The Taste Podcast

Today on the show, we welcome one of our favorite writers in the game, Jason Diamond. Jason runs the wonderful newsletter The Melt and has written two books, Searching for John Hughes and The Sprawl: Reconsidering the Weird American Suburbs. In this action-packed episode, we cover a great many topics: Spago Rock, time travel, forgotten foods of Chicago, burger night in the Diamond household, and the enigmatic restaurateur Keith McNally. This is only a fraction of what we discuss, and I really hope you enjoy our talk. More from Jason Diamond: That Wolfgang Puck Sound [The Melt]   Auteurcore: How Vintage Movie Merch Became Cool [GQ]  Is PJ Clarke’s the Perfect NYC Dining Experience? [The Melt] A Kinder, Gentler Explorecore [The Melt]

Since Cynthia Shanmugalingam was young, she has witnessed the food of her ancestral home, Sri Lanka, through her immigrant parents’ kitchen in London. In this really fun episode, we talk with Cynthia about living in both worlds, as well as how she transitioned from working in finance to writing a cookbook, Rambutan, and opening a restaurant, all in the same year. We also find out what it was like to photograph the book on location with a friend of the show, Alex Lau.  Also on, Matt catches up with three of our favorite cookbook authors to talk all about holiday cooking, gifting, and how to save the day—when the day needs saving. We hope you enjoy Matt’s conversation with Melissa Clark, Suzy Karadsheh, and Claire Saffitz.  More from Cynthia Shanmugalingam: A Chef’s Secret Ingredient: Fresh Curry Leaves [The Guardian] Cynthia Shanmugalingam Thinks Fish Curry Is ‘One of Life’s Great Pleasures’ [Eater] Buy: Rambutan

Today, we welcome Matt Sartwell into the studio. Matt is the owner of the legendary New York City bookstore Kitchen Arts & Letters, and he’s one of the biggest supporters of cookbook publishing in the business. On this episode, we find out what it’s like to run an independent cookbook store today, and we go over some of Matt’s favorite cookbooks of the year—including what is selling briskly in the Upper East Side store. Matt also shares his thoughts about what the publishing industry is missing (hint: it’s hot and rhymes with “schloup”). It was really fun catching up with Matt and talking about cookbooks. More from Matt Sartwell: A Q&A with Matt Sartwell [Shelf Awareness] Browse the KAL books by category [KAL] Subscribe: Kitchen Arts & Letters newsletter

Today, we welcome Rita Sodi and Jody Williams on the show. They are the duo behind some of New York City’s favorite restaurants, including Buvette, the Commerce Inn, I Sodi, and Via Carota—“New York’s Most Perfect Restaurant,” according to the New Yorker. In this episode, we talk about the couple’s new cookbook, a tribute to the West Village’s Via Carota. We also find out how the restaurant stays fresh, what it’s like to expand a brand overseas, and some of their favorite recipes from regional Italy. It was so great getting to know two legends in the chef world. Also on the show, we catch up with Tara Schuster, author, playwright, and accomplished entertainment executive. Schuster served as VP of talent and development at Comedy Central, where she was the executive in charge of the Emmy and Peabody Award–winning Key & Peele. We talk about writing for comedy as well as her book, Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life, from Someone Who’s Been There. Buy: Via Carota More from Rita So

Ken Forkish is a legend in bread baking and the Ken behind Ken’s Artisan Bakery and Ken’s Artisan Pizza in Portland, Oregon. He’s also a prolific cookbook writer of favorites like Flour Water Salt Yeast, The Elements of Pizza, and his latest release, Evolutions in Bread: Artisan Pan Breads and Dutch-Oven Loaves at Home. In this entertaining episode, we find out about what it was like for Ken to leave Portland for his new home in Hawaii, and how he launched one of the country’s most influential bakeries. We also find out some of Ken’s strong opinions about baking trends and science. This is a great talk with one of our favorite cookbook authors today. Also on the show, Aliza and Matt catch up about Matt’s recent trip to Korea, where he visited for two weeks while working on his book with Deuki Hong and Alex Lau, Koreaworld. What did he find? What did he eat? More from Ken Forkish: Bread Legend Ken Forkish Doesn’t Know How to Retire [TASTE] Influential Baker Ken Forkish Leaves the Restaurant Industry [Eater

