY Podcast hosted by Victoria​Learn visual storytelling and food styling through her course The Hungry Eye​Book creative mentorship and guidance through Victoria Granof CoachingFollow Kristen:​The Artful Gourmet Blog​The Artful Gourmet YouTube Channel​The Artful Gourmet Substack​Kristen Hess Portfolio​Instagram @theartfulgourmet​Book a Call w/ Kristen #UNFILTEREDPodcast #VictoriaGranof #FoodStyling #FoodPhotography #CreativeDirector #VisualStorytelling #ArtfulGourmet #KristenHess #LuxuryBranding #EditorialPhotography #FoodMedia #CreativeCareers #WomenInFood #FoodAsArt #Storytelling #CreativeInspiration #PodcastInterview #FoodCulture #CreativeEntrepreneur #CherryBombe #LuxuryLifestyle #PhotographyPodcast #CreativeJourney #ArtDirection #NYCCreatives #TheArtfulGourmetPodcast
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    47 mins
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