Host Liren Baker welcomes her daughter, Caeli, into the studio, to answer your #AskMeAnything questions from Instagram! We tackle all the things you are curious about, from what I did prior to blogging, what's on my bucket list, my favorite props for food photography, and who is my favorite child!

Host Liren Baker talks with Daniel Nicholson of NadaMoo! - the delicious dairy-free, organic ice cream company that has been serving up the creamiest scoops since 2005. Daniel took the reins as CEO and President in 2011 and has guided the company through the explosive growth of the dairy-free ice cream industry while ensuring sustainability and deliciousness in every pint. Learn more about NadaMoo! at https://nadamoo.com.

Find NadaMoo! @nadamoo and Daniel Nicholson @nadamoodan on Instagram.

Host Liren Baker talks with Molly Ford, the Boston-based cofounder of site The Food Lens and The Food Lens Podcast, where she and partner Sarah Jesup have been sharing the best of the New England restaurant scene since 2017 . Learn more about The Food Lens at https://thefoodlens.com.

Find The Food Lens on Instagram at @thefoodlens.

Host Liren Baker talks with Melody Lorenzo, also known as the Pinay Pie Lady, of Sweet Condesa, a San Francisco Bay Area based bakery that specializes in Filipino- and Latin-inspired desserts. Melody’s Bay Area Filipino Pies have taken social media by storm, featuring tropical flavors such as ube, guava, and calamansi in their signature pies, scones, and more! Learn more about Melody Lorenzo at https://https://sweetcondesapastries.com.

Host Liren Baker talks with Margie Bruner, the creator of Glory Kitchen, a purveyor of nut & spice mixes, who also has nearly 30 years of expertise as an interior designer and homebuilder. They chat about the power of spices, as well as the keys to good kitchen design. Learn more about Margie Bruner at https://https://glorykitchen.com/.

Host Liren Baker talks with Chef Keith Sarasin, New England-based author, chef, and founder of The Farmers Dinner, where he has been bringing farmers and people together for farm to table dinners on local farms since 2012. They chat about his career, deep appreciation and passion for Indian cuisine, and newest cookbook, Meat. Learn more about Chef Keith at http://keithsarasin.com.

Find Keith Sarasin on Instagram at @keithsarasin.

Host Liren Baker talks with Nick Brown of Rincon Tropics. Located in the coastal foothill mountains of Carpinteria, California, this 35 year old family farm grows avocados, passion fruit, cherimoya, and more — and prides themselves on producing “no frills good fruit,” without the use of sprays or pesticides, shipping seasonal produce right to your doorstep. Learn more about Rincon Tropics at https://rincontropics.com.

Find Nick Brown and Rincon Tropics on Instagram at @rincontropics.

Host Liren Baker talks with Neil Dejkraisak of Jasberry Rice and co-founder of Siam Organic, a company that he and business partner Palmmy Wong created as when he learned that despite his native Thailand’s position as the world’s largest exporter of rice, its farmers are among the poorest in world. Starting with Jasberry Rice, they have found a way to help over 2500 farmers grow out of poverty, one grain of rice at a time.

Learn more about Jasberry Rice at https://jasberry.net.

Host Liren Baker talks with Brian Samuels, Boston-based food photographer and creator of the food blog A Thought for Food, and Lead Photographer and Director of Photography for the Food Lens. They chat about how his career photographing the incredible restaurant scene in Boston, and supporting the restaurant community during the pandemic with his COVID-19 Portrait Project. Learn more about Brian at https://www.athoughtforfood.net.

Find Brian Samuels on Instagram at @briansamuelsphotography.

Host Liren Baker talks with Amaka Azuka of Sugar Hammock and Sugar Hammock Studios. Originally from London, Amaka is now immersed in the food and restaurant-world of Paris, and shares the wealth of knowledge of photography that she has learned over the years on her site and on Instagram. Learn more about Amaka at https://www.sugarhammock.com.

Find Amaka Azuka on Instagram at @sugarhammock.

Host Liren Baker talks with James Beard Award-winning author, cooking teacher, and television host Joanne Weir about her culinary journey, from one of her first food memories of the perfect tomato sandwich to her days training in France and at Chez Panisse, and her continued passion for food that takes her all over the globe. Learn more about Joanne and get her recipe for Olive and Fig Toast at https://joanneweir.com.

