The Zest

Because it’s strange and beautiful and hot, people from everywhere converge on Florida and they bring their cuisine and their traditions with them. The Zest celebrates the intersection of food and communities in the Sunshine State.

The Zest is a arts podcast hosted by WUSF, with 334 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

WUSF hosts The Zest, a arts show with 334 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  The Zest

  Where Are They Now? Kanika Tomalin, Ph.D., Health Advocate and Cookbook Author

  Aug 13, 202612 minS13

  The Zest is nominated for Best Podcast. To vote, please click on this link , select "entertainment" and then select "podcast." Thanks in advance! This summer, The Zest Podcast is checking in with some past guests. In 2020, St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin released a cookbook called St. Pete Eats . Today she is the president and CEO of Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg . Tomalin, who holds a doctorate degree in law and policy, chatted with Dalia Colón in 2020. They caught up again in July of this year at her office in South St. Pete.

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  The Zest

  Hot Sauce Taste Test with Carlos' Consuming Fire (From The Bay Blend)

  Aug 6, 202611 minS13

  The Zest has been nominated for Best Podcast. Vote now! Today, let's listen in as our colleague Sky Lebron plays with fire. He sits down with Carlos Sanchez, the owner of Carlos' Consuming Fire hot sauce, to try some of his sauces. In this conversation from The Bay Blend, Carlos also discusses his passion for spice, what made him want to start his business, how he became partnered with multiple minor league ballparks and how business has boomed since he started in 2021. To see a video of the hot sauce taste test, click here .

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  The Zest

  Where Are They Now? Chef Marques Clark of YES CHEF Village

  Jul 30, 202613 minS13

  The Zest has been nominated for Best Podcast. Vote here! This summer, we're checking in with some past Zest guests. Marques Clark grew up in South St. Petersburg, in a neighborhood considered to be a food desert. He went on to study culinary arts and as an adult founded the nonprofit YES CHEF Village . Dalia first spoke with Chef Marques when he visited the WUSF studio in 2024. She caught up with him again in June 2026 and shared the updates with our colleague Matthew Peddie on Florida Matters Live & Local .

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  The Zest

  Car to Table: Meet Tampa's 'Hoodbachi God' (from The Bay Blend)

  Jul 23, 20265 minS13

  Rate and review The Zest wherever you're listening to this episode! Our colleague Sky Lebron introduces us to Steve Smith, a.k.a. the Hoodbachi God . Hear how Smith turns the trunk of his car into a hibachi dining experience . Thanks to our pals at The Bay Blend for sharing this conversation.

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  The Zest

  Robin Greenfield Is Foraging All of His Food for a Year (from The Bay Blend)

  Jul 16, 20265 minS13

  Rate and review The Zest wherever you're listening to this episode! Our colleague Gabriella Paul catches up with environmental activist and friend of the pod Robin Greenfield . Find out why he's once again sworn off grocery stores and what he's eating instead. Thanks to our pals at The Bay Blend for sharing this conversation. The feature is introduced by Susan Giles Wantuck.

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