This Is TASTE

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/jamiechristsuperstar instagram.com/mattrodbard instagram.com/taste

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/chrisecrowley instagram.com/mattrodbard instagram.com/taste

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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/emmalovewell instagram.com/mattrodbard instagram.com/taste

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]