This Is TASTE

Today we have two great conversations with two of our favorite recent cookbook authors. Have you found your way into the world of Suzy Karadsheh and the megapopular YouTube channel and website The Mediterranean Dish? We sure have, and it’s changing the way we cook. Born and raised in the cosmopolitan Mediterranean city of Port Said, Egypt, Suzy grew up just a boat ride away from countries like Italy, Turkey, Lebanon, Greece, and Israel. In this episode, we hear about Suzy’s terrific new cookbook, The Mediterranean Dish: Simply Dinner. Also on the show, we have a great talk with Jeremy Salamon. He’s the James Beard Award–nominated chef behind Agi’s Counter, one of our favorite restaurants in all the land. We talk about his life as a young chef, the near-universal praise for Agi’s Counter’s unique approach to modern Hungarian cooking, and his debut cookbook, Second Generation: Hungarian and Jewish Classics Reimagined for the Modern Table. I hope you enjoy these conversations.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM SUZY KARADSHEH & JEREMY SALAMON:White Bean Shakshuka [The Mediterranean Dish]A Crown Heights Lunch Counter Stirs New Life Into the Nostalgic Egg Cream [Eater]This Is TASTE 139: Suzy Karadsheh [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we are talking all about restaurants in America with two talented editors. First up is Kate Kassin who along with the staff at Bon Appétit just released their list of the best new restaurants in America. Kate talks about the rigorous process that goes into selecting the restaurants, shares stories from the road, and offers some great restaurants we should be visiting, from New York City to Columbus to Seattle.Also on the show is Raphael Brion. He’s the Restaurant Editor at Food & Wine and a longtime reporter covering food around the globe. It was great catching up with Raphael about the magazine’s latest Best New Chefs class, and about how he personally traveled the country, tasting and tasting more, to bring this incredible group of talents to the surface.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elyse Inamine is a writer and editor based in New York. A former restaurant editor at Bon Appétit and Food & Wine, she’s now writing some of our favorite food stories across the internet, including here at TASTE. It’s so fun to have Elyse on the show to talk about her TASTE story on the rise of cute food, her view on restaurant reporting, and more.Also on the show it’s the return of three things where Aliza and Matt discuss exciting food and drink on their radars. These include: A visit to Funke in Los Angeles, Untitled Art is maybe the best NA beer on the market today, Fluffy McCloud’s is the ice cream of our dreams, thoughts on the new memoir from Griffin Dunne, The Friday Afternoon Club, tacos at Lincoln and Rose, Industry season 3 is the best things on TV.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM ELYSE INAMINEFood Is Identity. For Korean Chefs Who Were Adopted, It’s Complicated. [New York Times]Everything You Need to Make Hot Pot at Home [Bon Appetit]It’s Cool to Care About NA Beer [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the cofounder of online restaurant watchdog and chronicler Eater, as well as reservations booker Resy, Ben Leventhal has been at the center of all things dining out for nearly 20 years. On this episode we catch up with Ben about his latest company, Blackbird, a restaurant loyalty program that is rethinking the way hospitality and online culture converge. We talk about the company’s big expansion, what makes a good restaurant diner, burger nights in NYC, and thoughts on the city’s most controversial new restaurant: the good, the bad, the froggy. It’s always so great having Ben in the studio.Also on the show, it’s time to talk about cool new fall cookbooks. All season Aliza and Matt are previewing some of their favorites, category by category. Next up is cuisines and cultures, featuring: The Contemporary African Kitchen by Alexander Smalls, Banchan by Caroline Choe, Wafu Cooking by Sonoko Sakai, My Egypt by Michael Mina, The Chinese Way by Betty Liu, Moroseta Kitchen by Giorgia Goggi, Classic German Cooking by Luisa Weiss.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ellen Marie Bennett is the founder and chief brand officer of Hedley & Bennett, a beloved apron and kitchen gear company that’s found in top restaurants around the world. She’s also a chef and the host of Kitchen Glow Up, a new kitchen renovation show from Tastemade. It’s so fun to have Ellen on the show to talk about Hedley & Bennett’s evolution, the CPG cookware boom, her proudest kitchen renovations, and more.Also on the show it’s the return of three things where Aliza and Matt discuss exciting food and drink on their radars. These include: Paola Velez’s plantain sticky buns are at all Nordstrom Cafes, Hebel & Co. is doing great halva, rejoice because Mariscos El Submarino is now open in Greenpoint, Just Salad wraps are actually good, Jake’s Gouda is now doing a new cheddar called Moo Echo, YAO in FiDi is a hidden Cantonese gem, and some thoughts on the passing of Justin Chearno.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fall cookbook season has arrived, and there’s nobody better to talk about the busy time than Rebecca Flint Marx, editor of Eater at Home. Rebecca just dropped Eater’s thoughtful fall cookbook preview, and we go over a number of her selections in this episode. We also talk about Rebecca’s journalism career and what she has been excited about in the world of restaurants, home cooking, and product trends as well as the changing face of food media.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM REBECCA MARX:Cooking’s New Minimalism [TASTE]The Untold Story of the Lady From Louisville and the Bubbe Who Wasn’t There [TASTE]SF Chron Critic and His Partner Become the Subject of a Major Takedown [Eater SF]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Giada De Laurentiis is in the studio for an all-time classic conversation. She is the Emmy-Award-winning television personality of Food Network’s Everyday Italian (among many other shows) and the author of nine New York Times best-selling cookbooks, including her most recent, Eat Better, Feel Better. And check out our online retail store, Giadzy. It's really cool.Also on the show is Julius Roberts. Julius is a chef and farmer living in the idyllic English countryside off the Dorset coast. He’s also the author of The Farm Table, a new cookbook chronicling his life cultivating crops and animals and cooking with this bounty.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are always so happy to hang out with Jenny Rosenstrach, the talented writer and editor behind a highly enjoyable newsletter and a series of cookbooks. On this episode, we talk with Jenny about her terrific new book, The Weekday Vegetarians Get Simple. We get into some of the recipes that drive this creative cooking plan, and how the challenge to eat less meat is hardly that—it’s a fun adventure using spices and crafty plant-forward techniques. We also talk about the upcoming TASTE Travels trip to Mexico. For info on the trip write us: hello@tastecooking.com.Also on the show it’s the return of three things where Aliza and Matt discuss exciting food and drink on their radars. These include: We wanted to not like the Honey Deuce at the US Open, Carlotto is a hidden gem for pasta in NYC, a Flushing food crawl, Trust Me, I'm a Doctor: A Visual Catalog of Generic Dr Pepper-Style Soft Drink Logos, 1995-2020, John's of 12th Street is a great choice for NYC group dining, a reminder that late-summer is the best time for apples.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melissa Urban is the cofounder and CEO of Whole30, a megapopular 30-day elimination diet program. She’s a six-time New York Times best-selling author and just released a new book: The New Whole30. We had Melissa on the show to reflect on the Whole30 universe and how it’s evolved alongside food culture over the past 15 years.Also on the show, it’s time to talk about cool new cookbooks. All fall Aliza and Matt are previewing some of their favorites, category by category. First up is baking and desserts, featuring: Desi Bakes by Hetal Vasavada, Crumbs by Ben Mims, Richard Hart Bread by Richard Hart and Laurie Woolever, Breaking Bao by Clarice Lam, and The King Arthur Big Book of Bread. Tune in for more great new cookbooks.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matt Goulding is in the studio, and we have a great chat about his new series on Apple TV+, Omnivore. Matt has known Matt for years and really love his writing, which came to life in a series of memorable travel books as well as in the online magazine he cofounded, Roads & Kingdoms. We talk about Spain, Italy, Japan, and how he covered each country with memorable prose. And we discuss his extremely cool collaboration with René Redzepi. Omnivore is food TV at its most visually stunning, and we talk about the process of getting the show made. It’s a fun conversation with Matt, and I hope you enjoy it.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM MATT GOULDING:This Is TASTE 435: René RedzepiRice Noodle Fish: Deep Travels Through Japan's Food Culture [KAL]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pearl Jones is a food stylist based in New York City. She’s spent over a decade making food look delicious in commercials, magazine editorials, cookbooks, and more, and she’s also one of Aliza’s close friends. I’ve obsessed over the contents of Pearl’s food stylist kit and kitchen for years, and it’s so fun to have her on the show to pull back the curtain on food styling as a career. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM PEARL JONES:A Cookbook Shoot Recap! It Takes a Village. [Colu Cooks]Pearl Jones [Instagram]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oddball is an exciting new product that aims to reinvent jelly snacking, taking away market share from the dominant Jell-O with a vegan superfood snack. On this episode, we catch up with Oddball's amazing founder, Sophia Cheng. We met Sophia earlier this year on the floor of the Natural Products Expo West trade show, where she was hustling the pouches of berry, mango, and grape jelly out of her backpack. I was impressed and invited her into the studio to talk about her journey to bringing this traditional Asian dessert to the masses. I love the product as well as catching up with the company’s founder. I hope you enjoy this conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM ODDBALL:BTS: Behind the Snax with Oddball [Snaxshot]Meet Sophia Cheng [Canvas Rebel]Oddball breaking the Jell-O mold [Food Business News]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Priya Krishna is a reporter and video host for New York Times, where she’s currently acting as the co–interim restaurant critic. She’s the author of the best-selling cookbooks Indian-ish and Priya’s Kitchen Adventures: A Cookbook for Kids and the host of the YouTube series “On the Job.” We’ve all been admirers of Priya’s work for years, and it’s so special to have her back on the show to talk about stepping into the role of restaurant critic, and much more, the char siuAlso on the show it’s the return of three things where Aliza and Matt discuss exciting food and drink on their radars. These include: Long Island Compromise is the top of Taffy Brodesser-Akner Mountain, Osakana in the East Village is great for a picnic, Kato in Los Angeles is serving the country's best NA cocktails, the Frozmopolitan is the Cosmo in its best form, congratulations to Yes Plz on your 300th coffee, Brooklyn's Montague Diner is our new favorite diner in Brooklyn, the char siu pineapple bao at Mei Lai Wah is a perfect food.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM PRIYA KRISHNA:No More Butter Chicken: Where Indian Food Finally Gets to Be Itself [NYT]Why Do American Grocery Stores Still Have an Ethnic Aisle? [NYT]Was Cast Iron Almost Canceled? [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we’re sharing two singular conversations, one with chef and cooking personality Ham El-Waylly and one with novelist C Pam Zhang. Ham is a staple on the NYT Cooking YouTube channel, with an all-star restaurant résumé from Momofuku’s Ando to the new Fort Greene seafood destination Strange Delight. C Pam Zhang is the author of the transportive novels How Much of These Hills Is Gold and Land of Milk and Honey, and she writes about food like no one else.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM HAM EL-WAYLLY & C PAM ZHANG:Chicken Stroganoff [New York Times Cooking]The World’s Smelliest Fruit? Sohla and Ham Try Cooking With Durian [Mystery Menu]See It Slant [The Cut]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Maleski opened Milly’s Pizza in the Pan in 2020 as a way to show Chicago pizza fans that there was more going on in their city than deep-dish. Now, of course, any true Chicago local knows this, but nonetheless, when Matt first tasted Robert’s pie at his Uptown location, he was blown away by its understated excellence. In this episode, Robert shares his story and discusses how the legendary pies of Burt Katz as well as his grandmother’s cooking inspired what many consider the city’s top pie. Also on the show it’s the return of three things where Aliza and Matt discuss exciting food and drink on their radars. These include: Stone fruit in the summer of 2024 is working, Dog Day Afternoon is doing Chicago-style hotdogs in Brooklyn in the best way, Real Americans by Rachel Khong is a great summer read, brown sugar boba at Xing Fu Tang in the East Village, Langer's in Los Angeles might be the pastrami GOAT, double yolks are amazing, Daisy Alioto of the great publication Dirt gave an incredible talk about the Taste Economy. Watch it!Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s so much fun when Alison Roman drops by the studio. We recently had her in to talk about her excellent newsletter writing—you should be subscribing—and her newly relaunched YouTube show, Home Movies. We also talk about where she’s been dining out in New York City, her life upstate in rural New York, who she is reading on Substack (Jason Stewart, Clare De Boer, Christina Chaey), and all the things you wanted to ask Alison about what is good in and out of the kitchen. Also, cookbooks! It’s a really fun catch-up, and we hope you enjoy it.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM ALISON ROMAN:Alison Wants You to Eat the Shells on Your Shrimp [YouTube]Spanish Tortilla with Aioli and Friends [official]Alison Makes The Best (and Easiest) Tomato Tart You’ll Eat This Year [YouTube]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nicholas Morgenstern is the owner and operator of Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream, a beloved small-batch ice cream parlor in New York City with nationwide delivery. After a decade of operations in the city, he stopped by the show to talk about how the cult-followed ice cream gets made, and how ice cream tastes have shifted over the past few years.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM NICHOLAS MORGENSTERN:Nick Morgenstern Explains Each of His Shop’s 40 New Flavors [Grub Street]Nick Morgenstern Goes ‘Bananas’ for Dairy-Free Soft Serve [New York Times]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jon Fine is here! He’s a longtime journalist, cultural critic, and touring musician, and now he’s the editor in chief of The New Wine Review, an exciting publication that digs into the world of low-intervention wine. In this conversation we talk about what’s exciting in wine today and how The New Wine Review is changing the way wine is written about—the voice, the language, the attitude. I hope you enjoy this talk.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM JON FINE:If The Bear Was a Real Restaurant, It Would Be a Wine Bar [NWR]What’s Wine Really Worth? [NWR]How Good Wine Rewards Your Attention [NWR]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Priyanka Mattoo is the author of Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones, a wonderful memoir about food and place and how moving around the world inspired volumes and volumes of stories. We so loved having Priyanka into the studio, and we covered some serious ground. We discuss her upbringing in the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and her journey to Hollywood, where she worked as a talent agent and studio executive. We talk about food on TV, The Bear (naturally), but also what excites her on television today.Also on the show, Matt talks about his recent trip to India with chef Meherwan Irani of restaurants Chai Pani and Botiwalla. They visited Mumbai, Pune, and Ahmednagar and experienced so much including stops at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, Cafe Yezdan, and Parsi Dairy Farm.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM PRIYANKA MATTOO:The Best Restaurant in Town [TASTE]‘We Never Moved Back to Kashmir, Because We Couldn’t’ [NYT]The Monday Media Diet with Priyanka Mattoo [WITI]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sahra Nguyen is the founder of Nguyen Coffee Supply, a progressive coffee company that is bringing Vietnamese coffee into focus in the coolest way. On this episode we talk with Sahra about why she decided to focus on robusta, a species of coffee that is grown widely in southeast Asia but lesser known in the United States. This is rapidly changing thanks to Sahra and we get into why her work at Nguyen is bringing this delicious coffee to the mainstream.Also on the show it’s the return of three things where Aliza and Matt discuss exciting food and drink on their radars. On this episode: The Formosa Cafe in Los Angeles got a reboot, Hark is our new favorite podcast app, Eel Bar is one of the NYC restaurants of the year, Bar Contra is very intriguing, we really like Haven’s Kitchen aioli, Phoebe Tran is making moves with Bé Bếp, Martha: The Cookbook is Martha Stewart’s 100th cookbook!     Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM SAHRA NGUYEN:You’ve Probably Drunk Vietnamese Coffee Without Ever Knowing It [TASTE]A Bond Built Over Coffee Leads to Success in Love and Business [NYT]This Is TASTE 338: Haven’s Kitchen [TASTE]This Is TASTE 25: Jeremiah Stone & Fabian Von Hauske [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we have two conversations from two of our favorites from the cookbook and online world, Claire Saffitz and Andy Baraghani. Claire is the author of a great recent cookbook, What’s For Dessert, and she’s truly one of our favorite cooking instructors and personalities on the internet. Andy’s rich story and sharp recipe writing chops come together so beautifully in his book, The Cook You Want to Be, published two years ago. So what has Andy been up to this year? It turns out, plenty—both online and offline.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM CLAIRE SAFFITZ & ANDY BARAGHANI:I Tried Making Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Bars [YouTube]Challah Bread [NYT Cooking]Warm Chickpea Bowl with Lemony Yogurt [official]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cree Myles is the curator of the Black literature community All Ways Black and the host of The Baldwin 100, a new podcast from Vintage Books examining James Baldwin’s life and words to commemorate one hundred years since his birth. She’s also one of our favorite sources of book recommendations, and it’s so fun to have her on the show to go deep on the intersection of food and literature. Also on the show it’s the return of three things where Aliza and Matt discuss exciting food and drink on their radars. On this episode: Indian snack attack from Doosra and Confusion Snacks, Island Creek Oyster Farm’s tinned clams are our home cooking go-to, Hey Champ hand-dipped snacks, a visit to Brooklyn’s Montague Diner, Lexington Bakes has a new brownie format and it rules, Strange Delight might be the NYC restaurant of the summer, and long live the Seashore Flats.      Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM CREE MYLESHow One Book Influencer Championing Black Authors Is Changing Publishing [NPR]The Baldwin 100 [Apple Podcasts]Strange Delight Channels New Orleans in All the Best Ways [The New Yorker]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We welcome back our good friend Akira Akuto to the show. Akira is the Los Angeles–based chef who was behind the acclaimed LA sandwich and pastry counter (and so much more) Konbi, which closed up shop in early 2023. In this episode we speak with one of the more clairvoyant voices in the restaurant world. Akira is brutally honest about why a seemingly successful restaurant was anything but. We talk about the difficulties chefs and operators face on a daily basis and why California in particular is a challenging landscape for small-business owners. We also chat about what he’s been up to recently and the Japanese citrus he’s backing in a major way. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM AKIRA AKUTO:Konbi, Home to the Best Egg Salad Sandwich in L.A., to Close Both Locations [LA Times]America's Best New Restaurants 2019 [Bon Appetit]This Is TASTE 164: Akira Akuto [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Olive Odyssey is a Palestinian olive oil collective working to build demand, supply chains, and economic power for Palestinian farmers since 2022. Today cofounder Aya Faour, a professional olive oil taster, is on the show to share how Olive Odyssey is working to build collective power and partnering with groups like Rose Los Angeles to create special collaboration products that are funding aid in Gaza.Los Angeles listeners! Reserve a ticket for Koreaworld x Caldo Verde on August 15. Matt will be joined by chefs Deuki Hong and Suzanne Goin for a really fun collaboration dinner.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM OLIVE ODYSSEY:Olive Odyssey [official]Foragers [official]High-Minded Edibles for the Farm-to-Table Era  [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The title of this episode is “the last original food blogger,” and this is no exaggeration. Titus Ruscitti has been writing his influential blog Chi BBQ King for more than a decade, publishing dispatches from the Chicago food scene on the no-frills Blogspot platform. It’s a throwback publication, tipping to Chowhound and the original Serious Eats, and it’s so fun catching up with Titus about all the exciting restaurants he’s visited around the Midwest. We talk about Chicago beef, tavern pizza, tacos, barbecue, The Bear (naturally), and his intense interest in Midwestern foodways that has had him visiting Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Michigan regularly. This is a great conversation about one of the world’s greatest food cities, and I hope you enjoy it.  Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM TITUS RUSCITTI OF CHI BBQ KING:Empanadas in ChicagoBig Eating in Southwest MichiganIndienneSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Meehan is here for a wide-ranging and highly entertaining conversation. Jim is the legendary barman and pioneer in the modern cocktail movement. He's also a journalist and the author of three excellent books, including The PDT Cocktail Book, Meehan’s Bartender Manual, and the brand-new The Bartender’s Pantry. In this episode, we go back in time to the dawn of the modern cocktail movement and relive some of the big openings and stories of the age. Jim also reflects on his book writing career, and how there’s much more to a cocktail pantry than you think. It’s fun catching up with Jim, and we hope you enjoy this conversation. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM JIM MEEHAN:Celebrity Booze Tasting with Danny Brown and Jim Meehan [YouTube]Jim Meehan’s Deep Dive into the Cocktail Kitchen [Portland Monthly]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This one is a long time coming, and we're thrilled to welcome Sam Sifton into our studio. Sam has held various key roles at the New York Times including food editor, culture editor, national editor, and restaurant critic. He’s also the founding editor of New York Times Cooking, which has become one of the paper’s biggest financial successes in decades. In this episode, Sam talks about the world of food media, his appetite for news and culture, his prolific newsletter output, and some of his most memorable reviews when he was working as a critic. Sam is a true one of one, and it was such fun to have him in for a conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM SAM SIFTON:Cherries for Black Forest Cake, Tomatoes for Gazpacho [NYT]The Reviewing Life [NYT]Nello [NYT]Torrisi Italian Specialties [NYT]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we’re revisiting two of my favorite conversations with food folks who make their own rules. DeVonn Francis is a chef, recipe developer, and events producer based in Brooklyn. His culinary events studio, Yardy World, has developed a cult following around vibrant, lush experiences rooted in Caribbean cuisine with some of the best vibes and playlists around, and now they’re joining the CPG boom. Arielle Johnson is a flavor scientist who advises some of the top restaurants and chefs in the world on how to turbocharge their cooking with chemistry. She’s currently the science director of Noma Projects, and she’s sharing all her wisdom in a new book: Flavorama. It’s a delight having her on the show to answer all our questions about the science behind what we eat—truly a must-listen episode for anyone interested in food.MORE FROM DEVONN FRANCIS AND ARIELLE JOHNSONWelcome to the DeVonn Francis Dinner Party Multiverse [TASTE]How This Jamaican American Chef is Redefining Hospitality [LA Times]Do You Know How Flavor Works? [NY Times]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we have a great double episode. First up is the Los Angeles–based chef, recipe developer, and writer Chloe Walsh, author of Anchovies and Soup, a terrific Substack that muses about food life in LA, in the writer’s native England, and at points in between. Also on the show, we catch up with our old friend, the amazing photographer and director Eyal Yassky-Weiss. We talk about some of Eyal’s recent travels, our collaboration while on assignment in Ethiopia, and his new travel recommendation project, Unnamed Traveler. I hope you enjoy these two great conversations.  Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM CHLOE WASH & EYAL YASSKY-WEISS:Honey Poached Strawberries [Substack]Me, Myself & Milan [Substack]The Musakhan Queens of Ramallah [TASTE]From the Mouth of the Gods [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cake Zine is an independent print magazine exploring society through sweets, cofounded by Tanya Bush and TASTE contributing editor and the show's co-host Aliza Abarbanel. Their fifth issue, Candy Land, explores candy’s connections to the natural and unnatural world. On the show, Aliza and Tanya unpack how they made the issue and the many cultural connotations of candy. Also on the show, Amy Rose Spiegel reads a piece from the latest issue.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM CAKE ZINECandy Land [official]This Is TASTE 329: Cake Zine’s Tough Cookie [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kareem Rahma is a comedian and media host based in New York City. He’s the mind behind several popular online series, like Subway Takes and Keep the Meter Running, where he provides an insider look into the hot takes and taxi driver dining destinations that power the city. It’s so fun to have him on the show to talk about his new show The Last Stop, his media POV, and his past as a teenage delinquent McDonald’s employee. Also on the show, Aliza and Matt discuss what they are loving in the world of produce. What's great at the farmer's market, Row 7's exciting garleek, and how it all works into recent cooking projects.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM KAREEM RAHMAHow a Subway Talk Show Won Over the Internet (and Olivia Wilde) [GQ]The Empath: How Kareem Rahma Took Over Your Feed [Brooklyn Magazine]Baby Boomers have ruined the world..it's time for REVENGE! [YouTube]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was fun having chef René Redzepi in the studio to talk about his great new (and first) television show, a sweeping food documentary series called Omnivore, streaming now on Apple TV+ and perfect for a weekend binge. In this episode we hear about the future of Noma, Jeremy Allen White and René’s workout routine while filming The Bear in Copenhagen, and why coffee is truly one of the food world’s greatest miracles. We also dig into some of the big topics covered on Omnivore, including how tuna went from trash fish to Japanese treasure, and why bananas are one of the most misunderstood foods.Also on the show Aliza and Matt cover three things they each are into right now. These include: Edith's and Cait's Key Lime Pies collaborating on the best slushy of the summer in Brooklyn, Matt finally visits new NYC Korean restaurant Kisa and is blown away, support restaurants in the summer! Also: Nico Villasenor popping up at Little Egg, Philadelphia's Mighty Bread Company might make the best cherry pie, scene report from Mag Culture, and Gary He's McAtlas is a book about McDonald's that says so much more. It's very cool and you can pre-order it now.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM RENE REDZEPI:Omnivore Takes a ‘Planet Earth’ Approach to Food [FDL]Apple TV+ Food Series Has the Right Ingredients [Observer]Noma, Rated the World’s Best Restaurant, Is Closing Its Doors [NYT]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Khushbu Shah is a journalist and the author of a terrific new book, Amrikan: 125 Recipes from the Indian American Diaspora. She was most recently the restaurant editor at Food & Wine magazine, where she crisscrossed the United States several times over on the hunt for the country’s best new chefs. In this very impressive debut book, Khushbu covers Indian-American home cooking through a very personal lens, offering recipes that blend South Asia with suburban Michigan sensibilities. In this episode we talk about what inspired her to take this journey, and about her deft recipe development chops. And, of course, we talked a little bit about restaurants, something we both share a great deal of love for. It’s so great having Khushbu on the show.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about three things they are into right now. These include Agi’s Counter in Brooklyn hitting new gears, the Gjelina pop-ups in New York City, and an early look at the terrific upcoming Ina Garten memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens. And more: it’s cold noodle season at Noodlecraft in Queens, Sufjan Stevens’s Illinoise on Broadway is incredible, the final issue of MOLD magazine has arrived, and Cake Zine’s new issue is here!   Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM KHUSHBU SHAH:  Khushbu Shah Wants Her Seltzer Bubbles to Hurt [Grub Street]Cheesy Masala Corn Pizza [Food & Wine]Get to Know Masa, the Bedrock of Mexican Cuisine [Food & Wine]Fudgetown, USA [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a fun conversation we have with Caroline Chambers, the author of the popular Substack What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking, as well as an upcoming cookbook of the same name. Caroline has had such an interesting career in food media, and we dig into how she went from relative obscurity to running the number one ranked Substack in the competitive food category. We talk about what makes a great Internet recipe, and how she worked social media hard during the pandemic to speak with an audience that was looking for just what she was cooking - when many didn’t feel like cooking. We also talk about her life in California, her time living in New York City, and sneak a little sports talk into the mix as well. Caroline is a new favorite of ours and we hope you enjoy this talk.