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US Culinary Open

@usculinaryopen

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Americas Premiere Culinarily Competition celebrating the chef and the industry that supports them.

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Two years ago, Black Lamb Chef Table existed only as a vision…. I refused to let go.

A vision to create something Corpus Christi has never experienced—an intimate chef’s table built around storytelling, discipline, uncompromising standards, and food worthy of the journey.

Now, with less than one month until the unveiling, that vision is finally taking physical form.

The room is coming alive. Every plate, light, sound, course, and service detail is being challenged and refined.

The final preparations are underway.

September 18 is not simply an opening date. It is the moment two years of sacrifice, setbacks, obsession, and relentless work finally meet the guest.

Black Lamb was never created to be just another restaurant. It was created to earn its place among the best—first in Corpus Christi, then in Texas, and eventually on a much larger stage.

This is only the beginning.

Will you be at the table?

Bookings are online at
www.blacklambcheftable.com #texasfinedining #corpuschristitexas #makesureitsrak #metrofoodservice #usculinaryopen

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Chef Nikolaos Kapernaros and Chef Marco Aurelio Ocampo are proud and excited to announce our upcoming participation in the U.S. Culinary Open Competition in Orlando, Florida! 🇺🇸👨‍🍳

We are honored to unite our talents and passion to create a unique culinary powerhouse, representing the Kapernaros Culinary Team with elegance, passion, creativity, and determination.

This is more than a competition—it is an opportunity to showcase our dedication, our cultures, our craft, and the love we put into every dish.

Together, we cook with purpose. Together, we represent with pride. Together, we rise.

❤️ “Feel our love in every bite of your food.”
— Kapernaros Culinary Team

Orlando, we’re coming! 🇺🇸🔥👨‍🍳

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Honored to announce my participation in the 2027 U.S. Culinary Open.
After 26 years of culinary excellence, from The Good Taste Series to Food Network & Chicago Gourmet, I continue pursuing culinary art with passion, humility, creativity, and deep respect for the craft.

@chefkapernaros Culinary 🫒

My Sous Chef for the competition will be @maocampo.28 , a young Culinarian enthusiast & colleague.

Sponsors & Organizations supporting the vision will be announced soon.

See you in Orlando, Florida

Never stop Dreaming

#chefkapernarosculinary #trusttheprocess #feelourloveineverybiteofyourfood #usculinaryopen #finedining

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Some events remind you why hospitality is unlike any other industry. This was an amazing experience -

We had the privilege of traveling to New Orleans to capture Bocuse d’Or Americas, held during the Louisiana Restaurant Association Show—going behind the scenes of one of the world’s most prestigious culinary competitions.

Throughout the week, we met and interviewed some of the biggest names in our industry, including Emeril Lagasse, Daniel Boulud, E.J. Lagasse, and many of the chefs, mentors, judges, and leaders dedicated to advancing the culinary profession. Their passion, humility, and commitment to excellence are what make events like this so special.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who welcomed Walk-In Talk Media and helped make this experience possible, especially New Orleans & Company, Marybeth Romig, Alice Franz Glenn, Mark Romig, Bragard , Chef Works, LOVE NOLA TV, Kal Landry, Jordan Fontenot, Glenn Haggerty, Keith Haggerty, Testo Saveris - North America, Aaron Sharpe, Eric Moore, Nicholas Barrington CEC ACE, Bocuse d’Or, and the Louisiana Restaurant Association.

We’re grateful for the access, the conversations, and the opportunity to help tell the stories of the people elevating hospitality every day.

From the industry, for the industry.

#BocuseDor #Hospitality #FoodMedia

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The dream is becoming real.

Black Lamb Chef Table’s first 12-course menu will be revealed soon, along with October reservations. Only 30 seats will be available.

Join the email list for the menu reveal and reservation alerts:

www.blacklambcheftable.com This Beautiful Production of Video is made possible by the Team @walkintalkshow Who are Hands Down the Best in Our Industry

#BlackLambChefTable #CorpusChristiDining #TastingMenu #ChefTable

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200 Episodes. One Community.

