Rachel is the founder and pastry chef behind the beloved Charlottesville, VA bakery Cou cou Rachou, and if you’ve ever seen one of her cakes or pastries online, you already know she’s wildly talented. But beyond that, she’s thoughtful, warm, creative, and has one of those stories that just makes so much sense on how she got where she is once you hear it.

In this episode, we talk about growing up in an incredibly artistic family in Charlottesville, and how creativity was woven into every part of her childhood. We get into her decision to pursue pastry, studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris at just 20 years old, working at the legendary Inn at Little Washington and Petit Trois in Los Angeles, and eventually returning home to open her own bakery. We also talk about comparison, creativity, family, Julia Child, café culture, and the beauty of building something that truly feels like you.

Bryan is a father, husband, chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, TV personality, and even a licensed pilot. You may know him from Top Chef, Tournament of Champions, and 24 in 24. He’s an incredible chef, a highly respected restaurateur, and someone who’s competed at the highest level more times than he can count. In this episode, we talk about what it was like growing up as the oldest of three, and how that competitive drive started early; first in sports, then in the kitchen. We get into his journey from working in a hotel kitchen as a teenager to building his own restaurants, and what it really feels like to compete on shows like Tournament of Champions, the pressure, the nerves, and everything you don’t see at home. And of course, we talk about his brother, Michael Voltaggio—from growing up together, to competing against each other, to becoming business partners—and how they’ve ultimately become the dream team. We also get into how he really feels about his competition storyline: always the bridesmaid, never the bride…

On this special Q&A episode of Table 5, host Lindsay Luttrell turns the mic around and answers questions straight from the listeners. With a close friend and frequent Table 5 collaborator taking over as guest host, Lindsay is put in the hot seat, answering your questions with honesty, humor, and a few surprises along the way.

Danielle is a wife, a soon-to-be first-time mom, a baker, entrepreneur, TV personality, and the author of the forthcoming cookbook The Scone Queen Bakes. You may know her from HBO’s The Big Brunch, or maybe you’ve already had her baked goods at iconic cafés like Joe Coffee or Bluestone Lane.

In this episode, we talk about Danielle growing up on Long Island in a big Italian family where food was everything, and how baking with her grandmother helped spark her love of the kitchen. She shares the story of the scone recipe she created at just 13 years old—one she still uses today. We also get into the moment she was unexpectedly let go from her job and how that hustle and leap of faith eventually turned into a full-scale bakery, plus what it was like building that business during the pandemic and why scones ultimately became her signature. And of course, we talk about her experience competing on HBO Max’s The Big Brunch, her upcoming cookbook, and some really sweet stories about the family traditions that shaped her love of baking in the first place.

Lee Anne is a wife, mother, chef, restaurateur, culinary competitor and TV personality. You may know her from Top Chef, Iron Chef America or Tournament of champions. In this episode, we discuss her experiences as a restaurant owner in Hawaii, the impact of community resilience following the devastating fires, the importance of mental health in the culinary industry, and her personal journey of growth. She delves into her family life, cultural influences, and the joys of traveling with her son. She shares her journey from being a straight-A student and athlete to pursuing her passion for fashion and ultimately transitioning into the culinary arts. She reflects on her experiences on Top Chef, the challenges of culinary production, and the importance of community and friendships in the food industry.

Dale s is a father, husband, chef, restaurateur, Cookbook author and TV personality. You may know him from Top Chef, Tournament of Champions, or one of the many competition shows he’s appeared on over the years. In this episode, we talk about what it was like for him to watch himself back on Top Chef and realize he didn’t love the person he saw, and how therapy, time, and perspective helped him grow. We get into why he reads every comment (yes, even the hate), the myths people believe about food TV, and why he actually finds the whole thing pretty entertaining. He opens up about growing up Filipino American, still figuring out where he fits culturally, and how food, friendship, and hospitality have shaped his life. We get into what makes a great dinner party and the details that make people feel truly taken care of.