The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters
American Public Media
If you love to eat, cook and travel, The Splendid Table is your weekly go-to source. Our public radio program has been connecting people through the common language of food for over three decades. Hosted by award-winning food journalist Francis Lam, each week we bring you fresh voices and surprising conversations at the intersection of cooking, people and culture. We cover all things food – from recipes and restaurants to history and science, farmer’s markets and of course, the Thanksgiving feast. Our wide-ranging, freewheeling guest list includes both world-class and rookie chefs, bestselling authors, scientists, poets, musicians, and even an astronaut in orbit!
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weeknight Kitchen, to receive practical, delicious weeknight-ready recipes. Once a month, we also share a sweet treat or baking recipe. Sign up at Splendidtable.org/newsletter
Produced by American Public Media. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weeknight Kitchen, to receive practical, delicious weeknight-ready recipes. Once a month, we also share a sweet treat or baking recipe. Sign up at Splendidtable.org/newsletter
Produced by American Public Media. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 1, 2017 • 9min
The Roots of Zoe's Ghana Kitchen
In an extended interview with host Francis Lam, chef Zoe Adjonyoh recalls her childhood fascination with the food from her father's home country - Ghana. She and Francis also discuss her personal travels to the West African nation in search of more experience with the methods and unique ingredients used in Ghanaian cuisine, and how it all comes together in her debut cookbook Zoe's Ghana Kitchen. Hear more from their interview at our story page for "Aromatic, wholesome African cuisine inside Zoe's Ghana kitchen." Try Zoe's recipes for Shito (Hot Pepper Sauce), Chalé Sauce, Peanut Sauce, and Yam & Plantain Peanut Curry.Broadcast dates for this episode:August 1, 2017
Jul 28, 2017 • 51min
Nordic Fare
Magnus Nilsson wrote what may be the definitive book on Nordic cooking, and he tells guest host Melissa Clark that there's more to it than pickled herring. Melissa also talks with John Wurdeman about preserving an 8,000-year-old Georgian wine tradition. Tucker Shaw, from America's Test Kitchen, gives the recipe for making perfect steak frites at home. And managing producer Sally Swift gets the lowdown on tahini from Adeena Sussman.Broadcast dates for this episode:July 22, 2016 (originally aired)July 28, 2017 (rebroadcast)
Jul 14, 2017 • 48min
Slow Change
Krishnendu Ray talks with Von Diaz about the history of immigrant foods and their (eventual) acceptance in America. In addition, Molly Birnbaum from America's Test Kitchen examines the challenges of eggs, Steve Sando tells Lynne Rossetto Kasper about what it's like being an heirloom bean entrepreneur, and Marisa Huff explains northern Italy's "aperitivo" time to Shauna Sever. Plus, "Queen of Herbs" Jekka McVicar's ode to rosemary. Broadcast dates for this episode:July 15, 2016 (originally aired)July 14, 2017 (rebroadcast)
Jun 30, 2017 • 50min
Twenty
This week it’s a celebration of the Fourth of July with a collection of classic interviews. We listen to an interview with Julia Child from our first national broadcast 20 years ago, Mario Batali shares the Italian way with vegetables and Sally Schneider of Improvised Life joins us with a primer in cooking with fresh cherries. Mediterranean food scholar Claudia Roden brings us ideas for exceptional grilling from the Middle East, wine expert Joshua Wesson pairs wine with sweet corn and TeaSource’s Bill Waddington explains how to make iced tea using the cold-brew method. When it comes to barbecue sauce, Kansas City-style sauces have become the national norm. America’s Test Kitchen reveals the results of a bottled sauce taste test and shares off-kilter, but surprisingly delicious, uses for barbecue sauce at your next party. Broadcast dates for this episode:July 3, 2015 (originally aired)June 30, 2017 (rebroadcast)
Jun 23, 2017 • 49min
Silk Road Food
Lynne Rossetto Kasper chats with Caroline Eden and Eleanor Ford about their new book, Samarkand, a collection of essays, photos, and recipes from central Asia. Culinary historian Michael Twitty tells Joe Yonan about his deeply personal look at the African-American/Southern food tradition in The Cooking Gene, and Molly Birnbaum from America's Test Kitchen checks in with Sally Swift about the very best part of Parmigiano-Reggiano.Broadcast dates for this episode:June 24, 2016 (originally aired)June 23, 2017 (rebroadcast)
Jun 20, 2017 • 9min
Colonel Sanders, Mahalia Jackson and the South’s Influence on Fast Food
In an extended conversation with host Francis Lam, Southern food historian John T. Edge (The Potlikker Papers) discusses the different influences that two southern icons, Colonel Harland Sanders and Mahalia Jackson, had on the popular fast food of the region – fried chicken. Read more about Mahalia Jackson’s fried chicken legacy at Southern Foodways Alliance website. Broadcast dates for this episode:June 20, 2017
Jun 9, 2017 • 49min
The Secrets of Service
Host Francis Lam talks to Will Guidara about what defines great service, Joe Yonan finds meatless smoking options with Project Smoke author Steve Raichlen, and Corey Lee tells Francis about his new "covers" restaurant. Plus, Melissa Clark gets a refresher on low-alcohol summer drinks from Spritz co-author Talia Baiocchi. And Lisa McManus from America's Test Kitchen talks about their recent review of espresso machines; she tells us about the winners and gives some advice for marking the perfect espresso drink at home.Broadcast dates for this episode:May 27, 2016 (originally aired)June 9, 2017 (rebroadcast)
Jun 6, 2017 • 47min
Bon Appétit's Adam Rapoport interviews host Francis Lam
Every once in a while, we like to share something extra with our fans and listeners. Our friend at Bon Appétit, Adam Rapoport, recently interviewed host Francis Lam for the Bon Appétit Foodcast podcast. Adam and Francis talk about Francis's early experiences with his new host duties at The Splendid Table, the difficulty of putting words to the page, eating Chrissy Teigen's scalloped potatoes, and how he hosts friends at home. Plus, some football talk for good measure. We hope you enjoy learning a bit more about Francis and why we're so happy to have him hosting The Splendid Table. You can subscribe to Bon Appétit's Foodcast podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast service. Broadcast dates for this episode:June 6, 2017
May 26, 2017 • 49min
Spring Fling
This week we talk to hunger activist Robert Egger of L.A. Kitchen about his work feeding seniors, one of the fastest growing underfed populations. Molly Birnbaum, executive editor of Cook's Science at America’s Test Kitchen, is back with her monthly check-in. This time it’s goat's versus cow's milk. Plus Spring chef Skye Gyngell chats with contributor Noelle Carter about seasonal cooking, Taste of Home's Mark Hagen explains rhubarb and we visit the shop True Treats Candy with Susan Benjamin, author of Sweet as Sin.Broadcast dates for this episode:May 13, 2016 (originally aired)May 26, 2017 (rebroadcast)
May 12, 2017 • 49min
Farm-to-Table
This week we talk to chef Lenny Russo about the realities of committing to local and sustainable in a Midwestern restaurant. He is the author of Heartland. Tucker Shaw of Cook's Science shares the glamourous origin of fettuccine Alfredo in the U.S. and the secret to perfecting the dish at home. We look into the heart of Basque cooking with Alexandra Raij, co-author of The Basque Book, and we get a lesson in how to make nut milks with Dina Cheney, author of The New Milks. Plus, we hear about restaurant regulars and Paris' meat vending machines.Broadcast dates for this episode:April 29, 2016 (originally aired)May 12, 2017 (rebroadcast)
