A podcast all about stories of the South, straight from the sources. Hosted by Kate Robertson, the Southern food & lifestyle blogger at athoughtandahalf.com. Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Episodes
Monday Sep 17, 2018
Monday Sep 17, 2018
For my 20th episode, I'm all kinds of excited to sit down with Chef Erik and Amanda Niel—restauranteurs, owners and operators of Easy Bistro & Bar, Main Street Meats and the Scenic City Supper Club. They share the origin stories of all three endeavors, and we talk about the importance of seasonality and the "local" phenomenon of the last 10 years.
Thanks so much for listening, y'all! Connect with us online, and don't forget to subscribe!
Easy Bistro: Facebook // Instagram // Website
Main Street Meats: Facebook // Instagram // Website
Scenic City Supper Club: Facebook // Instagram // Website
Erik on Instagram // Amanda on Instagram
Monday Sep 10, 2018
Monday Sep 10, 2018
My guest this week is Jesse Watlington, certified cheese professional and owner of the Bleu Fox Cheese Shop. He tells us how he landed in the world of specialty cheese and what led him to open his specialty cheese shop on Main Street in Chattanooga. We talk about the business of cheese, how he and his colleagues source their products, our favorite pairings, and football... because it's September in Tennessee, after all.
Thanks so much for listening! Learn more and follow us here:
Bleu Fox: Facebook // Instagram // Website
Tuesday Sep 04, 2018
Tuesday Sep 04, 2018
This week, I'm joined by Felipe Oliveira, striker for the Chattanooga Football Club. He talks about his beginnings playing futsal and soccer in his hometown in Brazil, how he first came to the Scenic City and why he decided to become a full-time Chattanoogan this summer. He shares what makes Chattanooga so special and why the 2018 CFC squad will be remembered as one of the best.
Thanks so much for listening! Connect with us on social:
Chattanooga FC: Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Website
Kate: Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Blog
The Nooga Belle: Facebook // Instagram
This episode was recorded at Cadence Coffee Co. - thanks for letting us hang out and record!
Monday Aug 27, 2018
Monday Aug 27, 2018
This week, I'm joined by Sarah Obenauer, founder and director of Make a Mark, a nonprofit that brings creatives and humanitarian organizations together to solve problems in their communities. Sarah tells us how she and her husband ended up in Chattanooga two years ago, and shares Make a Mark's origin story in Blacksburg, Va. We also bond over a shared love of brunch, mint juleps and Kroger.
I also introduce Sarah to the Southern specialty that is Cheerwine Punch. If you want to make it at home, it's a 1-to-1-to-1 ratio of Cheerwine, ginger ale and pineapple juice.
Thanks so much for listening, y'all! Here's where to follow us on social:
Make a Mark: Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Website
Monday Aug 20, 2018
Monday Aug 20, 2018
On this week's episode, I'm joined by singer/songwriter and fellow podcaster Heatherly, who's recently returned from a six-city tour and is about to release her new album, Behind That Beautiful Guard. Heatherly shares how she got her start with music, delves into the process of producing her first full-length album and shares stories from her recent tour across the south and midwest. She also tells us about how she ended up running a kickball league in her spare time.
Heatherly's album Behind That Beautiful Guard comes out August 26th. Look for it on Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you get your music.
Thanks so much for listening, y'all! Connect with us on social:
Heatherly: Facebook // Instagram // Website
Open Mic Spotlight: Facebook // Website
Kate: Facebook // Instagram // Blog
The Nooga Belle: Facebook // Instagram
Monday Aug 13, 2018
Monday Aug 13, 2018
This time, I sit down with Christine "Crunk" Nguyen, the lady behind Mama Crunk's Pies bakery, based here in Chattanooga. She tells us about her background in culinary school and the restaurant industry, how she ended up with a pie-baking business, her favorite flavor combos and more. She even dishes on her first store front location, the Common General, coming later this year! And most importantly, she teaches me what pho is—and I'll be trying it ASAP.