Fly By Jing is one of the most exciting brands in food, and we were lucky to have the company’s founder, Jing Gao, stop by the studio for a really cool conversation. We find out how the company has grown and grown, from a tiny Kickstarter selling chile crisp to a major player in the competitive condiment wars, now being sold in a great many Targets and Whole Foods in the United States. We also hear about Jing’s upbringing in China and when she knew that Fly By Jing was a winner. We always have a jar of Fly By Jing close by, and it was great catching up with the brand’s founder. More from Fly By Jing: Launching a Hot Chile Crisp Brand on the Internet [Eater] The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp is coming [IG] This Chili Oil Is So Good, Even My Taiwanese Mom Is Obsessed With It [F&W]

We welcome back our good friend Akira Akuto to the show. Akira is the co-owner of Los Angeles sandwich and pastry counter (and so much more) Konbi and one of the more clairvoyant voices in the restaurant world. We talk about many things on this entertaining episode, including lunch vs. dinner bias, paying for good coffee, his go-to LA restaurant rotation, and some strong opinions about New York City. We loved catching up with Akira, and we think you will enjoy this. Also on the show, TASTE contributing editor Aliza Abarbanel joins Matt to talk about some things that are on their minds including: smoking turkey, poached pears obsession, Nothing Hidden Ranch, NA beers getting better, the lack of food in The White Lotus.   More from Akira Akuto The New (Old) Konbi Will Have Reservations, Steak Frites [Eater LA] Konbi Has a Secret Croissant Machine [TASTE] TASTE Podcast 45: Akira Akuto [TASTE]

Jason Stewart is a DJ (playing as Them Jeans) and cohost of How Long Gone, a podcast that dips in and out of the food world with surprising and entertaining frequency. It was so great to have Jason stop by to talk about many things: punching up vs. punching down, cool email jobs, regional Mexican food chain Del Taco, breaking veganism, how Italian food in Italy is mid, Erewhon vs. Gelson’s vs. Ralphs, and Brooks Headley’s Fancy Desserts. If you don’t know TJ, now you do. A real pleasure to have him on. More from Jason Stewart: We Pay Attention to What Podcast Host Jason Stewart Is Roasting [TASTE]    ‘How Long Gone’ Is in It for the Long Haul [New York Times] Brooks Headley Is Moving On to Focaccia [TASTE] How Long Gone 363: John Early [hlg]

Wow, we love David Tamarkin so much, and this is such a great interview. We’re old friends and have been reading David since he worked at Time Out Chicago and Epicurious—and he’s now the editorial director at King Arthur Baking Company. How did an award-winning journalist end up working for Big Flour? It’s easy. The guy likes to bake. We talk about the job, a new cookbook King Arthur Baking just released, and look back at the time David was perhaps a little too snarky, a little too tough, on restaurants while working as a restaurant critic. He also talks about the 100%-employee-owned model at King Arthur and how that culture is baked (ha) into everything the company does. David is always welcome on the show, and we enjoyed catching up with him. We also have a great conversion with the writer Tarajia Morrell and hear about the very special book she has written, Savor: A Chef's Hunger For More. It's a collaboration with the chef and Top Chef fan favorite Fatima Ali. We talk about writing a book with somebody wi

Today on the show, we welcome back one of the most interesting and entertaining voices in food, Lucas Sin. He’s a chef and creator, and he’s behind some of the biggest ideas in home and restaurant cooking. This conversation was recorded the day before Lucas left his longtime home of New York City for a planned multiyear trip around Asia. We get into those details and how this Yale grad and culinary superstar stays fresh. We think you’re going to really dig this talk. More from Lucas Sin: Food & Wine Best New Chef: Lucas Sin [F&W] Thanksgiving Teriyaki Carrots [Eater] Chef’s Night Out with Lucas Sin & Eric Sze [Munchies] TASTE Podcast 78: Lucas Sin [TASTE]

