
Producer, Good Food
Producer, Good Food
The rise of the chef, BraveTart, and bento boxes Journalist Andrew Friedman lifts the veil on how kitchen culture has changed since the 1970s. Just in time for KCRW’s Pie Contest, Stella Parks dishes on her bestselling cookbook, BraveTart. Dan Barber’s latest venture focuses on breeding sustainable seeds. Acadian foodways get a long-awaited spotlight. Thinking about getting takeout? Hayato is creating bento boxes that double as works of art.
Forging knives, lab-grown 'meat,' and iconic food writing It’s time to pay tribute to the makers who expand our understanding of food. Whether it’s forging cutlery like Adam Perry Lang, or inventing new forms of “meat,” it’s the restless creatives who keep food culture in constant motion. We also hear about Harper Magazine’s greatest food writing from the past 150 years, as well as an iconic Southern cookbook author. Plus: a look at Mimouna’s food traditions.
BONUS: Food Book Fair LA (Pt. 2) This is our second and final bonus episode from the Food Book Fair LA that was held in downtown LA from March 2-4, 2018.
David Chang, a 'rogue' restaurant guide, and Noma reopens Food media is having a reawakening thanks to a few new trendsetters. David Chang is changing how we eat, learn about, and talk about food with his Netflix series. There’s a new Los Angeles restaurant guide in town, rising from the ashes of a downsized LA Weekly. Noma, once lauded as the best restaurant in the world, has reopened and Jonathan Gold says the magic is still alive. Bonus: Have a (matzo) ball this Passover!
Extended Interview: David Chang This is the extended version of Evan Kleiman’s conversation with David Chang, chef and founder of Momofuku and creator of the hit Netflix show Ugly Delicious. Evan and David go deep on a wide range of topics, including the arc of his career, the demise of Lucky Peach, his friendship with Adam Perry Lang, and his new media company called Majordomo Media.
BONUS: Food Book Fair LA (Pt. 1) The Food Book Fair recently came to downtown Los Angeles from March 2-4, 2018. The event has been called the “Coachella of writing about eating.” This bonus episode features a live recording of a panel that Evan Kleiman appeared on about the future of food media, as well as an interview with Food Book Fair co-directors Kimberly Chou and Amanda Dell. This the first of a two-part series.
Thai food, from Bangkok to SoCal Particularly on the West Coast, Thai food is having a renaissance. Chefs like James Syhabout from Oakland’s Hawker Fare and Andy Ricker from Pok Pok in Portland are reimagining how Thai food is made and presented in their new cookbooks. Thailand’s capital city Bangkok has a unique and beloved food culture. And the history of Thai food in Los Angeles tells the story of Thai immigrant assimilation.
The Farm Show We revisit our conversation on the state of America’s farmlands and the people that control our nation’s agriculture. As policy, the climate, and the country’s needs change, we examine some of the greatest challenges facing the farming community: new legislation, modern farm life, escalating suicide rates amongst farmers, and more.
The Water Show Water may be the essence of life but it’s subject to near-constant misuse. Journalist Mark Arax profiles a couple running a water monopoly in the Central Valley. A once abundant Cambodian lake is in decline, leaving fisherman and half the population scrambling for fish. We’ve heard of using less water but what about eating less water? And Mark Gold (Jonathan’s brother) shares tips on water conservation in LA.
Chicago's South Side barbecue, a Koreatown guide, and food in cinema The South Side of Chicago has a rich barbecue heritage, but only half the city seems to know. Chef Nyesha Arrington’s restaurant Native pays homage to the city that made her. Jonathan Gold shares his favorite restaurants in Koreatown. A touching biography of cookbook author Paula Wolfert wins a best cookbook award. And it turns out, many of this year’s Oscar-nominated films are actually all about food.
Brian Boitano, José Andrés' philanthropy, Pete Wells on harassment Brian Boitano shares the struggle that many figure skaters have with food. Kim Severson talks about Chef José Andrés’ humanitarian work in Puerto Rico. Pete Wells asks why restaurateurs and chefs are issuing tepid responses to sexual harassment scandals. Meanwhile, Jonathan Gold ventures a review of The Hearth & Hound in Hollywood. And we’re checking out a different market this week: Smorgasburg LA.
Kitchen Creativity, Deb Perelman, and the myth of 'easy cooking' We’re looking inside the modern home kitchen. Cookbook authors Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg are unleashing creativity. Deb Perelman looks back on Smitten Kitchen and talks everyday meals. Amy Trubek says home cooking has come a long way. And food historian Rachel Laudan explains why ‘easy cooking’ is far from it. Finally, there’s puntarelle at the market and Jonathan Gold finds superlative dim sum.
Curtis Stone, true crime in food, and gopchang Curtis Stone’s new theme for Maude takes eaters around the world. A new Netflix series explores crime in the food industry. Koreatown serves up an intimidating dish. Simran Sethi tells us how sound can change the taste of chocolate. Tết celebrations kick off with bánh chưng at Good Girl Dinette. We’ll talk mushrooms at the market and hear just how spicy Jonathan Gold likes his ramen at Killer Noodle.
Will Guidara, mezcal, and learning "Knife Skills" Will Guidara talks hospitality after opening The NoMad Hotel in LA. Former Good Food producer Gillian Ferguson heads to Oaxaca for a lesson on mezcal. Thomas Lennon’s “Knife Skills” earns an Oscar nom. We’ll hear how the Whole Foods diet began with hippies and long-hairs, and we’ll see if Laura Avery can get a date at the market. Also, Jonathan Gold visits Newport Beach for French food.
California's New Pot Era On January 1, recreational marijuana became legal in California. Although still federally illegal, the state is facing a major period of transition as it begins to regulate the substance. Looking particularly at cannabis cuisine and the farmers supplying the state with its crop, we are getting into California’s canna-business.
Feeding Phil Rosenthal, rethinking school lunches, and Meyer lemons Food is evocative. For Phil Rosenthal, it’s worth traveling for. Andrea Nguyen says that not only does MSG make pho crave-worthy, it’s a negligible risk. Jonathan Gold waxes nostalgic about Thomas Ortega’s Doritos chilaquiles. Ex-Noma chef Dan Giusti gives kids something to smile about with his fresh take on school lunches. And Meyer lemons: not just for lemonade stands. Also, the soundtrack of Evan Kleiman's life.
Farewell LA freeways, Peter Shire is back Angelenos don't want more freeways but we seem not to want mass transit either. Metro has killed the 710 freeway extension, and bus and train ridership is down across the region. What's the future of getting around in LA? And, Peter Shire is having a comeback. What attracts a new generation to his playful ceramics and furniture?
Claudio Magris: Blameless In Claudio Magris' Blameless, a museum of the implements of war and destruction is created to inspire peace. But this conversation is not just about war and peace.
Morgan Parker: There Are More Beautiful Things than Beyoncé Morgan Parker says that the poems in her book There Are Things More Beautiful than Beyoncé take a stand against the clichés of the dominant culture.
Trump says goodbye Paris Accord: What does it mean for U.S. and the planet? President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, the landmark international agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Trump was to renegotiate a new deal, but will that happen?