On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast

On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Jared Williamson, Head Brewer at Schlafly Beer, to talk creativity, legacy, and what the future of beer really looks like.

Jared shares how his path into brewing began far from traditional beer school — starting as an art and music major before working his way up from cleaning kegs to leading operations at Schlafly’s original taproom. He dives into how beers are developed, from the “palate of the mind” to pilot batches, and what it means to honor a legacy brand while still pushing flavor forward.

The conversation also explores how Schlafly is responding to changing drinking habits, including the rise of non-alcoholic and lower-ABV beers, and the launch of Shorty’s — a new line of small beers that are short on alcohol but long on flavor.

In this episode:

Jared’s journey into brewing and how creativity shapes his approach to beer

How Schlafly balances innovation with tradition while developing new beers

The rise of mindful drinking and the inspiration behind Shorty’s small beers

📍 Schlafly Beer is based in St. Louis, Missouri
🔗 https://www.schlafly.com/

Follow Schlafly: @schlaflybeer

🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.
📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.

On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Jackie Price, founder and owner of Fennel Cooking Studio in Midtown St. Louis.

Jackie shares her journey from culinary school to teaching at Saint Louis University, and eventually taking the leap to open Fennel — a hands-on cooking class studio built around accessibility, education, and community. She talks about blending culinary arts with nutrition, creating a space where people feel confident in the kitchen, and why food has always been her favorite way to bring people together.

In this episode:
- Falling in love with teaching cooking while still in culinary school
- Building Fennel as a hands-on, community-focused cooking studio
- Blending nutrition, practicality, and indulgence in the kitchen
- Offering skill-based classes, global cuisines, and seasonal cooking
- Launching food-centered travel retreats to Italy and France
- Why learning how to cook is one of the most empowering life skills

📍 Fennel Cooking Studio is located in Midtown St. Louis
🔗 https://www.fennelstl.com/

Follow Fennel: @fennel.stl
Follow Jackie: @jackieprice711

🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.
📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.

On this week’s episode of The Sauce Podcast, host Lauren Healey sits down with Brandon Oker, the Executive Chef at Pastaria and one of Sauce Magazine’s Ones to Watch in the February issue.

Brandon shares his path from growing up in a town of 300 people near Lake of the Ozarks to working his way from dishwasher to leading one of St. Louis’s most beloved pasta institutions. He talks about work ethic, mentorship, and why hospitality is something he feels is simply “in his bones.”

In this episode:

• Brandon’s early kitchen days at Porta Chima and learning hospitality from the ground up
• How his upbringing shaped his leadership style and approach to food
• Stepping into Pastaria as executive chef, what stays sacred, and where seasonality comes into play
• Why Pastaria continues to thrive as an accessible, family-friendly, truly democratic restaurant
• Dream future concepts, testing recipes at home, and cooking alongside his 5-year-old son, Winston

📍 Pastaria is open 7 days a week, 4–9 PM
🔗 pastariastl.com

Follow Brandon: @brandonoker

🎧 Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and all major platforms.
📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.

✨ Presented by SWADE Dispensary, with 11 locations across Missouri. Learn more about their new Passport Membership program at swadecannabis.com.