Italian Roots, Hemp Gummies and the Company Bringing La Dolce Vita to Cannabis

Episode Summary

Julie and Jamie welcome their first ever guest on the Florida Living Life Podcast and they picked a great one. Simone D’Antonio, co-founder of Mamma Mia, grew up cooking in his grandmother’s kitchen in Salerno, Italy, trained at the prestigious Gualtiero Marchesi Chef School, worked nine years in Los Angeles restaurants, and then stumbled into the cannabis industry through a next door neighbor and a dispensary visit that made him say — I can do this better.

From communion wafers infused with hemp to aperitivo inspired gummies named after Italian cities, Mamma Mia is a one of a kind brand where culinary storytelling meets the wellness industry.

Born and raised in Salerno, Italy. Trained at the Gualtiero Marchesi Chef School in northern Italy, one of the most prestigious culinary programs in the country. Moved to Los Angeles in 2014. Spent nine years working in restaurants as a chef before pivoting to bartending while building Mamma Mia on the side. Co-founded the company with his neighbor Casey Passero, a second generation Italian American who introduced him to the cannabis space.

A direct to consumer hemp edibles brand built around a culinary tour of Italy. Every product is named after an Italian city, inspired by a regional recipe, and designed with packaging that captures the visual identity of that city and era.

Current products and pricing:

• Gummies — $32 for three gummies. Flavors include kiwi bellini, orange spritz, and camomile bitter, all inspired by the Milano aperitivo culture of the 1990s
• Infused Communion Wafers (Roma) — $33. A nod to Vatican City and the Church, served in a package that is exactly what it sounds like
• Chocolate — $43. Higher price point due to ingredient costs and manufacturing complexity

Products are manufactured by a women owned facility in downtown Los Angeles using Simone’s recipes, ingredients, and packaging.

Products range from five to ten milligrams. Start low. Go slow. Everyone who has had a bad edible experience made the same mistake.

Simone breaks it down clearly. Edibles are not the same as smoking. They enter through digestion, kick in slower, last longer, and feel different. Cannabis has real anti inflammatory benefits. Some strains support sleep. CBD and CBN are non psychoactive options for people who want the wellness benefits without the high. The industry is still young and education is everything.

A possible Friuli Venezia Giulia inspired product. Infused butter for pasta. An inhalable product inspired by the air of the Dolomites. And a taste test from Julie and Jamie of the sample box Simone sent to Florida. Tune in.

Visit floridalivinglife.com to send a message. If you are a brand, a chef, or a business owner with a story worth telling, reach out. Julie and Jamie want to hear it.

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📞 Call or Text: 973-281-6896

📧 julie@julieriga.com

#FloridaLivingLife #MammaMia #SimoneDAntonio #HempEdibles #ItalianFood #FloridaFood #FoodPodcast #WellnessLifestyle #PalmBeachCounty #SouthFloridaEats

Shark Tank, Bachelorette Parties and the Man Who Built a Business on Good Vibes

Episode Summary

This week Julie and Jamie welcome Nelson Brooks, founder of Cabana Boy Events, to the Florida Living Life podcast. Nelson turned a chance invite to a bachelorette party in July 2020 into a company that has now thrown over 8,000 parties across the country, landed a deal with Kendra Scott on Shark Tank, and is now bringing the experience to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

From pool parties to corporate happy hours to divorce parties, if there is a reason to celebrate in South Florida, Nelson and his crew are ready to show up.

Founder of Cabana Boy Events. Started the company unemployed and single after attending a bachelorette party and spotting a gap in the market. Bought the domain the next morning on GoDaddy and the rest is history. Eight thousand parties later and growing.

Nelson applied online in fall of 2024, waited months for a callback, and then spent four months deep in preparation. The biggest takeaway: Shark Tank is a TV show first. They want a deal but they want great television more. Kendra Scott ended up being the one who made the deal, partly because she had already experienced Cabana Boys firsthand at her own birthday party without realizing it.

Two brands under one roof built for different occasions:

Cabana Boys — The energy brand. Perfect for bachelorette parties, girls weekends, pool parties, divorce parties, book clubs, and women's luncheons. Best for groups of ten to twenty five people. They serve, pamper, and entertain. Spotify DJs included. Not what you think — tasteful, fun, and fully professional.

Cocktail Crew — The bartending brand for weddings, birthdays, corporate happy hours, retirement parties, Super Bowl parties, and grad events. Male and female bartenders. Handles groups up to one hundred and fifty people. They also do mocktails for wellness focused or underage events.

