Table 5 with Lindsay Luttrell

Rachel is the founder and pastry chef behind the beloved Charlottesville, VA  bakery Cou cou Rachou, and if you’ve ever seen one of her cakes or pastries online, you already know she’s wildly talented. But beyond that, she’s thoughtful, warm, creative, and has one of those stories that just makes so much sense on how she got where she is once you hear it.

In this episode, we talk about growing up in an incredibly artistic family in Charlottesville, and how creativity was woven into every part of her childhood. We get into her decision to pursue pastry, studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris at just 20 years old, working at the legendary Inn at Little Washington and Petit Trois in Los Angeles, and eventually returning home to open her own bakery. We also talk about comparison, creativity, family, Julia Child, café culture, and the beauty of building something that truly feels like you.

Show Notes: 

On this special Q&A episode of Table 5, host Lindsay Luttrell turns the mic around and answers questions straight from the listeners. With a close friend and frequent Table 5 collaborator taking over as guest host, Lindsay is put in the hot seat, answering your questions with honesty, humor, and a few surprises along the way.

Show Notes: 

Danielle is a wife, a soon-to-be first-time mom, a baker, entrepreneur, TV personality, and the author of the forthcoming cookbook The Scone Queen Bakes. You may know her from HBO’s The Big Brunch, or maybe you’ve already had her baked goods at iconic cafés like Joe Coffee or Bluestone Lane.

In this episode, we talk about Danielle growing up on Long Island in a big Italian family where food was everything, and how baking with her grandmother helped spark her love of the kitchen. She shares the story of the scone recipe she created at just 13 years old—one she still uses today. We also get into the moment she was unexpectedly let go from her job and how that hustle and leap of faith eventually turned into a full-scale bakery, plus what it was like building that business during the pandemic and why scones ultimately became her signature. And of course, we talk about her experience competing on HBO Max’s The Big Brunch, her upcoming cookbook, and some really sweet stories about the family traditions that shaped her love of baking in the first place.

Show Notes: 

Lee Anne is a wife, mother, chef, restaurateur, culinary competitor and TV personality. You may know her from Top Chef, Iron Chef America or Tournament of champions.

In this episode, we discuss her experiences as a restaurant owner in Hawaii, the impact of community resilience following the devastating fires, the importance of mental health in the culinary industry, and her personal journey of growth. She delves into her family life, cultural influences, and the joys of traveling with her son. She shares her journey from being a straight-A student and athlete to pursuing her passion for fashion and ultimately transitioning into the culinary arts. She reflects on her experiences on Top Chef, the challenges of culinary production, and the importance of community and friendships in the food industry.

Show Notes: 

Dale s  is a father, husband,  chef, restaurateur, Cookbook author and TV personality. You may know him from Top Chef, Tournament of Champions, or one of the many competition shows he’s appeared on over the years.

In this episode, we talk about what it was like for him to watch himself back on Top Chef and realize he didn’t love the person he saw, and how therapy, time, and perspective helped him grow. We get into why he reads every comment (yes, even the hate), the myths people believe about food TV, and why he actually finds the whole thing pretty entertaining. He opens up about growing up Filipino American, still figuring out where he fits culturally, and how food, friendship, and hospitality have shaped his life. We get into what makes a great dinner party and the details that make people feel truly taken care of.

Show Notes: 

Karen is a mother, wife, chef, restaurateur and entrepreneur. You may know her from Beat Bobby Flay, Top Chef, Tournament of Champions, or from her fabulous Boston restaurants.

In this episode, we talk about her upbringing in New Jersey, her days as a baby model (and what those earnings eventually paid for), and growing up as a theater kid competing in oratorical contests. She shares her self-proclaimed nerdy side and opens up about her long journey to motherhood. We also dive into her culinary career, from her first diner job at 17 to earning Michelin Bib Gourmand awards for two of her restaurants and even finding a new hobby at 47 years old.

Show Notes: 

Ayesha is an incredible chef, a powerhouse restaurateur, and a fierce culinary competitor. In this episode, we talk about what it was like for her growing up in Brooklyn and how her Indonesian and Italian roots shaped who she is. We get into how she went from wanting to be a lawyer her whole life to becoming a chef—plus her latest adventure as one of Bobby Flay’s Titans on Bobby’s Triple Threat. She shares some hilarious stories from her childhood and lets us in on what she’s excited to conquer next.

