Kitchen Chat with Margaret McSweeney

“No one person is bigger than the whole.”  Those were the wise words once whispered into Donnie Madia’s ears by one of his business partners, and this saying has become a key element to his long-standing success in Chicago’s culinary scene.  He typifies the art of collaboration. With twelve restaurants in the One Off Hospitality ( https://www.oneoffhospitality.com/our-concepts/) family, Donnie Mad...

Just as James Beard is considered “America’s First Foodie,” ( https://www.jamesbeard.org ) Mayor Rahm Emanuel ( https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor.html) is “Chicago’s Foodie.”  He is credited for bringing the prestigious James Beard Awards (The Academy Awards of Food) to Chicago and has boosted culinary travel to the Windy City.   In 2017, Bon Appetit magazine voted Chicago as the n...

Ina Pinkney ( http://www.breakfastqueen.com/about_queen.html) and Denise Vivaldo ( https://denisevivaldo.com ) share their wit and wisdom while helping to empower women in the culinary industry.  These two are indeed a Dynamic Duo.  Ina Pinkney aka the “Breakfast Queen” ( http://www.breakfastqueen.com/about_queen.html) is an iconic culinary leader, a former restaurateur, cookbook author, and a rec...

“Chicago is a choice for me.  When I had a six table restaurant in the Florida Pan Handle in 1993, my dream always was that maybe some day I’ll be able to have a restaurant in Chicago and sit down with the smartest restaurant people around.” Kevin Boehm, co-founder of Boka Restaurant Group At age ten, Kevin Boehm knew that he wanted to become a restaurateur.  In 2002, he and Rob Katz founded Boka...

  ( http://kitchenchat.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/IMG_6111-1-300x250.jpg) Myron Mixon ( https://www.jacksoldsouth.com ) is the “Winningest” Man in Barbecue.  He has won the World Championship four times and even has a Barbecue “Super Bowl” ring!  His cookbook Barbecue Rules ( https://amzn.to/2MtI9BN) will help the home pit masters perfect their skills. ( http://kitchenchat.info/wp-content/upl...

  “Learn the rules like a professional so that you can break them like an artist.”  Pablo Picasso ( http://kitchenchat.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/KITCHENCREATIVITY_AuthorPhotographerPhoto-300x200.jpeg) Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg’s new book Kitchen Creativity ( http://amzn.to/2DuXKtg) will inspire you to become a true culinary artist by mastering the fundamental skills of cooking in orde...

( http://kitchenchat.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/IMG_6103-300x225.jpg ) Chef Stephanie Izard ( http://www.stephanieizard.com ) is a culinary trailblazer. She is the first female Iron Chef ( https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/iron-chef-america) and the first female Top Chef ( http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef) and is a highly acclaimed restaurateur with her partners from Boka Restaurant Group ( ht...

  ( http://kitchenchat.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/KITCHENCREATIVITY_AuthorPhotographerPhoto-300x200.jpeg)   On a personal note, I am so thankful that Karen and Andrew continue to encourage me along my own culinary journey.  We recently reconnected in Chicago at a Les Dames d’Escoffier ( https://lesdameschicago.org/)event at Chef Carrie Nahabedian’s ( http://naha-chicago.com/?post_type=team&p=...

Ina Pinkney ( http://www.breakfastqueen.com/about_queen.html) and Denise Vivaldo ( https://denisevivaldo.com/) share their wit and wisdom while helping to empower women in the culinary industry.  These two are indeed a Dynamic Duo.  Ina Pinkney aka the “Breakfast Queen” ( http://www.breakfastqueen.com/about_queen.html) is an iconic culinary leader, a former restaurateur, cookbook author, and a rec...

( http://kitchenchat.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_2926-e1524258694872-300x300.jpg) Recently, Chef Jaime Laurita and I had a kitchen chat in the Viking and La Cornue Showroom in Chicago with Chef Bill Kim to discuss his new cookbook Korean BBQ: Master Your Grill in Seven Sauces. ( https://amzn.to/2HiBk0b) ( http://kitchenchat.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_3870-300x179.jpg) Chef Bill Ki...

  Potluck with Ali Rosen: Bring It! ( http://kitchenchat.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Ali-Rosen @Noah-Fecks-187x300.jpg) Ali Rosen is redefining potluck one dish at a time.  As she says, “If potlucks bring to mind covered dish dinners, it’s time to rebrand.  Think of them instead as outsourced dinner parties: when everyone brings a dish to share, entertaining is as easy as setting the table.” A...