Both brands help with setup and cleanup. Music is the number one ingredient for a great party according to Nelson. The playlist sets everything.

Cabana Boys in Miami and South Florida: $250 per hour for two cabana boys with a two hour minimum. Cocktail Crew: $80 per hour per bartender. Travel and holiday surcharges may apply.

Book at their website or find them on Instagram.

Visit floridalivinglife.com to send a message. If you are throwing a party in South Florida and want a visit or a feature on the show, reach out.

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📞 Call or Text: 973-281-6896

📧 julie@julieriga.com

#FloridaLivingLife #CabanaBoyEvents #NelsonBrooks #SharkTank #KendraScott #BacheloretteParty #SouthFloridaEvents #FloridaFood #FoodPodcast #PalmBeachCounty

Julie and Jamie continue their August birthday month celebration with a trip to Miami, a visit to Aventura Mall, more restaurant stops, and a meaningful look at Julie's family history.

From South Beach and Fogo de Chão to an unexpected overnight stay in Boca Raton, they share the highs and lows of their adventures. They also talk about taking down the Wall of Fame at Julie's mother's house, a collection of photos celebrating the famous people her father cooked for throughout his career.

And of course, they wrap up with more restaurant recommendations, including one of Julie and Jamie's favorite discoveries of the month.

Julie and Jamie spend a night in South Beach, staying at Hotel Balfour. While the hotel was not Jamie's favorite, they enjoyed being in Miami and reflecting on how much South Beach has changed over the years.

They also realize they missed some of the iconic South Beach experience, including walking Ocean Drive and seeing famous landmarks, so a return trip may be in order.

Fogo de Chão

A definite favorite from the Miami trip. Julie and Jamie loved the Brazilian steakhouse, especially the meats, buffet, fried bananas, gluten free popovers, mushroom soup, olives, cheese, and cheesecake. A great choice for a birthday or special celebration.

Red Pine

An unexpected Boca Raton stop after deciding to stay overnight rather than drive home. Jamie gives the egg rolls high marks, while Julie enjoyed her meal. The edamame was not a favorite, but overall it was an interesting restaurant experience.

Cheesecake Factory

The next morning brought breakfast, including chicken and waffles, an omelet, potatoes, bacon, and a birthday cheesecake. It was a solid breakfast and another stop during their extended birthday celebration.

Alfresco

One of the biggest restaurant highlights of the episode. Located near Lake Worth Beach on a public par-three golf course, Alfresco offers beautiful views of the ocean and golf course. Julie and Jamie both agree that the food was fantastic, with the chicken parm, spaghetti, linguini, pizza, and appetizers standing out.

Julie and Jamie visit Aventura Mall, which Julie calls the best mall she has visited in Florida so far. They explore specialty stores, Nordstrom, and the food court, where Jamie gets Shake Shack and Julie tries arepas.

Julie also shares the experience of trying on a Louis Vuitton bag for the first time.

While renovating Julie's mother's house, they had to take down the Wall of Fame that displayed photos of Julie's father with celebrities he cooked for, including Frank Sinatra, Liberace, Pavarotti, Joan Rivers, Don Rickles, Donna Summer, Tony Orlando, and many others.

After nearly ten years since Julie's father passed away, taking the photos down was emotional. The wall needs to be preserved because of a ceiling leak, but the family plans to create something new with the collection.

Julie and Jamie look forward to seeing 311 and Dirty Heads, with Rome also on the concert lineup. Julie promises to share how the concert goes on the next episode.

What are your favorite restaurants and things to do in South Florida? Tell Julie and Jamie where they should go next!

Visit floridalivinglife.com to send them a message and share your recommendations.

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📞 Call or Text: 973-281-6896

📧 julie@julieriga.com

#fogodechao #redpine #alfresco #cheesecakefactory

#floridalivinglife #southfloridaeats #floridafood #foodpodcast #palmbeachcounty

Julie and Jamie are back with a jam-packed look at their August birthday month celebration. From favorite restaurants and seafood dinners to a movie, shopping, and an unexpected bowling night, they share the places they visited and the experiences they had while celebrating.

It was a month filled with good food, trying new things, and getting out and enjoying life. They give their honest opinions on some South Florida favorites, along with a few places that did not quite hit the mark.

Bimini Twist

A birthday month stop featuring fried shrimp, salmon with dill, and some seriously good onion rings. Jamie calls the fried shrimp one of the best in South Florida.

Singing Bamboo

A Chinese restaurant featuring homemade sesame chicken that Julie and Jamie both enjoyed.

