Good Food
Morels; Wild Fennel; The Future of Food Writing
Is there a future in food writing? An influential writer says yes, but it's not what it used to be. Plus, the hunt for morels and foraging for wild fennel in LA.
By Evan Kleiman • • 1h 0m ListenIs there a future in food writing? Amanda Hesser says yes, but don't expect to earn a living wage. Russ Parsons and Jim Rainey weigh in on the end of the LA Times Food section. Eugenia Bone recalls the characters she met while foraging for morels and we follow three LA chefs - Shannon Swindle, John Keenan and Holden Burkons - into the foothills of Topanga Canyon as they forage for wild fennel. Jonathan Gold phones in from Kansas City to discuss the merits of true Kansas City BBQ and Peggy Noe Stevens offers etiquette for drinking at the Kentucky Derby.
In this episode
7 storiesMarket Report
Brian Dunsmoor, along with Kris Tominaga, are the co-owners and chefs at Wolf in Sheep's Clothing , a semi-permanent pop-up on Abbot Kinney in Venice, California.
Read the story6 minThe Calvin Trillin Trail
Jonathan Gold is in Kansas City this week exploring the local BBQ scene that writer Calvin Trillin immortalized in his book American Fried . Highlights of Gold's trip included Arthur Bryant's BBQ , Oklahoma Joes BBQ and Gates BBQ .
Read the story7 minThe Magic of Morels
Eugenia Bone is the author of Mycophilia : Revelations from the Weird World of Mushrooms. She is also the co-president of the New York Mycological Society where she first fell under the spell of mushrooms. Music: "Kids with Guns" by Gorillaz
Read the story10 minForaging for Wild Fennel in LA
Three chefs from Craft Restaurant - pastry chef Shannon Swindle, chef de cuisine John Keenan and pastry sous chef Holden Burkons - took Good Food producer Gillian Ferguson foraging for wild fennel in Topanga Canyon. Wild fennel is rampant in many parts of Los Angeles and is an invasive species that environmentalists would like to eradicate.
Read the story9 minWhy the LA Times Lost Its Food Section
Russ Parsons, food editor at the Los Angeles Times and Jim Rainey, media columnist at the Times discuss the paper's decision to end the ' Food ' section in favor of a combined lifestyle section called 'Saturday.'
Read the story9 minAdvice for Future Food Writers
Amanda Hesser is the co-founder (along with Merrill Stubbs) of Food 52 and she is a former food writer for the New York Times. She recently penned an article on the site titled 'Advice for Future Food Writers ' which set the food world astir. She says while there is a future in food writing, don't expect it to be a singular career path.
Read the story5 minWhat to Drink at the Kentucky Derby
Peggy Noe Stevens is a Master Bourbon Taster and the founder of Bourbon Women . The Kentucky Derby is May 4-5 this year and she suggests a special way of making Mint Juleps to celebrate the Derby. Find her Mint Julep recipe on the Good Food Blog .
Read the story11 min
