The Connected Table Live

Chef Norman Van Aken has been called The Founding Father of New World Cuisine. His singular style of cooking launched the fusion food movement and put Florida on the map as a culinary epicenter. Author of 6 cookbooks including "My Key West Kitchen" (with son Justin), the newest, "My Florida Kitchen" (with wife Janet), and a memoir, "No Experience Necessary," he oversees Norman's at the Ritz-Carlto...

Every minute 18 bottles of Sandeman Port are sold somewhere in the world. George Sandeman, 7th generation member of the House of Sandeman (est. 1790), discusses the differences between port and other fortified wines, styles of tawny, ruby and blends and the history of Sandeman's iconic caped mascot, The Don. Food writer and culinary expert Bonnie Tandy Leblang, whose popular blog, BiteoftheBest.co...

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Walland, TN, on 4200 acres of tranquility lies Blackberry Farm. Owned by the Beall family since 1976, this Relais Chateaux luxury inn has award winning wine service and restaurants. Executive Chef Cassidee Dabney discusses Blackberry's signature Foothills Cuisine and gardens which supply many of her dishes. Sommelier and Food & Beverage Dire...

Since 1997 Jimmy Yeager has run Jimmy's, an American Restaurant & Bar, a dining hot spot in Aspen, CO, with one of the top wine and cocktail programs in the USA, including over 100 selections of mezcal and tequila. His second spot, Jimmy's Bodega, serves coastal cuisine. Aspen lifestyle expert Janet O'Grady started Aspen Magazine with her husband in 1987. She now writes about travel and dining on...

When Chef David Pasternack is not in the kitchen at Esca, his seafood mecca in New York City, he's on a boat. Fishing is Dave's passion. Cooking fish to perfection is his talent, earning him numerous accolades. Dave discusses how to purchase and prepare fish by the season and how to season and cook fish with a light touch. Advertising exec and standup comedian turned professionally trained chef, R...

Ellie Krieger, R.D., is Host and Producer of "Ellie's Real Good Food" (Public Television) and author of 6 books including most recent "You Have it Made: Delicious, Healthy Do-Ahead Meals." Ellie worked with First Lady Michelle Obama on the forefront of the "Let's Move" campaign. Bérénice Lurton oversees Bordeaux estate Château Climens in the tiny appellation of Barsac. Her exceptional Premier Cru...

The D.O P. (protected denominacion de origin) Cariñena was the second wine region in Spain to gain D.O. status in 1932. Located in the region of Aragon west of the historic city of Zaragoza, Cariñena is known for its 100-year-old vines and distinctive Garnacha and Cariñena varietals. Vintner Pedro Garcia of Bodegas San Valero discusses Cariñena's terroir and production. Sommelier Martin Beally of...

Harlem dining is happening thanks to its committed culinary community and festivals like Harlem Eat Up. Melba Wilson is owner of Melba's Restaurant and author of "Melba's American Comfort." Melba worked for her famous Aunt Sylvia Woods (Sylvia's Restaurant) where she introduced the restaurant's famous gospel brunch. Puerto Rico native and animal lover, Chef Carmen Gonzalez, brings her flair for bl...

Barossa Valley's Ian Hongell is Chief Winemaker at Peter Lehmann Wines, one of the region's - and Australia's- legendary wineries. Namesake Peter Lehmann was a fifth generation Barossa native who was originally both a winemaker and buyer of grapes for another vintner. After that winery sold and decided to halt production, Peter established his winery in 1979. Over time he earned the moniker "Baron...

Mexico native, Pati Jinich, host of PBS-TV's "Pati's Mexican Table," and author of "Mexican Today," discusses the global influences on Mexican cuisine such as flavors from Africa, the Mediterranean and Asia brought by generations of immigrants. "Forbes Magazine" called Bertha Gonzales Nieves The First Lady of Tequila. Mexico's first Maestra Tequila, Bertha is co-founder of Casa Dragones, a super p...

Master Distiller Dave Pickerell made his mark for 14 years at Maker's Mark in Kentucky. Now this in-demand consultant focuses on craft distilling, notably at Hillrock Distillery, WhistlePig Rye Whiskey and George Washington's Mt. Vernon Distillery. While Portugal is renowned for its outstanding port wines it also produces some impressive still wines. Sixth generation vintner Joao Ferreira Alvares...

Hawaii is the only U.S. state that grows coffee, and the best is from Kona on the Big Island, home to 600 small farms (average 6 acre orchards). Scott Burr, Founder of Carta Coffee, left the wine business to buy a coffee farm. At his Nolyssa Farms, Scott's approach is hands-on to growing and roasting his beans. We discuss what make 100% Kona coffee prized among connoisseurs and its production as w...

South Africa has a winemaking industry dating to the 1600s. The Malan family, whose Simonsig Wine Estate in that country's Stellebosch region in the Cape Winelands, one of the most recognized names in the world of wine, help create it. Johan Malan, descendent of Founder Frans Malan, joins Melanie and David. Melanie reports on the Miami scene and StarChefs Rising Stars South Florida. This show is b...

