MI Great Plates is your passport to Michigan's vibrant culinary landscape, showcasing the hottest restaurants, food and beverage-focused brands, and the passionate people behind them. Hosted by Justin Near, the region's top food and beverage publicist, this monthly show explores the state’s booming food scene, where new delights pop up weekly and reservations are a coveted prize.With exclusive insights from hospitality-driven news media and food influencers, MI Great Plates brings you the stories, flavors, and trends that are transforming Michigan into a foodie paradise. Tune in at 8 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month to experience the culinary magic that makes Michigan a great place to eat!
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Contact path
Verified email
Booking probability
30%
Guest openness
Selective
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Signup to Generate a PitchMI Great Plates is your passport to Michigan's vibrant culinary landscape, showcasing the hottest restaurants, food and beverage-focused brands, and the passionate people behind them. Hosted by Justin Near, the region's top food and beverage publicist, this monthly show explores the state’s booming food scene, where new delights pop up weekly and reservations are a coveted prize.
Recent episodes include "Beyond the Plate: Stories Told Through Food" (24 July 2026, 38 minutes), "Building More Than Restaurants: Matthew Kenney's Culinary Empire" (26 June 2026, 38 minutes), and "From Local Institutions To The Business of Food" (29 May 2026, 38 minutes).
MI Great Plates publishes roughly monthly, with episodes averaging 34 minutes across 19 episodes.
Booking probability for MI Great Plates is 30%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. MI Great Plates requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. MI Great Plates's contact route on record: verified email.
The strongest fits for MI Great Plates are Restaurants. MI Great Plates has a business audience.
MI Great Plates is a business podcast with 19 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.
Episode #17
July 23, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near welcomes award-winning food journalist Serena Daniels, founder of Midwest Mexican and the new food critic for HOUR Detroit Magazine. Together, they...
June 25, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with internationally renowned chef, entrepreneur and author Matthew Kenney to discuss his journey from New York's restaurant scene to...
May 28, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with Tasso and George Teftsis of Astoria Pastry Shop and Blue Goat to discuss building a multi-generational family business, preserving...
April 23, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with Jeremy Sasson, founder of Heirloom Hospitality, to discuss the strategy and vision behind a growing collection of restaurant concepts...
March 24, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with Adriana Jimenez, owner of the awarding-winning Vecino, to discuss her journey into Detroit’s restaurant scene and the inspiration...
Feb. 23, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with Lyndsay Green, restaurant critic for the Detroit Free Press, for an inside look at the restaurants defining the year in Metro Detroit...
Jan. 28, 2026 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down with restaurateur Sandy Levine to explore the vision behind some of Metro Detroit’s most acclaimed dining and cocktail destinations...
Dec. 23, 2025 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, we’re spotlighting two culinary innovators redefining Detroit’s food scene. Nick Arone, founder of Bar Chenin inside The Siren Hotel, shares the story behind his...
Nov. 28, 2025 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, we’re serving up conversations with two leaders helping to shape Michigan’s dining and hospitality scene. Owen Chestnut of Hotel Walloon shares what makes the resort...
Oct. 31, 2025 ~ Host Justin Near sits down with Executive Chef Anthony Lombardo of SheWolf to explore how one of Detroit’s most celebrated kitchens bridges the gap between ancient Roman tradition and modern innovation...
Sept. 23, 2025 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near is joined by James Rigato, chef and owner of Mabel Gray. They discuss his culinary journey, the evolving Detroit food scene and the inspiration...
Aug. 26, 2025 ~ On this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near welcomes two culinary powerhouses: Josh Beckett of Anna’s House and JB Caillet of Rudy’s Prime Steakhouse. From breakfast innovation to steakhouse...
August 26, 2025 ~ Near Perfect Media founder Justin Near visits “JR Afternoon with Ryan Ermanni” to preview the August edition of his program, "MI Great Plates.” It’s the show that shares the stories behind the state’s...
July 25, 2025 ~ Detroit Wing Company’s Gus Malliaras dishes on his saucy empire, from garlic parm classics to a margarita BBQ masterpiece, and then teases his crave-worthy new burger joint, Chaos Burger. After, The...
June 26, 2025 ~ Host Justin Near welcomes two culinary powerhouses: Yumna Jawad of Feel Good Foodie, whose viral recipes (hello, TikTok pasta!) have married the Middle East to the Midwest, and Lyndsay Green, the Detroit...
May 22, 2025 ~ With it’s nationally-recognized Phoenicia, Chickpea Hospitality has been serving up exceptional and unforgettable experiences since 1971. In this episode of MI Great Plates, host Justin Near sits down...
Episode #3
May 22, 2025 ~ Sameer and Samy Eid of Chickpea Hospitality join MI Great Plates for a delicious deep dive into 53 years of food, family, and incredible guest experiences.
April 24, 2025 ~ In the debut episode of "MI Great Plates," host Justin Near chats with Scott Sadoff and Patrick Jobst from Method Co., revealing the secrets behind their six sensational restaurants in Detroit's Book...
MI Great Plates
MI Great Plates is your passport to Michigan's vibrant culinary landscape, showcasing the hottest restaurants, food and beverage-focused brands, and the passionate people behind them. Hosted by Justin Near, the region's...
Recent guests on MI Great Plates. Study who booked and why before you pitch.
Astoria Pastry Shop
Blue Goat
Vecino
Detroit Free Press
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