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM CAROLINE CHAMBERS:The WTC vacation house meal plan [Substack]Tuna cottage cheese avocado salad [IG]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we have two great conversations. First up is Molly Baz. With a signature voice and absolutely wild recipe development skills, Molly has won over millions of fans worldwide and she talks about her latest book, More Is More, which taps into the food world’s more maximalist urges. Also on the show is Dwight Garner. Dwight has been a book critic at the New York Times since 2008, and he has now written one of our favorite food books in years (not an exaggeration). The Upstairs Delicatessen is a book about “eating, reading, reading about eating, and eating while reading.” This is completely, 100% Matt’s bag, and Dwight’s style and rhythm had us reading until we were full (and then some). In this extremely fun episode, Dwight shares the book’s origins and digs into some of his most memorable meals and books, and books about meals, and meals…you get the point.  Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Chicago Hospitality Accountability and Advocacy Database, or the CHAAD Project, is an organization created by and for hospitality workers in Chicago to advance accountability and end labor abuses within the industry. On this episode Aliza speaks with cofounder and director of communications Raeghn Draper on the show to talk about CHAAD’s work and about building a more equitable hospitality industry. It’s essential listening for anyone who loves food and restaurants.Also on the show we talk about these booming NA beer times we are living in. TASTE columnist Jordan Michelman returns to the show to talk about the NA beer story he dropped this week. Jordan tasted over 60 alcohol-free beers from around the world. Which came out on top? Listen to find out.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.READ MORE ABOUT CHAAD AND NA BEER:The CHAAD Project [official]Chicago Hospitality Workers Have New Digital Tool [BCC]It’s Cool to Care About NA Beer [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we feature conversations with two extremely cool authors. First up is Jess Damuck, author of the new cookbook Health Nut. We catch up with Jess about a pivot away from salads, what she’s cooking at home in Los Angeles, and how she brought a lot of color to the book’s recipe development and striking photography. Also on the show we have a great talk with Sara B. Franklin. We discuss her new book on legendary cookbook editor Judith Jones, and how Jones’ great influence is still felt in cookbook publishing today. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM JESS DAMUCK & SARA B. FRANKLINCoconut Tahini Toast Is the Only Thing We Want To See Before 8 a.m. [Well + Good]How to Make an Excellent Salad Dressing [FT]My Lunches with Judith Jones, the Queen of Cookbooks [TASTE]She Was More Than the Woman Who Made Julia Child Famous [NYT]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Katherine Lewin is the founder of Big Night, an entertaining-focused home goods store with two locations here in New York City. She’s also the author of Big Night, the cookbook, which is a truly excellent new back-pocket hosting companion, with recipes and menu ideas. It’s so fun to have her on the show to talk about summer cooking, entertaining as an introvert, and more.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt discuss three things they each are interested in right now. These include: The vibes at Greenpoint’s Million Goods, Korean drinking food at Bushwick’s Orion Bar, The Old Town Bar, a legend in Manhattan, Achilles Heel has a great new chef, Carolina Gellen’s debut cookbook Pass the Plate, The Bean Book by Rancho Gordo’s Steve Sando.       Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM KATHERINE LEWIN:Big Night, the Cult-Favorite Party Store, Now Has Its Own Cookbook [Vogue]I Own a Store Dedicated to Dinner Parties—Here’s Hos I Fight Pre-Company Stress [Domino]Welcome to the Shoppy Shop [NY Mag]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we welcome Steven Rinella. He’s an American outdoorsman, conversationalist, writer, and TV personality responsible for introducing the outdoor lifestyle to millions of fans. It was great talking with Steven about his latest work, the MeatEater Outdoor Cookbook, and how he likes to think about summer outdoor cooking. It’s not what you expect.  Also on the show we have a great talk with Darin Bresnitz. He’s the co-host of the long-running podcast Snacky Tunes, and a great guy to know in Los Angeles. We talk about his career working in early food television, and how he’s been at the center of food and drink for nearly two decades. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM STEVEN RINELLA & DARIN BRESNITZ:  A Texas Hog Hunt [MeatEater]Quarter Sheets & Wilderado [Snack Tunes]Matt Rodbard & False Prpht [Snacky Tunes]Los Angeles Plugs: Matt Rodbard [The Angel]This Is TASTE 48: James Murphy & Nick Curtola [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Valeria Socorro Velazquez Lindsten is the owner and head baker of Loba Pastry + Coffee, a beloved Chicago café. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Valeria worked in pastry at several lauded spots across Chicago before creating her very own bakery with delights like green mole croissants and pineapple sourdough muffins. It’s so fun to have her on the show to talk about her pastry perspective, the struggles and successes of opening a small business, and more.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt chop it up about three things they are excited about in food and drink, including: The new Cake Zine issue is dropping, Minhwa Spirits is opening a tasting room in Atlanta, the gelato carts are out in NYC, Peskesi Farm in Crete, Queer Aperitivo pop-ups, Mathimata Mageirikis cooking school in Athens.     Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM VALERIA SOCORRO VELAZQUEZ LINDSTEN:What Happens When Crowdfunding Isn’t Enough? [Eater]Customers Help Loba, a Beloved Chicago Bakery [WGN]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this very special episode, it’s all about beef, and we have a number of experts talking about the subject. First up is George Motz, the chef-owner of Hamburger America, the wildly successful burger counter in New York City. George knows a thing or two about beef, but we didn’t only focus on the hamburger. We talked about all sorts of beef cuts and how George likes to shop for rib eyes and shoulders all summer long. We even got some expert advice for preparing beef before it hits the grill. Also on the show, we have a really great conversation with Dr. Phil Bass, a meat science professor at the University of Idaho. Dr. Bass has worked as a meat cutter and, later, in higher education, researching and teaching about the science of beef. We speak about innovations happening in the world of beef, as well as some brand-new cuts(!) that you will be finding in the grocery store in future. Finally, Matt and Clayton talk about how they like to cook with beef, including Korean stews, tacos, and slow-braising adventures. It’s a really fun episode that will certainly raise your beef IQ.This special episode is supported by Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner on behalf of the Beef Checkoff. Beef should be cooked to a minimum of 145°F as registered by a meat thermometer. For help determining doneness, visit beefitswhatsfordinner.com.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tony “Tonx” Konecny is on the show today and we talk about the coffee company he founded with Sumi Ali. It’s called Yes Plz Coffee, and if you’ve listened to this show, you know how much love we have for what Tony and Sumi have built—the bag is part of our show’s logo too, which tells you something. On this episode we talk about how Yes Plz is bringing exceptional blends and single-origin coffees to subscribers each week. It’s a really smart business model, and we get into how it all works, and how, in the end, it’s the coffee fans who win. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM TONY KONECNY:The Coffee Issue [TASTE] 20 Best Coffee Subscriptions [Bon Appetit]This Is TASTE 54: YesPlz [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alice Jun is the founder and brewer at Hana Makgeolli, an artisanal Korean rice wine producer based in Brooklyn, New York. She’s dedicated her life to uplifting sool as an artisanal drink here in the US by using only organic rice, nuruk (fermentation starter), and traditional brewing methods to achieve complex flavors, and it’s so fun to have her on the show to go deep on this special, rising beverage category. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM HANA MAKGEOLLIAmerican Makgeolli [Grub Street]Fruity, Sweet, and a Little Sour, Makgeolli Is Perfect for Springtime Sipping [Food and Wine]Makgeolli Magnate Alice Jun Is Spreading Korean Culture, One Bottle at a Time [Saveur]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dennis Lee is the iconoclastic Chicago-based food writer and newsletter daddy behind two great sends: Food Is Stupid and the Party Cut. On this episode, we have a great talk about the Chicago restaurant scene, Dennis’s unique place in food media, and how his Korean-American heritage informs so much of his work. We also dig into the Chicago hot dog and how it might just be one of the world’s most perfect foods. Also on the show, Matt, Aliza, and Clayton pay a visit to the legendary Chicago hot dog stand Superdawg for a This Is TASTE field report. What a fun, tube-steak-centric episode with a true original.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM DENNIS LEE:The Olive Garden Hot Dog [Food Is Stupid]Trot to Niles for a Deeper Cut of Korean [The Party Cut]The Cult Recipe Newsletter About Inedible Foods [Bon Appetit]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How cool was it to have Joan Nathan into our studio? Joan is a longtime chronicler of Jewish food culture around the world and the author of many cookbooks on the topic, including her latest (and final) book, My Life in Recipes: Food, Family, and Memories, which she put out this spring. In this episode we talk about Joan’s long journalism career, including working at the Washington Post and the New York Times, and writing across the world of food. We also get into some of her favorite lasting recipes from Jewish households discovered through her world travels.Got a question, comment, future guest idea, fact to share, fun fact to share, less-fun fact to share? Send us a voice memo and we will listen to it, and may feature your message on the show!MORE FROM JOAN NATHAN:What Joan Nathan Taught Me About the Power of Showing Up [NYT] Joan Nathan is more than a Jewish cookbook writer. [LA Times]A Warsaw Bakery Seeks to Preserve Jewish Food Where It Was Nearly Lost [NYT]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Lata is chef and co-owner of the restaurants FIG and The Ordinary in Charleston, South Carolina, and one of the most respected voices in Southern cooking. It was really exciting to have Mike into our studio to talk about his journey to opening FIG more than 20 years ago and how he defines Southern cuisine in 2024. It’s so great catching up with Mike, and we hope you enjoy this conversation.Also on the show it's the return of three things, where Aliza and Matt talk about three things that gets them excited. On this episode: Jim Meehan's new book, The Bartender's Pantry, the new modern Korean diner Kisa in NYC, the amazing pizza at Chicago's Milly's Pizza in the Pan, the summer of granita, hop water is getting even better with St. Elmo and others, and horseshoe crab festival was incredible. Got a question, comment, future guest idea, fact to share, fun fact to share, less-fun fact to share? Send us a voice memo and we will listen to it, and may feature your message on the show!MORE FROM MIKE LATA:Eating and Drinking Around Charleston [This Is TASTE; starts at 51:20]If You Want to Eat Local Seafood, You Can’t Do Better Than Charleston [FW]For Chef Mike Lata, Food Is Good. Really Good [Garden & Gun]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our great Wisconsin Cheese road trip continues! We caught up with iconic Wisconsin chefs Tory Miller of L’Etoile and Graze in Madison and Luke Zahm of Driftless Cafe in Viroqua about how they harness the power of Wisconsin Cheese to make distinctly local cuisine. We also talked with Ken Monteleone of the beloved Madison cheese shop Fromagination about selling craft cheese on the Capitol Square for over 17 years. And, we put our cheese-tasting skills to the test with American Cheese Society–certified cheese professional Shannon Berry. Finally, it’s three things, Wisconsin cheese edition.  This very special episode is supported by Wisconsin CheeseSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this very special episode of This Is TASTE, it’s a TASTE road trip! Aliza, Matt, and producer Clayton traveled all across the great state of Wisconsin to dig deep into the wide world of Wisconsin Cheese, from fresh to aged to blended with Indian spices. We visited Mark Crave and the farmstead creamery of Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese in Waterloo, and we peeked inside the cheese caves at Roelli Cheese Haus in Shullsburg, where award-winning cheddars and alpine cheeses are aged by Master Cheesemaker Chris Roelli. Tandoori gouda? It’s as good as it sounds, and we spoke with Huma Siddiqui-Seitz of White Jasmine about creating her unforgettable cheese.Also on the show, we caught up with John Jaeggi to talk about the Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Program and what goes into grading and judging cheese. Finally, we spoke with Rachel Kerr, senior director of brand marketing for Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, about how Wisconsin cheese got to where it is now. This very special episode is supported by Wisconsin Cheese.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We welcome back into the studio James Harris, one half of Throwing Fits, a very funny podcast, Instagram account, and online community dedicated to all things menswear. TF is not just one of Matt’s favorite podcasts around, it’s a sneaky great look at the NYC food and drink scene, with James bringing big opinions about New York restaurants and nightlife culture. We hope you enjoy this very entertaining episode with one of our favorite guests around.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt are back in the studio together to talk about three things they each are into, including: Pop-ups at Callisto Farm in the Hudson Valley, Thumbody Coffee, strawberry olive oil cake from Julie Saha, Khushbu Shah's terrific book, Amrikan, collectable olive oil with Tacapae, and three great cheeses from the Hudson Valley including Cooperstown, 5 Spoke Creamery, and Jake's Gouda. Got a question, comment, future guest idea, fact to share, fun fact to share, less-fun fact to share? Send us a voice memo and we will listen to it, and may feature your message on the show!MORE FROM THROWING FITS:Throwing Fits for Men’s Fashion [NYT]From Nike to Nautica, Here Are the ’90s Brands that Defined the Decade [Complex]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson are the co-owners of Kismet and Kismet Rotisserie, two beloved Los Angeles restaurants that have won plenty of fans with the power of herbs, seasonal vegetables, and feta. They’ve recently released the first Kismet cookbook, and they stopped by the studio to talk about adapting their recipes for home cooks, their favorite ways to treat spring vegetables, and more.Got a question, comment, future guest idea, fact to share, fun fact to share, less-fun fact to share? Send us a voice memo and we will listen to it, and may feature your message on the show!MORE FROM KISMET:In Los Angeles, a Hilltop Garden Party With a Tower of Crudités [T Magazine]At Kismet, Your Culinary Destiny Might Come in the Form of Rabbit Kebabs [LA Times]How Female Chefs Are Changing Restaurant Kitchen Culture [Vogue]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where has the founder of Chipotle been eating around New York City, and what does he have to say about the future of restaurants? It’s really fun having Steve Ells into the studio to cover some serious ground, including his early cooking career working with Jeremiah Tower at Stars in San Francisco and what led him to open a single burrito shop on the campus of the University of Denver in 1993. We also find out about his latest big idea, an exciting new restaurant called Kernel, that has a robotic arm in the kitchen and an amazing plant-based chicken sandwich. We talk about it all with one of the strongest minds in food.Got a question, comment, future guest idea, fact to share, fun fact to share, less-fun fact to share? Send us a voice memo and we will listen to it, and may feature your message on the show!MORE FROM STEVE ELLS:Steve Ells Is Still Trying to Solve Lunch [NY Mag]Steve Ells raises $36M for new Kernel [Restaurant Business]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our Las Vegas week continues! Gina Marinelli is the chef and partner of La Strega, a coastal Italian restaurant charming Las Vegas’s Summerlin neighborhood. She’s worked in Las Vegas kitchens since 2006 for chefs like Michael Mina at Nobhill Tavern and Scott Conant at D.O.C.G. Enoteca, and now she’s doing Italian food her way. Also on the show, we visit Fontainebleau Las Vegas and check out the growing food and drink options at the new opening.Lastly, it’s our recurring three things segment, where Aliza and Matt discuss the three things they each took away from their exciting week in Las Vegas. These very special episodes of This Is TASTE are supported by Las Vegas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our Las Vegas week continues with a fun conversation with Marc Vetri. We wanted to talk with Marc about opening a restaurant in Las Vegas, Vetri Cucina at Palms. What’s it like to move his Philadelphia-based operation across the country to cook on the 56th floor overlooking the Strip? Not easy. We get into how Marc has settled in and some of the exciting regional Italian dishes he is preparing. Also on the show, Aliza catches up with Josh Smith, executive chef of Delilah, the Art Deco–themed supper club at Wynn Las Vegas. They talk about what it takes to maintain buzz in the desert and how there is only one Las Vegas when it comes to the showmanship of dining out. I hope you enjoy this very special Las Vegas episode of the show.These very special episodes of This Is TASTE are supported by Las Vegas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our Las Vegas week continues! Penny Chutima is the next generation of Lotus of Siam, an iconic, James Beard Award–winning restaurant serving up regional Northern Thai food in Las Vegas since 1999. The daughter of chef Saipin Chutima, Penny is dedicated to preserving and expanding Lotus of Siam’s legacy, beloved by chefs like Anthony Bourdain and just about everyone else who comes to Vegas. Also on the show, Matt talks with Amanda Signorelli about running the Golden Steer, an iconic Vegas steakhouse founded in 1958, frequented by Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra, that’s been in her family for years.These very special episodes of This Is TASTE are supported by Las Vegas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our Las Vegas week continues with a very fun interview with Michael Mina, a legendary Bay Area chef who has deep roots in Las Vegas. We talk about how the city has grown into a world-class culinary destination and get into what he is cooking up at his restaurants there, including Bardot Brasserie, International Smoke, Orla, StripSteak, and his namesake restaurant at Bellagio. This guy has serious range, and we discuss how he sources California produce and seafood and gets it to his Las Vegas restaurants in a snap. We also get a locals-only tour of restaurants off the Strip from the point of view of a world-class chef who also happens to be a local. Also on the show, Aliza and Matt pay a visit to Sphere, the now-legendary Las Vegas performance venue. We attended a recent Dead & Company show and wanted to check in with the food! It’s actually quite good, and we share some highlights from the concession stand, including good pizza, great pretzels, craft beer for days, and a thoughtful approach to modern stadium food. It’s yet another example of how Las Vegas is getting food right. These very special episodes of This Is TASTE are supported by Las Vegas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Influential and esoteric celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has been operating restaurants in Las Vegas for more than 25 years, earning a following through his creative cuisine and sense of showmanship at restaurants including Caramá, CUT, and Spago. On this entertaining episode, we hear how Wolfgang was initially drawn to Las Vegas when opening Spago, his first restaurant there, in 1992, and how he’s seen the Las Vegas dining scene develop into an internationally acclaimed destination.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt take a tour of Las Vegas’s bustling Chinatown, making visits to some really cool places, including Ping Pang Pong, Gäbi Coffee & Bakery, Shang Artisan Noodle, and the 24-hour cocktail bar Golden Tiki. We also experience Cantonese barbecue nirvana at Win Kee HK BBQ and Noodle and catch up with the restaurant’s owner, Ida Shek. These very special episodes of This Is TASTE are supported by Las Vegas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re so happy to feature two great friends: chef Deuki Hong and New York Times columnist and cookbook author Eric Kim. We had a great conversation about the new book Koreaworld, a cookbook and cultural study that Matt wrote with Deuki. This conversation was recorded live at Rizzoli Bookstore and touches on many topics related to modern Korean food in both Korea and the United States. We hope you enjoy the conversation.Got a question, comment, future guest idea, fact to share, fun fact to share, less-fun fact to share? Send us a voice memo and we will listen to it, and may feature your message on the show!MORE FROM DEUKI HONG:Buy: KoreaworldThe Seoul Train of Inspiration Runs Through Los Angeles [Eater]Koreaworld: A Culinary Revolution [NBC Washington]Chef Deuki Hong Talks New ‘Koreaworld' Cookbook [NBC Bay Area]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

St. Agrestis has had a couple very big years in the competitive nonalcoholic drinks arena, and it’s long overdue to have the brand’s cofounder Louis Catizone on the show. The Phony Negroni is a near-perfect NA cocktail, and on this episode we talk about how it was born and how NA bottled cocktails are appearing in bars and restaurants at record levels. This is a great talk for anybody interested in hearing the story of an emerging brand in the drinks world.Got a question, comment, future guest idea, fact to share, fun fact to share, less-fun fact to share? Send us a voice memo and we will listen to it, and may feature your message on the show!MORE FROM ST. AGRESTIS:A Nonalcoholic Amaro ‘Falso’ From St. Agrestis [NYT]St. Agrestis Debuts the Phony Mezcal Negroni [Appetito]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Benjamina Ebuehi is a London-based recipe developer and food stylist who rose to fame as a quarter-finalist in the 2016 Great British Bake Off. She’s also the author of three baking cookbooks, including the new release I’ll Bring Dessert, and it’s so fun to have her on the show to talk about the differences between London and NYC bakeries, developing recipes, and more.Got a question, comment, future guest idea, fact to share, fun fact to share, less-fun fact to share? Send us a voice memo and we will listen to it, and may feature your message on the show!MORE FROM BENJAMINA EBUEHIDouble Chocolate and Mascarpone Tray Bake [Guardian]Sweet Things [Substack]Buy: The New Way to CakeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aaron Lindell is the chef and co-owner of Quarter Sheets, the wildly popular Los Angeles restaurant he runs with his wife, Hannah Ziskin. Now, listen, you’ve probably read about Quarter Sheets. You may have even had Hannah’s iconic princess cake. But this is a conversation about Aaron’s pizza. It’s…amazing. And it has a great backstory. On this episode we hear about Aaron’s wild career as a private chef for NBA stars and tech icons, and how the pandemic led to his amazing pop-up and restaurant. It’s such a great talk, and I hope you enjoy it.Got a question, comment, future guest idea, fact to share, fun fact to share, less-fun fact to share? Send us a voice memo and we will listen to it, and may feature your message on the show!MORE FROM AARON LINDELL:This Is TASTE 152: Hannah Ziskin [TASTE]One of L.A.’s Best Pizzerias is Finally Taking Reservations [Time Out]How Quarter Sheets Conquered LA, One Pan Pizza and Slab Cake at a Time [Eater]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Celina Baljeet Basra is the Berlin based author of Happy, a sweet and surreal postmodern novel released last year. It follows a young man named Happy from his family cabbage farm in Punjab to his clandestine journey to Europe, and the service jobs he works along the way. I’ve never read a book quite like Happy and it's so fun to have Celina on the show to talk about unconventional food writing, her favorite restaurants in Berlin, and more.Got a question, comment, future guest idea, fact to share, fun fact to share, less-fun fact to share? Send us a voice memo and we will listen to it, and may feature your message on the show! MORE FROM CELINA BALJEET BASRA:Happy [Literary Hub]The Tragic Exploitation that Puts Food on Our Plates [Washington Post]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rocco DiSpirito is an iconic Italian American New York City chef, television personality, and highly acclaimed author of 14 cookbooks, including three New York Times bestsellers. On this episode we go way back to his star turn on one of the first food reality TV shows on air, and we talk about his time in the kitchen at Union Pacific, his acclaimed New York City restaurant from the early 2000s. We also discuss what excites him about food in New York City and beyond. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM ROCCO DISPIRITO:Where'd You Go, Chef Rocco DiSpirito? [Food & Wine]How Rocco DiSpirito, Chef, Spends His Sundays [NYT]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alan Sytsma is a longtime observer of the New York City dining scene who is behind New York magazine’s formidable food coverage. On this episode we dig into Alan’s take on the current NYC restaurant scene and hear about New York mag’s amazing “Who Ate Where” issue, which digs into the cultural history of eating out in New York City. It’s really fun talking restaurants with Alan, and I hope you enjoy this conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM ALAN SYTSMA:Who Ate Where [NY Mag]48 Scenes From a Century of New York Dining [NY Mag]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aaron Goldfarb has been a journalist for over a decade, frequently writing on the subjects of cocktails and drinking culture for such publications as the New York Times, Esquire, Playboy, and PUNCH. His latest book, Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits, digs into our ongoing obsession with old spirits and the people who chase them. We talk about the real bourbon grails and the fake ones, and if there is any remaining Stitzel-Weller juice to be drunk. It’s fun catching up with Aaron. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM AARON GOLDFARB:The Craze for ‘Dusty’ Liquor [WSJ]Why Anyone Who Loves Rare Bourbon Should Visit Japan [Matador]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

