It's NATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY, and we’re celebrating in the sweetest way possible! Join The Food Court as we welcome the KING of Chocolates himself, Jacques Torres, a.k.a. Mr. Chocolate™! From his humble beginnings in the South of France to becoming one of the world’s most renowned chocolatiers, Jacques has a story as rich as his signature hot chocolate.

In this episode, we dive into his incredible journey—from crafting pastries at 15, working with Michelin-starred chefs, to opening his iconic chocolate factory in Brooklyn. We chat about his love affair with chocolate, the artistry behind his craft, and his memorable treats at NYCWFF this year, like his caramel chocolate popcorn and decadent chocolate chip cookies
.

Ever wondered how Jacques introduced New Yorkers to the magic of hot chocolate for adults? We’ve got that too! Plus, a peek inside his chocolate factory where the magic happens.

And if you’re craving some of Jacques’ famous chocolates, head over to mrchocolate.com to order online and see his amazing selection of handcrafted chocolate products!

Don’t miss out! Listen now on Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts), rate, download, and follow us on Instagram @the_food_court_rolandos for all things foodie! #NationalChocolateDay #MrChocolate #JacquesTorres #TheFoodCourt

On this special episode of The Food Court, we celebrate what Joe Isidori calls WORLD Macaroni DAY (aka World Pasta Day) with the man himself! Joe shares the rich history of Arthur & Sons and the legacy of the Isidori family, who have been culinary pillars in NYC since 1954. From his grandmother Fanny’s famed restaurant The Villanova, which fed legends like the Beatles and Muhammad Ali
, to his father Artie’s influence, Joe takes us through three generations of chefs and restaurateurs.

We also dive into Joe’s latest ventures, his incredible Fra Diavolo sauce (a must-buy on Amazon!), and his expansion into Tampa
. Plus, don’t miss his pasta secrets and more! Follow Joe on Instagram @joeisidori and @arthurandsons for all the delicious updates
, and be sure to book your next meal at Arthur & Sons on their website
.

Listen now on Spotify
, rate and follow, and catch us on Instagram @the_food_court_rolandos!

The Food Court: Tom Parker Bowles Dishes on Royal Recipes & More!

On this week’s royally delicious episode of The Food Court, we’re thrilled to welcome Tom Parker Bowles, award-winning food writer, restaurant critic, and yes, the son of Queen Camilla! He’s here promoting his latest book Cooking and the Crown: Royal Recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III, where he mixes history, royalty, and irresistible recipes. Get ready to dive into 100 mouthwatering dishes that have graced the tables of royalty through the ages!

We chat everything from London chocolates (spoiler: they’re superior to American chocolate, sorry not sorry
) to the best NYC burgers
. Tom tries the legendary ham and cheese at George Motz's Hamburger America, where you can also snag the limited-time Crabby Patty!

Plus, if you love NY pizza
, don’t miss our top picks—Mama’s Too and L’Industrie Pizzeria. You’ll be hungry just hearing about it!

From Mexican food in Brooklyn (yes, you MUST try Kellogg’s Diner
), to our Wimbledon tradition of the Oliver Reed bar challenge (it’s epic
), and our favorite London spots like Dishoom and The Phat Pundit, this episode has it all!

Catch the royal culinary vibes on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Don’t forget to rate us and follow us on Instagram at @the_food_court_rolandos. And don’t wait—Tom’s book is available now on Amazon! Buy it now and bring some royal recipes into your kitchen!

New Episode Alert! On this week’s episode of The Food Court, Roland and Paul sit down with the incredible pastry chef Clarice Lam to dive into her brand new cookbook Breaking Bao ! Get ready for a deliciously fun conversation as we explore the mouthwatering world of pan-Asian baking.

From bao buns to cakes with a twist, Chef Clarice brings us 88 scrumptious recipes that mix Asian flavors with French baking techniques. Ever heard of Mango-Yakult Tres Leches Cake or Gochujang-Furikake Caramel Popcorn? Yeah, us too— and we can’t wait to try them!

Tune in as we chat about her culinary journey, the fusion of global techniques, and how her heritage shapes her baking style. Plus, we give a shout-out to our buddy Troy Hinson for his epic Noodle Challenge
— and a tasty twist on Hong Kong Bolognese!

Pre-order the book now on Amazon! Breaking Bao drops on October 22nd, and this is a must-have for all foodies!

