Send us Fan Mail

This week’s episode explores reinvention, resilience, and listening to the pull you can’t ignore. We sit down with Matthew Chappina, the creative force behind Perla Oyster Bar in Maplewood, NJ.

After starting out in theater, Matt found his true calling in the kitchen—working through restaurants in Brooklyn and NYC before launching a sandwich concept that gained momentum, then stalled during COVID. Burnt out and ready to walk away, he followed a new instinct instead.

That instinct led to a pandemic pop-up oyster bar, a surprising hit that reignited his passion. In 2023, Matt took the leap and opened Perla, a space that reflects his winding path and creative vision.

This conversation dives into burnout, pivots, betting on yourself, and how the right idea often finds you when you’re finally ready to listen.

Follow Perla @eatperla

Recorded at Perla Oyster Bar Maplewood NJ

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more.

Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

Send us Fan Mail

This episode dives into the inspiring, sun-soaked story of Kiersten and Krista Gormeley, the sisters behind Shaka Kitchen in Hoboken and Morristown. Raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the Gormeley sisters didn’t follow a traditional path. School wasn’t where they thrived — but curiosity, grit, and a shared desire for something more always were.

Kiersten, the older sister, felt an early pull toward the culinary world and an even stronger itch to get out of New Jersey. That restlessness led the sisters to Hawaii, where they lived for six transformative months. What they found there wasn’t just beautiful food — it was a simpler, cleaner way of life rooted in community, intention, and joy. The people, the vibe, and the flavors deeply shaped their palates and their perspective, sparking the idea to build something together.

In 2016, with passion but zero restaurant experience, they opened the first Shaka Kitchen in Hoboken. They didn’t know the front end from the back end — and day one was such a wild success that they literally had to close for a few days just to regroup. Instead of backing down, they leaned in, learned fast, and powered through, creating something truly special.

Shaka Kitchen became more than a restaurant — it became a movement, channeling the Hawaiian way of life that brought the sisters peace, clarity, and purpose. Along the way, Kiersten validated her culinary chops by becoming a Food Network Chopped Champion, while both sisters continued growing the brand with heart and authenticity.

Now, as they enter a new chapter — building families while building their future — Kiersten and Krista know one thing for sure: they want to keep sharing the Shaka spirit and bringing that sense of joy, nourishment, and connection to more people, in whatever form comes next.

This is a story about trusting your gut, betting on each other, and building a life — and a business — that actually feels good.

Follow Shaka Kitchen @shakakitchen

Recorded at Shaka Kitchen Morristown NJ

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more.

Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!

Send a text

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Taliercio—the heart behind Taliercio’s, the iconic Middletown, NJ deli turned tri-state and beyond food destination.

Eric’s path wasn’t straightforward. Despite his father owning the deli since 1988, Eric grew up working everywhere except inside it. After college, he tried finance, only to find himself drained and unfulfilled.

Everything shifted when he finally joined the family business. His father made him start from the bottom, working seven days a week to learn the craft—and Eric fell in love with it.

Today, he’s transformed Taliercio’s into a social media powerhouse known for its massive, creative sandwiches and a team-first culture. Eric lives by “the we, not the I,” always shining the spotlight on the people who help make Taliercio’s what it is. Their online presence surged during COVID and hasn’t slowed since.

But beyond the viral fame and booming business, what stands out most is Eric’s genuine character—and the deep, meaningful relationship he’s built with his father by working side-by-side. Eric is one of the kindest, most grounded people I’ve had the chance to sit down with, and after hearing his story, you’ll understand exactly why the future of Taliercio’s looks brighter than ever.

Follow Taliercio's: @taliercios

Recorded at Taliercios Middletown, NJ

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow, leave a review and share it with a friend. And you can follow me @heidiblum_foodczar on instagram for more behind-the-scenes content, updates and more.

Got feedback or a question, I'd love to hear from you!