The Four Top: Wine News and Culture

“Sponcon” is influencing our food-purchasing decisions. Do we notice when it starts creeping into our newsfeeds? And with co-branding on the rise, what do we make of Carhartt-brand beer and Tabasco-sauce-flavored Jelly Bellies? Finally, why is it so hard to get a decent meal at a brewpub? Answering the hard questions this week are Jeff Alworth, an award-winning writer and podcaster covering beer,...

Is that classic checkout line question—“How’s your day going?”—intrusive or endearing? Is the dinner party dead? Lastly, who exactly is the “average” home cook? Gathering around the mics this week are Megan Scott, editor, recipe developer, and project manager for The Joy of Cooking; Laura Russell, cookbook author, food writer, and recipe developer; and Heather Arndt Anderson, culinary historian, b...

What’s really happening behind the scenes at the Food Network? (Yes, you really do have to bake 1,000 cupcakes.) Are so-called “laptop squatters'' bad for business or good for café culture? And could a cooking class improve your child’s test scores? Helping us answer these questions are gluten-free pastry chef Kyra Bussanich, owner of Kyra’s Bake Shop and the only four-time winner of “Cupcake War...

Are four-star restaurants serving narcotics? In this episode we talk truffles, which, according to Italian researchers and news reports, have provoked gunfights and might get you high. Next, we debate the merits of soothing violins vs. sonically dynamic restaurant background music. Finally, microwaves: We think outside the box. Joining us at the Oregon Truffle Festival are Harold McGee, a world-re...

First, we deconstruct the phenomenon that is “Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party,” starring Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg. Next, we get to know the hardline rules restaurants are laying down for customers to follow. Finally, what's the appeal of the single-subject cookbook? Our panelists this week are Heather Arndt Anderson, culinary historian, botanist, and food writer; Jacob Grier, a promin...

This episode is all about Cuba. As incoming travelers compete for the best “authentic” Cuban food Instagram shots, it’s worth remembering that many Cuban residents are going hungry. What does this juxtaposition of privation and prosperity mean? We then lighten the mood with a brief history—and taste—of Cuban rum. Traveling with us this week are Patrick Simms, the author of two books on Cuba, and a...

Should you juice cleanse? Or is this popular new year’s resolution counterproductive? How has the digital era altered the art of foraging? Finally, we look back 100 years to World War I, when dining decisions and patriotism were inextricably intertwined. This episode we get caught up in conversation with Liz Crain, a culinary author, fermentation expert, and the co-organizer of the annual Portland...

Are we burnt out on holiday meals? Or are we happy with our traditional fare? This week we wonder if we should mess with the green bean casserole, or let tradition prevail. We turn our festive eye to fake food holidays, and try to tackle the troubling class divide between foodies and those less fortunate. Helping to unravel all of this is Megan Scott, editor, recipe developer, and project manager...

It’s time to catch up on new food trends (with a lot of history behind them). We get the low down on poke, and swim through the watery world of sea vegetables. Behind those panelist mics are Peter Meehan, an author and the former editorial director for Lucky Peach; Matthew Card, the food editor for Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street; and Ivy Manning, a food educator, cookbook author, and contributo...

We uncover craft beer’s dirty little secret and examine the cult phenom that is the Yeti cooler company — but not before sipping Soylent, the embattled Silicon Valley food replacement.

We aren’t above fast food, and we aren’t above dishing on fast food secret menu items, like In-N-Out’s “animal style” burger. Next, we find out what Martha Stewart’s new meal-kit delivery service has to offer. And since no one would believe our menu hacks or Martha meals without picture evidence, we ask: What has Instagram done to our dining habits? We turn to the sage wisdom of Laura Russell, a c...

Is the beer world calling a truce in the hops arms race? We discuss, then delve into the rise of “fast casual” dining. Finally, we navigate the minimum wage conversation vis-à-vis restaurant workers. Our esteemed panelists are Erin DeJesus, currently the lead editor at Eater; Jeff Alworth, an award-winning writer and podcaster covering beer, cider, and occasionally, politics; and Lucy Burningham,...

What’s the deal with recipe theft? Why are chefs transitioning from bacon besties to health-food connoisseurs? And is tipping over? Or is the end of tipping over? We’re so confused. (And if you’re confused about what’s “tipping over,” we’re talking $$ tips.) Chiming in this week are Ivy Manning, a food educator, cookbook author, and contributor to publications such as Cooking Light and Fine Cookin...

This week we dive deep into our words, our taste buds, and our oceans. Why are we so excited by B.S. food terminology, like “superfood?” Is flavor the new superfood? And what the heck is bycatch? Our guests this week are Curt Ellis, the filmmaker behind the Peabody Award-winning documentary King Corn, and the cofounder and CEO of FoodCorps; Virginia Gewin, an award-winning journalist covering food...

In our début episode we ask: What is up with America’s obsession with breakfast? We also talk trash about food waste and discuss how our phones are changing how we eat out. Our inaugural guests are Erin DeJesus, currently lead editor at Eater; Laura Russell, cookbook author, food writer, and recipe developer; and Lucy Burningham, Certified Cicerone, travel writer, and author of two books on beer.

From food waste to tipping, The Four Top is a roundtable discussion of today's hot-button topics in food and beverage culture. Listen in every other Monday.