Not From Concentrate
A food podcast for busy brains from cook/writer/mom/ADHD-er Catherine Smart. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and neurodivergent food lovers. We talk personal and professional journeys, sparking creativity, calming chaos, and putting our attention where it matters most. Together, we find joy in (and out of) the kitchen.
Episodes
Song Exploder's Hrishikesh Hirway on Creative Breakthroughs, Home Cooking, and His New Album
What do a perfect cookie, your mom’s cooking, and a song you can’t stop listening to have in common?This week, I’m joined by musician Hrishikesh Hirway, creator of Song Exploder and co-host of Home Cooking with Samin Nosrat. We talk about the chole and puri he requested for every birthday, the mango pie mishap that inspired an ice cream collaboration with Salt & Straw, and why he once
From Olive Garden to a James Beard Award with Chef Evan Hennessey
What takes a cook from scrubbing chowder pots and working at Olive Garden to winning a James Beard Award? For chef Evan Hennessey, the path led through some of the country’s most acclaimed kitchens — and back home to Dover, New Hampshire.This week, I’m joined by the chef behind Stages at One Washington, The Living Room, and Topolino to talk about building a tiny tasting-menu restaurant in
What Makes a Recipe Work? With Recipe Tester Laura Manzano
What makes a recipe work — and when is an extra step actually worth the effort?This week, I’m joined by Laura Manzano, the recipe tester behind my forthcoming cookbook, Not From Concentrate. Laura grew up working in her dad’s restaurants, honed her skills in the Martha Stewart test kitchens, and built a freelance career helping cookbook authors make their recipes clearer, more reliable, a
A Hamptons Private Chef’s Secrets to Easier Dinners with Robyn Henderson
What does a private chef cook when she’s tired, her family needs dinner, and nobody wants leftovers? Something simpler than you might think.Hamptons private chef Robyn Henderson joins Catherine Smart to talk about cooking delicious food without making every meal a production. From sheet-pan dinners at home to family-style spreads for clients, Robyn shares why seasonal ingredients, simple
Big Flavor and Bold Living with Claudette Zepeda
What makes dinner taste like it’s been cooking all day when you absolutely do not have all day? Chef Claudette Zepeda has a pantry full of answers—and zero shame about canned beans.This week, Catherine welcomes the chef and author of Cooking the Borderlands for a conversation about big flavor, creative freedom, and feeding a family when you’re stretched thin. Claudette shares how growing
Overcome Garden Overwhelm with Jess Zander of You Can Do It Gardening
Feeling overwhelmed by your garden? Garden coach Jess Zander of You Can Do It Gardening joins Catherine to make the whole thing feel more manageable—and much more fun.Jess explains how to prioritize garden projects, tackle invasive plants before they spread, choose native plants without becoming dogmatic, and make smart decisions about where and what to plant. She also shares why buying s
Grill Time and Letting Go of the Perfect Family Dinner with Noah Galuten
What if the best thing you could bring to family dinner wasn’t a perfectly cooked meal, but a better mood?Chef, cookbook author, and TV host Noah Galuten joins Catherine to talk about his new cookbook, Grill Time!, and why the grill deserves a place in your weeknight cooking routine. They discuss shopping according to what’s on sale, salting chicken or steak now and figuring out dinner la
Back-to-School Lunches, Sheet-Pan Dinners, and Finding Joy in the Kitchen with Hillary Dixler Canavan
Back-to-School Lunches, Sheet-Pan Dinners, and Finding Joy in the Kitchen with Hillary Dixler CanavanHillary Dixler Canavan returns to Not From Concentrate as the show’s first repeat guest! Nearly one year after her first appearance, Hillary joins Catherine for a timely conversation about feeding our families, and ourselves, during the back-to-school rush.They talk about letting go of pic
Building a Better Local Food System with Erin Baumgartner
What does it actually take to make local food more accessible, sustainable, and financially viable for the people who produce it?Catherine talks with Erin Baumgartner, founder of Family Dinner, a farmers market delivery service that grew from bringing groceries to seven friends out of Erin’s Somerville apartment to serving 120 Massachusetts communities. Erin explains how Family Dinner use
The Radical Act Of Cooking at Home with Trinity Mouzon Wofford
What if the answer to feeling too busy isn’t making everything faster, but choosing one place to slow down?Trinity Mouzon Wofford, founder of Golde and author of Eating at Home, joins Catherine to make the case for protecting mealtime in a culture built around convenience. They talk about taking a real lunch break, shopping at the farmers market and why it's work soaking your own beans. T
How to Turn a Busy Brain Into a Creative Advantage with Chef Will Gilson
What happens when the brain that fuels your ambition and creativity is also the one constantly pulling you in twelve directions?Chef and restaurateur Will Gilson, whose Cambridge Street Hospitality Group now includes eight concepts, talks with Catherine about thriving under pressure, self-sabotaging deadlines, and why the chaos of a restaurant kitchen can feel strangely comfortable to an
How Cooking Builds Executive Functions with Sophie Mortner