Alfonso Undurraga's family has made wine in Chile for six generations since the 1880s and was the first Chilean winery to export to the U.S. in 1903. After selling their namesake winery in 2006, they started Koyle Winery in the Los Lingues zone of Alto Colchagua. Bryce Shuman, Executive Chef/Partner of award winning Betony in New York City, left an aspiring acting career to become a chef. His inve...

Born in Ethiopia, adopted and raised in Sweden, Chef Marcus Samuelsson's multicultural background and belief in food-as-community reflects his life today as Chef/Owner of Red Rooster, Streetbird and Ginny's Supper Club, all in Harlem, and cofounder of the Harlem EatUp! Festival. The youngest person to earn a New York Times three star review at age 23 as executive chef at Aquavit, Marcus is Co-Chai...

Ashby Marshall is among a growing number of women in distilling as co-owner of Spirit Works Distillery in Sonoma County, CA. With husband, Timo, Ashby employs a "grain to glass" approach to making spirits, which are all certified organic. Vintner Roman Roth has been a force in Long Island wine for more than 20 years. Winemaker and Partner at Wölffer Estate as well as Grapes of Roth by Wölffer Esta...

Jessamine McLellan is Pernod Ricard's Ambassador for Single Pot Still whiskey, an ultra traditional and fast growing category of Irish Whiskey. Single Pot Still (SPS) is a process unique to Ireland: Made at a single distillery from a mash of malted and unmalted barley which is triple-distilled in copper pot stills to create a smooth, rich flavor. SPS has had rocky history. At one time there were o...

Meridith May is Editorial Director/Publisher of three leading culinary industry magazines. The Tasting Panel and The SOMM Journal profile wine and spirits industry leaders. The Clever Root profiles farmers, growers, producer and chefs as well as the budding cannabis industry. Tea industry pioneer, Miriam Novalle, Founder/CEO of T Salon uses her professional "nose" as a former perfumer to blend wor...

Rohini Dey, PhD, is a World Bank economist turned culinary entrepreneur whose Vermilion restaurants in Chicago and New York City offer eclectic Indian-Latin fare. In 2012 with The James Beard Foundation, Rohini created Women in Culinary Leadership to help provide mentoring and training for women in restaurants. Mother-daughter Chefs Kirsten and Mandy Dixon run Tutka Bay Lodge and Winterlake Lodge...

Rick Smilow is President/CEO & Owner of Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City, a leading culinary school that has launched more than 11,000 creative careers. He discusses opportunities for aspiring chefs and food professionals and how culinary education and ICE have evolved since he took over in 1995. Georgette Farkas is owner of Rotisserie Georgette (in NYC), a stylish oasis of c...

Daniel Boulud is one of the world's most revered chefs and owner of several award winning restaurants in the USA, London, Canada and Singapore. His 7 restaurants in New York City include: flagship DANIEL, a Michelin starred Relais & Chateaux member, Michelin star Cafe Boulud, Bar Boulud, db bistro moderne, DBGB Kitchen & Bar, Boulud Sud and Epicerie Boulud, as well as Feast & Fêtes Catering. He's...

We celebrate Chinese New Year with Restaurateur Ed Schoenfeld and Chef Chris Cheung. Both New Yorkers with different approaches. Ed is an industry veteran, a Chinese food scholar and owner of Red Farm and Decoy, ranked among the top Chinese restaurants in the nation (best dumplings at Red Farm and Peking duck at Decoy). Chris is among a new generation of Chinese American chefs whose East Wind Snac...

Armagnac, produced in Gascony, has a storied 700 year history as France's oldest eau-de-vie. Armagnac Ambassador May Matta-Alia ( www. IntheGrape.com ) discusses the region, grapes, how Armagnac is produced, its styles and aging classifications, as well as the differences between Armagnac and neighboring Cognac to the north. This show is broadcast live on W4CY Radio – ( www.w4cy.com ) part of Talk...

250 miles south of Perth, Australia, Frankland Estate Winery (est. 1988) makes world-class, well-structured, food-friendly wines. Hunter Smith, Frankland Estate Co-Owner/Co-Winemaker, discusses his family's winery and its region where cool climate Riesling and Shiraz dominate. Champagne Taittinger Artistic Director and Global Ambassador Vitalie Taittinger oversees all creative and public endeavors...

Banfi Vintners Co-CEO Cristina Mariani-May oversees her family's wine importing company in 80 countries. Est. 1919 by grandfather, John Mariani Sr., Banfi is sole U.S. importer of the Mariani family's renowned wine estates in Italy, Castello Banfi (Montalcino) and Vigne Regali Cellars (Piedmont) and imports many other wines. Cocktail Educator Allen Katz co-owns New York Distilling Co., makers of D...