Podcast
Right at the Fork
Hosted by RATF · EN
Think Portland, Oregon is all VooDoo Doughnuts and "put an egg on it?" One of Portland's most prominent "food sherpas" and Portland Food Adventures' founder Chris Angelus along with co-host Cort Johnson invite the region's most prominent and up-and-coming tastemakers to pull up a chair and talk about the craft of food & beverage in their own words. This is "Right at the Fork."
30episodes
Episodes
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#457 James Malarkey - The Malarkey and Hawkeye & Huckleberry
2w ago01:33:53Tap to summarizeA fun interview, James Malarkey joins Chris to discuss his family history from his great grandfather's lumber company beginnings, which led to Portland's Malarkey Roofing, to now, the opening of The Malarkey in the former Oba! space in the heart of Portland's Pearl District. James talks about his celebrity-chef brother's culinary journey. which has its roots planted in culinary school in Portland. From there to San Diego, with a bevy of restaurants, to Bend, when James began partnering with his brother and now The Malarkey, opening the last day of July, 2026. James also brings us through the chronology of events in Portland that led to opening this quite large undertaking—a 285-seat restaurant in the midst of a very competitive and vast restaurant city—including the hiring of former Republica chef Lalo Camarena. James also shares some of the details that will play to the Portland theme of the restaurant. We also talk about another venture of James', Portable Dwelling Company and how he's building that. Host Chris and James are connected through James' mother-in-law, who is also Chris' girlfriend. :-) (This connection happened outside of Chris' involvement in the food world, and it's also touched on here.) James has led quite an interesting life. You'll get a taste of that here. web: themalarkeypdx.com Insta: @themalarkeypdx Right at the Fork is made possible by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com
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#456 David Sigal - Gabbiano's & James Beard Public Market
3w ago01:27:25Tap to summarizeGabbiano's and Gabby's David Sigel takes some time to share his journey from studying Chinese history at Lewis and Clark, and then his experience working at a club in Beijing. After his eyes opened to the food scene with visits to places like Clyde Common and Olympic Provisions, he was drawn bac to working at and opening restaurants in Portland. We talk about what's changing in restaurant economics, including a shift from cocktails. Since David is on the Board of the James Beard Public market, he shares his enthusiasm and some details about what's exciting about that project, and how it may revitalize the downtown area. gabbianospdx.com @gabbianospdx jamesbeardpublicmarket.com Right at the Fork is made possible by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com
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#455 Carrie Welch - Where is she now? Professor | formerly of Little Green Pickle and Feast Portland
Jul 1001:37:53Tap to summarizeA blast from the past! Carrie Welch—former owner and operator of the PR firm Little Green Pickle and co-founder of Portland's world-class food festival, Feast Portland—joins us from Camillus, New York, to talk about her new career in academia. After leaving Portland when COVID-19 hit and closing her businesses, Carrie is now an adjunct professor at Syracuse University. In this episode, she discusses her early thoughts about becoming a teacher, and now living out that dream with her wife Jannie and two children outside of Syracuse, and what she misses most about the Portland food scene. We also dive into what she's teaching at Syracuse and her take on the current state of social media and AI. There's pizza, lobster rolls and a good dose of media to hear about. https://www.carrietwelch.com/ @Carriewelchlikethegrapejuice https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXXV8N7P?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Right at the Fork is made possible by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com
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ENCORE - #454 Richard Matusow - Carioca Bowls
Jul 201:05:55Tap to summarizeWe welcome Richard Matusow to the podcast to talk about his eye-opening journey to Rio de Janiero at the turn of the century, where he discovered the wonders of the superfood açai. That led to a new career. On his way to opening Carioca Bowls in Portland, he learned what he could about a açai, working for a premier company in the industry. Now, Carioca Bowls on Alberta, has a loyal following of healthy customers. Richard also fills us in on the celebration of his 11th year in business with a big party at the restaurant on June 28th. A week later, Carioca Bowls and Richard participate in the Portland Waterfront BluesFestival. Richard fills us in on some of the particulars for the Festival taking place July 2-4. Richard also shares some of his favorite Alberta haunts, and others in the area. www.cariocabowls.com @cariocabowls waterfrontbluesfest.com @waterfrontblues Right at the Fork is made possible by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com
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#454 Richard Matusow - Carioca Bowls