Find Joanne Weir on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ChefJoanneWeir/

Host Liren Baker talks with Beth Lee of the food blog OMG! Yummy and author of the newly released The Essential Jewish Baking Cookbook: 50 Traditional Recipes for Every Occasion. Beth shares Jewish, Hawaiian, Korean and Middle Eastern recipes from her multicultural San Francisco kitchen. Learn more about Beth Lee at https://omgyummy.com.

Host Liren Baker talks with James Beard award-winning food and wine writer Carolyn Jung about the rich food culture in the Bay Area, and appreciating the food communities that inspire her to write for the top publications in the country, as well as her books "San Francisco Chef's Table'' and "East Bay Cooks.”

Find Carolyn Jung on Instagram at @food_gal_carolyn.

Host Liren Baker talks with Rebecca White of the food site A Pleasant Little Kitchen and author of the newly released The Ultimate 5 Ingredient Cookbook: Whole Food Flavorful Meals Made Simple.

Rebecca shares the inspiration behind her recipes and her secret to cooking flavorful food with minimal ingredients. Learn more about Rebecca White at https://apleasantlittlekitchen.com/.

Host Liren Baker talks with Kelly Senyei, the founder of the popular food site Just a Taste. They chat about her new book, The Secret Ingredient Cookbook, her career path from journalism and culinary school to blogging and television, and the “secret ingredient” to not just taking a dish from common to extraordinary, but to her success as a TV host and author, as well! Learn more about Kelly at https://justataste.com.

Find Kelly Senyei on Instagram at @justataste.

Host Liren Baker talks with Carol Gancia, a San Francisco-based chocolatier and founder of Kokak Chocolates where she shares tropical-inspired flavors influenced by California and from her childhood in the Philippines. They chat about her career as a video producer, her love for learning, and what inspired her to follow her passion in the world of chocolate. Learn more about Carol and Kokak Chocolates at www.kokakchocolates.com.

Find Kokak Chocolates on Instagram at @kokakchocolates.

Host Liren Baker talks with Amisha Gurbani, the Bay Area-based creator of the food blog The Jam Lab, and author of the soon to be released cookbook, Mumbai Modern. They chat about her journey from Mumbai to California, her mother’s inspiration behind the food she shares, and the fusion of flavor she shares of her beloved India. Learn more about Amisha at https://thejamlab.co.

Find Amisha Gurbani on Instagram at @thejamlab.

Host Liren Baker talks with Aysegul Sanford, the founder of the food blog Foolproof Living, where she shares tried and true recipes without the use of refined sugars. They chat about her journey from a career in the hotel industry to the world of food blogging, and some of her favorite foods from her native Turkey. Learn more about Ayse at https://foolproofliving.com.

Find Aysegul Sanford on Instagram at @foolproofliving.

Host Liren Baker talks with vegan chef and restauranteur Reina Montenegro. Born and raised in the Philippines, she is the Bay Area-based chef owner of the restaurants formerly known as Nick's (Nick's on Grand, Nick's Kitchen, Nick's on Mission) where she pioneered Filipino Vegan restaurants in the Peninsula. In 2020, she launched ‘Chef Reina,’ an online storefront, and opened the restaurant Chef Reina in Brisbane, California in 2021. Learn more about Chef Reina at https://chefreina.com.

Find Reina Montengro on Instagram at @chef.reina.

Host Liren Baker talks with blogger, author, and television personality Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby Cakes about how she inherited the “baking gene,” her pivot from a career in media and PR, and how she preserves generations of baking passion by sharing desserts online and onscreen! Learn more about Jocelyn at https://grandbabycakes.com.

Find Jocelyn Delk Adams on Instagram at @grandbabycakes.

Host Liren Baker talks with Liz Della Croce of the Lemon Bowl. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Liz has been sharing delicious recipes since 2010, and has been inspiring readers with her weight loss journey, her family’s Lebanese recipes and flavors from around the world, and travel. She is also the founder of the Passion to Profit Podcast, where she promotes entrepreneurship. Learn more about Liz at https://thelemonbowl.com Find Liz Della Croce on Instagram at @thelemonbowl.

