Chef's Day Off
Want to elevate your home cooking with Chef tips from one of the best culinary minds in the game? Celebrated Chef Matthew Dolan: Co-owner of 25 Lusk Restaurant in San Francisco (Food Network Regular, Cookbook author, US Department of State Cutural Envoy) and "Marcus D." Najera (National iHeart Radio personality and food enthusiast) will dig into flavor, foolproof cooking hacks and pro-tips, all while serve up tasty stories peppered with plenty of laughs! Come join us and learn a ton on Chef's Day Off!
All episodes(17)
- StandardSummaries onlyLime Posset: The 500-Year-Old Dessert That Started Our Friendship | Chef's Day Off S2:E8 (Season Finale)
Published Jul 11, 2026
Lime PossetChef Matthew Dolan teaches Marcus how to make Lime Posset, an elegant English dessert dating back more than 500 years that's made with just four simple ingredients. Along the way, they share the story of how this very recipe sparked their friendship years ago, eventually leading to the creation of Chef's Day Off. In this episode, you'll learn: • The fascinating history of Lime Posset• How citrus naturally transforms cream into a silky custard• Vanilla bean tips and substitutions• Common mistakes
- StandardSummaries onlyFinesse: The Little Details That Separate Good Cooks From Great Ones
Published Jul 1, 2026
What separates a good home cook from a great one? It isn't expensive ingredients. It isn't fancy equipment. It isn't some secret recipe. It's finesse. This week, Chef Matthew and Marcus explore the subtle techniques professional chefs use every day that instantly elevate home cooking. From creating the perfect dining experience before you ever light the stove to tasting as you cook, controlling heat, and understanding why patience is one of the most important ingredients in any recipe, this epis
- StandardSummaries onlyEggs: Restaurant Secrets You Can Use At Home
Published May 23, 2026
Eggs sound simple… until you try to cook them perfectly. In this episode of Chef’s Day Off, Marcus and Chef Matthew Dolan break down the techniques behind scrambled eggs, fried eggs, poached eggs, and frittatas. From fluffy curds and runny yolks to restaurant brunch hacks and chef-level tricks, this episode is packed with practical advice you can actually use at home. Chef explains why eggs are one of the true tests of cooking skill, why most people overcook scrambled eggs, how to nail an over-e
- StandardSummaries onlyButter: Brown Butter, Steak Basting, Pan Sauces & Why You’re Cooking It Wrong
Published May 9, 2026
Butter makes everything better… but only if you know how to use it. In this episode of Chef’s Day Off, Marcus and Chef Matthew Dolan from 25 Lusk break down one of the most important ingredients in cooking: butter. From steak basting and pan sauces to clarified butter, brown butter, bread service, roasting chicken, and fixing dry turkey, this episode is packed with practical techniques that instantly elevate your cooking at home. Chef explains why most people burn butter, when to lower the heat,
- StandardSummaries onlyChicken Part Two: The 20-Minute One-Pan Dinner ANYONE Can Pull Off
Published Apr 25, 2026
Chicken Part TwoYou broke down the chicken… now what? In Chicken: Part 2, Marcus and Chef Matthew turn those raw chicken parts into a fast, no-stress, one-pan dinner you can pull off on a weeknight. We’re talking crispy skin, a simple pan sauce, and a full meal on the table in about 20 minutes. Chef walks through how to build flavor from the pan up, what “fond” actually is, how to deglaze like a pro, and the easiest way to fix a broken sauce. Plus, a few chef hacks that make this whole process foolproof, even i
- StandardSummaries onlyChicken Part One: Break It Down, Cook It Right, Save Money
Published Apr 11, 2026
Chicken Part OneIf you’re still buying boneless, skinless chicken breasts, this episode might change your life. Marcus and Chef Matthew Dolan break down everything you need to know about cooking a whole chicken. From why it’s cheaper (way cheaper) to how to break it down, cook each part properly, and actually get better flavor at home. They get into roasting techniques, why low and slow beats high heat, how to get crispy skin without drying out the meat, and the right way to use a thermometer without overcookin
- StandardSummaries onlyBread & Meat: The Art of the Perfect Sandwich.
