The Splendid Table

This week historian John T Edge tells us about his on-going reporting for the New York Times called United Tastes, Jane and Michael Stern have found the ultimate hangover cure in New Orleans, a dish called Ya-Ka Mein. We meet a PHD candidate studying "coziness" and we get a take on the 5 Stages of Grief—"pea" grief that it is, from Emily Franklin, author of Too Many Cooks . Broadcast dates for thi...

This week, we're talking tradition with one of the last remaining limburger cheese producers; and how to keep Asian culinary traditions at home as well as in the restaurants. Interior designer and author of American Modern , Thomas O'Brien walks us through his vision of what a kitchen should be. Also on the show, The Dinner Party Download guys bring back the ice breaker, The Sterns go back to Milw...

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. Broadcast dates for this episode: April 10...

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? Broadcast dates for this episode: April 24, 2010 (originally aired) April 2, 2011 (rebroadcast)

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 endan...

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 . Broadcast dates for this episode: March 12, 2011

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 . Broadcast dates for this episode: March...

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. Broadcast dates for this episode: January 9, 2010 (originally aired) February 12, 2011 (rebroadcast)

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 ". Broadcast date...

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. Broadcast dates for this e...

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. Broadcast dates for this episode: D...

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. Broadcast dates for this episode: Decembe...

This week it's a show of American iconoclasts starting with winemaker Randall Grahm of Boony Doon Vineyard. His latest book is Been Doon So Long, A Randall Grahm Vinthology . We then meet the true originator of the no-knead bread technique, Jim Lehey of New York City's famed Sullivan Street Bakery. His book is My Bread, The Revolutionary No-Work, No-Knead Method . Broadcast dates for this episode:...

This week we'll get you ready for the Thanksgiving feast with chef Eric Ripert, author of Avec Eric . Grace Young brings us the very American story of Chinese immigrants in the Mississippi Delta. Her latest book is Stir-Frying To the Sky's Edge . And we get stuffing strategy from the New York Time's Melissa Clark, author of In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite . Broadcast dates for this episode: No...

We discuss the cuisine of Portugal with David Leite author of The New Portuguese Table . Jane and Michael Stern have found stellar Creamed Chipped Beef at The Breakfast Shoppe in Severna Park, MD, plus we check in with the Hungry Scientist society, and we'll get a few tips for traveling on the cheap from the frugal traveler. Broadcast dates for this episode: October 10, 2009 (originally aired) Oct...

This week we have a look at school lunch programs, from a lunch lady's eyes. Our guest is Jean Ronnei of the St. Paul, MN public schools. Mario Batali addresses the issue of family meals, and the Sterns are eating soul food in the Arizona desert at Mrs. White's Golden Rule. Plus, we get a guide to making simple cured meats at home from Karen Solomon author of Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It and Other C...

What makes man, man and an ape an ape? According to Richard Wrangham it is not one's ability to fashion tool, but rather the ability to cook. He is the author of Catching Fire, How Cooking Made Us Human . The Sterns are in LA eating a French Dip at its origin, Philippe's French Dip Restaurant, and there is a new movement sweeping across America group canning sessions. Broadcast dates for this epis...

We're looking at the art of the Asian pickle with Alex Hozven creator of the Cultured Pickle Shop in Berkely, CA, the Sterns are visiting Moonlight BBQ in Owensboro, KY, Fred Plotkin teaches us how to take an eaters vacation without a rental car, and Amy Stewart author of Wicked Plants: A Book of Botanical Atrocities introduces us to the darker side of Mother Nature. Broadcast dates for this episo...

What does a chef consider the most important tool in the kitchen? Chef and writer Daniel Patterson has a surprising answer for all of those who love to cook. He is the author of Aroma . Jane and Michael Stern are looking at the phenomenon of the "slider" and Elizabeth Karmel author of Soaked, Slathered and Seasonings , fills us in on the latest developments in outdoor grilling. Broadcast dates for...

This week we have lessons in greening your kitchen with Kate Heyhoe, author of Cooking Green: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint in the Kitchen . New York Times columnist Melissa Clark gives us a lesson in blended summer soups, and cheesemonger Steve Jenkins explains the real cost of artisan cheeses. The Sterns are dining at (probably) the best delicatessen in America, and Lynne answers your calls. Br...

We're in Lynne's kitchen to learn about one of our most elusive immigrant cuisines, that of the Hmong people of Southeast Asia. Our guides are the authors of Cooking From the Heart: the Hmong Kitchen in America . Jane and Michael Stern are eating pancakes near the fountain of youth at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill in De Leon Springs, FL, and we get the perfect summer sauce from Michael Ruhlman, autho...

We're talking to food activist Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food about the intersection between sustainable foods, and our real life pocketbooks. Jane and Michael Stern have been researching the green chile cheeseburger in New Mexico and we look at the origins of the American potato chip with Dirk Burhans author of Crunch, A History of the Great American Potato Chip . Broadcast dates fo...

Lynne guides us on a tour of resourcefulness of all kinds. British food writer Tamasin Day-Lewis, author of Supper for a Song , shares her rather militant stand on how and why to cook at home, an adoring newlywed finds a cheaper alternative for his bride's breakfast, and we hear the story Remembering Smell how Bonnie Blodgett's loss of smell changed everything she knew about food and taste. Also o...

The Mayo Clinic's Dr. James Levine is convinced that we are moving animals, not sitting animals and that is the key to keeping our weight in check, He is the author of Move A Little, Lose A Lot . The Sterns have met the happy cows behind the divine ice cream at Woodside Farm in Delaware, and we learn the art of the grown-up popsicle from Karen Solomon author of Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It . Broadca...

This week, Lynne talks with Ethnobiologist, conservationist and farmer Gary Nabhan about the story of a profound visionary who set out to end famine, and the price he paid. Gary's latest book is Where Our Food Comes From: Retracing Nikolay Vavilov's Quest to End Famine . James Villas, the southern gentleman of the food world, stops by to talk about his new book, Pig: King of the Southern Table , I...