This Is TASTE

Journalist Khushbu Shah shares insights on Indian American cooking in her new book. Topics include the evolution of Indian cuisine in America, unique recipes like jaggery fennel rice crispy treats, and favorite foods. They also discuss potential biopics, chilled noodles in Long Island City, and experiencing 'Illinois' on Broadway.

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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly Baz, a talented recipe developer with a unique voice, discusses her latest book, 'More Is More,' focusing on the explosion of flavor and creativity in cooking. Dwight Garner, a New York Times book critic, shares insights from his acclaimed work, 'The Upstairs Delicatessen,' which blends food and literature in delightful ways. They explore culinary maximalism, favorite meals, and the joy of storytelling through food, creating a vibrant conversation that celebrates the intersection of gastronomy and literature.

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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. FRANKLIN Coconut 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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices