Food & Beverage Episodes

Guests: Andy & Amy Szwejbka, Owners of Hidden Ships Distillery 2024 Topsail’s Top Choice Awards: - 1st Place - Favorite Craft Cocktails - 1st Place - Favorite Full Bar In this episode of Topsail Insider, we meet Andy and Amy Szwejbka, the husband-and-wife duo behind Hidden Ships Distillery. From their RV adventures across the U.S. to launching their Kickstarter-funded dream, they share their journey to creating a beautifully decorated, pre-prohibition-inspired cocktail lounge with award-winning...

SPECIAL EVENT: September 28th at 5:30pm - Reserve your seats today! An Evening in Coastal North Carolina, a Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner at Beach Shop & Grill in Topsail Beach, North Carolina What does it take to create a truly unforgettable culinary experience on the North Carolina coast? How about a little moonshine, pop rocks, hoop cheese, and pot liquor? The chefs at Beach Shop & Grill work their magic for an upcoming event with these ingredients and more from the local farms we kn...

Send Christa a Text and let her know if you enjoyed the episode! This is a fun episode folks! Join Christa for this lively and entertaining conversation with Chef Steve Christian and Surfer Cody Leutgens, the duo behind Shaka Taco. The pair, who have been friends since high school, share a series of hilarious and nostalgic stories that will keep you laughing. The conversation highlights their entrepreneurial journey, beginning with a modest investment of $5,000 each at the Surf City location sh...

Everyone LOVES Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar in Surf City - I’m super excited to share this episode with you! Beverly Simas joins me at the mic talking about their awesome steamed and raw Oysters and Clams, a delicious variety of Shrimp, their Shuckin’ Cocktails and Oyster Shooters, and menu items for the non-seafood lovers as well! We dive into how and where she and her husband, Jason Simas, fell in love with the oyster industry, what prompted them to consider opening an oyster bar, and how they l...

Join me for an interview with the owner of multiple businesses in the Greater Topsail area and Surf City’s Mayor Pro Tem, Jeremy Shugarts! He’s the owner of The Daily Grind and UnWINEd in Surf City, Thread FX and Shoreline Party Rentals in Hampstead, and is now putting a heavy focus on Shugarts Family Properties. Find out how he finds the balance between serving up great coffee and wine and serving the constituents of Surf City! The Daily Grind and UnWINEd Address: The Daily Grind Website: http...

Meet Jeff Peterson, the owner of… well, A LOT! You’ll hear about the restaurant he owns with his son, Chris, called Surf City Line, featuring their 'elevated' tacos and delicious margaritas. We’ll discuss his vacation rental management company, Turtle Shell Properties. And last but not least, there’s the super cute Island Inn motel just steps from the sand and surf. Jeff also explains how his family and fiancée help him manage the often elusive work/life balance. Enjoy! Surf City Line (910) 541...

Join me as I sit down with Ms. Rini Hermawan. She’s a young entrepreneur who transformed a vintage camper into a thriving mobile coffee shop - Restored Coffee - showcasing her hard work, innovation, and love for coffee. She faced challenges during the camper renovation, but the result is a unique, stylish coffee shop! Restored Coffee stands out with a delicious homemade coffee selection, from cortados to white kopis. Rini also caters to various events such as private gatherings, employee apprec...

Discover the inspiration that fuels the talented Chef Jordan Keen's creative menu at the fine dining establishment, Beach Shop and Grill in Topsail Beach, North Carolina! He shares his personal history with us from his early childhood and teen years cooking for his siblings in Chicago to winning the Wright Chef competition in Oklahoma just before Covid hit. I get the feeling the waters run deep with Chef Jordan Keen and this interview only scratches the surface. Enjoy! _______________________...