Skip to Content
Talkhouse home
Talkhouse home
Podcast

167: Rita Sodi and Jody Williams

Today, we welcome Rita Sodi and Jody Williams on the show. They are the duo behind some of New York City’s favorite restaurants, including Buvette, the Commerce Inn, I Sodi, and Via Carota—“New York’s Most Perfect Restaurant,” according to the New Yorker. In this episode, we talk about the couple’s new cookbook, a tribute to the West Village’s Via Carota. We also find out how the restaurant stays fresh, what it’s like to expand a brand overseas, and some of their favorite recipes from regional Italy. It was so great getting to know two legends in the chef world. Also on the show, we catch up with Tara Schuster, author, playwright, and accomplished entertainment executive. Schuster served as VP of talent and development at Comedy Central, where she was the executive in charge of the Emmy and Peabody Award–winning Key & Peele. We talk about writing for comedy as well as her book, Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life, from Someone Who’s Been There. Buy: Via Carota More from Rita Sodi and Jody Williams:On Doing Things Their Own Way [Cherry Bombe]Will Shaker Food Be the New Shaker Furniture? [WSJ]Recipe: Dark Chocolate Semifreddo [Bon Appetit]

Note: this podcast contains explicit content.

Episode Info

  • Episode167
Today, we welcome Rita Sodi and Jody Williams on the show. They are the duo behind some of New York City’s favorite restaurants, including Buvette, the Commerce Inn, I Sodi, and Via Carota—“New York’s Most Perfect Restaurant,” according to the New Yorker. In this episode, we talk about the couple’s new cookbook, a tribute to the West Village’s Via Carota. We also find out how the restaurant stays fresh, what it’s like to expand a brand overseas, and some of their favorite recipes from regional Italy. It was so great getting to know two legends in the chef world.Also on the show, we catch up with Tara Schuster, author, playwright, and accomplished entertainment executive. Schuster served as VP of talent and development at Comedy Central, where she was the executive in charge of the Emmy and Peabody Award–winning Key & Peele. We talk about writing for comedy as well as her book, Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life, from Someone Who’s Been There.Buy: Via CarotaMore from Rita Sodi and Jody Williams:On Doing Things Their Own Way [Cherry Bombe]Will Shaker Food Be the New Shaker Furniture? [WSJ]Recipe: Dark Chocolate Semifreddo [Bon Appetit] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Podcast

Explore Podcast

Episode 342-2026 Mid-Year Review

June 25, 2026

Mike Campbell

The legendary Heartbreakers guitar player talks meeting most of his heroes, the “it’s just the normal noises” intro to the Heartbreakers classic “Even the Losers,” and gratitude.

June 24, 2026

Transmissions :: Don Was

Don Was on Detroit legend Ted Lucas and much more.

June 24, 2026

961. – Matt Spicer

June 24, 2026