Episode 199: Interview with Nick Greenberg

Few artists move as fluidly between disciplines as Nick Greenberg. A bassist who has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and an author whose stories are rich with culinary inspiration, Greenberg represents a rare blend of creativity shaped by music, literature, and a lifelong love of food. In Episode 199 of The Savoir Faire Audio Experience, Robert White sits down with the Cincinnati-based musician and novelist to explore the fascinating path that led Greenberg from orchestral performances and jazz gigs to writing food-centered fiction.

Nick Greenberg’s artistic journey began in a household where creativity was not only encouraged but deeply embedded in daily life. “I grew up in a house where my father was a writer,” Greenberg explains. “He wrote poetry, novels, short stories, libretto, and plays.” With literature constantly present in the home and music playing an equally important role—his mother had been a child prodigy musician—the foundation for a creative life was already being laid.

The family also traveled extensively, exposing Greenberg to cultures and cuisines around the world. Those early experiences would later influence both his music and his storytelling. “We traveled a lot,” he says, noting that travel naturally revolved around food and culture. Even today, he admits that travel planning often centers around meals as much as sightseeing. That connection between place, taste, and storytelling would eventually become a defining element of his writing.

Like many musicians, Greenberg’s relationship with instruments evolved over time. His introduction to music began with piano lessons, which his mother encouraged as a foundational tool for understanding music theory. Eventually, he fell in love with the cello during elementary school after watching musicians perform at his school. “I fell in love with the cello,” he recalls, explaining that he played throughout his early education before gradually shifting toward bass.

The bass, with its rhythmic groove and versatility across musical genres, quickly became his primary instrument. Over time, Greenberg built a career that spanned an impressive range of musical styles including classical orchestras, jazz ensembles, rock groups, Broadway productions, and even the occasional polka band.

His career eventually took him to iconic venues including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, as well as international stages abroad. One memorable opportunity came unexpectedly when a fellow bassist declined an overseas tour. “A bass player friend of mine didn’t want to travel overseas,” Greenberg says. “There’s no way I was going to turn that down.” The opportunity turned into a ten-day tour of Taiwan with all expenses covered—an experience he eagerly accepted.

Greenberg’s approach to music early in his career was simple: say yes to opportunities. “My premise early on was just, ‘Do you want to do this? Yes,’” he explains. That openness allowed him to explore a wide range of musical environments and styles, reinforcing his belief that bass players are uniquely positioned to participate in nearly every genre.

Yet music was only one part of Greenberg’s creative identity. Another equally powerful influence came from the world of food. Before fully committing to music, he worked in several restaurant jobs—including busboy, dishwasher, caterer, and cook. Those early experiences immersed him in kitchen culture and introduced him to the camaraderie and creativity of restaurant life.

Although he ultimately chose music over a culinary career, the experience left a lasting impression. “I was inspired by it,” he says, describing the friendships he built with cooks and kitchen staff. Food remained a constant passion, and over time it began finding its way into his writing.

Greenberg’s fiction stands out because it blends culinary themes with engaging storytelling. His earlier works, including Eat and Recipe for Success, explore food in imaginative ways. One particularly unique story centers on a young character who communicates entirely through recipes, using cooking instructions to express emotions and thoughts. “When you ask him a question, he answers by describing a recipe,” Greenberg explains, noting that the recipe itself becomes a metaphor for what the character is trying to say.

The concept may sound unconventional, but it demonstrates Greenberg’s ability to turn everyday culinary experiences into narrative devices that resonate with readers.

Another major milestone in his writing career came with The Culinary Caper, released in 2025. Originally intended as a standalone novel, the book eventually evolved into part of a trilogy after encouragement from his literary agent. “My agent kept saying, ‘If you would make this into a trilogy, I might have better luck selling it to publishers,’” Greenberg recalls.

Once he committed to expanding the story into a series, the project gained traction and eventually reached publication—an example of how storytelling often evolves through collaboration and persistence.

His latest novel, Buried Treasure, introduces readers to a new central character named Danny Pascoe, a struggling musician navigating life in Cincinnati. The story blends Greenberg’s two favorite worlds—music and food—while adding an unexpected twist involving truffles.

“Danny Pascoe is a struggling Cincinnati musician,” Greenberg explains. The character transitions from life on the road with a band to working as a studio musician from home, attempting to stabilize both his career and personal life. The plot takes an unusual turn when Danny’s golden retriever discovers truffles buried in the yard—launching an unlikely entrepreneurial adventure that connects him with a local chef.

The premise may sound whimsical, but it reflects Greenberg’s fascination with the mysterious world of truffles and the culinary intrigue surrounding them. The novel also draws inspiration from his own life, including his experiences as a musician working remotely with other artists. He describes how modern recording technology allows musicians to collaborate across cities without ever meeting in person.

“I’ve spent most of my life on stage versus in the studio,” he says, explaining that the transition to recording from home sparked the idea for Danny’s story.

Another interesting feature of Greenberg’s books is how characters occasionally cross over between stories, creating what some readers have jokingly referred to as the “Greenberg universe.” For example, Danny Pascoe appears in other books within the trilogy, creating subtle connections between narratives.

Readers have responded enthusiastically to the blend of food culture, music, and humor that runs throughout his writing. Some have even suggested that the stories could translate well into film or television. Greenberg admits the idea has crossed his mind. “Lots of people that have read Buried Treasure and The Culinary Caper have said they could picture it as a Netflix movie or series,” he says.

While a film adaptation remains a possibility for the future, Greenberg is currently focused on continuing the trilogy and expanding his fictional world.

Throughout the interview, it becomes clear that Greenberg’s creative life is fueled by curiosity and openness—whether exploring new musical styles, experimenting with narrative structures, or drawing inspiration from the culinary world. His stories reflect the same adventurous spirit that guided his music career.

For audiences listening to the conversation, Greenberg’s journey offers a reminder that creativity rarely follows a straight path. Sometimes the most compelling art emerges from the intersections of multiple passions.

In Nick Greenberg’s case, that intersection happens to be the rhythm of music, the flavor of food, and the joy of storytelling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCO6NAoGI40

🎧 To hear the full conversation with Nick Greenberg, tune in to his episode on The Savoir Faire Audio Experience, streaming now.