The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

Darina Allen, the charismatic founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School and author of best-selling cookbooks, shares her culinary journey rooted in Ireland's rich traditions. She recounts formative family meals and pivotal moments that ignited her passion for cooking. The conversation also explores the growing appreciation for local ingredients and sustainable practices. Allen highlights her innovative teaching style and the importance of reconnecting with cooking and nature, all while leaving listeners with a delightful recipe for the Irish classic, Spotted Dog Railway Cake.

We’ve got the most exciting cookbooks to gift this holiday season. Chef Chris Scott talks to us about his latest, Amish Soul Food and pays homage to the food of his Pennsylvanian German ancestors, and talks us through traditional recipes like chow chow, biscuits, and scrapple. He leaves us with his recipe for Okra Chow-Chow. Cynthia Shanmugalingam takes us on a deep dive into the seductive, cuisine of Sri Lanka. Her book is Rambutan: Recipes from Sri Lanka. Then, Ben Mervis, author of The British Cookbook, talks about the many food regions of Britain and the influences that have inspired them. His Yorkshire Parkin recipe is a must-try for this holiday season. Then, we get a lesson in home-made vinegar making with Pascal Baudar, author of Wildcrafted Vinegars. He leaves with a lot of inspiration and a recipe for Seaweed-Infused Vinegar.Broadcast dates for this episode:December 16, 2022 (originally aired)December 15, 2023 (rebroadcast)When you shop using our links, we earn a small commission. It’s a great way to support public media at no extra cost to you!Donate to The Splendid Table today and we will show our appreciation with a special thank-you gift.

In this conversation, Lisa Kyung Gross, founder of The League of Kitchens, shares the joy of food and community during the holidays, highlighting family recipes from immigrant women. She introduces an Afghan Cake Jawari recipe, bursting with rosewater and cardamom. Food critic Helen Rosner adds her delicious insights on thoughtful gifting and presents last-minute culinary gift ideas. Listeners explore cozy winter flavors, unique dishes calling back to their culinary heritage, and the art of gifting through meaningful connections.

In this engaging conversation, Hetty Lui McKinnon, a Chinese-Australian cookbook author, shares her vibrant Australian Christmas traditions and her vegetable-forward approach to cooking. From late-night seafood barbecues to her unique Coronation Cauliflower recipe, Hetty captures the essence of summer holidays. Yasmin Khan, an expert in Persian cuisine, reveals the magic of Yalda Night, highlighting its rich traditions of poetry, pomegranates, and seasonal gatherings. She also offers insights into her vegetarian interpretations of classic Persian dishes like Fesenjan.

It’s the holiday season, and we’re kicking it off this week with some sweet treats. First, food editor and recipe developer Ben Mims joins us with his latest project, covering over 300 cookie recipes from Asia to the Levant to Scandinavia to the Caribbean. The varieties are astonishing.  We get into cookie styles, the fascinating ingredients in regional cookies, and the hundreds of flavor combinations. Ben is the author of Crumbs: Cookies and Sweets from Around the World. And he left us with a recipe for Guava-Filled Butter Cookies from Brazil. Then, we step into the world of wild chocolate with Rowan Jacobsen. We hear about the new breed of cacao farmers and the amazing flavor profiles found in wild chocolate and meet some of the farmers who are making it. Rowan is the author of Wild Chocolate: Across the Americas in Search of Cacao’s Soul.Broadcast dates for this episode:December 6, 2024 (originally aired)December 12, 2025 (rebroadcast)Subscribe to @TheSplendidTable on YouTube for full podcast episodes and full-length video interviews!Your support is a special ingredient in helping to make The Splendid Table. Donate today.

In this engaging discussion, Michael W. Twitty, a culinary historian renowned for exploring the roots of Southern food, delves into his new book, highlighting the diverse influences shaping the region's cuisine. From indigenous corn dishes to unique fusion recipes like Chinese Mississippi collards, he reveals the rich tapestry of Southern flavors. Deb Freeman, filmmaker of the documentary on Edna Lewis, shares insights on Lewis's revolutionary impact on American food and her farm-to-table legacy, emphasizing the importance of cultural roots in Southern cooking.

Join Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, as she shares insights on creating meaningful celebrations. Food expert Francis Lam explores the emotional weight of culinary traditions, and shares his family's dumpling making ritual. Author Kate Bowler offers wisdom on navigating grief during holidays and suggests small rituals to honor mixed emotions. Together, they reveal how to transform gatherings into intentional experiences, emphasizing connection and shared contributions like playful desserts and communal cooking.

This week, we welcome the cold with delicious soup! Food Stylist Mariana Velásquez Villegas, author of Colombiana: A Rediscovery of Recipes and Rituals from the Soul of Colombia talks us through Colombia's biodiversity and regional identity and the unique foods it inspires like Sancocho. This hearty stew brings people together in a communal dining experience. Be sure to listen to her playlist while preparing it! Then, we talk about Haitian cuisine with award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet as he shares his childhood memories of growing up, commemorating Haitian Independence Day with Soup Joumou, a hearty squash-based soup typically served on New Year's Day. Gregory Gourdet is the chef-owner of Kann in Portland, Oregon, and the author of Everyone's Table. Then, chili sauce entrepreneur Jing Gao, author of The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp, talks about Hot Pot, a zingy broth served in a large metal pot that gets tastier as you feast.Broadcast dates for this episode:January 26, 2024 (originally aired)January 17, 2025 (rebroadcast)November 28, 2025 (rebroadcast)Subscribe to @TheSplendidTable on YouTube for full podcast episodes and full-length video interviews!Our annual cookbook giveaway is live!  To enter for free, visit splendidtable.org/cookbookCelebrate kitchen companionship with a gift to The Splendid Table today.

Join culinary stars Samin Nosrat, Yossy Arefi, Vivian Howard, and Evan Kleiman for a feast of Thanksgiving wisdom! Samin shares tips on making fluffy mashed potatoes and balancing hosting with cooking. Yossy discusses her easy baking philosophy and no-bake dessert ideas to save the day. Vivian offers thoughts on modernizing traditional dishes and creating comfort food for diverse gatherings. Evan tackles turkey emergencies and reveals secrets for delicious gravy. Prepare for an unforgettable holiday with expert advice and warm insights!

We are a week away from Thanksgiving, and this week, Award-winning authors J. Kenji Lopez-Alt and Deb Perelman give us the best advice on making the perfect Thanksgiving spread. From gravy hot takes to best brining practices and the ideal way to cook a perfect turkey we have you covered. J. Kenji López-Alt and Deb Perelman are co-hosts of "The Recipe with Kenji and Deb" podcast. Deb left us her recipe for delicious dinner rolls, Sour Cream & Chive Fantails. Then, we move on to delicious Indian-inspired desserts with cookbook author Hetal Vasavada. Her flavor combinations will transform your typical bars, cookies, and pies into deliciously nutty and sometimes spicy desserts. Hetal is the author of Desi Bakes, and she left us her recipe for Pistachio & Cardamom Muddy Buddies.Broadcast dates for this episode:November 22, 2024 (originally aired)November 21, 2025 (rebroadcast)Subscribe to @TheSplendidTable on YouTube for full podcast episodes and full-length video interviews!Our annual cookbook giveaway is live!  To enter for free, visit splendidtable.org/cookbookDonate to The Splendid Table today and we will show our appreciation with a special thank-you gift.