Host Liren Baker talks with award-winning magazine editor and prolific author Dorothy Kalins about her culinary journey, from founding Saveur Magazine to the numerous and remarkable food experiences that led her to write her newest book, The Kitchen Whisperers: Cooking with the Wisdom of Our Friends.

Find Dorothy Kalins on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/dkalins/ and The Kitchen Whisperers wherever books are sold.

Host Liren Baker talks with Peabody Johanson, the Washington-based founder of the popular food blog Sweet ReciPEAs and author of Holy Sweet!: 60 Indulgent Recipes for Bigger, Better Desserts. They chat about how her blog has developed meaningful connections with her readers and the creative inspiration behind the recipes ini her cookbook. Learn more about Peabody at https://www.sweetrecipeas.com.

Find Peabody Johanson on Instagram at @bakerpeabody.

Host Liren Baker talks with Robbie Brown from Acterra, a San Francisco Bay Area non profit whose mission is to bring people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet. They are joined by Virada Chatikul, a participant in Acterra’s Meatless May Challenge and chat about how we can love for our planet by eating plant-based once a week, every day, or somewhere in between. Learn more about the Meatless May Challenge at https://acterra.org.

Find Acterra on Instagram at @planetacterra.

Host Liren Baker talks with Amy Atherton of the food blog Amy’s Healthy Baking and author of author of Healthier Chocolate Treats: Breakfasts, Snacks & Desserts for Every Chocoholic. Based in California, Amy teaches bakers of all abilities how to satisfy their sweet tooth with healthy and yummy treats. Learn more about Amy Atherton at https://amyshealthybaking.com.

Host Liren Baker talks with pastry chef Zoë François about her journey from a childhood with wholesome foods in a Vermont commune to the world of sugar, as she now stars in her own cooking show, Zoë Bakes on the Magnolia Network. Learn more about Zoë François at https://zoebakes.com/.

Host Liren Baker talks with Kristin “Baker Bettie” Hoffman, creator of the popular Baker Bettie website and YouTube channel, about her new cookbook, the Baker Bettie’s Better Baking Book, where she distills the techniques and methods she has honed as a trained chef and baking educator into making baking approachable and fun for everyone! Learn more about Kristin Hoffman at https://bakerbettie.com.

They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but how do we find ourselves there? Join host Liren Baker in the Kitchen Confidante podcast, a side dish to the recipe blog, Kitchen Confidante, as she explores the food journeys of passionate chefs, food writers, photographers, recipe developers, artisans, bloggers, and more! Learn how they got their starts and what fuels their taste and inspiration!

Subscribe on all podcasting apps, rate & review on iTunes and Apple Podcasts!

Follow us on social media at @kitchconfidante and @eddpodnet

Presented by the Eat Drink Dine Podcast Network

It's fig season! In this minisode, Liren shares One Quick Tip for how to pick the perfect fig, how to store figs, and her favorite ways to enjoy this delicious fruit!

Episode Notes

Host Liren Baker talks with Lisa Steele Dash of Fresh Eggs Daily. Based in Maine, Lisa has been sharing advice to the backyard chicken keeping community for over a decade as an author, 5th generation chicken keeper, Master Gardener and “coop-to-kitchen” cook. She recently published The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook: Over 100 Fabulous Recipes to Use Eggs in Unexpected Ways, and her award winning lifestyle show, Welcome to My Farm will be airing nationwide on American Public Television this April. They chat about her memories of her grandparent’s chicken farm, her new cookbook, and her “eggspert” tips for cooking with eggs and raising chickens, and more!

Learn more about Lisa Steele at Fresh Eggs Daily.

Follow Lisa Steele on Instagram: @fresheggsdaily

Episode Notes

Hannah Sunderani is the creator of the blog Two Spoons, where she shares plant-based recipes for everyone from new cooks and veggie-shy eaters to vegan foodies. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Hannah spent four years in France, and in her debut cookbook, The Two Spoons Cookbook, she shares over 100 French-inspired vegan dishes. Host Liren Baker chats with Hannah about what led her to plant-based and vegan eating, enjoying a plant-based life in France, bringing the food culture of France back to Canada, the inspiration behind her new cookbook, and more!

