On The Pass
Food
About
On The Pass serves up inspiring conversations with dynamic figures in the food + beverage, hospitality and travel space. Hosted by Gabriel Ornelas.
Episodes
- 141. Brian Limoges: Redefining Kitchen Culture
What does it take to build a two Michelin star restaurant in just six months? In this episode, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Chef Brian Limoges, Executive Chef of Enclos in Sonoma County—one of the most exciting new restaurants in America…
- 140. Marcus Jernmark: Redefining Fine Dining in LA
In this episode of On The Pass, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Swedish-born chef Marcus Jernmark — one of the most accomplished chefs of his generation, known for leading some of the world's most celebrated kitchens, including Restaurant F…
- 139. Andrew + Michelle Muñoz: Inside Moo's Craft Barbecue
In this episode of On The Pass, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Andrew and Michelle Muñoz, the husband-and-wife team behind Moo's Craft Barbecue — one of the most celebrated barbecue restaurants in Los Angeles. What started as a humble back…
- 138. Nancy Silverton: Building Restaurants That Last
Nancy Silverton on Purpose, Loss, Leadership & Building Restaurants That Last This weeks On The Pass episode, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with culinary icon Nancy Silverton — chef, restaurateur, mentor, and co-founder of the Mozza Restaurant…
- 137. Matt Crafton: Building for the Next 50 Years
This conversation is about much more than wine. On this episode of On The Pass , we sit down with Matt Crafton, winemaker at the legendary Chateau Montelena, as the winery approaches a historic milestone—50 years since the Judgment of Pari…
- 136. José Luis Hinostroza: Calm, Fire and Belonging
In this episode of On The Pass , with José Luis Hinostroza, the chef behind ARCA, a jungle-rooted restaurant shaped by fire, place, and pre-colonial Mesoamerican tradition. José Luis' journey spans some of the world's most influential kitc…
- 135. Hot Spot: Travis Swikard of Callie + Fleurette
Chef Travis Swikard has become one of the most influential voices shaping the future of West Coast dining. After years cooking at the highest levels in New York, Travis returned home to San Diego to create Callie, a restaurant that has red…
- 134. Or Amsalam: 10 Years of Bread & Belonging
What does it take to build a bakery that becomes the soul of a neighborhood? In this episode of On The Pass , host Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Or Amsalam, chef and co-founder of Lodge Bread Co., one of Los Angeles' most influential and…
- 133. Eduard Xatruch: Inside the World's #1 Restaurant
In this special in-depth conversation, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Chef Eduard Xatruch, one of the three creative forces behind Disfrutar — the #1 restaurant in the world (World's 50 Best 2024) and a three-Michelin-stardestination redef…
- A New Era of Culinary Greatness | In Partnership with S.Pellegrino
A New Course is a special three-part video series presented by On The Pass, in partnership with S.Pellegrino and the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy — a celebration of mentorship, creativity, and the future of gastronomy. Featuring culinar…
- 132. Curtis Stone: Leading With Vision
In this episode of On The Pass , Gabriel Ornelas sits down with world-renowned chef, restaurateur, and creative force Curtis Stone — a figure who has spent nearly two decades evolving from fine dining in Beverly Hills, to live fire at Gwen…
- 131. Hot Spot: Bolun & Linette Yao of NYC's YINGTAO
What does it mean to "dare to imagine new possibilities for Chinese cuisine"? For Bolun and Linette Yao, the husband-and-wife duo behind Yingtao in Hell's Kitchen, it means rewriting the story of what Chinese fine dining can be and doing i…
- 130. Hot Spot: Tara Monsod of Animae + Le Coq
There's a certain kind of magic that happens at the intersection of memory and ambition, and Chef Tara Monsod is living proof of that. In this episode, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Tara, the Executive Chef of Animae and Le Coq in San Die…
- 129. Dave Beran: The Courage To Reinvent
Chef Dave Beran, from his personal restaurant Seline, shares insights on reinventing fine dining, the emotional roots of his establishment, and the influence of becoming a father on his cooking and leadership.
