STIR-Cast

About STIR-Cast

Welcome to STIR-Cast — a podcast hosted by Rick Dodd, owner and executive chef of P.S. Restaurant Downtown, and Brian Egan, a passionate local food enthusiast. Each episode takes you behind the scenes of the Southern Tier’s most beloved restaurants through candid conversations with the chefs and owners who bring them to life.

Publisher

stirsoutherntier

Category

arts · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

3 Apr 2025

Latest episode

19 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Jun 2026

   Episode 18: Amanda O'Neil, Owner, Winederlust Wine Bar

   Rick & Brian sit down with Amanda O'Neil, owner of Winederlust Wine Bar in Downtown Binghamton, for a wide-ranging conversation about wine, wine making, and opening a new local establishment. Visit the STIR website

2. 

   12 Jun 2026

   Episode 17: Rose Castro, Executive Chef, 205 Dry

   Rick & Brian sit down with Rose Castro, executive chef at 205 Dry, for a wide-ranging conversation about inspiration and revamping a menu. Visit the STIR website

3. 

   24 Apr 2026

   Episode 16: Mike Morgan, Executive Chef, Culinary Judge

   Rick & Brian sit down with Mike Morgan, certified executive chef and culinary judge, for a wide-ranging conversation. Visit the STIR website

4. 

   6 Mar 2026

   Episode 15: Maria Montemagno, Professor/Chair, Hospitality Programs Department, SUNY Broome

   Rick & Brian sit down with Maria Montemagno, professor & chair of Hospitality Programs at SUNY Broome, to discuss collaborating with local restaurants to foster the next generation of local culinary talent. Visit the STIR website

5. 

   8 Feb 2026

   Episode 14: Patrick Blackman, Executive Chef, Pub 1844 at Trailside Inn

   Rick & Brian sit down with Patrick Blackman, Executive Chef at the newly reopened Trailside Inn, to talk all things southern cooking, family roots, and gritty hard work. Visit the STIR website

6. 

   25 Jan 2026

   Episode 13: Paul VanSavage, Cookbook Author, Spiedie Fest Co-Founder, Passionate Local Foodie

   Rick & Brian sit down with local legend Paul VanSavage, a passionate local amateur chef, cookbook author, Spiedie Fest Co-Founder, and STIR board member, for an in-depth conversation.

7. 

   6 Jan 2026

   Episode 12: Conner Harrington, Executive Chef, Remlik's Grille & Oyster Bar

   Executive Chef Conner Harrington discusses his culinary inspirations and experiences with Rick and Brian, focusing on steak and pork chops in this interview.

8. 

   6 Dec 2025

   Episode 11: Rachel Patinka, BOCES Culinary Arts Instructor

   Culinary Arts Instructor Rachel Patinka discusses with hosts Rick and Brian the crucial role of culinary education, highlighting its value for aspiring chefs in this interview.

9. 

   7 Nov 2025

   Episode 10: Jim Simons, Sales Consultant & Certified Wine Educator, Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits

   Jim Simons, Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits sales consultant and wine educator, discusses wine, bourbon, and food pairings with Rick and Brian in an interview.

10. 

    22 Oct 2025

    Episode 9: Rick & Sylvana Dodd, Owners, P.S. Restaurant Downtown, STIR Co-Founders

    Restaurant owners Rick Dodd and Sylvana Dodd discuss local restaurant history with Brian, highlighting the significance of family, food, and supporting local businesses in this interview.

11. 

    30 Sept 2025

    Episode 8: Colin Gaynor, Executive Chef, The Chestnut Inn at Oquaga Lake

    Executive Chef Colin Gaynor discusses his culinary journey and the reopening of The Chestnut Inn in an interview with Rick and Brian.

12. 

    5 Sept 2025

    Episode 7: Jay Pisculli, Partner, Executive Chef, Downtown by Chef Jay Pisculli

    Executive Chef Jay Pisculli shares insights on kitchen management and food trends with hosts Rick and Brian in this interview.

13. 

    1 Aug 2025

    Episode 6: Amarissa Scelsi, Veteran Local Chef, Soon-to-be Restaurant Owner

    Chef Amarissa Scelsi discusses her experience as a veteran local chef and her inspiration for opening a new pasta restaurant in an interview with Rick and Brian.

14. 

    11 Jul 2025

    Episode 5: Josh Crane, Executive Chef, McCoy's Chophouse

    Executive Chef Josh Crane discusses steak preparation, culinary creativity, and optimal wine pairings with hosts Rick and Brian in this interview.

15. 

    20 Jun 2025

    Episode 4: Brian O'Neil, Executive Chef, The River Bistro/The DoubleTree Hotel

    Executive Chef Brian O'Neil discusses cooking creatively for large events and his work at The River Bistro in an interview with Rick and Brian.

16. 

    6 Jun 2025

    Episode 3: Marc Yezzi, Co-Owner, The Kitchen Counter

    Marc Yezzi, co-owner of The Kitchen Counter, discusses transitioning from a food truck to a restaurant and perfecting the smash burger in this interview with Rick and Brian.

17. 

    2 May 2025

    Episode 2: Josh Lewis, Executive Chef, Lost Dog Cafe

    Chef Josh joins Rick and Brian for a fascinating conversation covering his education at CIA Hyde Park, being a Chopped runner-up, working with celebrity chefs in New York City, and his time at Lost Dog Cafe.

18. 

    3 Apr 2025

    Episode 1: Dan Polhamus, Owner/Operator, Food & Fire and Iron Agave

    From dishwasher to multi-restaurant owner, Dan Polhamus joins Rick and Brian to talk hard work, food trends, family, and the role of restaurants in our Southern Tier community.

Who has been a guest on STIR-Cast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Conner Harrington
• Rachel Patinka
• Jim Simons
• Rick Dodd
• Sylvana Dodd

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

1,334

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 21 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

4

Social presence

0

YouTube

65

Engagement

32

Contact STIR-Cast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.