Dale Talde is the host of All Up In My Grill on the Tastemade streaming channel. No stranger to television, Dale is a three-time chef-testant and a familiar face on Top Chef and has also competed & served as a judge on Chopped, Iron Chef America, Knife Flight, and Beat Bobby Flay. Off screen, Dale is the restaurateur behind former restaurants TALDE, Massoni, and Rice & Gold. After launching Food Crush Hospitality with his life partner Agnes Chung, he opened his first concept restaurant, Goosefeather, in Westchester County, NY, which pays tribute to the cuisine of Hong Kong. In this episode, we chat about the 3rd season of All Up in My Grill, harnessing Filipino flavors in his cooking, and hands-on tips for better grilling.

Tune in to All Up in My Grill on the Tastemade streaming channel.

Learn more about Dale at https://foodcrushhospitality.com

Follow Dale on Instagram: @daletalde

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/all-up-in-my-grill-with-dale-talde

In this episode, we chat with writer, anthologist, and editor Jacqueline Chio-Lauri. Born in the Philippines and now based in Manchester, England Jackie’s work includes the highly acclaimed book The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from around the Globe, as well as publications in anthologies, academic papers, and global media sites. She is back with her newest anthology, We Cook Filipino: Heart-Healthy Recipes and Inspiring Stories from Filipino Food Personalities and Award-Winning Chefs. This book presents the vibrant food culture of the Philippines through the lens of heart-healthy cooking in stories and recipes from 36 culinary trailblazers from around the globe. In this conversation, we are joined by some of the contributing authors, including Cynthia Cherish Malaran, Will Mordido, Kathy Vega Hardy, Cheryl Baun, Paolo Mendoza, and myself.

I am honored to be a contributing author to this book, and I am excited to share this extraordinary book and episode of the podcast with you today, which marks We Cook Filipino's official release.

Order We Cook Filipino on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PQYkaS (affiliate link)

Learn more about our guests: Jacqueline Chio-Lauri https://myfoodbeginnings.com Cynthia Cherish Malaran https://djcherishtheluv.com Will Mordido http://www.willmordido.com Kathy Vega Hardy https://www.atasteofthephilippines.com Cheryl Baun and Paolo Mendoza https://karenderyany.com

Follow our guests on Instagram: Jacqueline Chio-Lauri @myfoodbeginnings Cynthia Cherish Malaran @djcherishtheluv Will Mordido @will.mordido Kathy Vega Hardy @tasteofthephilippines Cheryl Baun and Paolo Mendoza @karenderya_ny

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/redefining-filipino-food-with-jacqueline-chio-lauri-and-the-contributing-authors-of-we-cook-filipino

Vicky Bennison is the creator of the immensely popular - and endearing - Pasta Grannies. What began in 2014 as a channel on YouTube filming grandmothers making pasta by hand in their Italian kitchens has since grown to a following of over 2 million over social media, and her first book, Pasta Grannies: The Official Cookbook, which was the recipient of a James Beard Award. She is back with a second book, Pasta Grannies: Comfort Cooking. In this episode, we chat about the nonnas and the traditional regional dishes they share, their secrets to staying young and active, and what the next generation of pasta makers in Italy will look like.

Learn more about Pasta Grannies at https://www.pastagrannies.com/

Watch Pasta Grannies on YouTube.

Follow Vicky Bennison @vickybennison and Pasta Grannies @pastagrammies on Instagram

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/comfort-cooking-with-pasta-grannies

In the Philippines, the term “mestiza” is used to describe a woman of mixed heritage, and a new restaurant in San Francisco’s Filipino Heritage District celebrates not only a rich fusion and reimagining of flavors but a philosophy of building community and sharing food traditions across cultures. Mestiza is the vision of Deanna Sison, who is known for championing her cultural roots in all her restaurant and hospitality endeavors which include Little Skillet, Victory Hall, and the Mestiza Taqueria. Bringing the vision to life is Chef Syl Mislang - her expertise as a plant-based chef hails from her beginnings at the Sacramento Co-Op to her pop-up concept, The Roaming Spoon, and as Executive Corporate Chef at Miyokos. Chef Syl now brings all of her experiences to the Mestiza table, featuring the flavors of the Philippines with hyper-local and hyper-seasonal plant-forward foods. In this episode, we chat  about how their partnership came about, Mestiza’s plant-forward fusion of flavors, the wonder of kamayan, and more!

