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

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.

Join acclaimed food writer and television host Padma Lakshmi as she explores the immigrant roots of Thanksgiving and shares her alternative to mashed potatoes: podimas. She reflects on traveling for Taste the Nation and the importance of preserving culinary traditions. Meanwhile, prolific baker Dorie Greenspan discusses her new book on simple cakes, offering a delightful sweet potato loaf for the holiday. She reveals the magic of grated vegetables in baking and shares her cocoa-swirled pumpkin bundt recipe, perfect for any festive table.

Yotam Ottolenghi, beloved for his Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, shares insights from his latest book, discussing how dishes like 'Thousand Hole Pancakes' connect us to memories and emotions through texture and taste. Luisa Weiss, author of 'Classic German Cooking,' reflects on her childhood favorites, such as hearty school lunches and the comfort of ‘abendrot’ dinners. Together, they explore the cultural significance and global diversity of comfort food, challenging stereotypes while celebrating the richness of traditional German dishes like Käsespätzle.

Join acclaimed actor Tony Shalhoub, known for his role in Breaking Bread, as he shares tasty Lebanese-American food memories blending cultures from kibbeh to grilled cheese. He discusses how bread connects people and his family's immigration journey. Joining him is Maureen Abood, a cookbook author who specializes in Lebanese baking. She reveals mouthwatering recipes like za'atar manakeesh and explores the art behind these beloved flatbreads. Together, they celebrate the delicious ways food brings us together.