Sonia Chopra joined Bon Appétit and Epicurious as executive editor in August 2020, previously working in various roles at Eater for nearly a decade. In this entertaining episode, we find out about Sonia’s journey through food media and how she and her colleagues are putting their own stamp on BA. We also talk about the world’s best toaster oven, as well as the magazine’s big Thanksgiving issue, and how it reflects a change in the way Americans are cooking the big meal this year and for years into the future. We really enjoyed catching up with our friend. Also on the show, Cheryl Rodbard (aka Mombard) catches up with Matt in the studio. They talk about family holiday traditions, including some strong opinions about turkey, how to do the sides, and the famous “pink shit” (aka the best cranberry condiment) that lands on the Thanksgiving table each year—and, of course, we dive into Cheryl’s take on holiday English toffee.  More from Sonia Chopra: Guy Fieri’s Nonstop, All-Day Dream Dinner Party [Bon Appetit] W

Tina Choi is the Seoul-based genius behind one of our favorite food YouTube channels around, Doobydobap. In this episode, we find out how Tina grew her incredible following through hard work, a lot of style, and many trips to Korean Costco. We also talk about her food science education at Cornell, and why one of Matt’s favorite cities to visit, Seoul, South Korea, is full of energy and innovation that cannot be matched. We hope you enjoy this extremely fun conversation with Tina Choi. Also on this episode, Matt catches up with writer Jordan Michelman to talk about the state of natural wine (#nattywine) and how his recent writing in Bon Appétit has shaken things up a bit. We always love having Jordan on, and he has lots to say. More from Doobydobap and Jordan Michelman: Our New Normal [youtube] White Sesame Chocolate Cookies [official] Gimjang and Lockdown [official] Is Natural Wine Losing Its Cool Factor? [Bon Appetit]

How cool it is to have Gregory Gourdet on the show. Gregory is a chef and cookbook author based in Portland, Oregon. Many of you may know Gregory from his memorable appearances on Top Chef—as both a contestant and a judge. In this lively conversation, we discuss his ambitious new restaurant in Portland, Kann, his '90s raver past, and vintage Nike fits in the Kann dining room. We also talk about his plans for bringing the spotlight to Haitian cuisine, as well as living a fulfilled life of sobriety. More from Gregory Gourdet:  Gregory Gourdet Is Ready to Define Dining His Way [Resy] Watermelon-Berry Salad with Chile Dressing [gregorygourdet.com] Buy: Everyone's Table: Global Recipes for Modern Health

Pierce Abernathy is a really interesting and multitalented dude, and we were really happy to have him join us in the studio. Pierce is a trained cook, a big-time TikTok and Instagram creator, and a former Buzzfeeder, and he’s been known to model and work with fashion brands in interesting ways. We love the way Pierce thinks and talks about food, and we tap into his background living in Kentucky, cooking in New York, and walking the runway in Italy. Pierce is a rising star in food for all the right reasons, and we hope you enjoy getting to know him a bit better. Also on the show, cookbook author Ixta Belfrage stops by to talk about her very cool new book, Mezcla: Recipes to Excite. More from Pierce Abernathy: Leek butter! [TikTok] Pierce Abernathy Is All About Cool Dips [Food52] #199: Pierce Abernathy [Perfectly Imperfect]

Osayi Endolyn is a journalist, cookbook author, and cultural commentator of the highest degree. In this action-packed episode, we talk about her latest cookbook project, Ghetto Gastro Presents Black Power Kitchen. We find out about what goes into writing a cookbook that isn’t structured like a typical cookbook, and we go back to hear about Osayi’s life growing up around California, her early work in TV and film, and her assessment of what the Ghetto Gastro authors describe as “hood Chinese” food. This talk is a long time coming, and we hope you enjoy getting to know one of food media’s great voices. Also on the show, restaurateur and former Eleven Madison Park owner Will Guidara stops by to talk about his new book, Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect. More from Osayi Endolyn: Assisted Living [Oxford American] Christmas With Musicians Is as Sweet as It Sounds [Food & Wine] I Drove 300 Miles Through the Low Country for Life-Changing Food [CN Traveler]

