We have unexpected stories from the South when host Francis Lam talks to historian John T. Edge about the "back to the land" movement and migration of San Francisco hippies to the rural South, where they became farmers in the 1960-1970s. Edge is the author of The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South. Hanna Raskin, food editor and critic for The Post and Courier, collaborates with the Southern Foodways Alliance podcast Gravy to present a story about Indian immigrants who have found new lives, homes and kitchens in the increasing number of hotels and motels that they own across the southern U.S., and we get high on the hog with Tucker Shaw from Cook's Country when he tells about the tradition of South Carolina Smoked Fresh Ham.

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.

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.

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.

Samin Nosrat is the author of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. Host Francis Lam recently interviewed her for Episode 630: Recipes - the Good, the Bad & the Ugly. [Ed. Note: find their interview here.] Francis had such a good time talking with Samin that their conversation ended up going long while talking about acid balance, and it was edited out of the main episode. Luckily for you, we set it aside for a bonus podcast. In this Splendid Table Sides segment, Nosrat talks about one of her favorite dishes Pasta alle Vongole (Pasta with Clams), and how she makes it with a technique of layering in wine, lemon, and different acids.

In this episode of The Splendid Table, host Francis Lam takes a look at what it means to feed your family. Molly Wizenberg and Matthew Amster-Burton, from the podcast Spilled Milk, muse about why we take what our kids will eat so very personally. We talk to Pableaux Johnson, a man who has been cooking red beans and rice in his house for guests every Monday night for more than 15 years. Self-confessed cork dork Bianca Bosker delivers a commentary on the family she found within the deeply-obsessed world of sommeliers. And David Leite joins us to discuss his struggles and triumphs with food and family from his new book, Notes on a Banana: A Memoir of Food, Love and Manic Depression.

This Splendid Table Sides bonus podcast features an extended interview with Shane Mitchell, author of Far Afield. Contributor Shauna Sever talks with Mitchell about her global travels with photographer James Fisher to document stories of hospitality for the book. The discussion includes more details of their visit to a refugee camp known as The Jungle in Calais, France. Shane Mitchell also gave us her recipe for Mullah Robe, a lamb and yogurt stew inspired by a dish made for her in The Jungle by a Sudanese refugee named Rasha.

Mexican chef Enrique Olvera joins us this week with a conversation about modern Mexican food. His new book is Mexico from the Inside Out. Melissa Clark talks to Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard, authors of Koreatown: A Cookbook, and Molly Birnbaum, executive editor of Cook’s Science at America’s Test Kitchen, gives us a primer on scallops. Plus Gary Nabhan explains Tucson's new UNESCO designation: City of Gastronomy.

We talk to Dr. Maya Shetreat-Klein about her intriguing book, The Dirt Cure. Molly Birnbaum, executive editor of Cook’s Science at America’s Test Kitchen, explains why lamb tastes like lamb, and Bee Wilson has come to believe that changing what we like to eat is the real key to tackling the obesity crisis. Her book is First Bite. Plus Katie Parla, co-author of Tasting Rome, on Rome's changing cuisine and The Sporkful's Dan Pashman on dining out in a wheelchair.

Managing Producer Sally Swift guest hosts this week’s show. Nopi's Yotam Ottolenghi explains his latest cookbook. Food critic Tom Sietsema of the Washington Post talks about selecting the top 10 food cities in the U.S. We get a primer in making yogurt with Cheryl Sternman Rule, author of Yogurt Culture. Lynne talks with rapper/poet Dessa about taking her food convictions with her on the road. America's Test Kitchen's Jack Bishop is back with the results from a vegan mayonnaise tasting. Plus, 20 techniques that we've learned from guests that we still use in the kitchen today.

Host Francis Lam chats with Osayi Endolyn about her introduction to Hoppin' John, and how it led her to explore both her personal background and the influence of African cuisine on the American South. Later, he discusses the intricacies of preparing chicken with Chef Jacques Pépin and building the Impossible Burger with Kurt Soller from Bon Appétit. Also, Melissa Clark talks with the Sporkful's Dan Pashman about his interview with the Greensboro Four's Joseph McNeil. And for dessert, Tucker Shaw from Cook's Country has the sweet secret to perfecting New Jersey Crumb Buns.

Guest host Melissa Clark of The New York Times heads up a big show this week when we launch a new monthly partnership with America’s Test Kitchen. The premise? Good cooks are not born, they are made. Molly Birnbaum, executive editor of Cook’s Science at America’s Test Kitchen, gives us our first lesson: how to cut an onion. Grocery stores are full of choices, or are they? Journalist Simran Sethi, author of Bread, Wine and Chocolate: The Slow Loss of Foods We Love, weighs in. Matt Goulding of Roads & Kingdoms takes us deep into Japan’s food culture with his new book, Rice, Noodle, Fish. Plus Alex Stupak, author of Tacos, explains how to make tortillas at home, Sam Seneviratne, author of The New Sugar and Spice, talks spices, and Lynne Rossetto Kasper tastes six brands of apple cider vinegar.