Avalon Beach House

A stop after seeing Spider-Man at the movies. The calamari and chicken were decent, while the smash burger was less impressive.

Riggins Crab House

One of Julie's birthday month favorites. If you love crabs, this is the place to go. Julie's friend ordered several different kinds of crab, making it a memorable birthday celebration.

China Garden

Another birthday month dinner centered around lobster. Julie loved the lobster and its sauce, while the sesame chicken did not impress Jamie.

The Boys Market

Julie and Jamie share their honest take on visiting the market on a busy weekend. Their biggest takeaway? Go during the week when it is less crowded.

Lucille's

The brisket nachos remain a fan favorite. Julie and Jamie agree that the portion is large enough to share with two or even three people.

City Seafood – Boca Raton

Another birthday month stop as Julie and Jamie continued celebrating with friends and family over great food.

Batch – Delray Beach

The burnt ends and wings were the highlights, while the fried chicken was too salty and the burger was only mediocre.

Julie and Jamie also went bowling, despite not having bowled in years. Jamie scored a 94 but still beat Julie!

For Julie, the important part was not the score. It was getting out, trying something different, and enjoying the experience. Sometimes living life means doing something you would not normally choose to do.

Julie also stopped at Versona before heading to the Delray Marketplace. With restaurants, shopping, ice cream, movies, and bowling, they agree it makes for a fun date night destination.

August turned into a full birthday month celebration filled with restaurants, outings, family, and new experiences. Julie's takeaway is simple: celebrate your life, get out there, and do something you do not normally do.

What are your favorite restaurants and things to do in South Florida? Tell Julie and Jamie where they should go next!

Visit floridalivinglife.com to send them a message and share your recommendations.

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📞 Call or Text: 973-281-6896

📧 julie@julieriga.com

#biminitwist #singingbamboo #rigginscrabhouse #lucilles

Seasons 52, City Fish Market and the Lost Wallet That Led to the Best Egg Rolls in Loxahatchee

Episode Summary

Julie and Jamie pack two weeks into one episode and somehow make it look easy. A standout seafood dinner in Boca. A gluten free flatbread that keeps earning repeat visits. A breakfast on Worth Avenue after missing out on tickets to a sold out event. A lost wallet that led them to Loxahatchee and accidentally to one of the best happy hours they have had in months. Florida Living Life is always eating, always moving, and always finding the good stuff.

Seasons 52 – Boca Raton

A four time visit and still delivering every single time. The wood grilled rainbow trout is Jamie's go to. Julie is loyal to the gluten free cheesesteak flatbread, which she calls outrageous. An exceptional choice for anyone managing gluten, dairy, or nut allergies. One of the most consistently great restaurants in South Florida.

City Fish Market – Boca Raton

The wow moment of the last two weeks. One of the better places in Boca Raton for a proper seafood dinner without the outrageous price tag. Entrees around $30. The fried shrimp, fried calamari, and a rich soupy fisherman style seafood pot were all standouts. The atmosphere and staff were exceptional. A must visit for seafood lovers in Palm Beach County.

Bricktops – Palm Beach, Worth Avenue

A breakfast stop on a spontaneous Palm Beach day. Right on Worth Avenue with valet parking so you can walk the avenue right after your meal. Julie had the turkey bacon avocado club sandwich, rated an eight out of ten. Jamie had the burger and called it memorable. A sweet and welcoming restaurant in a prime location.

Jebrowski's – Loxahatchee, Florida

A happy accident that turned into a great night. A New England style atmosphere run by two sisters originally from Connecticut. The happy hour is worth showing up for. The egg rolls with balsamic drizzle rated an eight out of ten fresh out of the oven. Jamie had the Rodeo Burger and rated it an eight point five. Julie got the gluten free pizza with a garlic parmesan crust brush that the waitress talked her into and she is glad she listened. A new location opening soon in Royal Palm Beach.

A full walk down Worth Avenue including stops at Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch, Tiffany, and Gucci. Julie tried on a bag at Louis Vuitton for the first time in her life. Jamie is still thinking about the $1,000 Cartier sunglasses from the Palm Beach Chamber event. The Gucci store earned the title of best store on the avenue.

Toto, Christopher Cross, and The Romantics on the concert radar this Friday. Lionel Richie was on the wish list but $900 seats made the Louis Vuitton bag look like a bargain. The new Spider Man movie is also on the weekend plan.

Visit floridalivinglife.com to send a message. Tell them what restaurants to visit next. Restaurant owners in the Palm Beach and Boca Raton area are invited to reach out for a visit and a review.