- 128. Hot Spot: Scott Linder of Matū + Matū Kai
In this episode of On The Pass, host Gabriel Ornelas speaks with Scott Linder, co-founder of Matū and Matū Kai. Linder shares insights into their vertically integrated restaurant model, built with First Light Farms in New Zealand, focusing…
- 127. Aitor Zabala: Somni Reimagined
This week, Gabriel sits down with the deeply imaginative and visionary chef Aitor Zabala, the creative mind behind the newly reimagined Somni in Los Angeles. In this expansive and intimate conversation, Aitor opens up about the last five y…
- 126. Pablo Rivero: Powering Restaurants in a New Era
Pablo Rivero is CEO of Resy + Tock and SVP of American Express Global Dining, leading the charge in reshaping how diners connect with restaurants worldwide. With a deep background in both strategy and hospitality, Pablo brings a rare blend…
- 125: Hot Spot: Kwame Onwuachi of Tatiana
You may know Chef Kwame Onwuachi from his remarkable origin story — immortalized in his bestselling memoir, Notes from a Young Black Chef , celebrated on Top Chef , and most recently, reimagined on the latest season of Netflix Chef's Table…
- 124. Andrew Wong: Our Chinese Restaurant
Our next guest is Chef Andrew Wong — chef, anthropologist, and cultural historian. Born in Britain and of Chinese heritage, Andrew's culinary journey is a compelling blend of personal legacy and academic curiosity. It all began in 1985 whe…
- 123. Hot Spot: Fariyal Abdullahi of Hav & Mar
Our next guest truly embodies joy—a sentiment beautifully reflected in the meaning of her name within her culture. Chef Fariyal Abdullahi is a multifaceted talent: an accomplished chef, entrepreneur, television personality, and the Executi…
- 122. Ryan Cole of Salsify at the Roadhouse
In this special episode of On The Pass , we're joined by Chef Ryan Cole, the visionary chef and co-owner of Salsify at The Roundhouse in Cape Town, South Africa. Recently recognized by 50 Best Discovery and acclaimed for its innovative app…
- 121. Laurent Gardinier: Leading Relais & Châteaux
Many of my most unforgettable hospitality and culinary experiences have been meaningful not just because of their quality, creativity, or service, but because they fostered a deeper connection to the local culture, people, and traditions.…
- Effects Of Change Ep. 6: Fawn Weaver + Series Round Up
In Episode 6 of Effects of Change, Jamila and Gabriel sit down with Fawn Weaver, entrepreneur, author, and spirits mogul, CEO of Grant Sidney Inc. and owner of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. They discuss leading as your authentic self. Jam…
- Effects Of Change Ep. 5: Clare Reichenbach + Tim Brooke-Web
In Episode 5 of Effects of Change, Jamila and Gabriel sit down with Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, and Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, Bars, and Hotels platform. They discuss aw…
- Effects Of Change Ep. 4: Melina Shannon-DiPietro + Juliane Caillouette Noble
In Episode 4 of Effects of Change , Jamila and Gabriel sit down with Melina Shannon-DiPietro, Managing Director of MAD, the nonprofit founded by chef René Redzepi of restaurant Noma, and Juliane Caillouette Noble, Managing Director of the…
- Effects Of Change Ep. 3: Daniel Humm + Elena Reygadas
In Episode 3 of Effects of Change, Jamila and Gabriel sit down with Daniel Humm, chef and owner of the iconic New York fine-dining establishment Eleven Madison Park, and Elena Reygadas, The World's Best Female Chef 2023 and chef-owner of R…
- Effects Of Change Ep. 2: Sean Sherman + Rupa Bhattacharya
In Episode 2 of Effects of Change, Jamila and Gabriel sit down with Sean Sherman—award-winning chef, educator, author, and activist—and Rupa Bhattacharya, Executive Director of the Strategic Initiatives Group at The Culinary Institute of A…
- Effects Of Change Ep. 1: Jamila Robinson + Gabriel Ornelas
Jamila and Gabriel kick off this series opener by introducing Effects of Change, a Bon Appétit and On The Pass original six-part series. The series explores progress and features intimate conversations with some of the most influential cha…
- 120. Thomas McNaughton + Ryan Pollnow: Building Culture & Community
How do you build a great partnership? And how does that partnership foster a strong company culture—one that extends beyond your guests to include your entire team? Our next guests have mastered this balance, creating a thriving hospitalit…
- 119. Hot Spot: Murray Paterson of MURI
No matter where you are in the world, January is a time for reflection—a moment to consider how we've moved through the past and envision how we want to step into the future. January offers us a cultural and astrological milestone, the New…
- 118. Santiago Perez: A Celebration of Mexican Culture
At On The Pass we have a deep love for Mexican food—from the humble street taco to the artistry of fine dining. Mexican cuisine is vibrant, flavorful, and as colorful as the people, culture, and diverse landscapes it represents. It's hard…
- 117. Hot Spot: Guillaume Thomas + Andrew Weir of Martingale Cognac