What if learning to cook could help us get better at starting tasks, managing time, working through frustration, and asking for help?Sophie Mortner is an educator, learning designer, executive functioning coach, and the creator of Nibblings, a collection of recipes designed to help kids cook independently. She joins Catherine to explain why the kitchen is such a powerful place to build sk
ADHD, Masking, and Letting Your Guard Down
In this solo episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart shares a personal essay about ADHD masking, embarrassment, and the effort of trying to seem easygoing, capable, and “normal.”She reflects on how sensitivity, people-pleasing, and a strong social radar can be exhausting—but can also make us thoughtful friends, generous hosts, and deeply caring people.This is a personal reflectio
Ham El-Waylly on Home Cooking, 90s Nostalgia, and Harnessing ADHD Powers in the Kitchen
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with chef and cookbook author Ham El-Waylly about the surprising journey that led him from fine dining back to the food that first shaped him.Raised between Egyptian, Bolivian, and Qatari cultures before building a career in New York restaurants, Ham shares how the sudden loss of his mother caused him to distance himself from
Courtney E. Smith on Ravenous and the Future of Independent Food Media
Courtney E. Smith joins Catherine Smart to talk about Ravenous, the new worker-owned food and culture publication founded by former Eater writers after a layoff.Courtney shares how the team built an independent media company from scratch, why they’re choosing subscriber support over VC money and branded content, and what it means to cover food, labor, restaurants, and culture with stronge
Bow Market, Small Business, and Building Community with Zachary Baum
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with Zachary Baum, co-owner of Bow Market in Somerville, about what it takes to build a place where small businesses can take root.They discuss how Bow Market transformed from an old carport into a vibrant courtyard of independent food, retail, art, and service businesses; why a true sense of place cannot simply be scaled or r
Wedding Cakes and Finding Joy in the Kitchen with Freelance Baker Mackenzie Innis
This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with freelance baker Mackenzie Innis about the artistry, logistics, and emotional weight behind her beautiful seasonal cakes.Mackenzie shares how she moved from fine dining pastry kitchens to building Ceres, a freelance baking business rooted in local ingredients, florals, seasonality, and deeply personal celebrations. She talks abo
SingleThread, Food Waste, and the Future of Farm to Table
This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with Alex Fuentes, Head Chef of Special Projects at SingleThread Farm–Restaurant–Inn in Healdsburg, California.SingleThread is known for its three-Michelin-starred restaurant, five-room inn, and deeply integrated farm led by Kyle and Katina Connaughton. But this conversation goes beyond the fantasy of wine country fine dining. Cathe
Jerrelle Guy on Burnout, Creativity, and Finding Magic in Everyday Meals
This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with cookbook author, photographer, and artist Jerrelle Guy to talk about her beautiful new cookbook, We Fancy.Jerrelle first burst onto the food scene with her acclaimed debut cookbook, Black Girl Baking, but success came with a cost. In this conversation, she shares how burnout, creative pressure, and the constant pursuit of “
Food Budgeting for Busy Brains with Meghan Splawn
Food writer, recipe developer, and longtime meal-planning expert Meghan Splawn joins Catherine Smart to talk about the emotional, practical, and very real work of getting a food budget under control.After realizing her family had spent more than $32,000 in a year on groceries, dining out, coffee, Costco runs, and food in general, Meghan began publicly documenting her effort to cut that sp
You Can Cook Indian Food at Home with Heartland Masala
When Indian food is on the menu at Catherine Smart’s house, it usually means ordering dosa, saag paneer, and cauliflower Manchurian from a favorite local spot. But why do so many of us love eating Indian food while feeling intimidated to cook it at home?This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine is joined by Auyon and Jyoti Mukharji, the son-mother duo behind Heartland Masala, for a war
Veg Forward Local Hawai'i Food with Alana Kysar
This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with cookbook author, photographer, and recipe developer Alana Kysar about the rich, comforting world of local Hawaii food — and how she transformed some of Hawaii’s most beloved flavors into vegetable-forward recipes in her new cookbook, Aloha Veggies.Catherine and Alana dive into the cultural influences that shape Hawaii’s culinar
Chef Spencer Horovitz on ADHD, Finding Calm in the Kitchen & California-Jewish Cuisine
This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine sits down with chef Spencer Horovitz , a 2025 James Beard semifinalist and the founder of Hadeem, a beloved California-Jewish Cuisine concept that's been popping up in San Francisco. But this episode goes far beyond food.Spencer speaks candidly about living and working with ADHD in the high-pressure world of professional kitchens: the burnout,
Food, Bravery, and Hope in Ukraine, with Felicity Spector