MacKenzie Chung Fegan is the new restaurant critic at the San Francisco Chronicle. She’s a former Bon Appétit editor who returned home to the Bay Area to shape food coverage at her hometown paper, and it’s so fun to have her on the show to break down her first few months on the job, the state of modern restaurant criticism, and more. MORE FROM MACKENZIE CHUNG FEGANYour New Restaurant Critic Won’t Be Anonymous. Here’s Why [SF Chronicle]I Loved My Food at S.F.’s New Waterfront Restaurant — Until Dinner Abruptly Ended [SF Chronicle]Are My Expectations of Restaurant Hospitality Outdated? [SF Chronicle]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erin Patinkin is the cofounder of Ovenly and has advised some of the food world’s most interesting brands (almost exclusively female-founded), including Kismet, White Moustache, Pop Up Grocer, Great Jones, and Seed + Mill. Erin is an old friend of ours, and she has one of the sharpest minds in the consumer packaged goods world. We talk about so many topics, including some of the brands that excite her and the common mistakes founders can’t help making. We also hear about her time running Ovenly and what is next for her. It’s great having Erin in the studio.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM ERIN PATINKIN:This Year the Grocery Store Does Better [TASTE]Christina Tosi: From Artisan to Business Leader [Start to Sale]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Giada De Laurentiis is in the studio for an all-time classic conversation. She is the Emmy-Award-winning television personality of Food Network’s Everyday Italian (among many other shows) and the author of nine New York Times best-selling cookbooks, including her most recent, Eat Better, Feel Better. On this episode we talk about her panettone chops, what running her own media company and e-commerce brand, Giadzy, is really like, and her first time on television. There’s so much to cover, and we got to it all! What a great talk. It’s our 400th episode, and we are just getting started. Thanks for following along, writing us nice notes, and being such a smart and engaged community. We really appreciate it.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM GIADA DE LAURENTIIS:Layer-free Lasagna [Today]How to Get it Right [Fast Company]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we have some really cool conversations about European butter from France. First up is David Lebovitz, a cookbook author and baker extraordinaire. Our lively conversation is all about cooking with good European butter and why using the good stuff is essential in baking and other kitchen adventures. David is such a pro, and we loved catching up with him about one of his favorite products.Also on the show, we have a great interview with Charles Duque, managing director (Americas) for the French dairy board. We hear about trends in European butter and how sustainability and animal wellness are top of mind with butter production in Europe. He also answers the question “How do you actually taste butter?”Finally, Aliza, Matt, and Shalea share some of their favorite ways to cook with quality butter, including some unexpected twists and turns.This episode is presented by Taste Europe, Butter of France. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rachel Dratch is an actor, a Broadway star (and has the Tony nomination to prove it), and a comedian, and she was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1999 to 2006. She is also the host of a great podcast, Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch. This is a really fun conversation, and we get a sense that Rachel is quite the fooooooodie! For real, we talk about her favorite places to eat in New York’s East Village, how her cooking skills are “nice,” and why she has been hanging out at the new Second City location in New York City. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM RACHEL DRATCH:Will Ferrell: Not Now, Ghosts!! [Apple Podcasts]Rachel Dratch on Marrying Seth in a Dream [Late Night with Seth Meyers]This Is TASTE 60: Donna Leonard [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tama Matsuoka Wong is a renowned forager who supplies top New York City restaurants like Atoboy and Daniel with the good stuff: wild delicacies like chickweed, stinging nettles, and American sumac. She’s the author of Foraged Flavor; Scraps, Wilt, & Weeds; and her latest book, Into the Weeds; and it’s a delight to have her on the show to get real about ramps hype, gardening like a forager, and more.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about three things they each are feeling right now. These include the banana ketchup char sui pork from Fruitsomm x Pica Pica, My Life In Recipes by Joan Nathan, exciting times for Hana Makgeolli, the plant-based robotic restaurant Kernel, Doritos Blazin' Buffalo Ranch, and the Flavourtown pop-up at Seoul Salon.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM TAMA MATSUOKA WONGInto the Weeds [Hardie Grant]How I Went from Finance Lawyer to Professional Forager for Top Restaurants [The Guardian]Meet Tama Matsuoka Wong, the Forager Who Brings Weeds to Top Restaurants [Resy]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s really fun having two food writers we respect, in different sections of their careers, on the show. First up is Robert Sietsema. Robert is a longtime New York City restaurant critic and neighborhood wanderer who has written for the Village Voice and Eater and who, prior to that, ran the influential underground food zine Down the Hatch. We talk about the early days of food writing and what is exciting him in NYC right now. Luke Pyenson is a food and travel writer based in New York City. His work has appeared in the Boston Globe, the New York Times, and TASTE, where he recently wrote about telephone menu hotlines. We talk about his career, drumming in the band Frankie Cosmos (where Starbucks was his tour stop of choice), and his upcoming book, Taste in Music.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM ROBERT SIETSEMA & LUKE PYENSON:The Delight of the Indian Combo Platter [Eater NY]‘The Best Fries I’ve Tried All Year’ Can Be Found in the East Village [Eater NY]Please Listen Closely, as Our Menu Options Have Changed [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does Ruth Reichl really need an introduction? Ruth has been on the show many times, and we just love catching up with her to talk about the day’s food news, where she is dining out, and what is giving her inspiration to write her great newsletter, La Briffe. On this episode we talk about Paris, which is at the center of her new novel, aptly titled The Paris Novel. We talk about her time in France as a child and how Paris played a starring role in a number of Gourmet feature articles. It’s so great having Ruth in the studio.Also on the show, many listeners are starting to think about summer vacations and Aliza and Matt talk about some of their favorite destinations to visit for exciting food during the warmer months. These locations include places Chicago, Portland, OR, Kingston, NY, Los Alamos, CA, and Northern Michigan. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM RUTH REICHL:Power Player Past [La Briffe]Ruth Reichl’s Ultimate New York City Snack Crawl [The Infatuation]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pizza is at the center of this lively episode. First up is Ali Stafford, one of our favorite recipe writers on the internet. Ali is behind Alexandra’s Kitchen and is the author of a great new book, Pizza Night. We talk about Ali’s favorite styles of pizza and what inspired her to write an entire book dedicated to homemade pizza adventures (you need to pick this one up). Also on the show, we have a great conversation with Emily Hyland, the founder of Pizza Loves Emily and Emmy Squared, two wildly successful pizza outfits that bring Detroit-style pies (and burgers) to the masses. It’s great catching up with Ali and Emily and hearing about their cool pizza journeys.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM ALI STAFFORD AND EMILY HYLAND:How to Make Detroit-Style Pizza [YouTube]Thin and Crispy Gluten-Free Pizza Crust [Alexandra's Kitchen]    NYC Pizza Queen Becomes Santa Fe Yoga Teacher [Santa Fe New Mexican]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Two Los Angeles food podcasters have entered the studio, and the opinions are flowing. It was so great catching up with the dynamic duo of Jordan Okun and Max Shapiro, the voices behind the Air Jordan podcast and some of the LA food scene’s spiciest takes. On this episode we hear all about what is good and what is extremely bad in the Los Angeles dining scene, before taking the TASTE check. It’s a memorable conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM JORDAN OKUN & MAX SHAPIRO:Everything Sucks [Apple Podcasts]The Best Restaurant Awards [Apple Podcasts]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we have conversations with two exciting spring cookbook authors. First up is Tiffy Chen, the creator behind the popular Tiffy Cooks platforms and the author of a great new book, Tiffy Cooks: 88 Easy Asian Recipes from My Family to Yours. Also on the show, we catch up with Toriano Gordon, the Bay Area chef and rapper behind the popular food truck, Vegan Mob. We chat about his debut cookbook, Vegan Mob: Vegan BBQ and Soul Food. These are great talks!Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about three things they each are really feeling right now. This includes: A bridge seas avo, green beans and tinned fish salads, Hamburger America's first signature burger drop from Solly's Grille in Glendale, Wisconsin, chopped cheese in NYC, New York Magazine's Who Ate Where issue, MáLà Project hot and sour soup, Happy two years to Cake Zine! Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM TIFFY COOKS & VEGAN MOB:What I Eat in a Day [Tiffy Cooks]Taiwanese Fried Wings 2 Ways With Creamy Green Sauce [Tiffy Cooks]Cookbook Review: Plant-Based Comforts, with a Hip-Hop Beat [AJC]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Koreaworld is here! It’s a new cookbook from Deuki Hong and TASTE’s Matt Rodbard, and this week we are looking at the modern Korean food movement from all angles. Today on the show we have Simon Kim in the studio. Simon is the guy behind some of the buzziest restaurants in New York, including Cote Korean Steakhouse and the new fried chicken palace Coqodaq. Simon and Matt go way back, and this conversation covers Simon’s rise through the restaurant ranks, having worked for Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Thomas Keller before debuting with the stellar Piora in 2013. We talk about how he grew up on Long Island and helped his mom open the pioneer Tribeca Korean restaurant Kori, while finding out what the rise of Korean food in America has meant to him. MORE WITH SIMON KIM:Famed NYC Office Tower Lures Michelin-starred Chef [NY Post]Simon Kim Wants Coqodaq to Be the Champion of Fried Chicken [Observer]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Koreaworld is here! It’s a new cookbook from Deuki Hong and TASTE’s Matt Rodbard, and this week we are looking at the modern Korean food movement from all angles. Today we have a great interview that has been years in the making. Matthew Kang is the longtime editor of Eater LA and is plugged into all things in LA’s Koreatown. In this conversation, we get into the big topics of the day in Los Angeles and have a spirited NYC vs. LA Koreatown debate. The Koreaworld crew is hosting book release events in New York City (April 24), Los Angeles (May 4), San Francisco (May 10), and many other cities. Check out all the cities and dates. See you out there!Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Koreaworld is here! It’s a new cookbook from Deuki Hong and TASTE’s Matt Rodbard, and this week we are looking at the modern Korean food movement from all angles. Today we have two really great conversations. First is a talk with Katianna and John Hong, the chefs and co-owners of the groundbreaking Los Angeles Korean restaurant Yangban. We speak about the chefs’ paths to the restaurant industry and what makes modern Korean food in LA so exciting. Also on the show, we have a wonderful talk with Nadia Cho, the coauthor of an excellent new book, Jang, and one of our most well-connected friends in food. Nadia and Matt have traveled to Korea many times together, and they get into their stories from the road as well as how Korean food has evolved in New York City over the past decade.The Koreaworld crew is hosting book release events in New York City (April 24), Los Angeles (May 3), San Francisco (May 10), and many other cities. Check out all the cities and dates. See you out there!Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Koreaworld is here! It’s a new cookbook from Deuki Hong and TASTE’s Matt Rodbard, and this week we are looking at the modern Korean food movement from all angles. Today we have Susan Kim in the studio. Susan is a chef, a food stylist, and the proud Korean American business owner behind Doshi. Susan was born in Seoul and raised in California, and she cooked at Chez Panisse before moving to NYC in 2016. We get into her take on the modern Korean food scene and her journey working both in restaurants and in food editorial. It’s great having Susan in.The Koreaworld crew is hosting book release events in New York City (April 24), Los Angeles (May 3), San Francisco (May 10), and many other cities. Check out all the cities and dates. See you out there!Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Koreaworld is here! It’s a new cookbook from Deuki Hong and TASTE’s Matt Rodbard, and this week we are looking at the modern Korean food movement from all angles. Today we have Alex Lau in the studio. Alex is a food photographer who has shot covers and magazine spreads for some of the most interesting clients in the world—including traveling to Korea multiple times to work on Koreaworld. Alex spent four years working at Bon Appétit, and we get into his truly amazing journey from fashion closet intern to one of the most gifted shooters around. What a great talk.The Koreaworld crew is hosting book release events in New York City (April 24), Los Angeles (May 3), San Francisco (May 10), and many other cities. Check out all the cities and dates. See you out there!Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Koreaworld is here! It’s a new cookbook from Deuki Hong and TASTE’s Matt Rodbard, and this week we are looking at the modern Korean food movement from all angles. To kick things off, we are catching up with Francis Lam, editor in chief of Clarkson Potter and host of The Splendid Table. Francis is Deuki and Matt’s longtime editor, and he speaks about how they collaborated on the book. We also hear about Francis’s journey through journalism, including working in TV, in radio, and at the legendary Gourmet magazine. It’s great having Francis in the studio.The Koreaworld crew is hosting book release events in New York City (April 24), Los Angeles (May 3), San Francisco (May 10), and many other cities. Check out all the cities and dates. See you out there!Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Abi Balingit is the author of Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed, a delightful cookbook full of maximalist personality and transfixing sweets, like the adobo chocolate chip cookie. She’s a singular force in the NYC baking scene, and it’s so fun to have her on the show today to talk about what she’s been up to since publishing her first book, her love of kitsch, and more.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM ABI BALINGIT:Adobo Chocolate Chip Cookie [NYT]Ube Macapuno Molten Lava Cake and More Maximalist Filipino Desserts from 'Mayumu' [KCRW Good Food]Telling Delicious Filipino Food Stories With Chef Abi Balingit [Forbes]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a simple promise in a land of broken ones: no booze, no added sugar, no nasties. Ghia, founded by a French former investment banker named Mélanie Masarin, has played the NA spirits game straight, and we find out so much about the brand in our interview. We hear about Mélanie’s journey from banking to working with brands like Dig Inn and Glossier to working in the world of spritz. It’s a fun talk!  Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM MELANIE MASARIN:This Is My New Non-Alcoholic Go-to for Weeknights [Food & Wine]Ghia’s Mélanie Masarin Doesn’t Define Her Sobriety [The Cut]Pucci Skirts, Steak Knives, and Vintage Balenciaga [Glamour]   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael McCarty is the owner of two restaurants, Michael’s in Santa Monica, which opened in 1979, and Michael’s on West 55th Street in Midtown Manhattan, which followed a decade later. McCarty is truly the father of California cuisine, at the center of a culinary movement that produced top Los Angeles chefs like Jonathan Waxman, Mark Peel, Nancy Silverton, and many others. I had so much to ask Michael, and he was happy to go over his deep history in the American restaurant scene. We hear about how he moves between the coasts with ease and how he thinks about the legacy of Michael’s after more than 40 years in the game. Michael McCarty is a living legendy, and we hope you enjoy this conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM MICHAEL MCCARTY:Did This Man Invent the Modern Restaurant? [Los Angeles Times]  Awkward Run-Ins, Big Deals Revealed by 27 VIPs in Dishy Oral History [HW]Still Busy After All These Years [Forbes]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Felix Salmon has lived in and around NYC for over 25 years, and he’s one of the sharpest observers of food culture and trend without officially writing about food. He’s the current chief financial correspondent at Axios and host of the terrific podcast Slate Money. He’s also the author of The Phoenix Economy: Work, Life, and Money in the New Not Normal. On this episode we talk about NYC dining, in and out, and his family’s fascinating history in the London food world. We also discuss the early snark of Eater, the Keith McNally legacy, early 2000s dining trends, and what he thinks about the future of food media. What a great talk! Felix is one of our faves, and we hope you enjoy it.Also, did you read our big story about Trader Joe’s this week? It got a lot of attention and we are joined by the piece’s terrific writer, Adam Reiner, to talk about the company’s questionable private label practices.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM FELIX SALMON: The Real Reason Cocoa Prices Have Soared [Axios]Slate Money [official]We Need to Talk About Trader Joe’s [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s really great to catch up with Cree LeFavour, a novelist, cookbook author, and chef who just returned from four months at the South Pole, as documented in her excellent Substack. What is it like to bake bread at elevation in the world’s largest freezer? Her story is pretty entertaining, and we hear about how the world’s harshest environment can inspire creativity in the most interesting way. We also talk about her cookbook career and some of the cool projects she is working on since returning from the Pole. Also on the show, Aliza tells us all about her recent trip to New Orleans. Fewer oysters and more…roti! Visits include carrot yogurt at Molly’s Rise and Shine, the “White Claw of cheese” at Mister Mao 😭, the “fajita effect” (but with bananas foster) at Brennan’s, good hurricanes at Cane & Table, and the griddled biscuit at Panola Street Cafe.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM CREE LAFAVOUR:My Antarctica [Substack]Private Means [Grove Atlantic]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yes, Bill Addison is back on the show. We’ve long been a fan of Bill’s writing, going back to his well-considered restaurant criticism in Atlanta, Dallas, and San Francisco, for Eater as a roving national critic, and for the past four-plus years as the head restaurant critic at the Los Angeles Times. Bill is our favorite critic, writing about our favorite food city in the United States, and we catch up with him in Los Angeles about some of his recent reviews and tap into his thoughts on LA’s modern Korean food scene. It's a grab bag of topics. Bill also gamely takes our TASTE check, which is one of our favorites four minutes in audio. Bill is always welcome back on the show, and this is one for the books.Also on the show, Matt shares details from his recent trip to Los Angeles, including some of the places he dined at including: Sicilian corners and GOAT cheesecake at Quarter Sheets, celery salad at Stir Crazy, creative banchan and the new flow at Yangban, soba at Otafuku, 💯 grilled sweet potato and miso butter at Budonoki, Majordomo is still really good, and a final stop for the ages. Or, this age.    Send questions, comments, hot takes to: hello@tastecooking.com and we may read it on a future episode.MORE FROM BILL ADDISON:Inside NYC’s Korean Wave [Los Angeles Times]A Destination Restaurant in the High Desert [Los Angeles Times]21 of the Best Bagel Shops in Los Angeles [Los Angeles Times]This Is TASTE 194: Bill Addison [TASTE] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joshua Weissman is one of the strongest (and largest) voices on the food internet and the host of a series of YouTube shows that clock more than nine million subscribers. He has an abounding love of food and proper technique, and we get into what makes a great cooking video, how Joshua likes to spend his off time in Austin, Texas, and his great cookbook, Texture Over Taste.Wylie Dufresne is a legendary force in the New York City chef world. As the owner of wd~50, he pioneered a form of cooking, sometimes called modernist cuisine, and brought it to worldwide attention. And now he’s turned his attention to pizza with the opening of Stretch Pizza on Park Avenue. In this lively conversation, we talk about Wylie’s pandemic pizza project that went to the next level. We also discuss cookbooks and our shared love for the New York City shop Kitchen Arts & Letters.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today is JG day, and we are thrilled! Jean-Georges Vongerichten is the man behind his eponymous Midtown restaurant as well as some of the most influential dining in the canon of American gastronomy: Spice Market, JoJo, 66, Vong, Matsugen, the Tin Building. When JG stopped by the studio on Monday,, we didn’t have a detailed plan for our talk. We wanted to go back in time, mostly, but also to talk about how the guy stays fresh when operating restaurants in over 16 countries. We discuss the drive to earn back a third Michelin star at the flagship, and where he likes to dine out for inspiration. We also talk about how JG travels, creates signature dishes, and remains one of the strongest voices in food—without doing much press at all. Plus, we talk about Wendy’s. What a joy it was having Jean-Georges in the studio, and we hope you enjoy the conversation.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about three things they are feeling right now, including Sri Lankan milk tea from Kola Goodies, Westholme Australian Wagyu, and Potluck gochujang. Plus, Manischewitz debuts a new look, and don’t sleep on Raisinets. Lastly, Koreaworld NYC events are coming up! April 23 at Rizzoli Bookstore, with an April 24 launch party at Seoul Salon. In Los Angeles, May 3 at the Butcher, the Baker, the Cappuccino Maker. Check out the full Koreaworld world tour schedule.  Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN:     The Fifth Season [NY Mag]Jean-Georges Celebrates 50 years of Culinary Excellence [Today]Can Dried Fruit Get a Facelift? [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Olga Massov and Sanaë Lemoine are the authors of Hot Sheet, a delightful new cookbook dedicated to the wide world of possibilities unlocked by the humble sheet pan. They’ve conjured up seriously smart recipes for breakfasts, starters, dinners, and desserts, and today they’re going deep on their process for developing creative yet accessible sheet pan staples.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM OLGA MASSOV AND SANAĔ LEMOINEThe Thanksgiving Sheet Pan [Voraciously]This Is TASTE 311: Sanaë Lemoine [TASTE]Hot SheetSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marguerite Zabar Mariscal started as an intern at Momofuku in 2011, working her way through the influential restaurant group founded by David Chang all the way to the position of CEO, which she has held since 2019. On this entertaining episode, we speak about Marguerite’s journey from growing up a Zabar (that is, New York City grocery royalty) to running Momofuku’s sprawling restaurant and consumer packaged goods business, all while working side by side with the famously difficult and impossibly genius David Chang. It’s so good catching up with one of the brightest stars in the food world today.Also on the show, Matt shares about his recent trip to Palm Springs, California. Palm Springs has good food? Indeed! He shares his visit to French Miso Café, Bar Cecil, Billy Reed's, and some thoughts on the homes of Palm Springs via the amazing Mod Squad mid-century architecture tours.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM MARGUERITE ZABAR MARISCAL:Momofuku’s Secret Sauce: A 30-Year-Old C.E.O. [NYT]This Is TASTE 336: Eunjo Park [TASTE]This Is TASTE 36: Eli Zabar [TASTE]This Is TASTE 28: Max Ng [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we have a special conversation with Emily Sundberg, the voice behind the must-read (and much-read) Feed Me, a newsletter about business, culture, food, and good gossip. Emily and Matt shared the stage at the recent Adweek Commerce Week in New York, and here they talk about all kinds of craziness, including F*og Club, probiotic sodas, Faire, Graza potato chips, the future of food media, the rise of retail media, the best and worst food retail, and so much more. Thanks to our friends at Adweek for inviting us to join the stage.For TASTE partnerships reach out to Peter Romero: promero@tastecooking.com MORE FROM EMILY SUNDBERG:  Ultimate New York Beauty Black Book [Feed Me]The Dinner Party Is Over [NY Mag]Your Employees are Probably Recording You [Feed Me]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our guest this episode is one of our friends in the food podcasting world. Dan Pashman is the creator and host of the long-running podcast The Sporkful. He’s also the author of a great new book, Anything’s Pastable: 81 Inventive Pasta Recipes for Saucy People. In this episode, we talk about his pasta journey, from creating his own pasta shape to rigorously researching the many ways pasta can be cooked outside the Italian vernacular. It’s a great talk with Pashman.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM DAN PASHMAN:Everything You Need to Know About Cascatelli [The Sporkful]Anything’s Pastable Episode 1 [The Sporkful]Are Shallots Bull$#!t?  [The Sporkful]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Arielle Johnson is a flavor scientist who advises some of the top restaurants and chefs in the world on how to turbocharge their cooking with chemistry. She’s currently the science director of Noma Projects, and she’s sharing all her wisdom in a new book: Flavorama. It’s a delight having her on the show to answer all our questions about the science behind what we eat—truly a must-listen episode for anyone interested in food.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM ARIELLE JOHNSON:Getting Curious With Jonathan Van Ness [Netflix]Arielle Johnson Has Flavor Down to a Science [Glamour]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nicolaia Rips is a true New Yorker. She grew up in Manhattan’s famous Chelsea Hotel, which served as the subject of her memoir, Trying to Float. Now she’s the features editor of HommeGirls, and she’s writing for places like Cultured, Air Mail, and the New York Times. It’s so fun to have her on the show in an all-out New York episode.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM NICOLAIA RIPS:When the Ghost of the Chelsea Hotel Is You [New York Times]Who The Hell Are 2girls1bottl3? [The Face]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sun Noodle is a legend in the ramen game and the company behind many of your favorite bowls around the country. Kenshiro Uki, our guest on today’s show, grew up in Hawaii working at his family’s noodle company and later helped lead an expansion throughout the United States and beyond. On this episode we hear about what goes into making noodles perfectly matched for legendary shops like Momofuku Noodle Bar and Yuji Ramen, to name a few. We also hear about Sun Noodle’s growing consumer packaged goods business, which brings bowls of miso and shoyu ramen to home cooks. It’s super fun catching up with Kenshiro.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt go over three things they are each feeling right now including: Eric Kim’s black sesame Rice Krispies treats, coconut and pineapple payasam at Kanyakumari, the pasta tarot deck, Mel the bakery in Hudson, NY, Happy by Celina Baljeet Basra, The Bartender’s Pantry by Jim Meehan.   Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.      MORE FROM SUN NOODLES:How a Ramen Noodle Factory Makes 300,000 Noodle Orders a Day [Eater]Taking Flight to a Land of Noodles [NYT] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Julius Roberts is a chef and farmer living in the idyllic English countryside off the Dorset coast. He’s also the author of The Farm Table, a new cookbook chronicling his life cultivating crops and animals and cooking with this bounty. It’s a real delight to have him on the show to talk about transitioning from cooking in restaurants to family farming, daily life on his smallholding, recipe development, and more.Also on the show, Aliza catches up with Matt to talk about her recent trip to Mexico.Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, GoogleMORE FROM JULIUS ROBERTS:Epic Tarragon and Roast Chicken Recipe [The Telegraph]Snails Appear on the Insides of Our Windows Overnight [The Times]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Netflix culinary travel series Somebody Feed Phil proves that food television can be both accessible and interesting, populist and highbrow. Much of the show’s success is credited to its host, the delightful human being Phil Rosenthal. Phil returns to the This Is TASTE studio for the first time in over five years and we catch up about how his show has grown in scope, we talk about some of his favorite NYC and Los Angeles restaurants, and get some info on his soon-to-open restaurant in Larchmont Boulevard, Max and Helens. Phil is always welcome on the show and it’s great catching up.Also on the show Aliza and Matt catch up about some exciting spring cookbooks, including: Islas, Bourbon Land, Health Nut, The SalviSoul Cookbook, Keep It Zesty, Cured.    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, GoogleMORE FROM PHIL ROSENTHAL:Phil Rosenthal Is Opening an Old-School Diner in Los Angeles This Summer [Eater LA]This Is TASTE 13: Phil Rosenthal [TASTE]The 80 Most Exciting New Spring Cookbooks for 2024 [Epicurious]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crystal Wilkinson is the author of a compelling new book, Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts, a memoir that honors the author’s maternal ancestors, which she calls her “kitchen ghosts.” On this episode we speak with Wilkinson about life in Kentucky and what she came to learn about her family history while researching the book. Also on the show we catch up with Howie Kahn, a prolific journalist, sneaker expert, author, and podcast host. Howie is an old friend and a respected voice in food writing. We talk about his early magazine career and what drives him to write about food, drink, travel, and NYC as a backdrop for it all. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, GoogleMORE FROM CRYSTAL WILKINSON & HOWIE KAHN:The Ghosts of Black Appalachia Visit Her Kitchen [NYT]Crystal Wilkinson Poetry [Academy of American Poets]Tom Sachs On His Cult Classic 'Mars Yard' Nikes [Esquire]Writer Howie Kahn Is Fascinated by the Grill [Grub Street Diet]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hailee Catalano and Chuck Cruz are two of our favorite social media follows (@haileecatalano and @chuckycruz). The two chefs, who met in culinary school, cooked at Chicago restaurants like Dos Urban Cantina and Cellar Door Provisions before starting to share recipes on TikTok and Instagram. Their inventive recipes and laid-back vibe have won many, many fans, and it’s so fun to have them both in the studio to talk about their shifting careers. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, GoogleMORE FROM HAILEE CATALANO AND CHUCK CRUZEarl Grey Buckwheat Chocolate Cake [Hailee Catalano]Chicken Adobo Au Poivre [Chuck Cruz’s Substack]Chuck’s Spotify PlaylistSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The hamburger god George Motz is back on today’s show, and it doesn’t disappoint. George is a writer, a TV host, and the guy with the cool hair and an endless well of knowledge about the hamburger. On this episode we talk about the opening of his wildly popular new NYC restaurants, Hamburger America. The first few months has brought long lines and introduced a very opinionated city to one of the finer burgers around. He hear about it all, as well as George's take on the modern burger scene.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about the rebirth of the terrine in NYC restaurants. Terrine is an unquestionably dated dish, firmly stuck in time, a relic of 1970s dinner parties and the pages of a favorite vintage cookbook. But clearly there is new energy, a compulsion to slice off a little culinary history for eager diners. Aliza ran with the idea in a recent story on TASTE.Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, GoogleMORE FROM GEORGE MOTZ:A New Luncheonette Serves the Hamburgers America Deserves [Eater]The Carolina Slaw Burger [Garden and Gun]How George Motz Spends His Sundays [NYT]The Terrine Fan Club Is Now Recruiting [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we have a great double episode with two serious dudes in the restaurant game. Arjav Ezekiel is co-owner of Birdie’s, a beloved restaurant and wine bar located in Austin, Texas. On this episode we talk about Arjav’s immigrant upbringing in Portland, Oregon, and what brought him to the exciting world of wine.Also on the show we have a really great conversation with Harris Mayer. Harris is a New York City chef and the owner of Pulkies, a really terrific restaurant serving Jewish-style barbecue to go—that would be ’cue centered around the smoked turkey leg. His “I can’t believe it’s not pork” pulled turkey leg sandwich is one of my favorite things in all of NYC.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM ARJAV EZEKIEL & HARRIS MAYER:The 2023 Restaurant of the Year [Food & Wine]The Powerhouse Duo Behind Birdie’s [Austin Monthly]Harris Mayer-Selinger Puts His Own Stamp on Jewish Barbecue [Tablet]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kanchan Koya will forever change how you look at your spice drawer. The chef, author, podcast host, and nutrition coach has a PhD in biomedical sciences from Harvard Medical School, which she uses to champion the science-backed benefits of ancient spices. We invited her into the studio for a truly fascinating conversation answering our many questions about health claims around spices—such as, what is inflammation, actually? Find out now.Also on the show, Matt shares some highlights from his recent trip to Seoul, including stops at Buto, Sancheong Sutbul Garden, Flavourtown (100% free of spikey blonde hair), Meal-do, Honeybee, Magazine F. To name just a few! The full list will be dropping later this year.        Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM KANCHAN KOYASpice Spice Baby [official]Radical Vitality [Apple Podcasts]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Matthew Schneier is currently the chief restaurant critic at New York magazine and previously reported on fashion and culture at The Cut and the New York Times. Matthew joined us in the studio to talk about the job he took over a little more than six months ago. We discuss putting his own unique stamp on the coverage, what he looks for in both old and new NYC restaurants to review, and how he came to the job in the first place. Matthew is one of our favorite writers around, and it was so great catching up.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt catch up about three things they each are into right now, including: Patita at Spoon & Pork in Los Angeles, the forthcoming cookbook from Los Angeles restaurant Kismet, Kismet: Bright, Fresh, Vegetable-Loving Recipes, clam kalguksu at Hangari Kalguksu in Los Angeles, Mom’s Touch Lab in Seoul, Little Fatty in Los Angeles, and come to France this summer with Matt and Marissa Mullen!  Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.      MORE FROM MATTHEW SCHNEIER:Will Four Twenty Five Kill the Grill [NY Mag]Not-So-Plain Slices [NY Mag]Keith McNally, to Go [NY Mag]The Good Used Book Edition [WITI]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Himanshu Suri is best known by his rap name Heems. We wanted to have Heems on not just because we are a fan of his former group Das Racist (you may remember their song “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell”) but because we wanted to talk to him about Punjabi food. About growing up in Queens. About his new passion for gardening. Check out his very cool new album, Lafandar. Also on the show is James Harris, one half of Throwing Fits, a very funny podcast and online community dedicated to all things menswear. We wanted to invite James in not just to talk about chef fashion but also to find out about where he’s eating and drinking around his hometown of New York City. We also get into Fanelli vs. Lucien, not being able to get into Gem Wine thanks to TikTok, eating fried prawn heads, Japanese food at home vs. in restaurants, and eating the miso black cod at Nobu as a kid. We also get the Throwing Fits line on Dimes Square. This is a great talk with James, a real one-of-one guest.MORE FROM HEEMS AND THROWING FITS:Dosa Hunt! [official]Heems on Rap, Race and Identity [NPR]Throwing Fits for Men’s Fashion [NYT]From Nike to Nautica, Here Are the ’90s Brands that Defined the Decade [Complex]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You’ve spotted their iconic squeeze bottle on the shelves of Whole Foods and seen it used by your favorite food influencers and chefs on Instagram. But do you know the story behind Spanish olive oil company Graza? On this episode, we welcome back Graza’s charismatic cofounder Andrew Benin to talk about the ups and downs of running a quickly growing food company. We hear about public drama, exploding growth, critical reviews, and how Graza remains one of the most exciting brands in not just olive oil, but all of food.Want to partner with TASTE? Send us a note at: partner@tastecooking.com. MORE FROM GRAZA:The Best Olive Oil You Can Buy at the Store [Wirecutter]This Is TASTE 182: Graza [TASTE]Olive Oil Has Never Been Cooler [Eater]This Week’s Tiniest Social Media Drama Is About Olive Oil [NYT]This Is TASTE 351: Aura Bora [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christina Chaey is a writer and recipe developer based in Brooklyn. A former Bon Appétit food editor, she’s currently writing the newsletter Gentle Foods, where she shares essays and recipes rooted in cooking how you want to feel. It’s so special to catch up with Christina in the studio about her background working in magazines, expanding the concept of wellness food, and making her very own cookbook. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM CHRISTINA CHAEY:Gentle Foods [Substack]Green Curry Lentil Soup [Bon Appetit]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andy Baraghani started his professional cooking career as a teenager at the legendary Berkeley, California, restaurant Chez Panisse, and he was truly just getting started. After working as a line cook at Estela in New York City, he was hired as the food editor at Tasting Table and eventually found his way to the Bon Appétit test kitchen, where he worked for over six years and won the hearts of many with his exceptional cooking instruction and his own kind heart. Andy’s rich story and sharp recipe writing chops come together so beautifully in his book, The Cook You Want to Be, published two years ago. So what has Andy been up to? It turns out, plenty—both online and offline. Here we catch up about what is good in the Baraghani universe, and it’s clear Andy is the guy he wants to be.Also on the episode, we hear from Christian Reynoso about the recent TASTE feature he wrote describing his time working at San Francisco’s Zuni Café and the legacy of the cookbook that remains an absolute classic.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM ANDY BARAGHANI:Andy Baraghani’s Essential Kitchen Tools [Bon Appetit]Kimchi Udon With Scallions [Bon Appetit]How Andy Baraghani Became the Internet Boyfriend of Our Dreams [Out]The Zuni Café Cookbook Is Canon [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a great conversation here with David Kamp, a journalist of the highest order and author of one of Matt’s favorite books about food ever, The United States of Arugula: The Sun-Dried, Cold-Pressed, Dark-Roasted, Extra Virgin Story of the American Food Revolution. In this episode we talk about the book’s legacy some 15 years after its publication. We also find out what David is working on now, including a Broadway musical. It’s great catching up with David Kamp, a real legend in the game.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk discuss three things they are most interested in, including: A NYC pop-up report (Wizard Hat Pizza, Chrissy's, Shy's Burger), Hand Hospitality in the NYT, Unified Ferments Nilgiri Coomor kombucha, a great new cookbook: Vegan Mob: Vegan BBQ and Soul Food, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and happy birthday to TASTE!Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM DAVID KAMP:Faces for Radio [Air Mail]I’ve Told My Last Trump Joke [NYT] The Hunger Artists [NYT]The Elusive Restaurant Group Redefining Korean Dining in New York [NYT]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rachelle Hampton is a culture writer and the cohost of ICYMI, a digital culture podcast from Slate that provides funny and deep insight into the weird, wide world of the perpetually online. It’s so fun to have Rachelle in the studio to unpack some of the most pressing online food questions of the moment—Stanley cups, The Bear thirst—plus her own food media consumption, and much more.Also on the show, Matt catches up with Suzy Karadsheh, a good friend of TASTE and the author of The Mediterranean Dish: 120 Bold and Healthy Recipes You'll Make on Repeat. They talk about an upcoming trip to Greece and some more exciting plans on the horizon.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM RACHELLE HAMPTON & SUZY KARADSHEH:Restaurant Wars: Keith Lee vs Atlanta [Slate Podcasts]The Orwellian World of Vintage Fast-Food Training Videos [Slate Podcasts]TASTE Travels Greece: Cooking and Eating Through Athens and Crete [TASTE]White Bean Shakshuka [The Mediterranean Dish]  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We enjoyed having Jamila Robinson in the studio. Jamila is the editor in chief of Bon Appétit and Epicurious, the storied Condé Nast food publications that she took over in September. There are big plans and changes afoot at One World Trade Center, and we talk about Jamila’s vision for the future and the publications’ ongoing labor dispute, while looking back at her career working in newspapers in Detroit and Philadelphia. This is a really great talk!Also on the show, Matt shares some highlights from his recent trip to Charleston, South Carolina, putting fresh eyes on one of America’s great food cities. Stops include: Vern’s, Lewis Barbecue, Palmira Barbecue, Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ, Weltons Tiny Bakeshop, The Spectator Hotel, Fig, 167 Raw, Kultura, Little Jack’s Tavern.   Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM JAMILA ROBINSON:Jamila Robinson Is Named Next Editor of Bon Appétit Magazine [NYT]This Is TASTE 262: Lyndsay C. Green [TASTE]The Balthazar Cookbook: My Personal Cooking School [TASTE]Charleston CVB [official]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we are excited to welcome award-winning director Trần Anh Hùng to the studio. His latest film, the lush and food-centered The Taste of Things, is in theaters now. It stars Juliette Binoche and Benoît Magimel, who cook (and cook and cook!) for friends and visitors with a passion that transcends the idea of “foodie,” Detailed, painstaking process cooking and late-19th-century suiting are major threads, with food scenes guided by the eye of legendary international chef Pierre Gagnaire. We speak with the director about bringing this universe to life, and about the food of his childhood growing up in Da Nang, Vietnam. It’s really a great talk, and we hope you enjoy it.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM TRAN ANH HUNG:‘The Taste of Things’ Review: Love, Loss and Loins of Veal [NYT] ‘The Taste of Things’ Is a Kitchen-set Love Story. It Was Made by Exes [LA Times] Our Growing Hunger for Food on Screen [FT]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we have a great double episode of the show. Alex Prud’homme’s new book, Dinner with the President, is a history of American food, politics, and 26 presidents, from George Washington starving at Valley Forge in 1777 to Donald Trump’s burger banquets. It was such a good time having Alex on the show to talk about how food has been used as a diplomatic tool since the founding of the United States, and also dig into the legacy of his famous great aunt - Julia Child.Also on the show we welcome Ali Rosen to the studio. Ali is a cookbook author, TV food host, and successful rom-com novelist, having published the hit novel Recipe for Second Chances. She is also the author of the new cookbook, 15 Minute Meals. On this episode we talk about what makes a 15 minute meal, and how she writes her food-focused fiction. It’s such a fun talk, I hope you enjoy it.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM ALEX PRUD’HOMME & ALI ROSEN:Diplomacy Is Best Conducted at the Dinner Table [NYT]Alex Prud’homme Wishes He Was in the Room Where It Happened [NYT]Potluck with Ali Rosen [official]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rose Wilde is the pastry chef and owner of Red Bread in Los Angeles, a pioneering microbakery that’s been championing whole grains and sustainable baking for over a decade.  She's headed the bread and pastry programs at Michelin-starred Rustic Canyon, Manuela, and Mother Wolf, and now she’s sharing her wisdom in the wonderful baking book Bread and Roses. We loved having Rose on the show to talk about the joys and challenges of baking with whole grains, her flock of chickens, and more. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM ROSE WILDE:Red Bread Bakery [official]Rose Wilde's 'Bread and Roses' [Wordloaf]Buy: Bread and Roses See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was a lot of fun having PJ Vogt in the studio. PJ is a recognizable figure in the world of public radio and podcast. He’s currently the host of one of our favorite shows today, Search Engine, and we talk about his recent food-related episodes, digging into sushi fraud and airplane coffee. We also chop it up about so many topics in food, including his ongoing coffee journey and some of PJ’s favorite NYC restaurants. What a great talk—we hope you enjoy it!Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.  MORE FROM PJ VOGT:Why Are There So Many Chicken Bones on the Street? [Apple]Am I the Victim of an International Sushi Scam? [Apple]Search Engine Is the Spiritual Successor to Reply All [Vulture]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aura Bora is a sparkling water that pushes the limits of sparkling water. Founded by Paul Voge, it’s a company that prides itself on spiking its cans of water with herbs, fruits, and flowers for earthly tastes and heavenly feelings. (True to the claim, we certainly had some feelings when we tried their green bean casserole concoction.) Paul, a guest on today’s show, has incredible taste and is bursting with passion for his waters. We talk about his journey and how he comes up with flavors that include chai cranberry, persimmon clove, and peppermint watermelon. If you haven’t tried Aura Bora, you don’t know what you’re missing. Also on the show, Matt is back from a California road trip and gives some of his highlights, including The Duchess and The Summit in Ojai, Bell’s in Los Alamos, Ad Astra Bread in Monterey, Cat & Cloud Coffee in Santa Cruz, Itani Ramen and Fentons Creamery in Oakland, the cafe at Chez Panisse in Berkeley(!), Ad Hoc and Mustards Grill in Yountville, and El Molino Central in Sonoma.Want to partner with TASTE? Send us a note at: partner@tastecooking.com. MORE FROM AURA BORA:We’ve Hit Peak Beverage [TASTE]Dry Guys Olive Oil Martini [official]This Is TASTE 303: Olipop [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re thrilled to finally have Angelo Sosa on the show. Angelo is one of the most talented chefs we've gotten to know, and he’s currently the chef at two really great restaurants in Phoenix: Tia Carmen and Kembara. Angelo was also the runner up on Top Chef and has worked with some of the biggest names in the game, including Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Alain Ducasse, Stephen Starr, and Masaharu Morimoto. On this episode we talk about Angelo’s TV past and dig into his passion for Asian cuisine, including his deeply creative work with Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese flavors and techniques at his latest opening, Kembara. We really loved catching up with Angelo and hope you enjoy this conversation.Also on the show, Matt gives his highlights from a recent trip to Phoenix. Stops include: Unos Tacos y Birria, Tacos Chiwas, the greatness of Monsoon Market, Wagyu beef rendang at Kembara, and Pizzeria Bianco.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.      MORE FROM ANGELO SOSA:Angelo Sosa’s Kembara Is a Love Letter to His Asian Travels [Forbes]Must-Try Restaurants in Phoenix with Angelo Sosa [A Taste of AZ]This Is TASTE 251: Dale Talde [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

DeVonn Francis is a chef, recipe developer, and events producer based in Brooklyn. His culinary events studio, Yardy World, has developed a cult following around vibrant, lush experiences rooted in Caribbean cuisine with some of the best vibes and playlists around, and now they’re joining the CPG boom. It’s a joy to have DeVonn in the studio to talk about his distinctive POV, starring in the second season of High on the Hog, his dream dinner party lineup, and more.  Also on the show the return of three things, where Aliza and Matt go over some of the books, restaurants, and citrus fruits they are most excited about. This includes: Flan at Nenes Taqueria, al bap at AriAri, crispy shallots and fish roe from Ignacia Valdes pop-ups, Priya’s Kitchen Adventures, PSA: The pomelos are hitting in NYC right now, Pizza Night: Deliciously Doable Recipes for Pizza and Salad.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM DEVONN:Welcome to the DeVonn Francis Dinner Party Multiverse [TASTE]The 2021 Feel Good Food Plan [Bon Appetit]Yardy World [official]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our friend Jamie Oliver returns to the show, this time live from Rizzoli Bookstore in Manhattan as part of our TASTE Live at Rizzoli reading series. It was so great catching up with the chef and healthy eating advocate to discuss so many topics, and to dig into his great new book: 5 Ingredients Mediterranean: Simple Incredible Food.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM JAMIE OLIVER:Jamie Oliver Does Mediterranean [All Of It]Jamie Oliver Shares 5-ingredient Meals [GMA]How Long Gone: Jamie Oliver [Apple]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pizza Week continues! On this episode, we chat with the one and only Daniel Holzman, the chef and owner of Danny Boy’'s Famous Original Pizza in Los Angeles. Daniel is a good friend of TASTE and Matt’s longtime writing partner (they wrote Food IQ together). Here they catch up about all things pie, including what Los Angeles was missing when Danny Boy’s jumped into the scene a few years back. We find out about Daniel’s detailed approach to bring New York City slices to the West Coast, his upcoming expansion plans, and what excites him about pizzas around the world. It’s good catching up with our friend, as always.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM DANIEL HOLZMAN:This Is TASTE 69: Daniel Holzman [TASTE]The Dish: Daniel Holzman [CBS]One of LA’s Best New York City-Style Pizza Shops Expands to Westwood [Eater]Are You Team Ranch on Pizza? [TikTok]  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pizza Week continues! Noam Grossman is the founder of Upside Pizza, an NYC slice shop that breaks all the rules in the best possible way. The pizza is very legit and is made with 100-percent naturally leavened dough, with a sourdough starter that has a 72-hour rise time. It’s not your typical slice joint! On this episode, we hear about Grossman’s journey to pizza and about how Upside—along with soup and ice cream offshoots Soupside and Softside—brings personality and voice to the sometimes bland world of the NYC slice. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM NOAM GROSSMAN:The Kings of the Dollar Slice Build a Better Pizza [NYT]Where I Work: Noam Grossman [6sqft]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pizza Week continues! Franny’s is a world-class pizzeria and restaurant located at the northern tip of the Jersey Shore in Highlands, New Jersey. When the shop’s chef and owner, Mya Anitai, left a successful restaurant career in Richmond, Virginia (Mamma Zu, Dinamo) to move to New Jersey, she didn’t know exactly what to expect. What she built over the past few years is pretty extraordinary. The best grandma slice in Jersey? Some would say. In this episode, Mya shares her journey and the pizza style that has earned her the attention of many in and around the New York metro area.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM MYA ANITAI:A Conversation with Mya Anitai [Pizza Today]Franny’s Off the Beach [TikTok]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pizza Week continues! The title on Anthony Falco’s business card is “global pizza consultant,” and, true to form, Anthony has helped people achieve their dreams of starting pizzerias and perfecting their craft around the globe. In this highly entertaining conversation, Falco shares some of his favorite gigs and talks about his time helping launch and grow the pizza operation at Roberta’s, the singular Bushwick pizzeria that inspired the launch of thousands of Neapolitan pizza shops around the globe. Anthony is the author of Pizza Czar: Recipes and Know-How from a World-Traveling Pizza Chef, and we talk about translating these big ideas to a home setting. It’s great catching up with this legend in the pizza game, and we hope you enjoy it.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM ANTHONY FALCO:Anthony Falco Left Roberta’s. Now He’s an “International Pizza Consultant” [BA]Odd Job: Meet an International Pizza Consultant [Vox]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to Pizza Week! From time to time we like to break into a thematic groove, and this is one of those weeks. We have a bunch of fun interviews planned. First up is Dan Richer, the owner of Razza in Jersey City, New Jersey. Yeah yeah, New York Times critic Pete Wells once called Razza the best New York City pizza (not in New York), and the 2017 assessment brought a swell of pizza freaks across the river to sample Richer’s pie. In this interview, we talk about the review that changed everything, and we dig into how Richer describes his pizza, his obsession with bread, and his great cookbook, The Joy of Pizza: Everything You Need to Know. We loved having Dan in the studio to kick off our week of pizza talks.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM DAN RICHER:Is New York’s Best Pizza in New Jersey? [NYT]Dan Richer’s Everyday Pizza Dough [Ooni]Franco Pepe and Dan Richer Share Deep Pizza Thoughts [Appetito]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here are two classic conversations. Tina Choi is the Seoul-based genius behind one of our favorite food YouTube channels around, Doobydobap. Pierce Abernathy is a trained cook, a big-time TikTok and Instagram creator, and a former Buzzfeeder, and he’s been known to model and work with fashion brands in interesting ways. We hope you enjoy these talks.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM TINA CHOI AND PIERCE ABERNATHY:How Koreans Meal Prep [YouTube]How Koreans Kimchi [YouTube]Leek Butter [TikTok]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Peter Luger is Brooklyn history and one of the most iconic New York City restaurants. Between hand-selected steaks, a signature bacon and burger service, and a tight-knit family that has run the place since 1950, it’s a rich topic to talk about. And talk we did with Daniel Turtel, who works alongside his family at the Williamsburg institution. Daniel is involved in the daily selection of steaks that are served to hungry guests each day, and we talk about the restaurant’s legacy as well as its bright future in Las Vegas. We also discuss what it took to come back from a tough New York Times review. Daniel is a really interesting guy, and I hope you enjoy this conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM PETER LUGER:How to Get a Table at Peter Luger [Forbes]The One Peter Luger Dish You Can Only Get in Vegas [Tasting Table]Peter Luger Merch Is Good [official]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jermaine Stone has an extraordinary story about how a fluke job at a wine warehouse led him to his unique place in the wine world. He’s the host of Street Somm on Tastemade, a show in which he interviews some of the biggest names in hip-hop about all things wine. He’s also the founder of Cru Luv Selections, a New York–based wine branding and marketing agency dedicated to engaging hip-hop fans in the world of wine. It’s really fun having Jermaine in the studio, and I hope you enjoy this conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM JERMAINE STONE:On His Podcast ‘Wine and Hip Hop,’ Jermaine Stone Aims to Bridge Cultures [NYT]Wine and Hip Hop [Apple Podcasts]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There aren’t a lot of things on the internet that have been around since 1999. But David Lebovitz’s blog (and now Substack), full of quips, stories, and recipes from his life in Paris, is one of them. David is the author of many cookbooks, including The Perfect Scoop, Ready For Dessert, Drinking French, and the iconic My Paris Kitchen. This is such a fun conversation, full of life and stories about pastry in San Francisco and Paris. David is one of our all-time favorites, and it was so fun having him in the studio. We hope you enjoy this conversation. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM DAVID LEBOVITZ:Chocolate Chip “Kitchen Sink” Cookies [David Lebovitz]TASTE Travels France: Exploring Camembert, Calvados, and The French CountrysideThis Is TASTE 323: We ❤️ Saveur with Dorothy Kalins [TASTE]The Making of My Paris Kitchen [David Lebovitz]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alison Cayne is the founder of Haven's Kitchen, a pioneering culinary school, café, and consumer brand that has been at the center of the New York City food world for nearly a decade. We absolutely loved catching up with Alison about her journey to launching the company and some of the wild events she has hosted over the years. We also talk about her pivot to the world of consumer packaged goods and how she makes it all work in this very competitive world. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM HAVEN’S KITCHEN:How the Haven’s Kitchen Team DIY’d Their Way to a New Test Kitchen [AD]How Alison Cayne Handles a Cooking School, a Café, a Sauce Business, and Five Kids [BA]In The Sauce [Apple Podcasts]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Banza is the chickpea pasta with the bright orange boxes that have become nothing short of a phenomenon, changing the way we think about gluten-free pasta forever. Matt is a legit fan of the rotini and the penne, as well as the brand’s expansion into pizza, and he invited Banza’s founder, Brian Rudolph, into the studio. They talk about the founding of the company, how Brian landed on the iconic branding, and what makes a great pasta sauce. We hope you enjoy this conversion.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM BANZA:Olive Oil and Chickpea Pasta Got Cool. You Can Blame This Agency. [TASTE]Banza’s Founder Is Growing a Household Brand by Betting Big on Chickpeas [Forbes]Solving the Pasta Problem [Emory Wheel]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eunjo Park doesn’t necessarily need kimbap, but kimbap most certainly needs her—or fans of kimbap need her, at least. When Eunjo, a veteran of Per Se and the three-Michelin-starred Gaon in Seoul, was opening the first Momofuku restaurant to explicitly focus on Korean food, Momofuku Kāwi, located on the far west side of New York in Hudson Yards, one of the very first dishes she and her boss, David Chang, wanted to focus on was kimbap. And focus she did, which we talk about on this great episode. We also talk about her amazing career, and how she is thinking deeply about modern Korean cooking. We love Eunjo and hope you enjoy this talk.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from youMORE FROM EUNJO PARK:BLT Kimbap [YouTube]One of Momofuku’s Top Chefs Is Leaving the Restaurant Group [Eater]Pre-order: Koreaworld: A Cookbook [Now Serving]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rie McClenny is a video host and cookbook author who rose to acclaim in the test kitchen at BuzzFeed, where she hosted video series including Make It Fancy. On this episode, we find out about her journey from Japan to professional kitchens in Los Angeles to YouTube stardom. We also talk about her terrific debut cookbook, Make It Japanese: Simple Recipes for Everyone. We hope you enjoy this conversation. Also on the show, Matt catches up with his old friend Evan Wittenberg. Evan is passionate about the Philadelphia food scene, the Netflix works of Phil Rosenthal, Cormac McCarthy novels, and playing the drums. He is also 13. It’s fun catching up with one of our younger listeners to find out what is good.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. MORE FROM RIE MCCLENNY:A Japanese Homestyle Meatball Clinches the Comfort Food Crown [TASTE]Let’s Make Gyoza [TikTok]Phil Rosenthal vs. a 7-Year-Old [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sana Javeri Kadri is the founder of Diaspora Co., an equitable—and highly useful—spice company paying an average of six times the commodity price to 150 farm partners across India and Sri Lanka. On this episode Sana unpacks exactly how Diaspora Co. has expanded their scope and scale while remaining true to their mission, plus moving back to Mumbai and much more. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from youMORE FROM SANA JAVERI KADRI:In Los Angeles, an Indian Chinese Feast Celebrating Female Founders [New York Times]It’s 2023. Do You Know Where Your Spices Come From? [Afar]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Klancy Miller is the author of For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food, a fantastic new anthology pairing recipes and reflections that began as a magazine with the same name. Klancy is also a trained pastry chef, a recipe developer, and the author of Cooking Solo: The Fun of Cooking for Yourself. We’ve long admired Klancy’s work, and it’s a thrill to have her on the show to talk about creating the book she wished she had access to when coming up in the industry, her love of Paris, and much more.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from youMORE FROM KLANCY MILLER:A Juneteenth Menu from Chef Klancy Miller [Vogue]Klancy Miller's Favorite NYC Spots Run By Black Women [The Infatuation]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kaitlin and Sarah Leung join us in the studio to talk about their long-running online food blog The Woks of Life. For anybody who has ever held a wok over high heat, The Woks of Life has been a steady hand helping you along the way. In this fun episode, we talk about how the pair went professional with their blog and how they wrote their debut cookbook, The Woks of Life, with their parents. That’s four authors—two parents and two siblings—for those who are counting. We also find out some answers to life’s biggest burning Chinese home cooking questions. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you. Read more from the Woks of Life:How to Make Wontons [The Woks of Life]Behind the Blog: The Woks of Life [The Food Network]Pulling Noodles at Xi’an Famous Foods [Food Network]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan Frommer is the founder and editor in chief of the New Consumer, an influential publication that covers the intersection of technology and consumer brands—and many of these brands live in the food world. We wanted to have Dan on the show to talk about his year-end consumer trends report, as well as just to shoot the shit about the big stories of 2023: the big moves in consumer packaged goods and retail, and what the future holds for our current United States of Ozempic. It’s so great catching up with Dan in the studio. Also on the show, Aliza and Matt go over some of their cooking resolutions for 2024, including making bread, working that pizza, and much more.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM DAN FROMMER:Consumer Trends 2024 [The New Consumer]What Happened to Blue Apron? [The New Consumer]This Is TASTE 234: Dan Frommer [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emily Sundberg has a knack for writing stories that get people talking. The freelance writer and mind behind the business newsletter Feed Me has an expert eye for trends in the food space and beyond, like the return of whole milk and the rise of the “shoppy shop”—you know, those cute, curated grocery stores that all seem to carry the same made-for-Instagram products. We wanted to have Emily back into the studio to talk about the year in food and drink retail—the products, the trends, and all the media that flows around them. We also talk about the future of Bon Appétit, and how food media is struggling to fight for your "time and your tabs." Emily is truly one of our favorite voices on the food internet (and really online as a whole), and we were excited to have her on the show. Also on the show, Aliza and Matt discuss the year in new (and kind-of-new) products and call out their favorites. These include Diaspora Co. pumpkin spice mix, Confusion Snacks popcorn, Cabi Foods dashi soy sauce, OLIPOP everything, Taiwanese soy paste, and Lexington Bakes brownies.        Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We’d love to hear from you.MORE FROM EMILY SUNDBERG:Welcome to the Shoppy Shop [NY Mag]Ultimate New York Beauty Black Book [Feed Me]The Dinner Party Is Over [NY Mag]Ranked: the 42 Secret Puppet Masters of Food [The Supersonic]This Is TASTE 253: Ben Leventhal [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cake Zine is an independent print magazine exploring society through sweets, cofounded by Tanya Bush and TASTE contributing editor Aliza Abarbanel. Their fourth issue, Tough Cookie, presents a hearty batch of trials and triumphs, all in the context of cookies. On the show, Aliza and Tanya unpack how they made the issue, the many cultural connotations of cookies, and their latest trip to London. Also on the show, Aliza and Matt catch up about the trip to London and where Aliza ate and drank so well!MORE FROM CAKE ZINE:This Is TASTE 244: Cake ZineFennel Fronds and Fine Lines: Food Tattoos Take RootBuy: Tough CookieSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A writer, editor, illustrator, cookbook author, children’s book author, and really fun guy to get to know, Joshua David Stein has got the goods, and we welcome him back into the studio. We catch up about all things cookbooks and food media, including his soon-to-be-published Korean cookbook, collaborating with Tom Colicchio, and his work on the wonderful Esquire Best New Restaurants list. It’s so great talking with JDS, and we hope you enjoy this conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM JOSHUA DAVID STEIN:Three Days on a Boat with Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio [Esquire]The Best New Restaurants in America, 2023 [Esquire]How Lilia Chef Missy Robbins Is Reimagining the Restaurant Model [Fast Company]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nasim Lahbichi is a recipe developer based in Brooklyn, where he’s built a big following creating videos that blend craveable recipes drawing from his Moroccan and Puerto Rican heritage with highly relatable dating escapades. His roots in interior design and New York City inform his work in exciting ways, and we’re excited to have him on the show today to talk about the future of food content creation. Also on the show Matt catches up with Kyle Newman, the co-author of a very cool and unique new cookbook, Heroes' Feast Flavors of the Multiverse: An Official D&D Cookbook. They talk about translating themes from the iconic game to real recipes, and how Kyle’s career in film has led to this path. We also talk about him directing several Taylor Swift videos, and what food was like on set. MORE FROM NASIM LAHBICHI:I’m a Food TikTok Star. Here’s What I Wish My Followers Knew. [Eater]Orange Blossom Snickerdoodles [Washington Post]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode we bring together some of the smartest and most opinionated voices in the world of drinks. We welcome Jon Bonné, Alice Feiring, Jancis Robinson, and Talia Baiocchi. Jon Bonné is an erudite observer of food and culture trends and the author of a monumental new book, the two-volume The New French Wine. Alice Feiring is a journalist and celebrated wine writer, and she’s also the author of many great wine books, including 2019’s Natural Wine for the People, a prophetic look at the natural wine movement that has swept the drinking world. Jancis Robinson is a legendary wine critic and the host of a pioneering wine show on the BBC. And, last but not least, Talia Baiocchi is the founding editor of PUNCH and the author of books about drink and food. Talia is one of our go-to resources for all things drinking. What a lineup! We hope you enjoy it.  Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In our final episode of a weeklong tribute to Saveur, we speak with the magazine’s current editor and CEO, Kat Craddock. Kat has a long history at the publication, including serving as Culinary Director. In 2022 she was able to buy the publication full stop, and she is currently in the process of bringing back a print edition. We were so happy to hear this news, and Kat shares with us what the next generation of Saveur will look like, as well as some of her favorite stories.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM KAT CRADDOCK:Print Is Back! [Saveur]How I Got My Job: Editing Legendary Food Publication Saveur [Eater]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Next up in our weeklong tribute to Saveur is Colman Andrews, one of the publication’s founding editors, who also served as editor in chief from 2001 to 2006. Colman’s travel writing and recipe-based reporting had him traveling the world in search of the “good stuff” (well before Anthony Bourdain coined the term), and he served as the publication’s beating heart for nearly a decade. He’s a former Gourmet restaurant columnist and the author of a great memoir, My Usual Table: A Life in Restaurants, among other titles. On this episode we talk about some of Colman’s earliest stories at Saveur and how he and his fellow editors changed the face of food writing forever.  Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM COLMAN ANDREWS:25 Best Bars in the World [24/7 Wall Street]Book Review: My Usual Table [NPR]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We kick off a weeklong tribute to Saveur magazine, past and present, with a colorful interview with the one and only Dorothy Kalins, Saveur’s founding editor. Dorothy’s career in magazines and cookbooks is hall-of-fame-worthy—and in fact, she was inducted into the American Society of Magazine Editors’ Hall of Fame in 2018. She was founding editor in chief of Metropolitan Home, a leading baby boom design publication that inspired many magazines to follow. She launched Saveur in 1994, and the publication went on to receive 17 nominations and three National Magazine Awards while inspiring a generation of food editors and writers, as well as the founding of food magazines like TASTE. In this conversation we speak with Dorothy about her career and what led her out of the photo studio and into real life with the documentary-style journalism that made Saveur so important. We talk about creating the Saveur 100 and hear many stories from her decades in food media. We hope you enjoy following along this week as we pay tribute to Saveur. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM DOROTHY KALINS:A Founding Editor of Saveur Shares What She Learned [NYT]Dorothy Kalins Elected to ASME Hall of Fame [ASME]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we have a really, really, really great conversation with two of the most respected people in food: Ruth Reichl and Nancy Silverton. We came together earlier this week at Rizzoli Bookstore in Manhattan to talk about Nancy’s great new cookbook, The Cookie That Changed My Life. Ruth and Nancy have been friends for decades, and we cover a wide variety of topics including what is in fact the best cookie ever, as well as favorite restaurants in New York, Los Angeles, and Italy.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM RUTH REICHL AND NANCY SILVERTON:What’s Cooking With Nancy Silverton [Beverly Press]Who Decides Style? [La Briffe]The Sushi Effect [La Briffe]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we have a really great conversation with Alice Luo and Elaine Mao, two staffers at the New York City–based nonprofit Send Chinatown Love. As the name suggests, the volunteer-run organization provides financial and resource-based aid to NYC’s Asian businesses. Alice and Elaine have helped put out one of our favorite cookbooks of the year, Made Here: Recipes and Reflections From NYC’s Asian Communities. It’s a super savvy book, beautifully photographed and featuring recipes from some of NYC’s institutions, including Cho Dang Gol, Punjabi Deli, and Pecking House. Best of all, ​100% of this cookbook’s net proceeds will fund Send Chinatown Love’s community-building efforts. You should buy a copy of the book now, and we hope you enjoy this conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.This episode is supported by Parmigiano Reggiano USA.MORE FROM SEND CHINATOWN LOVE:Make a Year-End Donation [official]“Made Here” Is a Love Letter to NYC’s Asian Communities [Print]A New Book Explores the Delicious Diversity of NYC’s Asian Restaurants [Vogue]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Melissa King is a Top Chef icon—but she’s also much more. The champion turned judge is also the host of Tasting Wild, a far-out outdoor cooking show, and she still finds time to be in the kitchen with pop-ups. It’s so fun to have her on the show to talk about cooking with her Top Chef crew, plus career-defining gigs like appearing on Sesame Street and cooking for the Met Gala.Also on the show Matt has a live interview with British author and TikTok chef Julius Roberts. He’s releasing his debut cookbook, The Farm Table, in February and we were lucky to get a preview at a recent live conversation in New York City. Julius will be back in our studio next year, so let this serve as just the beginning of our interest in this extremely talented and cool star in food. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM MELISSA KING AND JULIUS ROBERTS:Hong Kong Milk Tea Tiramisu [Food & Wine]Tasting Wild [YouTube]Leek, Potato and Chorizo Stew [TikTok]A Lunch With: Julius Roberts [Inigo]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re big fans of Marissa Mullen and super excited to have her back in the studio to talk about the keys to winning the holiday entertaining game (mostly through cheese), and also reveal some details about an exciting trip to France we are planning for next summer. Our latest TASTE Travels has Marissa joining TASTE editor Matt Rodbard for a week of cheese, wine, and castles in Normandy. Limited spots are filling up quickly. Marissa is the author of two books revolving around modern entertaining and the art of the cheese plate. Her latest, That Cheese Plate Wants to Party, is a sharp and highly enjoyable guide to buying cheese for all sorts of occasions, including a solo evening at home. We hope you enjoy this talk.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM MARISSA MULLEN:TASTE Travels France: Exploring Camembert, Calvados, and The French Countryside [TASTE]That Cheese Plate Turns 10! [Ticket link]How to Cut Every Type of Cheese [Salon]Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cheddar [F52]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shelly Fireman is the owner of several New York City restaurants of acclaim and heritage, including Redeye Grill, Bond 45, and Cafe Fiorello. He’s also a very accomplished sculptor with a studio in Tuscany. On this truly amazing episode, we hear some great stories from an industry legend, like about opening the first stand-alone bagel shop in New York in the early 1960s, the Hip Bagel, as well as many more from over 50 years in the business. Get to know Shelly Fireman in this great episode.Also on the show we have a fun interview with Lorenzo Espada, a 25 year old self-taught chef who has blown up on TikTok and has a cool debut cookbook, Somethin' Outta Nothin': 100 Creative Comfort Food Recipes for Everyone.MORE FROM SHELLY FIREMAN AND LORENZO ESPADA:Why Shelly Fireman Is the King of Pre Theater Dining [Town and Country]The Hip Bagel Menu Is AMAZING [Vintage Menu Art]Local Chef Turned His Cooking Into a Viral Sensation [Spectrum]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bryan Washington is a writer from Houston whose latest novel, Family Meal, is an intimate portrayal of friendship, queerness, and pastries. He also writes about things like Japanese curry bread and queer bars for the New Yorker, and today we’re thrilled to have him on the show to talk about food as a plot device, his favorite okonomiyaki spots in Osaka, and more. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM BRYAN WASHINGTON:Server [The New Yorker]In Bryan Washington’s ‘Family Meal,’ Food Is a Language [Eater]Buy: Family Meal See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we have a really fun conversation with Jon Kung, a Detroit-based chef and TikTok creator we’ve fallen hard for over the past couple years. We wanted to have Jon in the studio to talk a little bit about his cooking videos on YouTube and his life online and off, but mostly we wanted to dig into his terrific new book, Kung Food: Chinese American Recipes from a Third-Culture Kitchen. We hope you enjoy this conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us onSpotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM JON KUNG:Baba Ghanoush: The Perfect Twist for Your Toast [YouTube]Jon Kung, the Self-Taught Chef Who Went Viral [Financial Times]Marriage Proposal Hidden in the Detroit Chef’s Debut Cookbook [Hour Detroit]This Is TASTE 223: Abra Berens [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leah Koenig is the author of six cookbooks, including The Jewish Cookbook and Modern Jewish Cooking. Her latest book, Portico, is one of my favorites of the busy fall and taps into the rich history of Jewish food in Rome. On this episode Leah and I talk about the iconic dishes from Rome's Jewish ghetto, and talk about the years she took reporting this wonderful book. I hope you enjoy our conversation.Also on the show, Matt has a great talk with New York Times reporter Amelia Nierenberg. Amelia has long written compelling pieces that tie together food and current events, and we speak about her journalism career before digging into her latest story: How to Hijack a Quarter of a Million Dollars in Rare Japanese Kit Kats. It’s great catching up with Amelia.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM LEAH KOENIG:This Cookbook Is a Must-Read Love Letter to Roman Jewish Cuisine [Saveur]Stop Being a Snob and Use Onion Powder [TASTE]Beef and White Bean Stew With Cumin [Bon Appetit]Abambar [Epicurious]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show, we have Claire Saffitz back in the studio for a really entertaining conversation. Claire is the author of a great recent cookbook, What’s For Dessert, and she’s truly one of our favorite cooking instructors and personalities on the internet. We talk about how to visualize a recipe before baking it, as well as some of the common bakeware mistakes we are all making. Dark bakeware is a big no-no! We also hear a little bit about her journey from Harvard to the kitchens of France to millions of YouTube streams. We all love Claire Saffitz at TASTE, and we hope you enjoy this talk.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.More from Claire Saffitz:Claire Saffitz Makes Tiramisu Icebox Cake [Youtube]The Life and Death of Tart Frozen Yogurt [TASTE]Claire Saffitz Goes Outside Her Comfort Zone to Embrace Ours [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maurizio Leo is the big bread brain behind The Perfect Loaf, an incredibly popular online community of bread fans and home bakers. He’s also the author of The Perfect Loaf: The Craft and Science of Sourdough Breads, Sweets, and More, winner of both James Beard Foundation and IACP awards and an instant classic. On this episode we talk about what excites Maurizio in bread today, and his unique journey to teaching and writing cookbooks. Also on the show Aliza and Matt go over three things they each are feeling, including: New releases from Alaya Tea, McDonald's Crocs, the many birthdays at 99 Flavor Taste, New York's Don Don is the Korean barbecue restaurant of our dreams, the Send Chinatown Love cookbook, Abi Balingit's Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed, and happy 10 years to our friends at PUNCH.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you. MORE FROM MAURIZIO LEO:7 Easy Steps to Making an Incredible Sourdough Starter From Scratch [official]The Case for Making Whole-Wheat Pizza Dough [Salon] Meet the Man Behind the Sourdough Bread Craze [YouTube]A Look Back at 10 Years at PUNCH [PUNCH]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fly By Jing is one of the most exciting brands in food, and we were lucky to have the company’s founder, Jing Gao, live in conversation at Rizzoli Bookstore in New York City. This conversation was part of our TASTE Live at Rizzoli author series, and we had Jing speaking about her amazing new cookbook, The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM FLY BY JING:Sleek Suá Superette From the Chile Crisp Queen Is Now Open in Larchmont Village [Eater LA]Fly By Jing and Shake Shack Ready a Chili Crisp Menu [Hype Beast]This Chili Oil Is So Good, Even My Taiwanese Mom Is Obsessed With It [F&W]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sanaë Lemoine is a novelist and cookbook author whose work is united in its ability to make you very, very hungry. Before she wrote her novel The Margot Affair, Sanaë was a cookbook editor at Martha Stewart Books and Phaidon Press; now she combines her love of food and literature in her own writing and through cowriting cookbooks, like Make It Japanese with Rie McClenny. It’s a joy to have Sanaë on the show to talk about her creative process, her favorite spots for croissants in the city, and more. MORE FROM SANAE LEMOINE:Mathilde’s Tomato Tart [Smitten Kitchen]A Japanese Homestyle Meatball Clinches The Comfort Food Crown [TASTE]Buy: The Margot Affair, Make It Japanese, Hot SheetThis episode is supported by Parmigiano Reggiano USA. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we welcome Ethan Frisch and Ori Zohar, the cofounders of Burlap & Barrel, a very well-regarded spice company that might just play a starring role in your kitchen. We wanted to have these guys in to talk about the early days of their company and how both left successful careers in restaurant cooking and advertising to launch it. We also find out about their meticulous approach to sourcing Guatemalan cardamom and Turkish black Urfa chili, as well as digging into more spices they think we should be cooking with. We hope you enjoy this conversation.Also on the show, Brad Metzger discusses some of the big themes that arose during the latest LA Chef Conference. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on  Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM BURLAP & BARREL:How Burlap & Barrel is Shaking up the Spice Industry [Fast Company]New Spice Company Sells Seasonings From the Source [NYT]The Musakhan Queens of Ramallah [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Abena Anim-Somuah is the James Beard Award–winning host of The Future of Food Is You, a Cherry Bombe podcast network show in which she interviews rising talent in the food space. She’s also behind the Eden Place, a food-focused community series, and always has her eye out for what’s new and next. We had her on the show to talk about the future of food podcasting, spending time in Mexico City, and much more.Also on this show Matt catches up with Margie Nomura. Margie is a UK chef and the host of a great podcast and Instagram, Desert Island Dishes. We talk about what is good right now in London, and what makes a great desert island dish.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM ABENA ANIM-SOMUAH & MARGIE NOMURAThe Future of Food Is You [Cherry Bombe]Cool Stuff NYC: Abena Anim-Somuah [Cool Stuff NYC]Dinner Tonight [Substack]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show we are featuring three classic conversations from some big names in coffee: James Hoffmann, Nigel Price, and James Freeman. Each has carved out a unique place in specialty coffee, and I really hope you enjoy getting to know some of the most interesting people in the business.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on  Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE ABOUT COFFEE ON TASTE:Meet the CEO of Coffee YouTube A Strong Case for Slow CoffeeThe Coffee Issue See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yossy Arefi is a master of the one-bowl bake. The recipe developer behind cookbooks like Sweeter Off the Vine and Snacking Cakes is back with Snacking Bakes, a treasure trove of truly simple recipes designed to take you from zero to cookie in no time. In this episode, we talk about the advantages of developing accessible recipes in a cramped New York City kitchen, what to do with fall fruit, and more. Natasha Kravchuk is the creator of the popular website Natasha’s Kitchen, and the author of the NYT Best Seller of the same name. Through approachable, budget-minded recipes and a sense of style and place, Natasha has won over millions of fans, and has become one of the leading voices in food. But do you really know Natasha? On this episode we answer many questions, and get a sense of what inspires the Ukraine-born, Idaho-residing home cook, recipe developer, and entrepreneur.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on  Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM YOSSY AREFI AND NATASHA'S KITCHEN:Peach Crisp [NY Times]Cocoa Yogurt Snacking Cake [Washington Post]Homestyle Chicken Soup and Milk Bread Rolls [GMA]Easy Pumpkin Cake Roll with Creamy Filling [YouTube]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christina Ward is the author of Holy Food: How Cults, Communes, and Religious Movements Influenced What We Eat. It’s a fascinating book that digs deep into how the fringe and mainstream spiritual practices of Americas past shaped modern food culture, from trends to products still in the grocery aisle today. It’s a conversation you won’t soon forget and we hope you enjoy.   MORE FROM CHRISTINA WARD:A New Book Shows How Chicago’s Food History Intertwines With Cults, Communes, and Religious Movements [Eater Chicago]In the Name of the Fork: How Religion Shaped What America Eats [KCRW]Buy: American Advertising Cookbooks: How Corporations Taught Us to Love Bananas, Spam, and Jell-OSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrew Rea is the man with the sharp knives behind Binging with Babish, a wildly popular YouTube channel and series of food and food-adjacent productions (we can call them short films). On this episode we catch up with Andrew about his great new book, Basics with Babish. We also go back to find out about the founding of his community and what he’s been cooking and eating around New York City. It’s a lot of fun catching up with Andrew, and I hope you enjoy this talk.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on  Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM BABISH:The Perfect Burrito-Cheeseburger Fusion [YouTube]Binging with Babish: Tyler’'s Bullsh*t from The Menu [YouTube]Babish Breaks Down His Tattoos [GQ]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’d call yourself a “fruit person,” you’ll eat this episode up. William Mullan is a photographer and marketing manager whose book, Odd Apples, documents the stunning, strange world of heirloom apple varietals. His love of fruit extends to caring for urban apple trees in South Brooklyn and brewing his own cider—clearly there’s a lot to discuss! It was so fun to have William on the show to nerd out on fall fruit, the wine harvest, and more.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt are joined by producer Clayton Gumbert to dig into the sometimes maligned, oftentimes overlooked grocery store sandwich.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on  Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM WILLIAM MULLEN:The Apple Expert Who Turned New York City Into His Personal Orchard [Grub Street]The Apple-Picking Apocalypse of Upstate New York [NYT]Buy: Odd Apples See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For over a decade Ben Goodwin, the cofounder of Olipop, has been building a better-for-you soda that aims to change the soda game, disrupting the big boys at Coca-Cola and Pepsi and offering a high-fiber, unusually addictive beverage to discerning millennials. Well, dang, 2023 was most certainly the year of Olipop and Ben joins us in the studio to talk about it all. He details how he developed flavors like Vintage Cola, Crisp Apple, and Tropical Punch, and digs into the challenges facing beverage founders. It’s really fun getting to know Ben. I hope you enjoy this episode.Also on the show, Aliza shares about her first trip to Costco! Has she been bitten by the big-box bug?Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on  Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM OLIPOP:We’ve Hit Peak Beverage [TASTE]We Built Olipop: A $20 million a Month Soda Company in 5 years [CNBC]Lessons from Scaling Olipop [The New Consumer]What Your Local Costco Says About You [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joshua Weissman is one of the strongest (and largest) voices on the food internet and the host of a series of YouTube shows that clock more than eight million subscribers. He has an abounding love of food and proper technique, and we get into what makes a great cooking video, how Joshua likes to spend his off time in Austin, Texas, and his great new cookbook, Texture Over Taste. We also talk about how he ranks fast-food burgers and foods from all 50 states. It’s really fun having Joshua in the studio, and we hope you enjoy this conversation.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about three things they each are feeling. In this episode, Bolivian Llama Party, Panettone Season, J. Kenji López-Alt's Garlic Noodles, good book alert: Negatives: A Photographic Archive of Emo (1996-2006), the fried paw paws and more at Hainan Chicken House in Sunset Park, good fish alert: Hudson Valley Steelhead Trout.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM JOSHUA WEISSMAN:I Tried Food From Every State In America [YouTube]  100 Food Hacks I Learned in Restaurants [YouTube]Making the Burger King Whopper Meal at Home [YouTube]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How fun it was to have our old friend Chris Ying on the show. Chris is a cookbook author, podcast host, and the cofounder and former editor in chief of Lucky Peach. He’s currently running point at Majordomo Media, and he cohosts the podcast The Dave Chang Show with you can guess who. On this episode we find out about Chris’s cookbook writing career, including the fact that he’s authored one of our favorite books of all time (no joke). We talk about what makes great “food content” in 2023, working on a show with David Chang, Koreatown's LA expansion, and Chris’s big plans at Majordomo Media. Also on the show we have a lively conversation with the authors of a great new book, But First, Coffee: A Guide to Brewing from the Kitchen to the Bar. Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen are old friends, and run the influential coffee publication, Sprudge. We talk about all things coffee, including making it at home and drinking better in cafes. Make sure to check out their new book, as well as The New Rules Of Coffee, published by Ten Speed Press in 2019. This conversation is part of our ongoing TASTE Live at Rizzoli series in New York City. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you. MORE FROM CHRIS YING:Meat and Threes, Underappreciated Po’boys, and Dave’s Boba Order [David Chang Podcast]Recipe Club: Instant Potato Flakes [The Ringer] This Is TASTE 194: Bill Addison [TASTE]Buy: The Wurst of Lucky Peach, Ivan RamenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re thrilled to welcome Sohla El-Waylly back to the show. Sohla is a prodigious recipe developer, a fixture of food YouTube, and a judge on HBO’s cooking competition The Big Brunch. Next week she will release her debut cookbook, Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook. It’s a terrific book, and we discuss many of the recipes and techniques, and how Sohla photographed the book in her New York City apartment. We also talk about her love of Top Chef, her own reality cooking show turn, and what excites her most—including breakfast at Veselka. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM SOHLA EL-WAYLLY:Pizza Salad [NYT Cooking]Mystery Menu With Sohla and Ham El-Waylly [NYT Cooking]This Is TASTE 189: Sohla El-Waylly [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yewande Komolafe is a recipe developer, food stylist, and author of the New York Times “10 Essential Nigerian Recipes”. She also has a terrific new cookbook out now, My Everyday Lagos: Nigerian Cooking at Home and in the Diaspora. On this episode we talk about Yewande’s journey to writing this groundbreaking work, and how the book's recipes cover the converging cuisines of her hometown of Lagos. We also talk about her life in and out of the kitchen. It’s a great talk and we hope you enjoy it.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM YEWANDE KOMOLAFE:The Plantain Has Your Back [TASTE]In ‘My Everyday Lagos,’ Yewande Komolafe Searches for Home [Eater]Nigerian Clay Pot Chicken [F&W]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here are two classic conversations with two of our favorite people in food. Jamie Oliver returns to the show, and we could not be happier to talk with him about so many things. For those who didn’t grow up watching food TV, here’s the deal. Jamie pioneered a form of food television that brought cameras into the home in a way not previously seen. When The Naked Chef debuted on BBC Two in the UK and the Food Network in the United States in 1999, home cooking on TV was a stand-and-stir affair. Here, a young and floppy Oliver was cooking real food from a cool East London flat, talking viewers through the relative simplicity of making dinner.Oliver has gone on to write numerous cookbooks (selling 50 million in the UK alone) and create food TV that expanded beyond cooking, producing documentaries about the sugar industry and school lunches that transitioned his work from dude food evangelist to heartier activism. His latest book, One: Simple One-Pan Wonders, is out now.And it’s a great day when our friend Alison Roman turns up at our New York City studio. We’ve really enjoyed reading and cooking through her recent baking book, Sweet Enough, and we wanted to ask her about what it’s like to write three cookbooks in five and a half years, as well as to talk about the TV show she made, her spirited newsletter writing, the kosher salt wars, sheet pan shortcake, and where to eat in New York City right now. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Luke Fortney is a reporter at Eater New York, where he keeps an eagle eye on openings and closings, plus trends like the city’s burgeoning breakfast burrito scene. Aliza had him on the show to talk about what it’s like staying on top of New York’s ever-shifting dining landscape. Whether you live in New York City or you’re thinking about taking a trip there, it’s a must-listen.Also on the show Matt catches up with British cookbook author, journalist, and chef Ravinder Bhogal to speak about her great new cookbook, Comfort and Joy: Irresistible Pleasures from a Vegetarian Kitchen.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM LUKE FORTNEY & RAVINDER BHOGAL:New York’s Illegal Weed Market Is Propped Up by Imported Chips That Taste Like Tacos [Eater]New York’s Most Exciting Restaurant Openings This Fall [Eater]Ravinder Bhogal’s Pumpkin and Squash For Autumn [The Guardian]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a fun time it is having Max La Manna in the studio. Max is a recipe developer and former NYC and Los Angeles line cook. He’s also big on TikTok and various other social media channels, and we get into what makes a great food video as well as hearing about Max’s journey. We also talk about Max’s new cookbook, You Can Cook This! Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM MAX LA MANNA:Sun-Dried Tomato “Meatballs” [official]Vegan Tofu Butter Chicken [YouTube]10 Tips For Reducing Food Waste [Veg News]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As writer and podcast host Chris Black tells it, he sits at the heart of American culture. “The bridge between the high and the low; the very high and the very low.” This is a very good—and often entertaining—place to live, and in this episode we get to know Chris a bit better through his particular takes on restaurant culture, home cooking, cookbooks, and the two cities he spends the most time in: New York and Los Angeles. Chris is the cohost of How Long Gone (along with Noma beat reporter Jason Stewart) and consults for brands like J.Crew, Thom Browne, Stüssy, Balenciaga, and Reigning Champ. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM CHRIS BLACK:‘How Long Gone’ Is in It for the Long Haul [NYT] Bring Back the Power Lunch [GQ]This Is TASTE 163: Jason Stewart [TASTE]How Long Gone 306: Matt Rodbard [official]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Simonson writes about cocktails, spirits, bars, and bartenders for the New York Times and is the creator and author of the Substack newsletter The Mix With Robert Simonson. In this episode we talk about his terrific new book, The Encyclopedia of Cocktails: The People, Bars & Drinks, with More Than 100 Recipes. The book is amazing in that it covers the world of modern drinking (the people, places, and watering holes) without being dry or overly earnest. Simonson cuts to the heart of the past 100 years of the cocktail, and we go over many of the entries and also dive into Robert’s history of covering the scene for nearly 20 years. It’s a great episode, and we hope you enjoy it.Also on the show, Matt talks about his recent trip to San Antonio, which included stops at the Jerk Shack, Landrace, Cured, Con Huevos Tacos, and Ray’s Drive Inn. The TASTE Texas Tour was supported by our friends at Travel Texas. Check out Matt's dispatches from Austin and Houston.  Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM ROBERT SIMONSON:Montana’s Great Lost Barman [PUNCH]Your Favorite Classic Cocktails Are More Modern Than You Think [TASTE]Making Sense of the Maximalist Cocktail [PUNCH]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ve long been fans of cookbook author and creative thinker Molly Baz, and many of you have too. With a signature voice and absolutely wild recipe development skills (as well as years of professional cooking under her belt), Molly has won over millions of fans worldwide. Her debut book Cook This Book was a New York Times Best Seller, and she’s back with a new one, More Is More, that taps into the food world’s more maximalist urges. This is a really fun talk with one of the strongest voices in cookbooks.