“I didn’t pick the restaurant industry.  It picked me.”  Chef Gale Gand on Kitchen Chat  Award winning pastry chef Gale Gand has a passion for pastries.  She has won two James Beard awards, including one for Outstanding Pastry Chef and one for Outstanding Service for her former restaurant Tru.  Gale Gand is a seasoned TV celebrity who worked with Julia Child on her PBS show Baking with Julia ( htt...

Everyone on Instagram always asks @WhatsGabyCookin ( https://whatsgabycooking.com/) . Gaby Dalkin is the Pied Piper of the culinary world.  Gaby’s enthusiasm, encouragement, recipes and authenticity help her followers become even better home chefs all while having fun in the kitchen. ( http://kitchenchat.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_4639-e1528824725550-225x300.jpg) Recently, Gaby joined Che...

 General Hospital ( http://abc.go.com/shows/general-hospital) star, Jackie Zeman ( https://www.instagram.com/jacklyn.zeman/?hl=en ) is a foodie.  Although she loves to eat, Jackie admits that she is not a good cook and she wishes a “food fairy” would come into her kitchen. Ironically, her character, Nurse Bobbie, was a restaurateur on General Hospital.  She and her onscreen brother Luke Spencer ra...

“An amalgam of styles around the world – that’s what’s going to happen in the home kitchen. It has already started. If you begin with big flavor then you end with big flavor… It’s transformative.”  Christopher Kimball, founder of America’s Test Kitchen ( https://www.americastestkitchen.com/)and Milk Street ( https://www.177milkstreet.com/) Christopher Kimball’s culinary journey began in childhood...

Bring new traditions and tastes to your holiday table with Better Homes and Gardens ( http://www.bhg.com/) ' 16th edition of its Red Plaid cookbook ( http://www.amazon.com/Better-Homes-Gardens-Cook-Book/dp/0470560770) .  Learn how to make perfect turkey gravy, snickerdoodle pie and other delicious new and classic recipes featured in this cookbook.  And tune in for great recipe ideas for leftover t...

Learn how to master your mistakes in the kitchen with Dana Cowin, editor in chief of Food and Wine Magazine. She shares great advice, recipes and stories from her new book Mastering My Mistakes in the Kitchen ( http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-My-Mistakes-Kitchen-Delicious-ebook/dp/B00ICN04SU) . Here is a link to her book tour dates ( http://www.masteringmymistakes.com/events/) . What is your bigge...

As the countdown begins for holiday entertaining, get ready with Kitchen Chat and Tina Ujlaki, Executive Food Editor of Food and Wine Magazine ( http://www.foodandwine.com/) .  She shares delicious dishes that will wow your guests.  Please share your favorite holiday traditions with me! Savor the day!

Margarita Carrillo Arronte, the Julia Child of Mexico, shares authentic flavors and recipes from Mexico: The Cookbook.  ( http://www.amazon.com/Mexico-Cookbook-Margarita-Carrillo-Arronte/dp/0714867527 ) Did you know that vanilla is really from Vera Cruz? Learn how to cook cactus paddles and spice up your dishes with epazote on today's kitchen chat.  Savor the day!

What’s the next big food trend? Russ Parsons ( https://twitter.com/Russ_Parsons1) , food editor of LA Times ( https://twitter.com/latimesfood) and author of How to Read a French Fry and How to Pick a Peach ( http://www.amazon.com/Russ-Parsons/e/B001IGHNJG) , shares some delicious insight into on all things culinary. Savor the day!

Do you want to know how to make delicious and simply elegant French desserts? Dorie Greenspan ( http://www.doriegreenspan.com/ ) shares recipes and stories from her 11th cookbook Baking Chez Moi.  Doris is a James Beard Foundation and IACP award winner.  The New York Times called her a "culinary guru" and she was inducted into the Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America.  Savor the day!  

It’s time for the Emmys! Host a memorable party with some fabulous ideas by Hollywood’s ultimate party host- Barbara Lazaroff. And join the fun on Emmys night as I tweet from #ETNow! Savor the day! - See more at: Kitchen Chat ( http://kitchenchat.info/902/kitchen-chat-barbara-lazaroff-emmys-interview/#sthash .cguTr9j8.dpuf)

Want some sizzle in your life? Impress your friends and family with great grilling and BBQ tips and tastes from America’s Master Griller, Steven Raichlen! Discover your “Inner Chef” with his new book Man Mande Meals: The Essential Cookbook for Guys! Savor the day!

Happy 60th birthday to Serendipity ( http://www.serendipity3.com/ )– an icon in the New York City restaurant scene and home of “Frrrrozen Hot Chocolate,” one of Oprah’s favorite things! Join the fun as Stephen Bruce, one of the original founders, shares stories of food and celebration about James Beard, Andy Warhol, Jackie O and many others with a special tie to this happy place. Savor the day!