In this episode, Catherine sits down with journalist and author of Bread and War Felicity Spector to talk about the role of food in one of the most difficult places on earth right now: war-torn Ukraine.Since 2022, Felicity has been traveling to Ukraine to support grassroots food initiatives—from mobile bakeries feeding frontline communities to chefs creating restaurant-quality meals for s
Following the Silk Roads: Anna Ansari on Identity, Trade, and the Flavors That Connect Us
This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with cookbook author and food writer Anna Ansari, whose new book, Silk Roads, explores the rich, interconnected cuisines stretching from East Asia to the Middle East.Anna’s path to food writing was anything but linear. She started as an international trade and customs attorney in New York before moving to the UK and finding her way
Building a Creative Career with Food Photographer Nina Gallant
In this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with food photographer Nina Gallant about what actually goes into building a beautiful food image — from lighting and composition to creative direction, storytelling, and the invisible work behind every shot.Nina pulls back the curtain on the world of food photography: what a food photographer really does beyond taking beautif
Ashley Moore on ADHD, Food Styling & Thriving at America’s Test Kitchen
In this week’s episode, Catherine chats with Ashley Moore, food stylist and senior editor at America’s Test Kitchen, about building a creative career with ADHD—and why the way your brain works might actually be your biggest advantage.Ashley takes us behind the scenes of life at ATK, from fast-paced photo shoots to the precision and organization required to make every recipe (and image) ju
Baking Bread + Breaking into the Food World with Great American Baking Show Winner Martin Sorge
This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with baker, cookbook author, bread connoisseur, and Great American Baking Show winner Martin Sorge.Growing up in the Midwest, Martin learned how to find the best sweet corn at farm stands from his mom: by peeling back the husk and taking a bite right from the ear. Even with a food-rich upbringing, his path did not lead straight to a
Learn to Be a Better Home Cook + Writer with Sheryl Julian
This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with her longtime mentor Sheryl Julian — her former professor in Boston University’s Gastronomy Program and her editor at The Boston Globe.Like any great editor, Sheryl is not shy with a red pen. She and Catherine talk about what it takes to give useful feedback, how writers actually get better, and why becoming a remarkable wri
Cheese 101 with Madame Fromage
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Tenaya Darlington (aka Madame Fromage) shares her cheese journey — from working at a community newspaper in Wisconsin, teaching university English in Philadelphia, to becoming a cheese educator, blogger, and cookbook author. From Belgium to France to Switzerland, Tenaya discusses her cheese-centered travel and how they’ve formed her love and passio
Small-Batch Bread for Busy Brains: Rebecca Eisenberg on Baking + ADHD-Proofing the Kitchen
Today we talk with Rebecca Eisenberg, content creator author of the Practical Kitchen blog, and the forthcoming “Small-Batch Breads” cookbook. In addition being a baker, Rebecca is an ADHDer and she shares strategies for thriving in the kitchen and managing her busy brain.Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creativ
How to Get a Cookbook Deal: Literary Agent Sally Ekus on Pitching, Publishing & Food Media
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Sally Ekus shares her journey from growing up in a culinary publicity household to becoming a successful literary agent herself, despite studying social work during college. Sally talks about how getting into improv comedy has helped to shape her professional life as a publisher, particularly in redefining her relationship with fear and failure. As
Bake Better Cookies with Mallory Oniki of The Palatable Life/Cookie Club Cookbook
Bake the cookies that make people ask for the recipe.On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with creator Mallory Oniki of The Palatable Life and author of The Cookie Club Cookbook to talk about the cookies that shaped our childhoods, the science behind better baking, and why homemade cookies have a way of bringing people together.From nostalgic grocery store su
Zoë Komarin Wants You to Get Loose in the Kitchen
What if cooking felt less like a performance and more like play? In this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with chef, pop-up creator, and food writer Zoë Komarin to talk about finding more joy, curiosity, and ease in the kitchen.Zoë shares how letting go of perfection can make cooking more creative, why mistakes often lead to the best meals, and the mindset shifts
Aaron Cohen of Gracie's Ice Cream: Community, Creativity & Small Business Marketing
Building a community starts with being willing to make the ask.On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with Aaron Cohen, owner of Gracie’s Ice Cream, musician, event organizer, and longtime community builder, to talk about creativity, entrepreneurship, and why the strongest communities are built by people who show up.Aaron shares lessons from launching businesse
How a Private Chef and Culinary Creator Preps, Hosts, and Stays Organized in the Kitchen
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart talks with Clare Langan about her wide-ranging career in food — from working as a private chef to producing culinary content behind the scenes.Clare shares what it really takes to create beautiful, functional food experiences, whether she’s cooking for clients, producing a shoot, hosting a dinner party, or collaborating on a cookboo