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM MOLLY BAZA Cacio e Pepe Gets Drunk and Breaks the Rules [TASTE]This Is TASTE 143: Molly Baz [TASTE]Molly Baz Shares the Must-Have Recipe of the Season [Glamour]Baz to Basics [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dwight Garner has been a book critic for the New York Times since 2008, and he has now written one of our favorite food books in years (not an exaggeration). The Upstairs Delicatessen is a book about “eating, reading, reading about eating, and eating while reading.” This is completely, 100% our bag, and Dwight’s style and rhythm had us reading until we were full (and then some). In this extremely fun episode, Dwight shares the book’s origins and digs into some of his most memorable meals and books, and books about meals, and meals…you get the point. It’s a fun conversation with one of the sharpest minds in the media.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM DWIGHT GARNER:Dwight Garner Always Has a Muffuletta in the Freezer [Grub Street]A Remembrance of Diet Cokes Past [FT]A Lightning Rod Defends His Legacy (and Has a Few Regrets) [NYT]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hillary Dixler Canavan is Eater’s restaurant editor and the author of the publication’s debut book, Eater: 100 Essential Restaurant Recipes From the Authority on Where to Eat and Why It Matters. On this lively episode we talk about Hillary’s reporting for Eater’s debut cookbook, and how one wrangles recipes from chefs without going nuts. We also hear about Hillary’s work covering the national restaurant scene, and, of course, get her favorites in New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. This is a great conversation, and we hope you enjoy it.Also on the show, Matt recaps a recent trip to Virginia Beach, VA and the surrounding area. There's great food down there! He discusses visits to: Love Song, The Pink Dinghy, a fried chicken vibe check starring BoBo's Fine Chicken and Pollard's. He also stopped by Four Eleven York in Norfolk, Heirloom, and Gelati Celesti.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM HILLARY DIXLER CANAVAN:Turn Your Kitchen Into a Proper Bistro with Frenchette’s Tartare Frites [Eater]How a Veteran Food Editor Adapted 100 Beloved Restaurant Recipes [Cultured]15 Best New Restaurants in America [Eater]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Laurent Dagenais is one of our favorite chefs online today, and many others agree. He has grown his following to more than three million across his social media accounts and carved out a really cool space that blends streetwear, French Canadian cooking, and good vibes. Laurent was born and raised in Montreal, and in this episode, we find out about his path from journeyman line cook to blowing up on TikTok and IG. We find out what makes a great video and what inspired his new cookbook, Always Hungry!, and we dig into his life online and offline. We also talk about one of Canada’s other great exports: the rapper Snow. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM LAURENT DAGENAIS:Laurent Dagenais Keeps the Cooking Real [Fine Dining Lovers]Stacked Ham and Brie Sandwich [Today]Steak Sandwich [YouTube]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Shepherd is a chef and writer based in Houston, Texas, and the cofounder of Southern Smoke Foundation, a nonprofit geared toward helping members of the restaurant community. On this episode we have a lively conversation about the food scene in Chris’s hometown, what it was like leaving his restaurant group, and his cookbook: Cook Like a Local. This is such an inspiring talk, and we hope you enjoy it.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about Matt’s trip to Houston, where he had an incredible 48 hours, making stops at: Kâu Ba, Trill Burgers, Tatemó, Tres Chiles, The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation, Villa Arcos, Blacksmith, and Crawfish & Noodles.   The TASTE Texas Tour was supported by our friends at Travel Texas. See our dispatch from Austin, and stay tuned for San Antonio.MORE FROM CHRIS SHEPHERD:Houston Chef Chris Shepherd Is Enjoying His New Season [Eater]Southern Smoke Festival [official]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How much do you know about olive oil? After this episode, a lot more. Skyler Mapes, cofounder of EXAU Olive Oil and coauthor of the new book The Olive Oil Enthusiast, joined us from her home in Calabria, Italy, to drop invaluable olive oil knowledge from harvest to bottle, plus Italy travel tips and more. It’s a fun episode, and we hope you’ll enjoy it.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt go over three things they each are enjoying, including: The Neon Croissant, JJ Johnson's great new book The Simple Art of Rice, IG of note @haileecatalano, Dwight Garner's The Upstairs Delicatessen, C Pam Zhang's How Much of These Hills Is Gold, the TikTokers are coming!Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  MORE FROM SKYLER MAPES:Meet the Woman Bringing Calabrian Olive Oil to the U.S. [Conde Nast Traveler]Forbes 30 Under 30, 2021 [Forbes]Demystifying Extra Virgin Olive Oil With Skyler Mapes and Giuseppe Morisani [Italy Magazine]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pat LaFrieda is one of the world’s most celebrated butchers and sells ground beef, strip steaks, and rib eyes to more than a thousand New York City restaurants alone. On this episode we talk about the birth of the boutique burger blend, tracing its lineage back to Minetta Tavern, and dig deep into the meat business. We also discuss Pat’s own personal favorite way to cook a steak, roast a chicken, and dress a hamburger, with a couple of very specific choices. It was really fun getting to know the one and only Pat LaFrieda, and we hope you enjoy this conversation.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.   MORE FROM PAT LAFRIEDA:Pat LaFrieda on Expanding His Meat Empire [CBS Saturday Morning]How Pat LaFrieda Produces $270 million of Meat Per Year [Insider]Budget Grilling Ideas [Rachael Ray]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel is the chef and co-owner of Birdie’s, an Austin, Texas, restaurant that is innovative and exciting, and by far one of our favorite meals of the year. On this episode, we speak with Tracy about her journey from cooking at Lula Cafe in Chicago to working the line at some of New York’s most acclaimed places—Del Posto, Blue Hill, and Gramercy Tavern—and how she met her partner in life and business, Arjav. We talk about what excites her about restaurants and dig into some of Birdie’s most popular dishes. Also, stick around for Matt’s thoughts on a recent trip to Austin, Texas—featuring some of the restaurants and trucks that got him most excited, including Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop, Distant Relatives, Franklin Barbecue, Cuantos Tacos, Birdie’s, Canje, and Nido. The TASTE Texas Tour was supported by our friends at Travel Texas. Stay tuned for dispatches from Houston and San Antonio. MORE FROM TRACY MALECHEK-EZEKIEL:   Food & Wine Restaurant of the Year: Birdie's [Food & Wine]Food & Wine names East Austin spot Restaurant of the Year [Austin American-Statesman] Inside Birdie’s Journey [Tribeza]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here are three classic conversations from This Is TASTE with three key members of the New York Times food desk. Melissa Clark is a prolific cookbook author, longtime NYT columnist, and one of the most respected food writers in the game. In this interview, we talk about her days collaborating with great chefs including Daniel Boulud, David Bouley, and Claudia Fleming, as well as her action-packed cookbook career. Genevieve Ko is a deputy editor of New York Times Cooking and the Food section, as well as a prolific cookbook author and collaborator. Here we have such a great time catching up about all things cookbooks, food media, and what it’s like to help run one of the best, and most popular, sections at the NYT.  Lastly we sit down with Emily Weinstein, the food and cooking editor of the New York Times. We’ve been a great admirer of her and her colleagues’ work at NYT Cooking, and we took the opportunity to talk about what makes a great story as well as some of the cooking trends Weinstein is most interested in covering. We also discuss Weinstein’s long journey working at the paper, starting as a dining listings fact-checker and rising to various editorial roles, eventually taking the top spot.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clare de Boer is the chef-owner of Stissing House, a restaurant located in New York’s Hudson Valley and one we like very, very much. Clare is also the chef-owner of two New York City restaurants, King and Jupiter. On this episode, we speak with Clare about her time cooking at the River Cafe in London and her journey to America to open some of the country’s best restaurants. We also talk about her writing career, a forthcoming King cookbook, and some of the restaurants she is excited about right now.Also on the show, Matt catches up with Brad Metzger, a Los Angeles–based restaurant recruiter and the creative force behind the LA Chef Conference, a gathering of chefs and food media members taking place October 30. We talk about the role of recruiting in the restaurant industry and hear about Brad’s journey to launch the conference. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.    MORE FROM CLARE DE BOER:Hello From My Island [Substack]A Manhattan Chef Heads Upstate. A Country Tavern Follows. [NYT]LA Chefs Conference [official]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Symon is the star of Symon’s Dinners Cooking Out and the author of a great new cookbook, Simply Symon Suppers, as well as a longtime TV host, Iron Chef, and food commentator. But we know Michael best as a really, really great chef who’s run well-regarded restaurants in New York City and Cleveland, where he was born. On this action-packed episode, we talk about Symon’s Greek and Sicilian background and how he hosts raucous dinner parties in all seasons. We discuss his star turn and what celebrity chefdom has meant for this true Midwesterner. It’s a great talk, and we hope you enjoy it.Also on the show, we have a great conversation with The Bear's set decorator, Eric Frankel. Eric, along with his team, is responsible for creating the kitchen and restaurant spaces on the hit show, and we find out how building the set was very similar to opening a real restaurant (with real fire and flame). We also learn about how he selected the many cookbooks featured on the show.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.   MORE FROM MICHAEL SYMON AND THE BEAR:2 Easy Recipes For Fall [Good Morning America]Michael Symon’s Deviled Eggs [Food Network]Here’s the Complete List of Every Cookbook Featured on ‘The Bear’ [Eater]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jason Hammel is the executive chef and owner of award-winning Lula Cafe in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. Jason grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, and is the product of a tight-knit Italian family. He studied writing at Brown University and then traveled in Italy, where an accidental stay in an apartment above a produce market left a lasting impression and presaged his career as a chef. In this episode we hear about the 24-year run of Lula Cafe, and about how Jason’s instinct to write blends with his culinary background. We also talk about his debut cookbook, The Lula Cafe Cookbook.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about three things they are feeling, including a memorable Table of Contents event in Brooklyn, speaking at the Chow Chow Festival in Asheville, NC, the nostalgia of Save Me the Plums, Helen Rosner is on a roll at The New Yorker, Birdie’s pasta extruder in the dining room is a baller move.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.         MORE FROM JASON HAMMEL:Jason Hammel’s Dear Chicago [Star Chefs]Still Setting the Standard in Logan Square [Chicago Tribune]Konbi Has a Secret Croissant Machine [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Writer, podcaster, and cookbook collaborator Andrew Friedman has a unique vantage point in talking about chefs and food writing as a profession. He’s worked with some of the most interesting voices in the restaurant world (going back a decade and longer), including Daniel Boulud, Alfred Portale, Michelle Bernstein, Bill Telepan, and David Waltuck. In this episode we talk to Andrew about his most recent work, The Dish: The Lives and Labor Behind One Plate of Food, a page-turning, behind-the-scenes look at what makes a single restaurant dish. We discuss the book’s unique reporting process and how Andrew views his work in the larger context of food media. We also get some restaurant picks—and pay tribute to one of the industry’s most influential and frankly forgotten players. Also on the show, Aliza shares some highlights from her recent trip to Seattle, Portland, and Los Angeles. Stay for a report from the LA bagel wars, a camping beer hack, and what is exciting her on the the west coast.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM ANDREW FRIEDMAN:Andrew Talks to Chefs [official]Who Let the Cool Chefs Write Cookbooks? [TASTE]The Secret Lives of Private Chefs [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sue S. Chan is an expert marketer, brand builder, and all-around busy bee on the global food scene. She was Momofuku’s first brand director, and in this episode we go back to her time helping to build the David Chang empire (and figuring out how to tell DC what to do). She later founded her own agency, Care of Chan, which has become a go-to for major fashion and retail brands looking to engage with the food world. Her current clients include A24, NYT Cooking, Gucci Osteria, Nike, J.Crew, and Hermam Miler. This conversation is fast and furious, but we always pause when Sue has a restaurant to talk about. We so enjoyed catching up with a real food-world one of one, and we hope you enjoy it too.Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM SUE CHAN:The Food-World Entrepreneur Who Loves Clear Heels [The Cut]Mermaid Spa Brooklyn [CoC]Breaking Down with Sue Chan [Busyboy]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/sueperchaninstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What a thrill it is to have our friend Adeena Sussman back on the show. Adeena is the author of numerous cookbooks, having cowritten three with Chrissy Teigen, and the voice behind the best-selling Israeli food tome Sababa. Sussman is back with a great new book, Shabbat, and in this episode we talk about the multitudes of Jewish food around the world. We discuss what is so exciting about food in her home base of Tel Aviv and also go over some of the comforting and innovative new recipes in Shabbat. MORE FROM ADEENA SUSSMAN:Embracing My Whole Self, Through Food [Tablet]The Perfect Shabbat Dinner Meets You Where You Are [Conde Nast Traveler]Adeena Sussman’s new cookbook includes Shabbat recipes from around the world [NPR]Mike and Adeena’s Excellent Israeli Culinary Adventure [Via Sabra]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/adeenasussmaninstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteDo you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ellen Yin is the founder and co-owner of Philadelphia’s High Street Hospitality Group. She’s behind some of the best restaurants in not just Philly but the entire country, including Fork, High Street on Market, and High Street Provisions. On this episode we speak with Ellen about her journey to hospitality, what’s special about the Philly restaurant scene, and what it was like to win a James Beard Award for America’s top restaurateur. We also talk about the incredible cookbook festival she's organized, Cookbooks and Convos, which runs from late September through late October. It’s so great catching up with Ellen, and we hope you enjoy this conversation.Also on the show, Aliza catches up with Andrew Tarlow, the author of a new book, Diner: Day for Night, which pays tribute to his legendary Brooklyn restaurant. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.More From Ellen Yin:Ellen Yin Talks Pineapple Pizza and 25 Years of Fork [Philadelphia Mag]Philly Chef Wins Big at the James Beard Awards [Billy Penn]Cookbooks and Convos [Philadelphia Inquirer]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James Park is a content creator and the author of Chili Crisp, a sharp look at one of America’s favorite ingredients today. On this episode we speak with James about the different types of chili crisp to buy and make at home, as well as some unexpected discoveries he’s made. We also talk about his upbringing in Korea and dig into the exciting things happening in Korean food these days. We hope you enjoy this talk with James, one of our favorite dudes in food.MORE FROM JAMES PARK:Yes, Chile Crisp Deserves a Whole Cookbook [Eater]Does Chili Crisp Go With Everything? This Author Thinks So [Epicurious]Chili Crisp Compound Butter [Material]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/jamesyworldinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben McKean is the founder of Hungryroot, an online grocery retailer that has changed the way millions of Americans cook dinner (and lunch, and breakfast) and taught them to love plant-based cookie dough. On this episode, Ben shares his journey to launching Hungryroot, and we dig into how the modern grocery store is quite broken. We also talk about what it’s like running his company nearly a decade in. Interested? Use promo code TASTE30 for 30% off the first box.MORE FROM BEN MCKEAN:How I Turned My Hobby Into a Career [Medium]Hungryroot Review: Is This Popular Meal Kit Service Worth the Hype? [Real Simple]Hungryroot: Our Honest Review [CNet]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chandra Ram is the associate editorial director at Food & Wine and coauthor of cookbooks like Korean BBQ and The Complete Indian Instant Pot Cookbook. On this episode, Chandra takes us into the test kitchen at Food & Wine, and we hear about some of the cool stories she’s been working on. We also talk about how postwar and post-pandemic times share similarities in the way the events have changed the way we cook forever. It’s really great catching up with Chandra.MORE FROM CHANDRA RAM:It’s Time to Start Pickling at Home [F&W]After 8 Years of Marriage, I’m Teaching My Husband How to Cook [F52]Decoding Carmy’s Cookbook Shelves on ‘The Bear’ [F&W]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Susan Spungen is an author, a food stylist, and a real food media legend. She was the founding food editor at Martha Stewart Living, and she has worked in television and film, including teaching Meryl Streep how to flip an omelet. On this episode, we learn about food in 1980s New York, about Susan’s job interview process with Martha, and about her famous sister. We also talk about her wonderful new book, Veg Forward, and why tomatoes will always be our favorite vegetable. Or is it a fruit?MORE FROM SUSAN SPUNGEN:Food Stylist Susan Spungen Releases New Cookbook [Forbes] Tomato, Pickled Melon and Burrata Salad [Bon Appetit]Grilled Cheese with Apples and Apple Butter [NYT]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/susanspungeninstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Becca Millstein is cofounder and CEO of Fishwife, one of the buzziest brands in not just the emerging tinned seafood market but all of food. We had such a fun time catching up with Becca to talk about her brand’s journey from big idea to big-time retail. We also find out where the tinned fish movement is heading and hear about some of the bumps along the road that the company has had to overcome. Finally, we talk about the company’s now-iconic branding—such great branding! We hope you enjoy this conversation.Also on the show, Matt recaps his recent trip to Seattle, including stops at The Walrus and the Carpenter, Hood Famous, Watson’s Counter, Book Larder, Camber, Hamdi, and Saint Bread.MORE FROM BECCA MILLSTEIN:Wait, Canned Salmon Is Good? [TASTE]Creating America’s First Chic Tinned Fish Company [Eater] Meet Fishwife, the Stylish, Sustainably Sourced Tinned Fish You Want in Your Kitchen [Vogue]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/bbmillsteininstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today’s special episode is from our recent conversation with baking cookbook authors Natasha Pickowicz and Claire Saffitz, live at Rizzoli Bookstore in NYC. Natasha is a chef, the founder of the pop-up Never Ending Taste, and the author of More Than Cake. Claire is a recipe developer and the author of the best-selling cookbooks Dessert Person and What’s for Dessert. It’s a fun conversation about developing cult recipes, the cake renaissance, summer baking, and more. Stay tuned for more live events by subscribing to our newsletter, including book release events with Jordan Michelman and Zachary Carlsen (October 24) and Jing Gao (November 2).MORE FROM NATASHA PICKOWICZ AND CLAIRE SAFFITZ :Yes, You Can Make These Stunning Layer Cakes at Home [Bon Appetit]Claire Saffitz Goes Outside Her Comfort Zone to Embrace Ours [TASTE]Claire Saffitz & Natasha Pickowicz Make a Delicious Pineapple Galette [Dessert People]How to Make Delicious Scones at Home [Dessert People]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

C Pam Zhang is the author of the acclaimed novel How Much of These Hills Is Gold. Her new book, Land of Milk and Honey, is set in a near future where smog has choked out almost all agriculture, and where a chef is lured to cook at a reclusive mountain institute for the global elite with the promise of produce. It’s a gripping book about power and politics and, mostly, a love letter to food, and we’re thrilled to have her on the show to discuss it.Also on the episode, Aliza and Matt preview more fall cookbooks they are really enjoying including new books from Jon Kung, Sohla El-Waylly, two Italian wine experts, James Park, the Pie Hole in Los Angeles, and Alicia Kennedy. Don’t forget to smash that pre-order button. Fall cookbook season is here. MORE FROM C PAM ZHANG:See It Slant [The Cut]The Pen Ten: An Interview with C Pam Zhang [Pen America]Buy: Land of Milk and HoneySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s really fun having Alex Delany back on the show and getting to know the food and drink writer (and rare book collector) a little bit better. You may know Alex from his time working at Bon Appétit as a writer covering home cooking, wine, cocktails, and naturally processed coffee (respect), as well as a series of memorable YouTube videos. But since leaving BA in early 2021, Alex has been busy working as a consultant, podcaster, wine educator, and most recently as the author of a really cool city guide called “Everything Good.” On this episode we talk about the summer of NA beer, the summer of Superiority Burger, love for Richmond, Karma vs. Mast, Andy Warhol’s lost cookbook, love for Beefeater, and what’s next. Cool catching up with Alex again. Do you enjoy This Is TASTE? Drop us a review on Apple, or star us on Spotify. We'd love to hear from you.MORE FROM ALEX DELANY:Everything Good: Tribeca Fidi [Google Docs]Everything Good on the Lower East Side [Google Doc]This Is TASTE 131: Alex Delany [TASTE]Andy Warhol’s Wild Raspberries [Biblio]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/alex_delanyinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here are two classic conversations from This Is TASTE featuring two literary titans. George Saunders is the author of many works, including the Booker Prize–winning Lincoln in the Bardo. Here we talk about pizza and Italian delis on the South Side of Chicago, as well as lunch in the Texas oil fields. We discuss success in the kitchen and how intuition crashes together with luck, and we speculate on the shape of food in the year 2300.Also on the show is Gary Shteyngart, a New York Times best-selling novelist and food writer who has written memorable books including The Russian Debutante’s Handbook, Super Sad True Love Story, and his most recent work, the rollicking pandemic satire Our Country Friends. In this episode, we talk about some of Gary’s world travels, both as a hired gun and for fun, as well as what he’s eating and drinking in his Upstate New York home. We also remember New York City restaurants from the 1990s and early 2000s, including fond memories of the long-lost Meatpacking District bistro Florent, which plays a role in Gary’s most recent novel.More from George Saunders & Gary Shteyngart: Story Club with George Saunders [Substack]Eat, Memory: The Absolutely No-Anything Diet [New York Times Magazine]I Watched Russian Television for Five Days Straight [The Atlantic]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we have an amazing conversation with Naama Shefi. Naama is the founder of the Jewish Food Society, a nonprofit organization that works to preserve, celebrate, and revitalize Jewish cuisine to build and promote a meaningful connection to Jewish and Israeli culture. She is also the chair of Asif Culinary Institute of Israel.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt discuss three things they each are interested in right now. These include: Piñas at Connolly’s, Emily Sundberg’s Feed Me newsletter, Abi Balingit’s rose water meringue, Cherry Bombe is doing a WeFunder, Eric Kim tomato furikake sandwich, LA Chef Conference is October 30.   More From Naama Shefi:Schmaltzy [Apple]The Legacy of a 1970s Bar Mitzvah Cake [JFS]The New Magazine Taking a Different View on Jewish Food Culture [Vogue]Pre-order: ShabbatSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dirt Candy is a vegetarian restaurant on New York’s Lower East Side that has become famous over the past decade for making eggplant tiramisu, kimchi donuts, and tomato fruit leather. But its chef, Amanda Cohen, makes one thing very clear—the restaurant’s mission is not about vegetarianism or health or politics. It’s just about making vegetables taste really good. In this episode, we talk with Amanda about the 15-year run of one of New York’s most important restaurants. We discuss her early experiences working with Moby and her deep understanding of how to run a restaurant in these modern times. Also, cookbooks! Will she write another one? We find out.MORE FROM AMANDA COHEN:Dirt Candy: A Visual Veggie Cookbook With a Memoir Mixed In [NPR]For Chef Amanda Cohen, Everything Is Out in the Open [NRN]This Is TASTE 33: Amanda Cohen [TASTE]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/dirtcandynycinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ham El-Waylly is a chef, recipe developer, and video creator based in New York City. You may know him from the NYT Cooking channel, where he shares ingenious tips and whips up opulent feasts from niche ingredients alongside his wife, Sohla. But you probably don’t know Ham’s rich history in food, from growing up in Doha, Qatar, with Bolivian-Egyptian parents in the food business to running research and development at Momofuku’s Ando. Today we dig into it all, plus his love of graphic tees and live music, and I hope you’ll enjoy it. And as you heard at the top, it's the return of TASTE Live, an IRL events series with our friends at Rizzoli Bookstore in Manhattan. Our next event is August 17 with authors Natasha Pickowicz and Claire Saffitz. Natasha and Claire will discuss what they are baking this summer, the making of their latest cookbooks, and much more. The event will be recorded live for this very podcast.MORE FROM HAM EL-WAYLLY:Chicken Stroganoff [New York Times Cooking]The World’s Smelliest Fruit? Sohla and Ham Try Cooking With Durian [Mystery Menu]What Happens When a Brown Chef Cooks White Food? [GQ]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hillary Sterling is a longtime New York City chef who is currently the executive chef at Ci Siamo, one of our favorite restaurants in all the land. We’ve known Hillary for years, and it was really fun to dig into her history to find out about her early food memories growing up deep in Brooklyn and her many cooking jobs in Chicago and NYC. We talk about traveling around Italy for research and her friendly rivalry (more of a friendly meeting of the minds) with chef Missy Robbins. We also find out what she loves most about running one of NYC’s hottest (literally—it’s live fire, baby) restaurants.MORE FROM HILLARY STERLING:Rekindling the Flame at Danny Meyer’s Ci Siamo [NYT]Italian Passion Front and Center at Ci Siamo [Gay City News]How Chef Hillary Sterling Runs Her 120-Seat NYC Restaurant Using Live Fire [Eater] FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/chefhillarysterlinginstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan Pelosi is the self-proclaimed “Italian American meatball" behind the popular social media account and home entertainment mood board GrossyPelosi. In this episode, we catch up with Dan to talk about his journey from working at a creative agency to running a megapopular online food community. We talk about some of his favorite summer and fall recipes and dig into his debut cookbook, Let’s Eat. We hope you enjoy this fun conversation.MORE FROM GROSSY PELOSI:Grossy’s Guide to Grilling [official]Summer Corn Tomato Pasta [official]Grilled Dumplings with Natasha Pickowicz [YouTube]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/grossypelosiinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chef Eric Adjepong was a finalist on season 16 of Bravo's Top Chef and a contestant on season 17 of Top Chef All-Stars, where he earned consistent acclaim from judges and popularity among viewers. As a first-generation Ghanaian-American born and raised in New York City, Eric sources the flavors and influences in his cooking from many of the West African dishes he grew up eating. He is passionate about introducing diners to West African cuisine and the impact its diaspora has had on South American, Latin American, Caribbean, and American food, all in his elegant, artfully plated style. On this episode we talk about Eric's new children's book, Sankofa: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging. We also talk about is forthcoming cookbook, as well as what it was like to compete on Top Chef. What a great conversation.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt continue to preview the exciting fall cookbook season, including early thoughts on new releases from Klancy Miller, Molly Baz, Nancy Silverton, Erika Council, Cheap Old Houses, Andrew Friedman, and Leah Koenig.MORE FROM ERIC ADJEPONG: ReachTV Orders ‘Cultural Eats’ Starring Chef Eric Adjepong, From Chris Paul’s Production Company [Variety]Sankofa [Official]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lyndsay C. Green is the restaurant critic at the Detroit Free Press, and she is tasked with shining a light on one of America’s most vibrant and also misunderstood food cities. It’s quite the job, and Green, a native of New York City, has embraced the role to its fullest. In this episode, we talk about Detroit’s many diverse neighborhoods and how the city’s food scene was built by immigrants from Mexico, Greece, China, and the Middle East. I ask her about her most recent top ten restaurants list, and we dig into her food writing process and style. It’s really great getting to know Lyndsay, and I hope you enjoy this conversation.