Published Feb 22, 2026
What makes the perfect sandwich?In this episode of Chef’s Day Off, Marcus and Chef Matthew Dolan go deep on the simplest, most iconic pairing in food history: bread and meat. From sourdough legend Azikiwee Anderson at Rize Up Bakery to Wagyu breakdowns at The Butcher Shop by Niku with Guy The Butcher, they explore what elevates a sandwich from basic to unforgettable. Chef defends the purity of a cheeseburger. Marcus argues for tortas, Cubanos, and roast beef with horseradish mayo. They debate ma
- StandardSummaries onlyFish Without Fear: Season 2 Premiere:
Published Feb 1, 2026
Fish Without FearSeason two of Chef’s Day Off kicks off with a deep dive into one of the most misunderstood proteins in home cooking: fish. Marcus from Star 1013/iHeartRadio and Executive Chef Matthew Dolan of 25 Lusk in San Francisco break down how to buy fish, what to ask your fishmonger, and how to cook it confidently without overthinking it. From salmon skin and rock cod to whole fish on the grill and why stuffing a fish is mostly for Instagram, this episode is about stripping away fear, wasting less, and le
- StandardSummaries onlyFrench Fries: The Lost Episode: Tales From The Deep Fryer
Published Nov 17, 2025
French FriesWe were clearing out the hard drive as we continue to produce Season 2 and we discovered a yet-to-be-published gem. Call it the "Lost French Fry Episode." Marcus and Chef Matthew go all in on why fries hit so hard, the science behind potato happiness (there is a reason we love them), and which cuts actually deliver. They break down toppings, poutine philosophy, and the chef-level method for making PERFECT fries at home.Parboiling, drying, starching, freezing, air frying, shallow frying: t’s all
- StandardSummaries onlyBananas Foster: Fire, Rum & Ice Cream Dreams
Published Sep 20, 2025
Bananas FosterBananas Foster: part dessert, part pyrotechnics. In this episode of Chef’s Day Off, Marcus and Chef Matthew dive into the story behind this New Orleans classic, why it’s flambéed, and how to make it at home without torching your kitchen. They cover the origin at Brennan’s in the French Quarter, the science of sugar and fruit, why bananas need just the right ripeness, and how other fruits (cherries, peaches, plums, apples) can swap in for a twist. Chef shares pro tips on getting the flames right,
- StandardSummaries onlyMac and Cheese: How To NAIL It. The Cheesiest Episode Yet
Published Sep 12, 2025
Mac and cheese: comfort food, kid favorite, and apparently the cause of Marcus’ cooking anxiety. In this episode of Chef’s Day Off, Marcus and Chef Matthew dive into what makes the perfect mac and cheese. From smooth, creamy cheese sauces (and why they go grainy) to beer vs. wine in the base, boxed grated cheddar vs. “real cheese,” and whether nut milk belongs anywhere near the pot, no angle is off-limits. Chef drops pro tips like protecting breadcrumbs with a little cheese, why the broiler migh
- StandardSummaries onlyStocks vs. Broths: The Schmutz, the Secrets & the Bitterness Trap
Published Sep 5, 2025
Stocks and broths sound fancy, but they start the same — bones, water, and a simmer — until one takes a left turn and the other a right. In this episode of Chef’s Day Off, Marcus and Chef Matthew break down the real difference between a stock and a broth (and where the sexy term “bone broth” actually fits). You’ll learn why cold water matters, why bitterness is the enemy, how long to simmer fish, chicken, and beef bones, and why parsley stems might be your secret weapon. Plus, what not to do (bo
- StandardSummaries onlyHot Dogs: Street Meat, Corn Dogs & Chef Controversies
Published Aug 29, 2025
Hot DogsHot dogs aren’t just ballpark food — they’re a cultural obsession. In this episode of Chef’s Day Off, Marcus D. Najera from iHeartRadio San Francisco (The Marcus and Corey Morning Show) and Chef Matthew Dolan (25 Lusk, Food Network regular, cookbook author) go all in on America’s favorite guilty pleasure. From cheese dogs and bacon-wrapped Sonoran street dogs, to the legendary Seattle dog, Chicago-style purism, and even pigs in a blanket with champagne — nothing is off-limits. They swap stories,
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Leftovers Episode: Waste Less, Flavor More
Published Aug 22, 2025
The Leftovers EpisodeLeftovers don’t have to be sad. In this episode of Chef’s Day Off, Marcus D. ("Marcus and Corey" on iHeartRadio) and Chef Matthew Dolan (25 Lusk, Food Network regular, cookbook author) explore how to turn “what’s in the fridge” into something worth bragging about. From comforting soups like congee and ham bone & white bean, to crispy taquitos, leftover pizza breakfasts, and even breakfast burrito hacks — it’s all about saving money, reducing waste, and eating better. Plus, a real talk on food in
- StandardSummaries onlyThe Four Sauces Every Home Cook Should Master
Published Aug 15, 2025
Level up every meal with just four sauces. In this episode of Chefs Day Off, Chef Matthew Dolan breaks down the essential set you actually need: a bright, balanced vinaigrette, a versatile red pasta sauce, a proper Hollandaise (plus the exact fix if it breaks), and a fast pan sauce you can riff on for chicken or pork. Clear rules, chef tips, and no fluff—so you can cook restaurant-quality food at home tonight. What you’ll learn• The ratio for a perfect vinaigrette that won’t separate• A weeknigh
- StandardSummaries onlySalt Is Greedy, Pepper Is Genius, and Acid Might Ruin Your Soup
Published Aug 8, 2025
Why does restaurant food taste so much better than what you make at home? In this episode of Chef’s Day Off, Michelin-starred chef Matthew Dolan and radio host Marcus D. go deep on the holy trinity of seasoning: salt, pepper, and acid. You’ll learn why salt is greedy and thirsty, how pepper adds more than just heat, and why a splash of vinegar or citrus can make or break a dish. Plus: the truth about kosher salt, the danger of pre-ground pepper, and why chef-level seasoning starts with tasting a
- StandardSummaries onlyEverything You Need To Know About Rice. Does the "TikTok Method" Actually WORK?
Published Aug 1, 2025
Episode 1 – Rice: How to Cook It, Hack It, and Make It Taste Like a Chef Made It.In the very first episode of Chef’s Day Off, hosts Marcus D. and Chef Matthew Dolan (of San Francisco’s 25 Lusk) break down one of the most misunderstood ingredients in your kitchen: rice.We’re talking how to cook the perfect pot of rice, why that viral TikTok rice method actually works, and what to do with leftover rice that’s better than tossing it in the trash. Chef Dolan explains the science of rice cooking — in