A few nights ago, more than 100 members of the hospitality industry came together to celebrate a milestone that means far more than a number.

What started in 2020 as a way to keep our industry connected has grown into a platform built around one simple belief:

Stories matter.

This night wasn’t about Episode 200. It was about the chefs, operators, manufacturers, distributors, farmers, creators, partners, and friends who made 200 episodes possible.

Thank you to everyone who has shared their story, opened a kitchen door, supported our work, attended an event, or believed in what we’re building.

Special thanks to The Tampa Club, Chef Thomas Mandzik, Alissa Costello, our incredible food and raffle partners, and everyone who helped make the evening unforgettable.

Most importantly, thank you to this community.

The best part isn’t that we’ve reached 200 episodes.

It’s knowing we’re just getting started.

Here’s to the next chapter.

— Carl Fiadini #foodmedia #foodpodcast #foodindustry

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By day three, the search has officially hit a wall.

The National Restaurant Association in Chicago keeps moving.
The river. The trains. The lights. The beautiful chaos of the NRA Show.
The interviews, the relationships, the nonstop movement across the city and the show floor.

And somehow… Pooch still doesn’t understand what the “energy” actually is.

At this point, it feels like everyone else already knows the answer except him. Even Carl’s trying to quietly point him in the right direction alongside our partners at Royal Cup, Inc.

The frustration is building.
The mystery’s still alive.

Does Pooch finally figure it out on day four? Stay dialed in ☕🎥

#FoodMedia #FoodIndustry #NationalRestaurantShow #RoyalCupCoffee

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The National Restaurant Association Show isn’t just about equipment, booths, or what’s new.
It’s about relationships.

The conversations in the aisles.
The people behind the brands.
The energy that keeps this industry moving long after the show floor closes.

Day two in Chicago was built around exactly that as Walk-In Talk Media continued the journey through the city and the National Restaurant Association Show alongside our partners at Royal Cup, Inc.

The funny part?
Pooch is still searching for the “energy,” while Carl quietly realizes the package may have been the answer all along.

#FoodMedia #FoodIndustry #Hospitality #RoyalCupCoffee #NRA

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Chicago during National Restaurant Association Show week feels like a film before the show floor even comes into focus.

The Chicago River cutting through the city.
The trains roaring overhead.
The glow of the marquee signs.
The cold steel and polished metal beneath the bridges reflecting every sound and shadow downtown. This is the kind of place that Walk-In Talk Media embodies.

Sean “Pooch” Rivera spent the day chasing “energy” through all of it, never realizing the package he’s been searching for may have been beside him the entire time with our partners at Royal Cup, Inc.

Day one ends with more questions than answers.
Cold brew has been keeping me moving…Follow along for the next three days of NRA Show recaps.

#FoodMedia #FoodIndustry #HospitalityMedia #RoyalCupCoffee #NationalRestaurantShow

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Passion, discipline, dedication
& respect to the Art
"Allow mother nature to be the artist"
@marcopierrewhit

🎶 by @metallica

trusttheprocess #chefkapernaros feelourloveineverybiteofyourfood greekchefs #respecttheart greekcuisine americancuisine chicago #chicagochefs #finedining chefstable healthyliving healthyfood healthylifestyle chefkapernarosculinary navypierchicago levyrestaurants WeAreLevy authenticlevy levyculturalattractions #yeschef pierlesshospitality culturalvenues

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Our relationship with Chef Freddy Money began at the US Culinary Open, where he won the inaugural cooking competition at the NAFEM Show. In this clip, Chef Fred reflects on his early journey and the moments that set everything in motion, long before Michelin stars and James Beard recognition entered the conversation. #foodmedia #michelin #jamesbeard

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Always great to get Holiday Gifts specially when it’s from @royalcup a partner of our with @usculinaryopen have a great holiday with a damn good cup of coffee.

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