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about what’s interesting and exciting, including the Kreung Cambodian pop-up, the recent Borscht Belt Festival, Jamie Oliver's new TV channel, OddFellows Ice Cream, and save us the plums! MORE FROM LYNDSAY GREEN:My Year in Review as Free Press Restaurant Critic: Accidentally Anonymous [Freep]La Cuscatleca Inc. Is Southwest Detroit’s Best Kept Secret [Freep]   Detroit’s Street Barbecue Subculture [Freep]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/ladyluffinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with the founders of not one but two of America’s most exciting independent media brands, each working deeply in and around food. In 2013, former media and beauty executive Kerry Diamond founded Cherry Bombe as a response to the overwhelmingly male-dominated chef and restaurant world. The publication has grown into a serious player, launching podcasts and events that rival some of the major glossies. Kyle Tibbs Jones is a cofounder and director of media at The Bitter Southerner, an iconoclastic magazine and media brand that was founded as a response to the caricatured portrayals of Southern life in mainstream media. The Bitter Southerner has won multiple James Beard Awards and, like Cherry Bombe, is a favorite read for many—including the editors of TASTE. And as you heard at the top, it's the return of TASTE Live, an IRL events series with our friends at Rizzoli Bookstore in Manhattan. Our next event is August 17 with authors Natasha Pickowicz and Claire Saffitz. Natasha and Claire will discuss what they are baking this summer, the making of their latest cookbooks, and much more. The event will be recorded live for this very podcast. Reserve a spot now, first come, first served.More from Cherry Bombe and The Bitter Southerner:Happy Birthday, Cherry Bombe [Forbes]The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network [official]The Global Love of Boiled Peanuts [official]Blood, Sweat, and Tears [official]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lior Lev Sercarz is the chef, spice blender, and owner of La Boîte, a world-renowned spice company located in New York City. On this episode, we catch up with Lior about his unique path from Israel to some of the most famous restaurant kitchens in New York. We talk about the culinary school he’s founding in Northern Israel and dive into his incredible new book, A Middle Eastern Pantry. For real, this is one of our favorite books of the year, and together we go over many of the spices and condiments that shape this amazing culinary history. Lior is a true original, and we hope you enjoy our conversation.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt give some very early thoughts on the upcoming fall cookbook season, including exciting new books from Yossy Arefi, Rie McClenny, Yewande Komolafe, Andrew Tarlow, Pierre Thiam, Jing Gao, Dwight Garner, and C Pam Zhang.FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/chefliorinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here are two classic conversations. Ayo Adebiri plays Sydney Adamu on the beloved FX show The Bear. She tells us about her real-life work in New York City restaurants, and we get into some behind-the-scenes talk about filming on location in Chicago. Also on the show is a fast and furious talk with cookbook author and food TV personality Molly Yeh. Molly is legitimately one of the funniest writers (and guests) that I’ve encountered in a long time, and we get into all sorts of topics on the show. We discuss what makes a great Hallmark Channel movie, and we theorize about how she will possibly star in one someday. We also talk about Little House on the Prairie (the TV show) and how Molly is living her best life in North Dakota. Check out her incredible book, Home Is Where the Eggs Are. FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/ayoedebiriinstagram.com/mollyyehinstagram.com/mattrodbardThese episodes originally aired on July 15, 2022 and October 25, 2022.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nicole A. Taylor is a food writer, recipe developer, and master home cook. Her latest book is Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations. Now, we’ve known Nicole for a while, but this conversation was the first time we were able to sit down and talk about food in her native Georgia, her work as a writer and editor in New York City, and the meaning of Juneteenth. We also go behind the scenes at one of America’s most well-known food magazines, where Nicole has been working. What a great interview. Also on the show we have a great conversation with José R. Ralat. José is the current Taco Editor at Texas Monthly and the winner of multiple James Beard Awards for his deeply reported journalism. Check out his book American Tacos, a modern classic. We talk about the state of the taco in America, among many other topics.More From Nicole A. Taylor and José R. Ralat:A Juneteenth of Joy and Resistance [NYT]Hibiscus Snow Cones [Food & Wine]A Major Ingredient Is the Cook w/ Cal Peternell, Matt Rodbard, Nicole A. Taylor [YT]Defining ‘Guisado’ Is Just as Messy as the Dish Itself [Texas Monthly]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How cool was it to have Anya von Bremzen in the studio? In this fast-paced episode, we cover Anya’s tremendous journalism career, which has brought her multiple James Beard Awards and a handful of reported books that are considered modern classics. These include the memoir Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking and her latest, National Dish: Around the World in Search of Food, History, and the Meaning of Home. We talk about what makes (or doesn’t make) a culture’s national dish, and how food writing has undergone great change in the past two decades. Also on the show, Aliza and Matt catch up about the new SPAM® flavor, Cardamaro, a visit to the Albanese gummy bear factory store, goat butter ice cream, a great new book Imagine a City: A Pilot's Journey Across the Urban World, a great new movie Theater Camp, and a really smart sunburn recovery hack.  MORE FROM ANYA VON BREMZEN:How Do Certain Foods Become National Dishes? [NYT]The Problem with National Dishes [Saveur]Say Ciao to Roscioli NYC, Direct From Rome [Resy]People Love to Hate the Garlic Press [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have you ever eaten prune whip pie? How about pickle cheesecake? Well, B. Dylan Hollis absolutely has. The popular TikTok and YouTube creator has racked up millions (and millions) of views by baking his way through vintage cookbooks that fit his “three Ws”: wacky, weird, and wonderful. Now he has a book of his very own. It’s called Baking Yesteryear, and we’re thrilled to have him on the podcast to talk about the appeal behind historic baking and much more.Also on the show, Aliza has returned from a trip to Paris and Portugal and fills Matt in on all the cool things she ate and drank. And as you heard at the top, it's the return of TASTE Live, an IRL events series with our friends at Rizzoli Bookstore in Manhattan. Our next event is August 17 with authors Natasha Pickowicz and Claire Saffitz. Natasha and Claire will discuss what they are baking this summer, the making of their latest cookbooks, and much more. The event will be recorded live for this very podcast. Reserve a spot now, first come, first served.More From B. Dylan Hollis:70 Years Later, This Is Still the Best Summer Dessert  [The Wall Street Journal[Meet the TikToker Going Viral by Baking His Way Through Great Depression-Era Cookbooks [Eater]Food for the Gods - 1909 Recipe [YouTube]Reserve a spot for TASTE Live at Rizzoli on August 17.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cal Peternell was the head chef of legendary Bay Area restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California, for over 20 years, where he served celebrity patrons and trained a new generation of chefs. He’s the New York Times best-selling author of Twelve Recipes and A Recipe for Cooking. His most recent book is the revealing and erudite Burnt Toast and Other Disasters. On this episode, we hear some good Chez Panisse stories, and we talk about Cal’s move to the East Coast. We also discuss his cookbook career—and his interpretation of that “figs on a plate” incident from a few years back. Also on the show we have a fascinating conversation with Nasim Alikhani, the chef and cookbook author behind Brooklyn’s mega-popular Iranian restaurant, Sofreh. You should check out her new book.More From Cal Peternell and Nasim Alikhani:Celery, Radishes, and Anchovy Butter [official]A Berkeley Chef Feeds the Homeless [LA Times]Olives With Citrus Zests and Fried Herbs [Washington Post]Nasim Alikhani Is Leaving Her Mark [Eater]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Snaxshot, the curatorial and slightly mercurial grocery newsletter and community, has grown into an industry force, read by consumer packaged goods executives and members of food media on a near-religious level. Andrea Hernández is the muscle behind this influential publication, and we were lucky to have her back in the studio to talk about what is interesting to her in the grocery store, or, shall we say, the “millennial bodega.” We also talk about nonalcoholic beers, Threads, our happy birthday Grimace hangover, grocercore, and how “Walmart is the new pantry Kith.” More From Snaxshot:Snack Boys, Snack Daddies, & Snaxshot with Andrea Hernández [YT]Edible Cogitations: Weekly Wrap-Up [Snaxshot]Mars to Buy Healthy Food Maker Kevin’s Natural Foods [Reuters]This Is TASTE 217: Snaxshot [TASTE] FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/thesnaxshotinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the cofounder of online restaurant watchdog and chronicler Eater, as well as reservations booker Resy, Ben Leventhal has been at the center of all things dining out for nearly 20 years. On this episode we catch up with Ben about his latest company, Blackbird, a restaurant loyalty program that is rethinking the way hospitality and online culture converge. We talk about the founding of Blackbird and how restaurants are rapidly changing the way they make money through CPG and brand extension. We also discuss the early days of Eater, the future of controversial Los Angeles restaurant Horses, and the biggest story that nobody is covering. It’s great catching up with Ben!Also on the show we catch up with Food & Wine’s super talented Senior Drinks Editor Oset Babür-Winter. We talk about summer drinking, New York City restaurants, and what is exciting her in the world of spirits, wine, and cocktails. More From Ben Leventhal and Oset Babür-Winter:He Started Resy: Now He Wants You to Take Restaurant NFTs Seriously [EaterThis Is TASTE 64: Ben Leventhal [TASTE]Why Is Everyone Drinking Chartreuse This Summer? [F&W]We're Calling It Now, the Espresso Tonic Is the Drink of the Summer [F&W]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/benleventhalinstagram.com/baburosetinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chitra Agrawal is an author and entrepreneur behind the beloved Brooklyn Delhi, a packaged foods brand that is based partially around achaar, a beloved and staple South Asian condiment. We talk about the founding of the company and our collective love of Indian spices and flavors, as well as a copycat product from one of the country’s most prominent grocery chains. We also discuss her cookbook, Vibrant India, in which Chitra takes readers on a journey to her mother’s hometown of Bangalore and back to Brooklyn, where she adapts her family’s South Indian recipes for home cooks.Also on the show, we catch up with Aadit Patel, founder of an amazing new company called Confusion Snacks. The name of the game now is black truffle masala, chili chaat, and chaat mint popcorn, and it’s one of our favorite new brands to jump into the field. We talk with Aadit about the challenges of launching a food company today, and we also find out how he works closely with his mother to exact the recipe for his wonderful snacks.MORE FROM CHITRA AGRAWAL AND AADIT PATEL:Chitra Agrawal on the Changing Grocery Landscape for Startups [Modern Retail]Can Brooklyn Delhi Take on Trader Joe's? [The Quint]Are You Ready for Hot Snack Summer? [TikTok]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/brooklyndelhiinstagram.com/confusionsnacksinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The proud son of Filipino immigrants, Dale Talde grew up immersed in his family’s cultural heritage, while also enjoying the life of a typical American kid. Dale is the chef and owner of Goosefeather, a signature restaurant located in Tarrytown, outside New York City. He’s also the host of Tastemade’s “All Up in My Grill,” and he appeared as a three-time cheftestant and judge on Bravo’s Emmy Award–winning culinary show Top Chef. On this episode we talk to Dale about his life in and out of the kitchen, his Chicago upbringing, and what makes a great food TV competitor.MORE FROM DALE TALDE:Dale Talde goes from “Top Chef” to Pot Chef [Sun Times]Talde Grilling Tips [Uproxx]Buy: Asian-American: Proudly Inauthentic Recipes from the Philippines to BrooklynSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the founder of Blue Bottle Coffee, James Freeman has seen the rise of specialty coffee from a very unique vantage point. Freeman joins us in the studio to talk about his company’s influence, as well as where coffee is heading today. We find out about his dream café project in Japan and what excites him most about making coffee at home. We also talk about James’s excellent book, The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee. This is a seriously interesting talk with one of the great characters in the world of food and drink.MORE FROM JAMES FREEMAN:Blue Bottle Studio Opens in Kyoto [Sprudge]This Is TASTE 144: Jimmy Butler and Ashley Rodriguez [TASTE]This Is TASTE 186: James Hoffmann [TASTE]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/wjamesfreemaninstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Running one pastry program alone is a feat of organization and carbohydrates—but two? Well, that’s all in a day’s work for Camari Mick. She’s the executive pastry chef at the Musket Room, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood, and she’s also creating breakfast pastries like candied orange almond croissants for the newly opened Raf’s up the block. Camari is a star in New York’s white-hot pastry scene, so Aliza’s thrilled to have her on the show to talk about developing dessert tasting menus, being nominated for a James Beard Award, and how she’s making the industry more equitable.  MORE FROM CAMARI MICK:Raf’s Conjures Swirling Abundance from a Wood-Fired Oven [NYT]Where the Musket Room's Camari Mick Goes in NYC [Michelin Guide]Raf’s Pastry Chef Camari Mick Is Perfecting the Classics [Airmail]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/camari_mickinstagram.com/alizaraeinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For Rachel Karten, “link in bio” isn’t just a social media call to action—it’s a career. The former head of social at Bon Appétit and Epicurious is now a social media consultant and the creator of the newsletter Link in Bio, which dispenses insights and interviews on the cutting edge of social media in food and far beyond. Rachel is my go-to person for demystifying things like the TikTok and Instagram algorithms (well, as much as anyone can), so I’m thrilled to have her on the show to talk about the current state of brand social media, why Instagram matters for restaurants, and much more. Also on the show, Matt talks about the first, sold-out, and extremely fun TASTE Travels cookbook trip with author Suzy Karadsheh. They visited Puglia last month and ate a lifetime's worth of orecchiette. Not a bad thing at all.MORE FROM RACHEL KARTEN:Social Media Consultant Rachel Karten on Viral Trends and Social Strategies [Ad Age]Lean In or Log Off [Eater]Brand Social Trend Report [Link In Bio]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/milkkarteninstagram.com/alizaraeinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John deBary is a bartender extraordinaire, a cookbook author, a spokesperson for the bar and restaurant world, and one of our favorite guests on the show. He’s back to talk about his really great new book, Saved by the Bellini: & Other 90s-Inspired Cocktails. In this episode we talk about deadstock sodas, muse on summer drinking, and dive into what he loves so much about the 1990s. Also on the show, Aliza and Matt share some of their discoveries while walking the floor at the Fancy Food Show, the annual grocery trade show at New York’s Javits Center. The mushroom chips flowed early and often. MORE FROM JOHN DEBARY:I’m a Bartender and Yes, I Use Gatorade in Cocktails [BA]Dunkaroos Alexander [Food52]Drag Legend Sherry Vine Calls Burbank the Next Queer Hotspot [Thrillist]Strawberry and Kiwi: Why? [TASTE] FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW: instagram.com/jnd3001instagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We all love The Bear, which means we all love Lionel Boyce. The multitalented writer, actor, and former Odd Future member’s sweet, truly hilarious depiction of Marcus, a middling line cook turned burgeoning pastry chef, stole hearts and laughs in Season One. The show’s new season, streaming now, pushes Lionel to further culinary and comedic heights, and we’re thrilled to have him on the podcast to talk about it. MORE FROM LIONEL BOYCE:Lionel Boyce of “The Bear” on an Inglewood Food Crawl [Los Angeles Times]The Bear’s Lionel Boyce Didn’t Bake Those Doughnuts, but He Did Glaze Them [Vulture]The Bear Is a Gritty Fairy Tale of Cooking and Grief [New Yorker]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/lionel.boyceinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wow, the hamburger god George Motz is our guest on today’s show, and it doesn’t disappoint. George is a writer, a TV host, and the guy with the cool hair and an endless well of knowledge about the hamburger. On this episode we go over some big topics, including the origins of the burger in America, Shake Shack vs. In-N-Out, and the best burger blend to buy for at-home grilling. He also talks about his new NYC restaurant, Hamburger America, and what makes the perfect restaurant burger. We hope you enjoy our talk with George.MORE FROM GEORGE MOTZ: How to Cook the Perfect Burger [The Manual]The Carolina Slaw Burger [Garden and Gun]How George Motz Spends His Sundays [NYT]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/motzburgerinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today is Cake Zine day on the show, and Matt is so excited to welcome in his cohost, Aliza Abarbanel, along with Cake Zine coeditor Tanya Bush to the studio. Cake Zine is an independent magazine and a “hedonistic exploration of history, pop culture, literature, and art through sweets.” The latest issue’s theme is Humble Pie, and we speak with Aliza and Tanya about some of the issue’s features that highlight “broad interpretations of humiliation and piping-hot servings of contrition.” This is such a great talk.Also on the show, Aliza has an excellent conversation with Stacey Mei Yan Fong, author of the new book 50 Pies, 50 States. MORE FROM CAKE ZINE AND STACEY MEI YAN FONG:The Zine That Cake Instagram Made [Eater]“Cake Zine” Is the Brilliant New ‘Zine That’s All About…Cake [Bust]Baker Stacey Mei Yan Fong Makes 50 Pies for All 50 States [Eater]Pre-order: Cake Zine Volume 3 Humble PieFOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/cake_zineinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bear. We all love The Bear, the hit restaurant drama from FX that begins its second season on June 22. And we love The Bear for good reason. The show was the talk of TV and one of the most realistic portrayals of restaurant life on TV. Courtney Storer is a Los Angeles–based chef who works as the show’s culinary producer. That means she’s behind its hyperrealistic (now legendary) cooking scenes. On today’s episode, we talk about how Courtney gets the cast ready to cook. We also dive into the important—and tricky—topic of what makes a great chef. MORE FROM COURTNEY STORER:On Balancing Pizza, Produce, and Gender Roles [BA]Making Italian Beef with FX's "The Bear" Culinary Producer Courtney Storer [LAT]What Does a Culinary Producer Do? [Indie Wire]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Not all cake is created equal, and Jenneh Kaikai is always raising her game. The baker and owner of Pelah Kitchen, a Brooklyn-based micro bakery offering up cakes crowned with flowers and filled with flavors of the African diaspora, makes some of my favorite sweets in the city. It’s a joy to have her on the podcast to talk about evolving her business from a side project to a main gig, the booming food scene in Accra, Ghana, pop-up solidarity, and more.MORE FROM JENNEH KAIKAI:Issue Nº 18: Beautiful Baked Goods [Cherry Bombe]Inside the World of Fancy Instagram Cakes [Bon Appetit]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/pelahkitcheninstagram.com/alizaraeinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s so great having our buddy Nils Bernstein drop by the studio. Nils is a man of many skills, and we talk about his great new book, The Joy of Oysters. Nils is the food editor for Wine Enthusiast magazine, and he has written and developed recipes for places like Bon Appétit, Epicurious, GQ, and the New York Times. But Matt knows Nils best as a former music publicist, working with bands like Interpol, Stephen Malkmus, and Nirvana while holding key positions at Sub Pop and Matador Records. We talk about his musical past, what is was like being in the room when "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was first played live, as well as a deep love of the bivalve. We loved catching up with Nils Bernstein, and we hope you enjoy this conversation.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about three things that are getting them excited right now, including chicken sandwiches at the Fly, Bawi Agua Fresca, a new NA beer, and Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches. MORE FROM NILS BERNSTEIN:Shell Shocked: Why It’s More Important Than Ever to Consider the Oyster [Wine Enthusiast]All the Ways to Pair Pinot Grigio with Food, from Cheese to Fish [Wine Enthusiast]A Taco-Filled Eating Tour of California’s Salinas Valley [Wine Enthusiast]Bad Waitress [Dirt]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/nilsbernsteininstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big ideas, strong opinions, and a deadpan Instagram: These are a few of our favorite things. Former pastry chef and current Empellon and Mischa boss man Alex Stupak is a complicated—and incredibly sincere—dude, and in this episode, we have a really spirited conversation about what it’s like to open a new restaurant that isn’t part of the Empellon Mexican multiverse. The food at Mischa is Eastern European, and it’s Stupak’s most personal project to date. We get into that, as well as some big ideas for the future. We hope you enjoy our talk with Alex.MORE FROM ALEX STUPAK:Mischa Opens in Midtown East [NYT]Hang on to Your Wallets, NYC — Here Comes the $29 Hot Dog [NY Post]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/alexstupakinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are always so happy to hang out with Jenny Rosenstrach, the talented writer and editor behind a highly enjoyable newsletter and a series of cookbooks. For many followers of the home cooking internet, her blog Dinner: A Love Story has been a steady hand holding the whisk for the past decade. Two years ago, she released the New York Times best seller The Weekday Vegetarians, and she is now working on a follow-up that we discuss on this episode. We also dig into her upcoming move back to New York City after nearly two decades living in the suburbs. What will city cooking be like? Different. We hope you enjoy our talk with Jenny Rosenstrach.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt catch up about Matt’s recent trip to Chicago, and some favorite Chi places for food and drink. These include Lickity Split Frozen Custard, Lula Cafe, Vita & Nick's, and Kasama to name a few. MORE FROM JENNY ROSENSTRACH:Great Grilled Chicken (For Real) [Dinner: A Love Story]The Weekday Approach to Eating Less Meat [TASTE]Angel Hair Has a New Look [TASTE]Print Is Dead. (Long Live Print!) [Apple Podcasts]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/dinneralovestoryinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rick Easton is co-owner of Bread and Salt Bakery in Jersey City, New Jersey. He’s also the coauthor of a fascinating new cookbook, Bread and How to Eat It, which he wrote with his partner, the great journalist Melissa McCart. On this episode, we talk about Rick’s love of baking, sandwiches, and not following convention. We also find out how working in Italy informed his unique style that has made Bread and Salt one of the region’s most beloved spots. We hope you enjoy learning more about Rick Easton.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt are joined by producers Pat and Shalea for a sandwich draft. That’s right, it’s an NBA-style snake draft, separating the BLTs from the PB&Js. Where will the Italian hoagie land? Will avocado toast be left waiting to be picked?MORE FROM RICK EASTON:Rick Easton’s Pizza With Peppers [NYT Cooking]Chef Rick Easton Is Chasing After His Dream Sausage [Grub Street]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/breadandsaltbakeryinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is there an introduction needed here? Over her groundbreaking career, Ruth Reichl has served as the food editor of the Los Angeles Times, the restaurant critic of the New York Times, and the editor in chief of the legendary magazine Gourmet. She’s written juicy memoirs, mentored a generation of writers and editors, and still writes with regularity, curiosity, and a love for real journalism in her wonderful Substack newsletter, La Briffe. On this episode, Ruth joins us in the studio for a deep and lively conversation that covers everything from the legacy of Wolfgang Puck and Noma to visiting China in 1980 and her memories of the late, great Gourmet magazine. Last, we find out about a new documentary film Ruth worked on for several years. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Ruth Reichl.Also, allow us to introduce our new name (but same great TASTE!). Aliza and Matt get on the mic to talk about what This Is TASTE means, as well as some exciting plans for the future. Thank you to all of our incredible listeners!MORE FROM RUTH REICHL:Who Decides Style? [La Briffe]The Sushi Effect [La Briffe]A Dynamic Doc Profiling the Precarious State of America’s Food System [HR]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/ruth.reichlinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emily Sundberg has a knack for writing stories that get people talking. The freelance writer and mind behind the business newsletter Feed Me has an expert eye for trends in the food space and beyond, like the return of whole milk and the rise of the “shoppy shop”—you know, those cute, curated grocery stores that all seem to carry the same made-for-Instagram products. We’re thrilled to have her on the podcast to forecast the drink of the summer, the current state of founders in the direct-to-consumer space, and much more.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt predict the biggest foods and drinks of the summer. What will be the next Dirty Shirley? MORE FROM EMILY SUNDBERG: Feed Me [Substack]Wellness Is Dead. Long Live the Martini  [New York Magazine]Welcome to the Shoppy Shop [New York Magazine]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/emilysundberginstagram.com/alizaraeinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here’s a bonus episode from our recent conversation with cookbook authors Eric Kim and Ali Slagle, live at Rizzoli Bookstore in NYC. Eric is a New York Times Magazine columnist and the author of the best-selling book Korean American. Ali is a recipe developer, consultant, and author of the best-selling I Dream of Dinner. Stay tuned for future episodes recorded live at Rizzoli. Subscribe to our newsletter for all of those details.MORE FROM ERIC KIM AND ALI SLAGLE:4 Books Eric Kim Can’t Live (or Cook) Without [Epicurious]The Secret to Mastering Your Cocktail Order [NYT Magazine]3 Perfect Grilled Cheese Recipes [NYT]This Fuss-Free Cookbook Has Eased My Weeknight Dinner Angst [BA]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan Frommer is the founder and editor in chief of the The New Consumer, an influential publication that covers the intersection of technology and consumer brands—and many of these brands live in the food world. We wanted to have Dan on the show to talk about some recent grocery store news and trends including Graza vs. Brightland, and to find out how the celebrated tech journalist started scrutinizing the canned foods aisle. We hope you enjoy this super entertaining talk with Dan. MORE FROM DAN FROMMER:Can Canned Beans Have Their Tinned-Fish Moment? [TNC]Foxtrot has a New CEO. What’s Changing and What Isn’t? [TNC]A New Premium Card for the Erewhon Set [TNC]This Week’s Tiniest Social Media Drama Is About Olive Oil [NYT]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/fromedomeinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wylie Dufresne is a legendary force in the New York City chef world. As the owner of wd~50, he pioneered a form of cooking, sometimes called modernist cuisine, and brought it to worldwide attention. And now he’s turned his attention to pizza with the opening of Stretch Pizza on Park Avenue. In this lively conversation, we talk about Wylie’s pandemic pizza project that went to the next level. We also discuss cookbooks and our shared love for the New York City shop Kitchen Arts & Letters. I hope you enjoy hearing from Wylie as much as I did. Also on the show, we had the amazing Korean author Han Kang in the studio to talk about her fiction, including the International Booker Prize–winning novel The Vegetarian, and how food plays a role in her writing. MORE FROM WYLIE DUFRESNE:The Chef Who Invented Fried Mayonnaise Will Open a Manhattan Pizzeria [Grub Street]Wylie Dufresne Finds His Ultimate Challenge [Resy]Wylie Dufresne Says He Is Forced to Close WD-50 [NYT]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sandro Roco is the founder of Sanzo, which has been our go-to flavored sparkling water of choice. We wanted to invite Sandro into the studio not only because we are big fans of his cans of lychee- and calamansi-spiked bubbles. We like the way he runs his business, as well as the story of how he bootstrapped this company in one of the most crowded categories in all of grocery: beverages. We also talk about how he was able to get Jeremy Lin to appear on the Sanzo can. It was so cool getting to know Sandro a bit better. I hope you enjoy this episode. MORE FROM SANDRO ROCCO:How to Raise $1.3M in Venture Capital with Sandro Roco [YouTube]From Nuclear Engineer to Cult-Favorite Seltzer Founder [Eater]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/drinksanzoinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrea Nguyen is back on the podcast to talk about her latest—perhaps even greatest—cookbook: Ever-Green Vietnamese. Andrea is a prolific cookbook author behind favorites like Vietnamese Food Any Day and Into The Vietnamese Kitchen. Her latest book dives deep into Vietnamese food’s rich palate of plants from the land and sea, offering up ingenious recipes for things like homemade vegan fish sauce and a Grand Slam bánh mì breakfast combo. It’s such a fun, craving-inducing conversation, and we hope you’ll enjoy it. Also on the show, we catch up with cookbook author Colu Henry to talk about her latest book, Colu Cooks: Easy Fancy Food, and life in Canada.MORE FROM ANDREA NGUYEN AND COLU HENRY:Viet World Kitchen [Official]19 Andrea Nguyen Recipes for Bao, Banh Mi, and Beyond [Epicurious]TASTE Podcast 114: Andrea Nguyen [TASTE]The Emilia-Romagna Issue [TASTE]Easy Fancy Snacks to Impress Your Guests [Vogue]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the show, we welcome in James Harris, one half of Throwing Fits, a very funny podcast and online community dedicated to all things menswear. We wanted to invite James in not just to talk about chef fashion but also to find out about where he’s eating and drinking around his hometown of New York City. We also get into Fanelli vs. Lucien, not being able to get into Gem Wine thanks to TikTok, eating fried prawn heads, Japanese food at home vs. in restaurants, and eating the miso black cod at Nobu as a kid. We also get the Throwing Fits line on Dimes Square. This is a great episode with James, a real one-of-one guest.MORE FROM JAMES HARRIS:Throwing Fits for Men’s Fashion [NYT]From Nike to Nautica, Here Are the ’90s Brands that Defined the Decade [Complex]TASTE Podcast 48: James Murphy & Nick Curtola [TASTE]TASTE Podcast 131: Alex Delany [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Samantha Irby is a humorist, a TV writer, and the author of an incredible new essay collection, Quietly Hostile. On this episode, we talk about so many things: Chicago pizza, living in Michigan, Bosnian food in Grand Rapids, car wash dudes in Kalamazoo, and what it’s like to write lines for Carrie Bradshaw (as well as give her diarrhea). We have long been huge fans of Sam’s work, and it was a real joy to have her in the studio. I hope you enjoy this conversation.