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📞 Call or Text: 973-281-6896

📧 julie@julieriga.com

#Seasons52 #CityFishMarket #Bricktops #Jebrowskis

#FloridaLivingLife #SouthFloridaEats #FloridaFood #FoodPodcast #PalmBeachCounty

Scenes From the Table, Bourbon Steak and the Executive Chef Who Lands Every Service

Episode Summary

This week is something different. Florida Living Life does a podcast swap with Stay On Course Ingredients for Success as Julie sits down with Pablo Valencia, Executive Chef at the brand new Bourbon Steak on Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach. Part tasting, part life lesson, part skydiving story. This is one of the most inspiring conversations in the life of this podcast.

Pablo Valencia is sharp, warm, and full of wisdom. If you love food and love hearing what it really takes to run a world class kitchen, this episode is for you.

Bourbon Steak – Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach

Part of the Michael Mina restaurant group and open just three months at the time of this recording. Already earning its place as one of the most exciting new restaurants in South Florida.

Must order items straight from the chef himself:

• Japanese Wagyu — exceptional marbling, extraordinary flavor, melts in your mouth
• Lobster Pot Pie — the signature dish, served tableside. Created by Chef Michael Mina after opening a friend's fridge and finding lobster instead of chicken. Finished with a lobster brandied cream. The aromas alone are worth the visit.

Find them at BourbonSteakDelray.com or on Instagram.

Born in Colombia, raised on arepas, and trained in some of the most demanding kitchens in the world. His favorite food is the arepa he grew up eating for breakfast every morning. His second favorite is a great burger shared with his son.

As Executive Chef, Pablo manages everything from food cost to team culture to emergency service when the gas line goes down in the middle of a dinner rush. He handled it. He always does.

Three takeaways from Pablo that apply far beyond the kitchen:

Emotional intelligence — You are managing customers, staff, and ownership all at once. Every day. You cannot lead with fear. You lead with understanding.

Skydiving — Pablo has jumped out of a plane over two hundred times. Every jump teaches the same lesson: prepare everything you can, make your decision fast, and then let go. The kitchen works the same way.

Empty plates — The real award is not a Michelin star. It is the empty plate that comes back to the dishwashing area. That means you made someone happy. That is the goal every single day.

Visit floridalivinglife.com to send a message. Tell them what restaurants to visit next. Restaurant owners in the Palm Beach and Boca Raton area are invited to reach out for a visit and a review.

• Brand sponsorships and content placement
• Featured guest podcast interviews
• Scenes From the Table live recordings
• Food and lifestyle brand features
• Virtual and on location options available

📞 Call or Text: 973-281-6896

📧 julie@julieriga.com

#BourbonSteak #MinaGroup #ChefPabloValencia

#FloridaLivingLife #SouthFloridaEats #FloridaFood #FoodPodcast #PalmBeachCounty

Palm Beach Days, Alien Movies and the Sweetest Ice Cream Shop on Dixie Highway

Episode Summary

Julie and Jamie spend a full day on Palm Beach island, tour the Flagler Museum, eat at the RH Rooftop Restaurant, discover a brand new family run ice cream shop called Frost, and somehow squeeze in a sushi dinner, a burger run, and a conversation about aliens. Florida Living Life is fully living.

Sushi Joe – Boynton Beach

A popular spot in the West Palm Beach area. The dumplings were the standout. Julie liked it more than Jamie. The people were very nice. A solid visit with more menu items left to explore.

RH Rooftop Restaurant – Palm Beach

Part of the Restoration Hardware experience on Palm Beach island. A fourth visit with mixed feelings on the food this time. The grilled shrimp and vegetable salad with zucchini, asparagus, corn, and avocado was the highlight. The burger landed at a seven. The charcuterie board felt pared down compared to previous visits and did not deliver enough for the price. The ribeye sandwich is the must order and was skipped this time, a decision that was regretted. The French fries were exceptional. The atmosphere remains one of the best on the island. Go for the experience and order the ribeye sandwich.

Frost Ice Cream – Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach

The discovery of the week. A brand new family run ice cream shop open since December, located across the street from Joe's Market on Dixie Highway. The owner Elizabeth runs it with her family and the warmth shows throughout the whole space. Julie tasted ten flavors. Top picks: mint chocolate chip, strawberry, graham cracker, butterscotch, cookie dough, and the dairy free coconut. The coffee ice cream also gets strong praise. A beautiful little spot worth making a dedicated trip for dessert after dinner on Dixie Highway.