Show Notes: 

Beau is a husband, father, chef and mentor. You may know him from Iron Chef America, Guy's Grocery Games and Worst Cooks in America. In this episode, we talk about his upbringing across Maine, Massachusetts, and Canada, and hear about his journey from his first restaurant job as a teenager to competing in culinary competitions. He shares how mentorship shaped his path and how he pays it forward today. We also explore food as the great connector and the traditions he’s built in his kitchens over the years.

Show Notes: 

Nini is a chef, cookbook author, culinary instructor and fierce competitor. You may know her from Top Chef, Tournament of Champions and Last Bite Hotel. In this episode, we discuss her deep love for New Orleans, her first trip to Vietnam and how it shifted her perspective, and her journey from earning a Marketing degree to ultimately pursuing her true passion for cooking. She shares stories from her time working in some of New York’s most renowned kitchens, including Daniel, Le Bernardin, and Eleven Madison Park. She opens up about losing her brother, the path her grief has taken, and how that loss inspired her to fully maximize the joy in life.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by: Susan Kemp

Christian is a a husband, father, chef, restaurateur, and now a cookbook author. We talk about his upbringing in the Bronx and summers spent with family in Italy. He shares memories of watching Great Chefs on PBS and how he talked his way into his very first restaurant job. We dive into his time on Chopped, The Kitchen, and Food Network Star , and how a pivot into content creation took on a life of its own. He opens up about the highs, the lows, and the journey to living fully and unapologetically as himself.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by: Susan Kemp

In this episode, host Lindsay Luttrell welcomes back Mei Lin—chef, restaurateur, TV personality, and culinary competitor. Mei takes us through her festive New Year’s Eve spread and reveals her go-to dishes for New Year’s Day. She shares her love for caviar, why the French 75 is her cocktail of choice, and her top hosting tips. Mei also dives into the traditions of Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year), and how she celebrates with a giant dumpling party. Tune in for a lively conversation on food, tradition, and the joy of celebrating​. 

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by: Susan Kemp

In this episode, host Lindsay Luttrell is joined by Carlos Anthony—husband, chef, culinary competitor, and TV personality. Carlos opens up about his exciting plans to host both Christmas Dinner and a New Year’s Eve celebration at his new restaurant in Oregon. He reminisces about holiday traditions from his childhood, like making tamales with his aunties, and reveals the new traditions he’s creating with his wife. He even has a pro tip for tamale making and how to enjoy the holidays as the host. Tune in for a fun chat about nostalgic foods and traditions, festive celebrations and his thoughts on Christmas lights!

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by: Susan Kemp

In this episode, host Lindsay Luttrell welcomes back Antonia Lofaso—mom, celebrity chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and TV personality. Antonia shares her festive traditions, from her annual Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes to her Hanukkah celebrations, and her cozy Christmas morning breakfast in pajamas. She offers valuable tips for hosting the perfect holiday party so you can truly enjoy it! From planning delicious me​nus to keeping community and family at the heart of the season with fun games, music, and activities​. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about food, family, and the joy of hosting the holidays​!

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by: Susan Kemp

In this episode, host Lindsay Luttrell welcomes back Catherine McCord — wife, mother, cookbook author, and TV personality. Catherine is celebrating it all this season! She shares her family’s potluck Thanksgiving plans, the story behind her annual Latke Party to ring in Hanukkah, and reveals the special traditions that make their Christmas unforgettable. We dive into the must-have dishes on her holiday table, her expert tips for making the perfect latke, and a clever hosting hack you won’t want to miss. Tune in for a fun conversation about food, family, and the cherished traditions that make their holidays so bright.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by Susan Kemp

In this episode, host Lindsay Luttrell welcomes back Eric Adjepong—father, chef, restaurateur, cookbook and children’s book author, and TV personality. Eric reflects on his family's annual potluck Thanksgivings and shares his exciting plans for hosting this year's holiday feast. He opens up about the Ghanaian foods and traditions that shape his Christmas celebrations and how he's always on dessert duty. Tune in for a conversation where family, food, and tradition are the heartbeat of the holidays.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by: Susan Kemp