Don't miss out! Follow Chef Clarice on Instagram for updates on her book tour and collaborations: @chefclaricelam

Listen NOW on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure to like, rate, and follow us on Instagram for all things food: @the_food_court_rolandos

This week on The Food Court, pastry legend Dominique Ansel stops by to sprinkle some sweetness on the show!

We're diving into his new book Life's Sweetest Moments: Simple, Stunning Recipes and Their Heartwarming Stories. From the birth of the Cronut® (and yes, he needed a bouncer for that line!
) to the whimsical Cookie Shot Machine in Las Vegas, Dominique shares the inspiring and delicious tales behind his famous creations. We also get the scoop on his upcoming new spot at the Paris Casino!

Beyond pastries, we chat about his famous Christmas cereal (coming in November!) and the return of his popular Pumpkin Pie
—get ready to race over to his bakery! Want a taste at home? Order from dominiqueanselonline.com and get desserts delivered straight to your door.

In his new book, you'll discover 42 heartwarming stories paired with recipes for dreamy desserts like:

Crème Brûlée Hazelnut Cake The Ultimate Cookie Earl Grey French Toast Hot Chocolate with Pink Champagne Marshmallows

… and so much more!

Whether it’s love stories sparked over pastries or sweet memories shared through desserts, Dominique reminds us that behind every treat is a moment worth savoring. His book is available now on Amazon—don’t miss out!

The Food Court Podcast: Special Guest Tom Colicchio!

On this episode of The Food Court, we’re serving up an exclusive chat with none other than Emmy Award-winning chef and Top Chef judge, Tom Colicchio! Tom's here to dish about his brand-new book, Why I Cook, and trust us—you'll want to grab your copy at your local bookstore ASAP!

We dive into Tom’s culinary journey, from whipping up his very first dish at 13 (stuffed eggplant, anyone?
) to making waves at NYC’s iconic restaurants like Gramercy Tavern and Craft. And of course, we talk ADHD, kitchen chaos, and the recipes that make his new book such a standout—it's no wonder Why I Cook is one of Amazon’s Most Anticipated Cookbooks of Fall 2024!

Tom opens up about everything from his humble roots in Elizabeth, NJ to the life-changing moments that made him a household name. From childhood fishing trips with his grandpa to cooking for the stars, he shares stories that'll make you laugh, reflect, and get hungry!

Tune in for behind-the-scenes stories, mouthwatering recipes, and a peek into the mind of one of America’s most beloved chefs.

On this episode, we’re serving up something truly STACKED—literally! We’re joined by the Sandwich King himself, Owen Han, to chat about his brand-new cookbook, Stacked: The Art of the Perfect Sandwich. Get ready to elevate your sandwich game with Owen’s drool-worthy recipes that’ll have you pre-ordering his book before it hits shelves on October 15th (trust us, you’ll want it!).

We’re diving deep into all things sandwiches—what bread reigns supreme? How do you bake the perfect biscuit? And of course, we ask the million-dollar question: Is a hot dog a sandwich? How about lasagna?! Owen’s here to blow your sandwich-loving minds with his wildest culinary creations, including one of the weirdest (yet delicious) concoctions you’ll ever hear about.

With millions of followers on TikTok, Owen’s known for his epic mashups, like the Chipotle Chicken Philly, and bringing together flavors from his Italian and Chinese heritage. From tacos to bao buns, if it’s stackable, Owen counts it as a sandwich!

Tune in as we talk Turkey Crunch Sandwiches with Frico Crisps, Snapper Po' Boys, Hawaiian Breakfast Sandwiches, and even Salted Brownie Ice Cream Bars. Yep, dessert sandwiches too!

Join us as we chat with the fabulous Sarah Fennel, creator of Broma Bakery and author of the upcoming cookbook "Sweet Tooth: 100 Desserts to Save Room For," hitting shelves October 8th! From baking tips that will help you make the perfect cookie, to secrets for the chewiest Rice Krispies Treats, Sarah spills it all! We also reminisce over her nostalgic takes on classic desserts we grew up with, like Strawberry Shortcake Cake, Oatmeal Cream Cookies, and White Chocolate Brownies.

This episode is packed with tips, tricks, and recipes that'll make you the star of the holiday table. Plus, did we mention Sarah shot all the gorgeous photos in her cookbook too?