Muya – West Palm Beach

Back for another visit. Get the double, not the single. The fries are fantastic and compare well to Five Guys. The owner is a great guy and a podcast visit is in the works. A promising addition to the West Palm Beach burger scene.

Flagler Museum – Palm Beach Island

An absolute must if you have not been. The Gilded Age mansion feels like stepping into Bridgerton and a European castle all at once. Highlights include the drawing room, the billiards room, the master suite, the interconnected upstairs bedrooms, and a courtyard fountain modeled after the Boboli Gardens of the Medici family in Florence. Julie was the unofficial tour guide. Jamie was impressed. Go.

Disclosure Day — Emily Blunt is outstanding. Steven Spielberg delivers a gripping and thought provoking film that has Julie convinced she is watching history in the making. Highly recommended, especially if you enjoy a good rabbit hole.

Visit floridalivinglife.com to send a message. Tell them where to eat next. Restaurant owners in the Palm Beach and Boca Raton area are invited to reach out for a visit and a review.

• Brand sponsorships and content placement
• Featured guest podcast interviews
• Scenes From the Table live recordings
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• Virtual and on location options available

📞 Call or Text: 973-281-6896

📧 julie@julieriga.com

#SushiJoe #RHRooftop #RestorationHardware #FrostIceCream #Muya

#FloridaLivingLife #SouthFloridaEats #FloridaFood #FoodPodcast #PalmBeachCounty

Tattoos, Palm Beach and the Best Chicken Sandwich in South Florida

Episode Summary

This week Julie and Jamie hit the Tattoo and Oddity Convention in West Palm Beach, stroll through the most expensive street in Florida on Palm Beach island, and discover that the Honor Bar might just be home to the best chicken sandwich Julie has had since moving to Florida. Oh, and Jamie got a tattoo. Julie found out live on air. That happened.

The food keeps coming, the reviews keep rolling, and Florida Living Life is still very much in the building.

Honor Bar – Palm Beach Island

The standout of the week and possibly the most pleasant surprise yet. Part of the Hillstone restaurant group, the same family as Houston's. The atmosphere hits immediately. The chicken sandwich earns an eight and a half, the best Julie has had in two and a half years of Florida living. Jamie had the burger with shoestring fries. The coleslaw on the burger was a highlight. A beautiful little spot on the island worth every visit.

Arby's – Florida

Jamie tried the new Arby's cheesesteak and gave it an eight. He puts it right alongside Pat's in Philadelphia. A bold call. A real one.

Bolet – Florida

A healthier option that delivered. The chicken thighs are the move. Julie held up the line ordering six of them and has zero regrets. A solid bowl friendly option for anyone watching their diet.

Il Fiore – Boca Raton

A slice of pizza on a casual outing. Verdict: good but not great. Rated a seven point four. A possible return visit is undecided.

Mario the Baker – Lake Worth, Florida

On the dinner plan for the week ahead. The Lake Worth location earns special praise as a great restaurant worth revisiting. Always a reliable choice.

Houston's – Boca Raton

Referenced as part of the Honor Bar connection through the Hillstone restaurant group. A previous favorite that keeps coming up in conversation as a benchmark for quality dining.

A walk through one of the most expensive shopping streets in the United States. Highlights included a stop at the Tom Ford store, the Cartier store, and a browse through stores where a single shirt can run $2,400 and a bracelet can reach $80,000. A one of a kind experience that feels more like a museum than a shopping trip.

Joyce Gourmet

Met at the Tattoo and Oddity Convention. A standout garlic spread made with canola oil, garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Also a tomato basil marinara sauce that impressed on first taste. Find them online at Joyce Gourmet.

Both Julie and Jamie have lost their fathers. This week they honored them with a home brunch. The potatoes were good. The gluten free pancakes were unmemorable by Julie's own admission. The eggs were fine. It was the thought that counted.

Visit floridalivinglife.com to send a message. Tell them what restaurants to visit next. If you own a restaurant in the Palm Beach or Boca Raton area and want a visit and a review, reach out now.

Stay On Course Podcast — Every guest shares their favorite food and three ingredients for success.

Visit stayoncourse.studio or stayoncourse.io

• Brand sponsorships and content placement
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• Virtual and on location options available

📞 Call or Text: 973-281-6896

📧 julie@julieriga.com

#HonorBar #Houstons #Arbys #Bolet #IlFiore #MarioTheBaker

#FloridaLivingLife #SouthFloridaEats #FloridaFood #FoodPodcast #PalmBeachCounty