Are you familiar with the three key tiers in Cognac production? These include the distillers, the grape growers, and those who age the eau-de-vie . In Cognac, it's quite uncommon for a single brand to oversee every aspect of the process—gr…
- 116. Debby Soo: OpenTable Reimagines Reservations
Our next guest is on a mission to support restaurants and reclaim market share in a sector her company helped revolutionize 26 years ago. Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, the pioneering platform for restaurant reservations, founded in 1998 in…
- 115. Mauro Colagreco: The Next Era for Chefs
Chef Mauro Colagreco has famously said, "We aren't a restaurant with a garden, we are a garden with a restaurant." He and his team are deeply committed to safeguarding the world's culinary heritage, particularly through the preservation of…
- 114. Hot Spot: Jon Yao + Ryan Bailey of Kato
On this episode of the Hot Spot series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Chef Jon Yao and Sommelier Ryan Bailey, co-owners of Kato, an Asian American restaurant that artfully explores the intersection of Los Angeles culture and the Asian dia…
- 113. David Leventhal: Living Playa Viva
In January 2023, Gabriel traveled to the southern Pacific Coast of Mexico, in the state of Guerrero, to experience Playa Viva, an eco-luxury and regenerative boutique hotel founded by our next guest, David Leventhal, and his then-wife shor…
- 112. High Tea: Clay Williams
On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Clay Williams, Brooklyn-based James Beard Award-winning photographer. Clay has been capturing and helping tell stories about food, hospitality, and the people and place…
- 111. High Tea: Adam Teeter
On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Adam Teeter, New York-based Co-founder and CEO of VinePair. Adam and Josh Malin Co-founded VinePair ten years ago and together they've grown the platform into the large…
- 110. Hot Spot: Ian Burrell + Aaisha Dadral of Equiano Rum
Our next guests are Ian Burrell and Aaisha Dadral, Co-founders of The Equiano Rum Company, creators of the world's first African and Caribbean rums. This pioneering venture not only celebrates the rich heritage of rum but also champions th…
- 109. High Tea: Matthew Kaner
On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Matthew Kaner, Los Angeles-based sommelier, wine educator, correspondent and consultant. Matthew is the wine correspondent for Men's Journal which garners 12,000,000 un…
- 108. High Tea: Rita Jammet
On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Rita Jammet, New York-based restaurateur, hospitality advisor and Founder of La Caravelle Champagne. Rita and her husband André owned and operated the iconic New York F…
- 107. Jhonatan Cano: Adventures Of A Gourmand
Our next guest bathes throughout the year in an energy of potential and is constantly on a journey of exploration and discovery. Meet Jhonatan Cano, restaurateur, travel enthusiast, and global citizen. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Jhonat…
- 106. High Tea: Bill Esparza
On this episode of the High Tea series, Bill Esparza, Los Angeles-based James Beard Award winning writer and author of LA Mexicano. Bill is a leading authority on Latin American cuisine as a freelance writer for publications such as New Yo…
- 105. High Tea: Esther Tseng
On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Esther Tseng, Los Angeles-based food, drinks and culture writer. Esther is an Academy Chair of the USA West region for The World's 50 Best Bars and has served as judge…
- 104. Daniel Johnnes: America's Pioneering Sommelier
Daniel Johnnes, truly needs no introduction. He is a luminary in the wine industry, renowned for his leadership and community-building efforts. As one of America's pioneering sommeliers—one of our forefathers in the field, if you will—Dani…
- 103. High Tea: Mike Jordan
On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Mike Jordan, Atlanta-based journalist and Senior Editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. As Senior Editor, Mike leads the media brand "UATL," which focuses on Black…
- 102. High Tea: Xanthe Clay
On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Xanthe Clay, UK-based chef and food writer with 25 years of experience as a Telegraph columnist. For the past 11 years Xanthe's been The World's 50 Best Restaurants Aca…
- 101. Hot Spot: Jordan Kahn of VESPERTINE
As the Beatles sang in their 1967 hit, "All You Need is Love," they weren't just referring to the love of another but also the love of oneself. Our next Hot Spot guest, Chef Jordan Kahn, is writing a new chapter in his career, focused on r…
- 100. High Tea: Cláudia de Brito
On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Cláudia de Brito, Dubai-based journalist, host, moderator and content creator. Born to Portuguese-Cape Verdean parents in Singapore, raised in Dubai and educated in Lon…
- 99. High Tea: Kayla Stewart
On this episode of the High Tea series, Gabriel Ornelas sits down with Kayla Stewart, Houston-and-NY-based food and travel journalist, cookbook author and Editor of Eater Houston. Kayla's work has been featured in The New York Times, The W…