Today on the show, we have Claire Saffitz stopping by for a really entertaining conversation. Claire is the author of a new cookbook, What’s For Dessert, and she’s truly one of our favorite cooking instructors and personalities on the internet. We talk about how to visualize a recipe before baking it, as well as some of the common bakeware mistakes we are all making. Dark bakeware is a big no-no! We also hear a little bit about her journey from Harvard to the kitchens of France to millions of YouTube streams. We all love Claire Saffitz at TASTE, and we hope you enjoy this talk. More from Claire Saffitz: Claire Saffitz Makes Tiramisu Icebox Cake [Youtube] The Life and Death of Tart Frozen Yogurt [TASTE] Claire Saffitz Goes Outside Her Comfort Zone to Embrace Ours [TASTE]

Kaitlin and Sarah Leung join us in the studio to talk about their long-running online food blog The Woks of Life. For anybody who has ever held a wok over high heat, The Woks of Life has been a steady hand helping you along the way. In this fun episode, we talk about how the pair went professional with their blog and how they wrote their new cookbook, The Woks of Life, with their parents. That’s four authors—two parents and two siblings—for those who are counting. We also find out some answers to life’s biggest burning Chinese home cooking questions.   Read more from the Woks of Life: How to Make Wontons [The Woks of Life] Behind the Blog: The Woks of Life [The Food Network] Pulling Noodles at Xi’an Famous Foods [Food Network]

It was really fun having Molly Yeh join us in the studio for an absolute riot of a conversation. Molly is legitimately one of the funniest writers (and guests) that we’ve encountered in a long time, and we get into all sorts of topics on the show. We talk about what makes a great Hallmark Channel movie, and we theorize about how she will possibly star in one one day. We also talk about Little House on the Prairie (the TV show) and how Molly is living her best life in North Dakota, and we dive into her truly incredible new book, Home Is Where the Eggs Are. What a fun conversation—I hope you enjoy it. Also on the show, the return of Three Things. Aliza and Matt catch up about campfire s'mores injuries, a visit to '90s media power lunch spot Michael's, okonomiyaki, Matt's trip to Lysée, oat cortado vs. cow cortado, Aliza's barista past, the hot coffee era is here, Waffle House and losing bets, WWE Superstars, fantasy basketball picks, go Nets!   More from Molly Yeh: Molly Yeh’s Margherita and Prosciutto Pizzet

If you’ve checked out Instagram lately, chances are you’ve spotted one of Hannah Ziskin’s slab cakes, princess cakes, and fruit custard tarts making the algorithm rounds. Hannah is the co-owner and pastry chef at Echo Park’s Quarter Sheets Pizza in Los Angeles. She runs Quarter Sheets with her partner, Aaron Lindell, and on this episode, we talk about the unlikely marriage of pan pizza and sheet cake. We also find out what it’s like running one of LA’s buzziest restaurants, and how she gets it all done with such a tiny staff. We really loved getting to know Hannah on this fun episode. More from Hannah Ziskin: Pastry Chef Hannah Ziskin Seasons Her Sweets Like Salads [TASTE] How LA cake virtuosos learned to thrive on Instagram [LA Times] House of Gluten [IG]

What a joy it is to have Claudia Fleming live in the studio. Claudia is the executive pastry director of Union Square Hospitality Group and the author of the new cookbook Delectable: Sweet and Savory Baking. But many listeners may know Claudia best from her iconic (and once out of print) first cookbook, The Last Course. In this episode, we dive into Claudia’s long career working in New York City restaurants and writing books. We find out how the pandemic brought a great opportunity to write Delectable, a book that I think should be considered a modern baking classic. I also pick her brain about some of life’s biggest baking mysteries. It’s so cool getting to know Claudia Fleming a bit better.  Also on the show, we catch up with the cofounders of the amazing food magazine Cake Zine. Aliza Abarbanel and Tanya Bush talk about the theme of their latest issue and what makes their partnership so sweet. It’s a great talk with two rising stars in food media. More from Claudia Fleming: The Tart That Launched a Thou