We're looking at the advent of Chinese food in America with Andrew Coe, author of Chop Suey, A Cultural History of Chinese Food in the United States. Jane and Michael Stern are in North Charleston, South Carolina for low country soul food at Bertha's Kitchen, and Sally Schneider, creator of The Improvised Life website teaches us to improvise with miso.
We're pondering the food supply of the future with Raj Patel author of The Value of Nothing, Jane and Michael Stern are at The White Hut in Springfield, MA, and we ask the question – why are there no famous female chefs?
We're looking at Mexican–Jewish food traditions with Chef Patricia Jinich, of PBS's Pati's Mexican Table, New York Time's columnist Melissa Clark introduces us to her very suave and very easy recipe for Shrimp Bisque, Jane and Michael Stern are at Cupcake Royale in Seattle, WA and Steve Almond, author of Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America wants us to consider endangered candy!
Chef Scott Peacock joins us this week with his series The Alabama Project, conversations with some of Alabama's oldest residents. Jane and Michael Stern are at Du-par's in Los Angeles, Fred Plotkin reports on the 150th anniversary of the Republic of Italy and we get a quick primer on sugaring from Tim Herd, author of Maple Sugar from Sap to Syrup.
This week we're getting advice for lubricating the family dinner conversation from Daniel Menaker author of A Good Talk; The Story and Skill of Conversation. Jane and Michael Stern have found Orson Welles sized pies at Royer's Round Top in Texas and we look at the up and coming cheesemakers with James Norton author of The Master Cheesemakers of Wisconsin.
We get a clear-eyed view of the wine world this week with Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl author of Drink This: Wine Made Simple. Chef Patrice Olivon introduces us to the gentle art of the soufflé, and Indian food authority Monica Bhide, author of Modern Spice explains the Indian art of spice blends.
Award winning author Su-Mei Yu introduces us to the ancient Thai tradition of looking at "food as medicine". Her new book is, The Elements of Life, A Contemporary Guide to Thai Recipes and Traditions for Healthier Living. Jane and Michael Stern are in Tucson at the Tucson Tamale Company and National Geographic's Keith Bellows brings us their list of "food journeys of a lifetime".
We have some advice for the home cook from chef Thomas Keller—his new book is Ad Hoc at Home. We get advice for throwing a party Southern style from Matt and Ted Lee, authors of Simple, Fresh Southern. Master baker Rose Levy Beranbaum gives us a primer on keeping cakes—her newest book is Rose's Heavenly Cakes. Jane and Michael Stern are at Pico de Gallo in Tucson, AZ.
Chef Douglas Rodriguez joins us with a Cuban take on the Christmas feast. The legendary Paula Wolfert joins us with her book Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking. And we have a tale of a childhood gingerbread house gone mad from Augusten Burroughs, author of You'd Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas. Emeril Lagasse brings us holiday recipes inspired by his mother.
This week Nigella Lawson is stopping by with her new book, Nigella Kitchen, Recipes From the Heart of Home. Food & Wine Magazine's Anthony Giglio introduces us to the bubbly wines of Italy. Sally Schneider, creator of The Improvisational Cook is back with her annual list of homemade food gifts and the Sterns are at Garcia's Kitchen in Albuquerque, NM.