In this episode, host Lindsay Luttrell welcomes back Aarti Sequeira – wife, mother, cookbook author, and TV personality. Aarti reflects on her first Thanksgiving in America as a college student and how she put her own spin on the holiday classic by preparing tandoori turkey. She shares stories from her childhood in Dubai, where she grew up Roman Catholic and attended midnight mass for Christmas. Aarti opens up about the traditions she's created with her own family, including​ ​her Christmas Eve cocktail of choice and the must-have ​cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. Tune in for a delightful conversation filled with food, family, and festive cheer!

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by: Susan Kemp

In this episode, host Lindsay Luttrell, welcomes back Michael Voltaggio—Husband, father, chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, tequila producer and culinary competition titan. Michael opens up about his latest unique Christmas ritual with his wife, offers some expert tips on cooking the perfect turkey, plus his thoughts on what makes the holidays so special—comfort, nostalgia, and casseroles. Tune in for a conversation about how the holidays are about the people you’re with and the memories you’re making.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by: Susan Kemp

In this episode, host Lindsay Luttrell, welcomes back Maneet Chauhan—wife, mother, restaurateur, cookbook author, TV personality, and culinary competition veteran. Maneet shares a glimpse into her holidays, from the vibrant traditions of Diwali to her family's Thanksgiving celebrations. Tune in to hear about her favorite must-have dishes that make the holidays extra special!

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by: Susan Kemp

Nancy Silverton is a mother, grandmother, James Beard award-winning chef, restaurateur and cookbook author.  In this episode we talk about how she fell in love with cooking, how she couldn’t have done it without her parents' support and how she started her career in pastry at Michael's with Jonathan Waxman. We discuss her early years working for Wolfgang Puck, building her culinary empire, her love of Italy, and the importance of being gathered around a table.

Show Notes: 

Adrienne is a mother, wife, twin, entrepreneur and the list goes on. In this episode we talk about her childhood obsession with food, cooking and baking. We talk about how she went from planning to go to nursing school to appease her immigrant mother to bartending for one of the biggest nightclub & hospitality groups in LA, to discovering her family roots in ice cream. We dive deep into entrepreneurship, growing her business from one location to nine, and being a mom of 3.

Show Notes: 

James is a husband, father, chef, cookbook author, culinary advisor at Samford University and so much more. We talk about his first restaurant job, how he met his wife that he now works with, his time in NY working with some of the greats, his work with IBM building its culinary AI, Chef Watson and his move back home to Pensacola, FL with his family. 

Show Notes: 

Tiffani is a chef, restaurateur and fierce culinary competitor. She's competed on shows like Top Chef, Tournament of Champions and Chopped. We dive deep into fun stories from her childhood and teen years. We talk about the experiences she had from growing up a military brat. We talk about her start in restaurants as a busser,  the setbacks that made her stronger and what she still hopes for in her career. You’ll hear her say she has a reputation for being tough, but I’m excited to share with you this softer side of her, which is the version of her I know best.

Shota is a chef, restaurateur, TV personality and so much more. In this episode, we talk about his decision to leave school early and get his first restaurant job. How his sheer grit and determination led him to Japan at just 18 to work in a Michelin Star kitchen. We discuss how he runs kitchens today based on his own experiences. We hear about how he found his dog, Dodger, his passion for mushroom foraging and so much more.

Justin is a husband, father, chef, TV personality, cookbook author and so much more. We talk about his teenage years; how he moved out at young age, how he got started in restaurants and how his time on Food Network star changed him. We discuss his life now; becoming a dad, what it feels like to turn 40, his ramen shop, natural wine shop and his love of fly fishing.