Snacking Dinners with Georgia Freedman
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Georgia Freedman about her new cookbook, 'Snacking Dinners.' They discuss the evolution of cooking styles, the importance of pantry essentials, and the creative process behind developing recipes that cater to both personal and family needs. n this conversation, Georgia shares her insights on the evolving landscape of cook
Serving Up Queer Joy with Cookbook Author Justin Burke
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews queer and nonbinary pastry chef Justin Burke, who discusses his book “Potluck Desserts,” which aims to celebrate the queer and trans community through the lens of food. The discussion explores the significance of potlucks in queer history, personal stories of community building, and the intersection of food, identity, and
Quitting Corporate Life to Build a Caribbean Food Brand: Kamaal Jarrett of Hillside Harvest
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Kamaal Jarrett, founder of Hillside Harvest island-inspired sauces, who shares his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship in the food industry. He discusses the challenges and joys of launching a Caribbean-inspired sauce brand, the importance of representing diverse Caribbean flavors, and the personal experiences
Vivian Howard on Food Media, Building Kitchen Curious, and Working with ADHD
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Vivian Howard, who discusses her journey in the food media industry, as well as how her new show “Kitchen Curious” came to be. She shares her struggles with relaxation, the innovative concept of one of her newest projects Viv’s Fridge, and her vision for the future of food media. In this engaging conversation, Vivian shar
Science-Backed Nutrition for Food Lovers: Blood Sugar, Fiber, and Protein Explained
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Registered Dietician Skylar Griggs, to discuss nutrition, diet, and health. They explore the challenges of maintaining a balanced diet amidst food noise and social media trends, focusing on practical tips for those with ADHD and busy lifestyles. Skylar shares tips on how those with ADHD can navigate nutrition, emphasizing
Turning ADHD Overwhelm into Daily Wins with Ammaar Khan and Esteban Perez Mendoza
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Ammaar Khan and Esteban Perez Mendoza, the co-founders of The ADHD Weasel, who discuss their journey creating a platform that addresses food overwhelm for individuals with ADHD. They share insights on the challenges faced by the ADHD community in meal planning and cooking, emphasizing the importance of flexible meal plann
Food for Busy Brains: A Community for Food Lovers with ADHD
This episode introduces Not From Concentrate: a community for food lovers with ADHD. Creator Catherine Smart shares her journey as a chef, writer, and entrepreneur living with ADHD. She discusses her new project, Not From Concentrate, which includes a podcast, Substack newsletter, and a cookbook aimed at helping food lovers with busy brains. Catherine reflects on her experiences with ADHD
Gorgeous Galettes and Chic Budget Meals with Rebecca Firkser
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Rebecca Firkser, editor, writer, recipe tester, author of the Substack newsletter “Nickel & Dine,” and of the cookbook “Galette!” Rebecca takes listeners on her “food media origin story,” explaining how she entered food media and became a galette expert. She goes on a deep dive into the world of galettes and tips on h
Holiday Gifts for Food Lovers with Ariel Kanter
On this episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews gift guide creator and food lover Ariel Kanter. Ariel shares how her Substack “Rel’s Recs” got started, and how it evolved into a platform for sharing thoughtful gift recommendations and gift guides, particularly in the realm of food. The discussion also goes into the challenges of navigating overwhelming gift guides, tip
Hosting the Perfect Party with Colu Henry and Alexis deBoschnek
On the third episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews cookbook authors Colu Henry and Alexis deBoschnek, where they discuss the art of the dinner party, and what it takes to host an enjoyable and delicious gathering. Their conversation delves into how to overcome the fear of hosting, the benefits of delegating cooking tasks, and the significance of knowing what brings y
Parents Deserve to Enjoy Dinner Too, with Hillary Dixler Canavan
On the second episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Hillary Dixler Canavan, who shares her journey from working in some of NYC’s biggest restaurants to becoming a national editor Eater to launching her own Substack newsletter called “What Are We Having?”. They discuss the challenges of balancing family meals and the importance of a ritual she call calls “Adult Dinner
Milk Street's Rose Hattabaugh Is The Mom Friend You Need This Thanksgiving
On the first episode of Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart interviews Rose Hattabaugh, a recipe developer and tester at Christopher Kimball's Milk Street. They discuss Rose's journey from being a stay-at-home mom to a culinary professional, sharing insights on balancing motherhood with a career in food media. The conversation delves into Thanksgiving preparations, tips for cooking, and
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