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 podcast, we’re joined by Michael Fricker, owner of Monstera Mezcaleria & Natural Wine Bar in Tower Grove. He shares how a neighborhood bottle shop rebranded into a true mezcaleria focused on traditional, producer-owned agave spirits, plus the recent renovation that transformed Monstera into a full cocktail bar with retail.
We dive into standout drinks like the Monstera cocktail with mango-coriander raicilla, the mole-inspired Monstera Negroni, and a new mezcal-and-soda pairing program. Mike also talks about New Society, his speakeasy-style bar with Meredith Barry of Platypus and Netflix’s Drink Masters, and previews Copita, a Mexican spirits festival coming September 21 with 40 brands and 200+ bottles to taste.
He also shares details on his upcoming Oaxaca project, Malcriado, and why St. Louis is quickly becoming a world-class bar city.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube, or listen on Spotify and all major podcast platforms. New episodes drop every Tuesday.
Disclaimer
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