Jun 2601:11:25Tap to summarizeWe welcome Richard Matusow to the podcast to talk about his eye-opening journey to Rio de Janiero at the turn of the century, where he discovered the wonders of the superfood açai. That led to a new career. On his way to opening Carioca Bowls in Portland, he learned what he could about a açai, working for a premier company in the industry. Now, Carioca Bowls on Alberta, has a loyal following of healthy customers. Richard also fills us in on the celebration of his 11th year in business with a big party at the restaurant on June 28th. A week later, Carioca Bowls and Richard participate in the Portland Waterfront BluesFestival. Richard fills us in on some of the particulars for the Festival taking place July 2-4. Richard also shares some of his favorite Alberta haunts, and others in the area. www.cariocabowls.com @cariocabowls waterfrontbluesfest.com @waterfrontblues Right at the Fork is made possible by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com
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#453 - @GarytheFoodie and Portland's 2026 James Beard Award Winners
Jun 1901:00:08Tap to summarizeRight at the Fork is made possible by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com Friend of the podcast Gary Okazaki joins us once again to lend his thoughts about the current Portland (and elsewhere) James Beard Award winners. No one is better qualified to discuss this than Gary, especially since two of his favorites in Portland won, Ryan Roadhouse of Nodoguro for Best Chef Northwest / Pacific and Scotch Lodge got the nod for Best Bar in the USA. We talk about those two places and their proprietors and also how the JBF Awards have changed over the years. @thenodoguro @ryan.nodoguro @elena_roadhouse @scotchlodge Listen to our episode with Ryan from from Nodoguro here: https://rightatthefork.com/shows/2015/4/15/48-ryan-roadhouse-nodoguro Listen to our episode with Tim from Scotch Lodge here: https://rightatthefork.com/shows/2019/9/19/215-tim-artale-scotch-lodge
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#452 Piyanut (PJ) Sampaotong - Hua Hin
Jun 1201:13:55Tap to summarizeWe are joined by Piyanut of Hua Hin to discuss his journey toward opening and operating his fresh new Thai restaurant on Hawthorne Blvd. PJ talks about his mother's influence on his career, as well as some instances in Vancouver, BC that led to his professional growth. We enjoy a glimpse into the kitchen and Piyanut's philosophy for creating an atmosphere positive for both team members and guests. Instagram: Huahinpdx Right at the Fork is made possible by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com
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RATF Classic: #450 Jaco Smith - Lechon
Jun 501:24:19Tap to summarizeIt's an instant classic with Jaco Smith! Listen for details on how you can travel with Chef Jaco and Chris Angelus to South Africa. ORIGINAL EPISODE POST: In our first episode where we discuss the influence of Apartheid on a guest, Jaco Smith talks about his remarkable journey from South Africa, where his mother cooked for diplomats when he was a child, to cruise ships and high end hospitality in the USA deep south, to Portland and Lechon. If anyone is interested in going deeper into this podcast, why not travel with Jaco and have HIM take you to the places that mean so much to him? Yes, there's a trip with host Chris Angelus' Portland Food Adventures to Cape Town, the Winelands and even a safari in September of 2027 with Portland Food Adventures. Listen and discover insights on hospitality, food culture, and the exciting plans for a South African culinary adventure. And then consider a trip of a lifetime. https://www.lechonpdx.com Right at the Fork is made possible by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com
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#451 Gary Okazaki's Happy Hour Roundup
May 2200:51:04Tap to summarizeAt a time when budget dining is becoming less possible, Gary Okazaki (@garythefoodie) joins us once again to review his latest Happy Hour finds in Portland. As always, the conversation wafts into the unexpected and surely provides us with a list of places to try. We also talk about some Summer openings in Portland. Right at the Fork is made possible by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com
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#450 Jaco Smith - Lechon
May 1501:24:14Tap to summarizeIn our first episode where we discuss the influence of Apartheid on a guest, Jaco Smith talks about his remarkable journey from South Africa, where his mother cooked for diplomats when he was a child, to cruise ships and high end hospitality in the USA deep south, to Portland and Lechon. If anyone is interested in going deeper into this podcast, why not travel with Jaco and have HIM take you to the places that mean so much to him? Yes, there's a trip with host Chris Angelus' Portland Food Adventures to Cape Town, the Winelands and even a safari in September of 2027 with Portland Food Adventures. Listen and discover insights on hospitality, food culture, and the exciting plans for a South African culinary adventure. And then consider a trip of a lifetime. https://www.lechonpdx.com Right at the Fork is made possible by: Zupan's Markets: www.zupans.com RingSide SteakHouse: www.RingSideSteakhouse.com Portland Food Adventures: www.PortlandFoodAdventures.com
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