The Sauce
Podcast Description
For over 25 years, Sauce Magazine has been the go-to guide for St. Louis’ best culinary experiences. Now, The Sauce podcast is back with a new host and a renewed mission: to take listeners behind the scenes with the incredible people shaping the local hospitality industry – from chefs and restaurateurs to brewers, bartenders, bakers and beyond.Hosted by Sauce Magazine’s executive editor Lauren Healey, who has spent her career honing her writing, editing and photography skills at various media outlets in the Midwest, the show blends insider stories with inspiration on where to eat and drink right now. Since joining Sauce in 2018, Lauren’s passion for St. Louis’ culinary scene has only deepened, fueling her pride in calling the city home and her drive to help you discover your next great meal.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on various aspects of the St. Louis culinary scene, including interviews with prominent chefs and restaurateurs, discussions on food culture, and tips for local dining. Episodes explore themes such as overcoming challenges in the hospitality industry and exploring the influences of heritage on culinary practices, with examples including conversations about restaurant management after natural disasters and personal anecdotes from local chefs.
For over 25 years, Sauce Magazine has been the go-to guide for St. Louis’ best culinary experiences. Now, The Sauce podcast is back with a new host and a renewed mission: to take listeners behind the scenes with the incredible people shaping the local hospitality industry – from chefs and restaurateurs to brewers, bartenders, bakers and beyond.
Hosted by Sauce Magazine’s executive editor Lauren Healey, who has spent her career honing her writing, editing and photography skills at various media outlets in the Midwest, the show blends insider stories with inspiration on where to eat and drink right now. Since joining Sauce in 2018, Lauren’s passion for St. Louis’ culinary scene has only deepened, fueling her pride in calling the city home and her drive to help you discover your next great meal.
On this week’s episode of The Sauce, host Lauren Healey sits down with owner Derek Deaver and director of operations Tara Byerley to talk about the growth of Three Kings Public House and its sister concept, Casa de Tres Reyes.
Derek shares his path from early days at Mike Duffy’s to opening Deaver’s in Florissant, then launching Three Kings on the Delmar Loop in 2011 and expanding across the region. Tara explains how strong hiring, training, and culture have powered the group’s consistency and success.
In this episode:
- The Three Kings timeline: Delmar Loop (2011), Des Peres (2014), South County (2017), STL Airport (2018)
- Why Casa de Tres Reyes launched in 2022 — and how chef partners shaped the menu
- Cross-utilizing kitchens (hello, smoked wings) while keeping each concept distinct
- Paying staff well, reducing turnover, and sharing takeout tips with the back of house
- Building a serious gluten-free program with dedicated fryers and strict protocols
- The upcoming Cottleville location — and why it’s expected to be a top performer
More highlights:
- Gluten-free wins: fried pickles, wings, buffalo chicken wrap — about 95% of the menu can be made GF
- STL Airport love: Three Kings has ranked nationally on USA Today’s 10Best Airport Bars (vote daily via the link on their site)
- Fan favorites: Smashburger, wings, poke bowl, chicken stir-fry
- Delmar fire in April 2023 and plans to return to the Loop when the right space is found
- Creating a better dining room vibe with a simple headphone policy
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📅 New episodes drop every Tuesday.
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