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about three things they are each enjoying, including the great Las Vegas restaurant Lotus of Siam, hot dogs in New Jersey, monster trucks, Your Pasta, rhubarb all day, Confusion Snacks (our favorite new popcorn), the chicken wing of the sea.   MORE FROM SAMANTHA IRBY:The Person Who Wrote It Is Eating Ramen: Samantha Irby on Writing for TV [LitHub]My Taste Is Basic. So What? [Harpers Bazaar]TASTE Podcast 123: Ayo Edebiri [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The future of food is fungi—at least if you ask Adam DeMartino and Andrew Carter, the cofounders of Smallhold. The new-school farming company grows delicate maitake, spongy lion’s mane, blue oysters, and more of our favorite mushrooms in patented aquarium-like tanks and mega farms across the country. They’re a favorite of buzzy chefs and major grocery chains alike, so today we’re going deep on this mushroom moment and how they’re forecasting the future of fungi. Also on the show, we catch up with Abby Endler, the host of the great new podcast, Criminal Types. In each episode Abby digs into the real-world cases, research, and obsessions that keep your favorite crime writers up at night. Check out her episode with John Grisham! We also talk about Anthony Bourdain’s underrated crime fiction career.NYC! Come out to a live taping of the show with special guests Eric Kim and Ali Slagle. May 25 at Rizzoli Bookstore in Manhattan. 6pm. Tickets are free.MORE FROM SMALLHOLD:The Mushrooms Will Survive Us [New York Times)]Mushroom Boom Leads Brooklyn Grower to Plant Its Organic Farms in the West [Forbes]How We Grow Happy Mushrooms [Smallhold]Anthony Bourdain’s Literary Legacy in 13 Books [Eater]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was so much fun having Jamie Loftus in the studio. Jamie is a comedy writer and podcast host behind some of our favorite series, including My Year in Mensa and Aack Cast, a very “Cathy” podcast. On this episode, we tackle all sorts of topics, and talk about Jamie's incredible new book, Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs. Yes, Jamie spent a solid year traveling around America, diving into the world of tube steaks. We find out about banishing ketchup from the bun and what makes a great mall food court. MORE FROM JAMIE LOFTUS:Fountains of Youth [Eater]#eatinfinitejest: the first tear [YouTube]In Aack Cast, Jamie Loftus Goes to Bat for ‘Cathy’ [Vulture]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/jamiechristsuperstarinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’ve long admired Chris Crowley’s reporting at Grub Street, the food and drink arm of the great New York magazine. So it was a real treat to have Chris in to talk about his career in food media and the big stories unfolding right now in New York City. We go over some of his favorite slept-on restaurants before digging into the big questions in life: mainly, what is New York City’s best slice? We also talk about how restaurant PR plays into the editorial decisions, and go back to the good old days: Eater vs. Grub Street. What a great conversation with one of the industry's sharpest observers.MORE FROM CHRIS CROWLEY:The Blood Feud Brewing Inside Nom Wah Tea Parlor [Grub Street]I Ate the $29 Ham-and-Cheese Sandwich [Grub Street]No More ‘Caesars’ — Please [Grub Street]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/chrisecrowleyinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sandor Katz is an activist, a fermentation guru, and the author of many influential books, including The Art of Fermentation and the deeply reported The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved. We had Sandor in the studio to talk about life and writing and what he’s been up to on his Tennessee farm. We also get into what fuels his big and ambitious book projects. Also on the show, we have a great conversation with Martha Hoover, a chef and restaurateur from Indianapolis. We talk about how she’s grown an equitable and sustainable business through years of patience and empathy. It was great to get to know Martha a little bit better.MORE FROM SANDOR KATZ AND MARTHA HOOVER:People's Republic of Fermentation [YouTube]Sandor Katz on Why Fermentation Isn’t a Fad [The Guardian]‘Fermentation’: When Food Goes Bad But Stays Good [Fresh Air]Martha Hoover: Restaurant Empire Builder of the Year [Eater]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Danny Trejo is an actor and the author of several cookbooks, including Trejo’s Tacos and his latest, Trejo’s Cantina. We had Danny in the studio recently, and he honestly let it rip. Such great stories! He talks about working with Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, what makes a great taco, food for the incarcerated, and what food was like growing up on the Eastside of LA. We really hope you enjoy this conversation with one of America’s most colorful actors.MORE FROM DANNY TREJO:Danny Trejo Makes Agua Fresca and Danger Dogs [The Late Show]Danny Trejo Talks New Cookbook [CBS]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michigan chef and cookbook author Abra Berens returns to the studio to talk about her third book in a trilogy on Midwestern farming and cooking that started first with vegetables and followed up with grains and legumes. Her new book, Pulp, tackles fruit with some bold recipes and sound advice. In this episode, we get personal in praising Michigan for its superior apples, incredible blueberries, and possibly overrated cherries. We also talk about Abra’s restaurant at Granor Farm, which is one of our favorite places to eat in the state. We hope you enjoy this episode.MORE FROM ABRA BERENS:Farm Dinners at Granor Farm [official]11 Best Fruits For Grilling [Tasting Table]This Strawberry Sundae Is My New Go-To Summer Dessert [The Kitchn]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emma Orlow is a reporter for Eater New York whose colorful aesthetic is matched only by her thoughtful reporting—and her love of Jell-O. As the city’s dining scene heats up alongside the weather, we invited Emma onto the show to share her constantly updating perspective on the state of New York City restaurants, why so much exciting food is happening at pop-ups, the rise of worker-owned food businesses, and more. It’s a great conversation, and we hope you’ll enjoy it.MORE FROM EMMA:The Hottest Pop-Ups in NYC Right Now [Eater NY]Welcome to the Great Shroom Boom [TASTE]The Apple Expert Who Turned NYC Into His Personal Orchard [Grub Street]More Restaurants and Bars Are Becoming Worker-Owned in NYC [Eater NY]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alicia Kennedy is a writer and academic living in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and she’s the voice behind one of our favorite newsletters, From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy. On this great episode, we talk about Alicia’s recent work and what she is reading, as well as diving back into her writing for New York magazine, the Village Voice, and here at TASTE. We discuss the course she recently taught on food travel writing and the guilt of not reading enough. Finally, we share a moment of love for the Monocle monoculture and print media. It’s so wonderful having Alicia in the studio. Also on the show, we catch up with Paris-based writer Ajiri Aki. Aliza speaks with Ajiri about her great new book, Joie. MORE FROM ALICIA KENNEDY:The Hippie Sandwich Abides [TASTE]Adobo Seasoning and the Art of Puerto Rican Dry Marinade [TASTE]On Cookbooks As Culinary Tourism [From the Desk]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yes, it’s Anna Hezel day on TASTE! We welcome back our old colleague and friend to catch up about not just tinned fish (the subject of her new book, Tin to Table) but also what she’s been up to since signing off as cohost of this show. Anna’s new cookbook is an instant classic, and you should go out and buy it today. Also on the show, we have a great talk with Evan Hanczor. Evan is the founder of Tables of Contents, a home for delicious gatherings at the intersection of food, literature, arts, and culture. We talk about the reboot of his Brooklyn restaurant, Egg, now known as Little Egg. Exciting things are happening in Brooklyn. We hope you enjoy these conversations.MORE FROM ANNA HEZEL AND EVAN HANCZOR:Wait, Canned Salmon Is Good? [TASTE]Bucatini with Sardines & Caramelized Fennel [TASTE]Stop Everything and Put Your Anchovies in the Fridge [Epicurious]A New Literary Community Cookbook [New York Times]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Emma Lovewell is a star instructor at Peloton and a driving force for fitness and inspiration for millions. Emma is our favorite instructor (we rank our favorites on this episode!), and it was a lot of fun to have her in the studio to talk about her gardening skills, what she likes to cook, and what she eats before and after teaching her classes, as well as some of her favorite New York City restaurants. We also talk about her great new book, Live Learn Love Well: Lessons from a Life of Progress Not Perfection.MORE FROM EMMA LOVEWELL:Peloton’s Emma Lovewell to Share Her Life Lessons in New Memoir [People]Tamarind Beef Chili [official] FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/emmalovewellinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

André Hueston Mack is a sommelier, wine educator, whiskey maker, restaurateur, a Bon Appétit on-air host, and one of the freshest voices in all of food. He’s the author of the incredible book 99 Bottles: A Black Sheep’s Guide to Life-Changing Wines, and we had him in the studio to talk through his many career highlights. This includes his time running the beverage program at Per Se, opening his own wine and ham bar in Brooklyn, and his journey to YouTube, where he is currently one of the most popular personalities in the BA universe, hosting the great show World of Wine. What a great interview. Also on the show, Aliza and Matt catch up about three things they are enjoying including maitake mushrooms at Sofreh, fennel pesto, Alison Roman short ribs, a very special cheesecake, New York's Hong Chun Cheon Dak Galbi.     MORE FROM ANDRÉ MACK:Sommelier Compares Cheap vs Expensive Wines ($18-$300) [YT]Sommelier Tries 14 Celebrity Wines [YT]Interview: Donald Moore of The Cheesecake Factory [TASTE]See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Snaxshot, the curatorial and slightly mercurial grocery newsletter and community, has grown into an industry force, read by CPG executives and members of food media on a near-religious level. (We are one of these people.) There’s real Blackbird Spyplane energy with the work that founder and solo writer Andrea Hernández creates, and we had her in the studio to talk about what is interesting to her in the grocery store. We also discuss the major changes afoot in the trillion-dollar grocery industry and how she views the rapidly changing retail space. Is the grocery store as we know it dying? Andrea has some thoughts. Also: "Walmart is the new pantry Kith." You heard it from Andrea first.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt cover some of their recent favorite grocery store finds, including Mama Lam's curry paste, Heyday Canning Co. harissa lemon chickpeas, Talkhouse Encore, Little Sesame hummus, and something to drizzle.MORE FROM SNAXSHOT:A 2021 Prediction [Twitter]TASTE Podcast 127: Pop Up Grocer [TASTE]Foxtrot [official]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/thesnaxshotinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did you catch longtime New York Times restaurant critic Pete Wells dropping a monumental story this week, the 100 Best Restaurants in New York City? This is the first time in Pete’s 12-year career that he’s published such a list, and we had him back in the studio to talk about his method and some of his favorite places. We also dove into his reviewing career, as well as how he schedules all the meals and keeps tabs on the trends. We get some quick hits from Pete, including the best pizza, the best Midtown lunch, and the best ice cream. Pete is one of our favorite critics writing today, and it was such fun having him back.MORE FROM PETE WELLS:Mam Serves the Most Exciting Vietnamese Food in New York [NYT]In Queens, Kimchi Is Just the Start [NYT]TASTE Podcast 41: Pete Wells [TASTE]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/pete_wellsinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re big fans of Marissa Mullen, and we are really super excited to have her in the studio to talk about her career working in the music industry (she worked at both The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Late Show With Stephen Colbert), but mostly to talk about cheese. She’s the author of two books revolving around modern entertaining and the art of the cheese plate. Her latest, That Cheese Plate Wants to Party, is a sharp and highly enjoyable guide to buying cheese for all sorts of occasions, including a solo evening at home. Also on the show we catch up with Daisy Alioto, the co-founder of innovative media company, Dirt, which has been called the "Village Voice of the Internet" (a big compliment). We talk about how food lives and breathes on the Internet, and dive into Web3’s influence on the restaurant industry. Are we ready for a "post-food" reality?Get your tickets for Matt Rodbard and Daniel Holzman live at the Los Angeles Public Library on April 23.MORE FROM MARISSA MULLEN: How to Cut Every Type of Cheese [Salon]Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cheddar [F52]Death of the Podcast [Dirt]A-List Mukbang [Dirt]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/thatcheeseplateinstagram.com/daisandconfusedinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comedians writing books about food is nothing new, and in some cases, we are pretty allergic to the practice. But with Dan Ahdoot’s smart and candid memoir, Undercooked, the Cobra Kai actor and longtime stand-up comedian has written with truth and wit, and we couldn’t put the book down. In this episode, we talk with Dan about his time working at the infamous Spotted Pig in New York, and we ask for some of his go-to spots for Persian and Korean food in Los Angeles. We also find out what pops on the craft service table and how a recent encounter with Jerry Seinfeld was just as you would expect it: awkward and hilarious. Also on the show, Aliza and Matt join producers Pat Stango and Shalea Harris for what can only be described as a fantasy football-style draft of the farmers market produce. With the number one pick in the 2023 fruit and vegetable draft…tune in to find out where strawberries, Golden Crisps, and concord grapes land.Get your tickets for Matt Rodbard and Daniel Holzman live at the Los Angeles Public Library on April 23.MORE FROM DAN AHDOOT:Dan Ahdoot Is Sticking With Grocery Delivery [Grub Street]TASTE Podcast 171: Zosia Mamet [TASTE]Green Eggs and Dan [Apple Podcasts]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/standupdaninstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteBuy: UndercookedSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a good day when we can get an expert at the top of their game to join us in the studio. Writer and editor Jon Bonné is just that in the wine game—but he’s also an erudite observer of food and culture trends. In this action-packed episode, we talk about his monumental new book, the two-volume The New French Wine. We discuss France as a source but also a construct, and we dive into some of Jon’s restaurant reporting at Resy, where he serves as managing editor. We also talk about his work at TASTE, including his longtime obsession with salade composée.Also on the episode, Aliza and Matt talk about three things they are each liking, including Anna Hezel's new book, Eric Kim's gochujang noodles, Dan Ahdoot writing a cool thing, GT's Synergy classic kombucha, save the diner!MORE FROM JON BONNE:Americans Now Own the Salade Composée [TASTE]Midtown’s French Legends Are Gone, But La Bonne Soupe Ladles On [Resy]The Great Regression [TASTE]Buy: The New French WineSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There are some restaurants where skipping dessert is just not an option—and if you’re in New York City, Gage & Tollner is at the top of that list. Pastry chef Caroline Schiff has created an all-star lineup of sweets that nod to the chop house’s historic past—it dates back to the late 1800s—while feeling totally fresh. On today’s episode, she shares with Aliza her pastry philosophy, her take on the most iconic desserts in the city, the origin behind her book, The Sweet Side of Sourdough, and more. Caroline is a true pastry wizard, and I hope you’ll enjoy this episode. Also on the show, Matt has Ellie Skrzat into the studio. Ellie is an illustrator, director, and the creative force behind much of the visual work we publish on TASTE, including all of the podcast illustrations that pop out in your feed. Some of her favorite guests to draw include Zosia Mamet, Ayo Edebiri, and Bartees Strange. Who does she want to draw? We find out in this run conversation. MORE FROM CAROLINE SCHIFF:Sourdough Has a Surprising Sweet Side [TASTE]Pastry Chef Caroline Schiff Ends Her Day with Sourdough Pancakes [Grub Street]A Day at a 143-Year-Old Restaurant With NYC's Most Iconic Desserts [Bon Appetit]Best New Chefs 2022: Caroline Schiff [Food and Wine]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/pastryschiffinstagram.com/skrzatinstagram.com/alizaraeinstagram.com/mattrodbardSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chanie Apfelbaum is the author of a really cool new book, Totally Kosher, and the force behind Busy in Brooklyn, a go-to resource for kosher recipes and thoughts on modern Jewish living. We wanted to have Chanie into the studio to talk about the many nuances of modern kosher cooking, and to ask her some pointed questions about her modern Orthodox life. Chanie was super game to talk about many topics, including how the recipes in her book are not only for the religious set. We hope you enjoy this talk.Also on the show, we catch up with Sawako Okochi and Aaron Israel, founders of Brooklyn restaurant Shalom Japan. They speak about their great new book, Love Japan.MORE FROM CHANIE APFELBAUM:Busy in Budapest [BIB]This Streusel-Topped One Might Be My New Favorite [The Kitchn]A Brief Chat With the Author Who Wants to Modernize Kosher Cooking [NY Mag]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/busyinbrooklyninstagram.com/shalomjapaninstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today is a special episode devoted to our love of the SPAM® brand—the multifunctional and influential canned meat that is used creatively in kitchens around the world every day. Whether it’s Korean budae jjigae or musubi rolls spotted in the 7-Eleven in Hawaii, SPAM® is an American heritage food brand that we want to celebrate. Up first, we speak with New York City chef and Iron Chef competitor Esther Choi. We discuss her childhood love of SPAM® products and how she cooks with them at her restaurants today. Next, we catch up with SPAM® brand director of marketing, Jason Baskin, who offers fun facts about the brand and answers some questions we fried up just for him. How does the brand team develop recipes in their Minnesota test kitchen? And how does the SPAM® brand spot exciting trends around the world? We hope you enjoy this very fun episode.This episode was produced in partnership with our friends at Hormel Foods, makers of the SPAM® brand. FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:  instagram.com/spambrandinstagram.com/choibitesinstagram.com/mattrodbardSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nobody makes cake—or cookies, or tarts, or anything else in the pastry case—quite like Natasha Pickowicz. The former pastry chef at Flora Bar and Altro Paradiso, who now helms the acclaimed pop-up Never Ending Taste and organizes mega bake sales raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for reproductive health justice, Natasha makes extremely cool pastries, like crackly shoyu peanut cookies and cakes crowned with radicchio. Now she’s releasing a debut cookbook to share her recipes with the world, More Than Cake, and we’re stoked to have her back in the studio to talk about bringing her distinct pastry style to life, baking as activism, and the state of dessert in restaurants right now.MORE FROM NATASHA PICKOWICZ:How I Protest with Pastries [Bon Appetit]How to Make Delicious Scones at Home [Desert People]TASTE Podcast 16: Natasha Pickowicz [TASTE]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/natashapickowiczinstagram.com/alizaraeinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alex Prud’homme’s new book, Dinner with the President, is a history of American food, politics, and 26 presidents, from George Washington starving at Valley Forge in 1777 to Donald Trump’s burger banquets. It was such a good time having Alex on the show to talk about how food has been used as a diplomatic tool since the founding of the United States, as well as some underrated cooks living in the White House. Finally, Grace Coolidge gets the respect she deserves. We also talk with Alex about his journalism, how he wrote a New Yorker article that would go on to inspire the Soup Nazi character on Seinfeld, and the book he wrote with his great-aunt Julia Child that would inspire many movies and TV shows. Alex is such a great guest, and I hope you enjoy our talk.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt talk about their recent trips to Miami and Tel Aviv, while discussing the value of fresh-cut tropical fruit and raspberry yogurt.MORE FROM ALEX PRUD’HOMME:The Man Behind the Soups [The New Yorker]    Alex Prud’homme Wishes He Was in the Room Where It Happened [NYT]Jacques Pépin and Alex Prud'homme on entertaining Julia Child-style [GBH]The Israel Issue [TASTE]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/alex.prudhommeinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Delia Cai is a journalist, the newsletter savant behind the popular Deez Links send, a Vanity Fair staffer, and the author of a great debut novel, Central Places. On this episode, we cover many excellent topics, including her Midwestern upbringing, her thoughts on the state of the Food Internet, and learning about the customs of dining out the hard way. Also on the show, international food and travel writer Sylvie Bigar was born in Geneva, Switzerland, and is based in New York City, where we caught up in the studio for this wonderful conversation. We find out what inspired Sylvie’s new memoir, Cassoulet Confessions. We also talk about how cassoulet, a traditionally French stew, has ties to her Jewish heritage. I hope you enjoy getting to know Sylvie a lot better.MORE FROM DELIA CAI AND SYLVIE BIGAR:Is TikTok Turning Fashion into Pure Chaos [Vanity Fair]September Stuff [Deez Links]It’s Barbie’s World Now. We Just Live Here [Vanity Fair]In the Kitchen with Sylvie Bigar [WSJ]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/deeeliacaiinstagram.com/sylviebigarinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The name Maya Kaimal may be familiar to many. She runs an amazing packaged foods company that sells delicious premade South Asian sauces and dals in more than 10,000 stores across the United States. She is grocery store royalty. But we wanted to have Maya on the show to talk about her time working at Saveur in the early 2000s and how she transitioned from that job to launching her eponymous food brand. We also talk about her excellent new cookbook, Indian Flavor Every Day. We really hope you enjoy our conversation.Also on the show, Aliza and Matt catch up about three things they are into right now, including Razza, tropical fruit smoothies, Lexie Park of @eatnunchi, hop tea, and Adeena Sussman’s forthcoming fall book, Shabbat.  MORE FROM MAYA KAIMAL:The Queen of Indian Sauces [TASTE]Feast of Harmony [Saveur]3 Food & Drink Brands With Hudson Valley Roots [HV Mag]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/mayakaimalinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rich Torrisi is a prolific New York City chef and empire builder behind some of the most buzzed-about restaurants in the United States, including Parm, Sadelle’s, The Pool, Carbone, and his newest and most personal venture, Torrisi. Matt was a fan of Rich’s breakout restaurant, Torrisi Italian Specialties, when it opened at 250 Mulberry St. in 2009. What a restaurant. That mozzarella! In this episode, we talk about those early days but also more modern times—and how the late-night dining scene in New York is starting to get its groove back. We also discuss Rich’s time working at Cafe Boulud, and what it’s like to be caught between two generations. We hope you enjoy this candid conversation.MORE FROM RICH TORRISI:At Torrisi, the Room Is Showy but the Cooking Is Subtle [NYT ⭐⭐⭐]Rich Torrisi Bets Bigger On New York [Forbes]Getting Lost in the World’s Largest Stack of Menus [TASTE]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW: instagram.com/richtorrisiinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grabbing ingredients off a moving platform to cook a dish for Gordon Ramsay to judge truly sounds like a stress dream we’ve had before—but for Mehreen Karim, it’s a good time. Mehreen is a recipe developer and home cook who is competing on the current season of Next Level Chef, a high-stress cooking show designed to conjure up culinary brilliance from serious constraints. She’s also a close friend of Aliza’s, so we invited Mehreen onto the podcast to ask her questions like: “Why did you want to do this?” And: “What’s it really like to cook for the most feared judge in food?” MORE FROM MEHREEN KARIM:Olive Oil Is the Cake Cheat Code [TASTE]Next Level Chef [Official]Crispy Salmon Curry [Official]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/reeniekariminstagram.com/alizaraeinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s a great day when our friend Alison Roman turns up at our New York City studio. We’ve really enjoyed reading and cooking through her new baking book, Sweet Enough, and we wanted to ask her about what it’s like to write three cookbooks in five and a half years, as well as talk about the TV show she made, her spirited newsletter writing, kosher salt wars, sheet pan shortcake, and where to eat in New York City right now. Alison is one of our all-time favorite guests, and we simply love the way she writes—and talks—about food. We hope you enjoy this conversation.Check out Alison’s tour dates: alisoneroman.com/tourMORE FROM ALISON ROMAN:A Newsletter [Substack]I Love Baking, I Hate Baking [Youtube]A Cabinet Full of Crunch [TASTE]Alison Roman on Resy, Air Fryers, and Erewhon [Interview]TASTE Podcast 02: Alison Roman [TASTE]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/alisoneromaninstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There is no food writer we would rather talk to about Italy—and, really, talk to about food in general—than Katie Parla. Her mind, her spirit, and her willingness to drive around the wonderfully off-the-grid cow towns of Puglia for the sake of a book project—it’s all really special. In this episode, we talk about her decades-long obsession with Italian food and culture, and what has gone into her latest book, Food of the Italian Islands. We also discuss her TV work and her tours of Rome that have become legendary around the world. It’s so good catching up with Katie Parla, and we hope you enjoy this conversation.MORE FROM KATIE PARLA:Italian Culinary Guides [official]Skip the Flight and the Ferry With ‘Food of the Italian Islands’ [NYT]Drinking With Italian Food and Wine Expert Katie Parla [PUNCH]Buy: Tasting Rome and Food of the Italian SouthSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How does a venture capitalist working in and around food actually grocery shop? Elly Truesdell, founder and managing partner of New Fare Partners, joins us on the show to tell us all about it. Elly got her start working in the corporate office of Whole Foods, and we find out about her nearly 10 years there discovering some of our favorite food brands. We also find out what a VC actually does, and how she hunts for the next big thing in CPG—short for consumer packaged goods, i.e., the products lining the shelves of your local grocery store. This is a cool conversation with one of the sharpest minds in food.Also on the show, we catch up with cookbook collaborator, podcast host, and former Food & Wine editor Kristin Donnelly. We discuss all things cookbooks, including some exciting projects she has in the works. We also go back to her time at Food & Wine and talk about changes in food media. It’s so great having Kristin on the show.MORE FROM ELLY TRUESDELL and KRISTIN DONNELLY:New Fare Partners is latest female-led VC to close first fund [Tech Crunch]Grocery Wars: A Natural Foods Reckoning [Food Tech Connect]Writing a Bestselling Cookbook in Your 80s [Everything Cookbooks]Modern Potluck: Beautiful Food to Share [Amazon]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/ellytruesdellinstagram.com/kristincdonnellyinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gail Simmons is a very cool human being—had to say that from the jump! While many know her best from Top Chef, Gail’s career in food expands way beyond a judge’s table. She trained at culinary school and went on to assist legendary food writer and columnist Jeffrey Steingarten. She also worked the line in busy New York City restaurants and is the author of two books, including her latest, Bringing It Home. We wanted to have her on the show to talk about her past in New York City restaurant kitchens and what we can expect on the new season of Top Chef.And, hey, this is our 200th episode! While this is simply a round number and that’s it, Matt wants to acknowledge the team who helps bring the show to the feed many times a week. This show does not happen without cohost Aliza Abarbanel; our amazing producers, Shalea Harris and Pat Stango; our incredible editor, Clayton Gumbert; our amazing illustrator, Ellie Skrzat; and, most of all, all of you listeners out there. Thanks for tuning in each week. Thanks for all the messages on IG and the emails. And thanks for telling your friends about the show.MORE FROM GAIL SIMMONS:Make chicken schnitzel with Gail Simmons of ‘Top Chef’ [Today]Inside the ‘Top Chef’ Industrial Complex [New York Times]TASTE Podcast 05: Gail Simmons [TASTE]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/gailsimmonseatsinstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chef and budding TV personality Daniel Harthausen is one of the most exciting voices in food, having just won the first season of HBO’s very good cooking competition show The Big Brunch and running the roving pop-up Young Mother in Richmond, Virginia. Harthausen was raised by a Korean mother and a half-Korean father and “had a baseline of what really good Korean food tasted like, without really knowing it at the time,” he told Matt during a Zoom conversation earlier this year. He was visiting New York recently, and we asked him to stop by the studio for a really cool conversation about his travels, his loot (he won $300,000 on the show), and the delicate topic of Korean-Japanese relations. He’s got a lot to say, and we were so excited to have him in.MORE FROM DANIEL HARTHAUSEN:Daniel Harthausen’s Big Korean-Japanese Brunch Is Special [TASTE]Brunch Time [Richmond Magazine]Richmond’s Daniel Harthausen wins big [Richmond Times Dispatch]FOLLOW, FOLLOW, FOLLOW:instagram.com/danielharthauseninstagram.com/mattrodbardinstagram.com/tasteSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.