Olivia Tiedemann & Jack Johnson Make French Toast | The Rolling Stone Studio

Rolling Stone
Rolling StoneMar 21, 2026

Why It Matters

The piece demonstrates how food media can amplify sustainability and luxury branding while fostering cross‑industry collaborations, offering creators a template for engaging audiences beyond traditional cooking shows.

Key Takeaways

  • Olivia’s cookbook emphasizes chef‑to‑client luxury experiences, targeting affluent diners
  • Jack discusses upcoming surf documentary highlighting collaboration and friendship
  • Both stress sustainability through local sourcing and community farming initiatives
  • French toast technique uses custard base and careful soaking for texture
  • Emphasis on caring, attention, and teamwork drives culinary success

Summary

The Rolling Stone Studio segment brought together chef‑author Olivia Tiedemann and musician‑filmmaker Jack Johnson for a live French‑toast demonstration, while they chatted about their latest projects. Olivia promoted her new cookbook, Eat Like the Rich, which frames upscale home cooking as a service to wealthy clients and showcases a custard‑based soak that yields a richer, more velvety toast. Johnson used the platform to preview a surf‑documentary slated for release in two months, emphasizing the power of friendship, collaboration, and trust among creative teams.

The conversation drifted into sustainability, with Johnson describing his Cool Hawaii Foundation’s farm‑to‑table internships and Olivia citing her reliance on farmer’s markets, local butchers, and stainless‑steel tools. Both highlighted the importance of sourcing locally, reducing waste, and embedding community values into their work. Technical tips emerged, such as using a custard base instead of plain eggs and milk, soaking bread thoroughly, and finishing the toast on a grate to avoid sogginess.

Memorable moments included Olivia’s candid reflection on early kitchen criticism and Johnson’s reminder that “if you care more, you can do anything well.” Johnson also joked about his song “Banana Pancakes,” underscoring the blend of music and culinary culture that defines the Rolling Stone audience.

The segment illustrates how culinary content can serve as a vehicle for broader brand narratives—linking luxury dining, sustainable farming, and indie filmmaking. For marketers and creators, it signals a growing appetite for authentic, cross‑disciplinary storytelling that ties lifestyle, environmental stewardship, and community engagement together.

Original Description

At The Rolling Stone Studio at @SXSW, presented by @jbl, private chef and content creator @Oliviatieds joins musician @jackjohnsonmusic for a laid-back cooking session, trading banana pancakes for French toast. The two chat about essential kitchen must-haves, sustainability in food and music, Johnson’s new documentary, 'SURFILMUSIC,' and more.
#cooking #privatechef #jackjohnson
Talent: Olivia Tiedemann, Jack Johnson
Interviewer: Leah Lu
Director of Social & Video: Waiss Aramesh
Head of Film & Premium Content: Alexandra Dale
Executive Producer: Christopher Hwisu Kim
Senior Producer & Shoot Director: Viviane Feldman
Producer, Shoot Director & Editor: Mitch Saavedra
Director of Photography (Video): MJ Johnston
Camera operators: Leland Ohlinger, Dè Randle, Caleb Kuntz
Sound: Ferrick Hallaron
Technical Director: Brent Klein
Digital Technician: Michael Solano
PA: Mel Bueno
Creative Director: Joe Hutchinson
Executive Music Editor: Christian Hoard
Co-Editors in Chief: Sean Woods, Shirley Halperin
CEO: Julian Holguin

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