Jonathon Sawyer is a husband, father, a chef and cookbook author. He’s worked for some of the greats, he’s owned and operated nationally acclaimed restaurants, won a laundry list of awards, including James Beard, and competed in several culinary competitions like Tournament of Champions, Alex vs America and Gu8y's Grocery Games. In this episode, we talk about how he went from engineering to cheffing, his sobriety, his beautiful family and how he learned to love his life.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Valerie is a chocolatier, entrepreneur, wife, mom… and as you’ll hear her say when asked how she describes herself.... "a person who works in food". In this episode we talk about how baking gave her a sense of peace and purpose as a kid. Her love of performing, but how she ultimately left acting to pursue food. We hear how she turned her baking hobby into a luxury toffee brand and wait for it… taught herself how to BBQ.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by J Mack Media

Carlos is a chef, TV personality, dog dad and almost a husband! You may know him from his several competition appearances on Food Network or for his online shenanigans with his mentor Brian Malarkey. In this episode, we talk about his Sonoran roots, how he went from wanting to be a lawyer to his first kitchen job, his career with mentor Brian Malarkey and how he stays positive.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by Susan Kemp

Maneet Chauhan is a wife, mother, chef, restaurateur and so much more. You may know her from judging Chopped or competing on Tournament of Champions. We talk about her childhood in India, her curiosity surrounding food at a young age, her "say yes" mentality and how she ultimately ended up in Nashville.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by Susan Kemp

Nyesha is a chef, entrepreneur, TV personality and mentor. In this episode we talk about how food became a part of her, the advice she'd give her younger self, her “ I can do anything” mindset and how she took a step back to reevaluate and stop pouring from an empty cup.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by J Mack Media

Eric Adjepong is a father, chef, TV personality, cookbook and children's book author. In this episode we talk about going from the line in restaurant kitchens to Top Chef to hosting Alex vs America on Food Network. We dive into impostor syndrome, his West African roots, Dad life and our love of NY.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by J Mack Media

Joe is a chef, TV personality, competitor and pasta maestro. In this episode we talk about going from college to kitchens, being inspired by his mom’s cooking, how he created a community through social media, and of course that recognizable handlebar stache!

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by J Mack Media

Stephanie is a mother, restaurateur and award winning chef. She has 5 restaurants and a globally inspired line of sauces, spices and crunches. In this episode we discuss being a mom, balancing all of her restaurants, how she decided to go to culinary school, her crafty side and what's next! 

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by J Mack Media

Darnell is a husband, father, restaurateur, TV personality and the SuperChef! He’s appeared on countless shows competing and judging, but his journey to get there was not always easy. In this episode, Lindsay Luttrell and Darnell Ferguson talk about how he spent his younger years in and out of jail, finding his faith, how he turned a pop up into multiple restaurants, how he got his foot in the door with Food Network and the evolution of SuperChef.

Mei is a chef, restaurateur and unbelievable competitor. She's a Top Chef winner and most recently took home the win on season 4 of Tournament of Champions. You can find her competing or judging on Food Network and at her very popular restaurant, Daybird in LA. In this episode we discuss her journey to becoming a chef, her love of Japan, how she landed her spot on Top Chef and so much more.

Show Notes: 

Music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by Jay Mack Media

Catherine is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, cookbook author and a fellow Southerner. She started her career as a model and has since founded two companies and written four cookbooks. In this episode we talk about going from modeling to kitchens, how becoming a mother inspired her companies and how she balances it all.

Show Notes: 

Original music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Edited by J Mack Media

Kelsey is a chef, owns a restaurant and catering company, a wife, mother, and a "Gulf Southerner".  She's a Top Chef winner and Fan Favorite from her season. She continues to make appearances competing and judging. We talk about her early life trying to figure out what she was good at and ultimately choosing culinary school over college. We discuss her love of plants, teaching her children to be kind humans and we break down all things "Southern".

Show Notes: 

Music by Colin Killalea & Curtis Fye

Crista is a chef, restaurateur and hotelier originally from Wisconsin and now living in Northern CA. She has been credited with transforming her little Northern California town of Guerneville into a buzzing vacation getaway. You can find Crista across Food Network with appearances on Guy's Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay and Tournament of Champions. In this episode, we talk about her younger years growing up in the restaurant business to her making the leap out of the corporate world to follow her dreams in hospitality. We discuss her love of creating an experience for her guests, both in her restaurants and hotels,  her love of real estate, travel, and so much more.