Thanks so much for listening, y'all! Let's get social:
Follow Mama Crunk's Pies on Facebook and Instagram @mamacrunkspies. Be sure to follow Common General on Facebook and Instagram, too, for updates on opening and events.
Follow Kate on Instagram @hellokaterobertson. The Nooga Belle is also on Facebook and Instagram. Check out Kate's blog, A Thought and a Half, too!
Friday Jul 06, 2018
Friday Jul 06, 2018
It's (almost) one of my favorite weeks of the year — Chattanooga Restaurant Week (July 9-15)! My friend Shawanda of Eat Drink Frolic has joined me again to discuss this year's Restaurant Week lineup and why we're so excited for Restaurant Week. We also talk about why Chattanooga Restaurant Week is a big deal and why you shouldn't miss it.
Thanks a bunch to Chattanooga Magazine for putting on Restaurant Week each year and giving us a reason to eat out. Y'all can check out the full lineup of participating restaurants here, and get a sneak peek at some of the special menus. Restaurant Week runs July 9-15, 2018.
Don't forget to follow Shawanda on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @eatdrinkfrolic.
Follow Kate on Instagram @hellokaterobertson and @thenoogabelle, and check out her blog, A Thought and a Half!
Monday Jul 02, 2018
Monday Jul 02, 2018
On this episode, local bartender and self-proclaimed "alcohol enthusiast" Toby Darling, aka The Gypsy Tippler, joins me to talk about all things craft cocktails, bartending and beverages. He tells us about his history in the food & beverage industry, in Chattanooga and beyond. He shares some of his best wisdom from bartending, why he loves what he does, and gives us some insight into DIY infusions and bitters.
Thanks so much for listening! Now let's get social:
Follow Toby's adventures on Instagram @thedarlinglife and @thegypsytippler. Be sure to check out his website for recipes, travel stories, events and more.
Follow Kate on Instagram @hellokaterobertson and Twitter @kate3robertson. The podcast is on Facebook and Instagram @thenoogalbelle, too!
Monday Jun 25, 2018
Monday Jun 25, 2018
In this episode, my dear friend Shelly Ayers—who y'all met in episode 02—is back with me and talking about all things baking! She's been working on some really sweet stuff since her last appearance on the show, including Simply Southern Confections cake-baking business and a cookbook.
Shelly peppers in some of her best baking tips and tricks, shares some of her favorite treats to bake, and explains why cakes are such special gifts for friends and family. And lastly, she tells us about the wildest thing she's ever created... and it was as crazy as it sounds.
Thanks so much for listening, y'all! Now let's get social:
Check out Simply Southern Confections on Facebook and Instagram. Stay tuned for the website launch later this summer! Follow Shelly on Instagram at @shellybelle9.
Follow Kate on Twitter @kate3robertson and Instagram @hellokaterobertson. The Nooga Belle is on Facebook and Instagram @thenoogabelle. Lastly, check out Kate's blog, A Thought and a Half.
Monday Jun 11, 2018
Monday Jun 11, 2018
In this episode, I'm joined by Tim Hinck: classically-trained musician, composer and wine enthusiast.
Tim takes us on his journey with music, from his very first piano teacher, to his graduate degree in The Netherlands and back to Chattanooga. He also tells us how his passion for wine led him to starting the Chattanooga Tasting Club and sharing his passion and knowledge with those around him. It's all in the name of making wine more approachable and opening up to new tastes.
And of course, Tim pours a couple of his favorite sips: a smooth Vermouth and a crisp Italian white wine. Check out pictures of these on Instagram @thenoogabelle!
Thanks so much for listening! Now let's get social:
Follow Tim on Facebook and Instagram @timhinck for updates on his concerts and events. Check out the Chattanooga Tasting Club on Facebook and Instagram @chatastingclub for more information on upcoming tastings, dinners and special events.
Check out Kate's blog A Thought and a Half, and follow her on Instagram @hellokaterobertson.