Learn more about Mestiza at https://www.mestizasf.com

Follow on Instagram: Mestiza @mestizasf Deanna Sison @ladydeesf Chef Syl Mislang @theroamingspoon

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/mestiza-san-francisco-with-deanna-sison-and-chef-syl-mislang

Episode Notes

Grace Lin is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator whose vibrant children’s books honor her Chinese heritage with her colorful storytelling. She won the Newbery Honor for “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” and the Theodor Geisel Honor for “Ling and Ting.” Her novel “When the Sea Turned to Silver” was a National Book Award Finalist, and her picture book, “A Big Mooncake for Little Star” was awarded the Caldecott Honor. In this episode, we talk about her latest book, Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods, where she shares the tales behind iconic dishes we have all grown to love!

Learn more about Grace at https://gracelin.com

Follow Grace on Instagram: @paceylin

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/chinese-menu-grace-lin

There is a general understanding that whole grains is better for us, but do you really know why? Rose Wilde is here to help us demystify whole grains and think of baking in a whole new way. Rose is a former human rights lawyer turned chef, master food preserver, master gardener, and owner of the bakery, Red Bread. She wrote her first cookbook, Bread and Roses: 100+ Grain Forward Recipes featuring Global Ingredients and Botanicals - where she shares her joy for grain in a comprehensive guide with recipes inspired by her travels across the globe. In this episode we dive into the world of whole grains, the rich flavor profiles in ancient grains, incorporating blossoms into baking, and more!

Learn more about Rose at https://www.eatredbread.com

Follow Rose on Instagram @trosewilde and @RedBread

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/bread-and-roses-author-rose-wilde

Episode Notes

In this episode, we peel the curtain on the world of food blogging with Christine Pittman of the site Cook the Story. With over 2 million monthly readers, Cook the Story is one of the top-ranked food blogs in the world. Christine doesn’t stop there, however! She manages another site, The Cookful, and is also busy as the host of two podcasts – Time Management Insider (TMI) and Recipe of the Day. Learn how Christine balances it all!

Find Christine at: Cook the Story The Cookful Time Management Insider (TMI) Podcast Recipe of the Day Podcast

Follow Christine Pittman on Instagram: @cookthestory

In this week's episode of the Kitchen Confidante Podcast, we're digging into the transformative power of gardening with Brian Brigantti of Red Leaf Ranch. From city slicker to rural rancher, Brian shares his journey from the bustling streets of New York City to the serene pastures of Tennessee, where he cultivates not just a thriving veggie garden but also a life filled with abundance. We'll discuss his first book, "Gardening for Abundance," and how it intertwines practical gardening tips with profound life lessons. Join us as Brian reveals the first dish he ever cooked, the importance of biodiversity in the garden, and why everyone should embrace the soil beneath their feet. Plus, we'll get a peek into his kitchen habits, from his favorite emergency dinner to the joy of cooking with homegrown produce. Prepare to be inspired to plant seeds of change in your own life, both in and out of the garden.

Learn more about Brian and Redleaf Ranch at https://www.redleafranch.com/

Follow Brian on Instagram: @redleafranch

Pre-order Brian's upcoming book and discover more in the Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/gardening-for-abundance-with-brian-brigantti

Episode Notes

Chris Drew overseas Ocean Mist Farms, the largest grower of artichokes in the United States. With family farming roots dating back nearly a century, Ocean Mist Farms was founded in Castroville, California near the Monterey coast and is now known as the Artichoke Capital of the World. Chris and host Liren Baker chatted about all things artichokes, including Ocean Mist's farming history, the artichoke varieties they grow, his favorite way to enjoy artichokes, and more.

Learn more about Ocean Mist Farms https://www.oceanmist.com Follow Ocean Mist Farms @oceanmistfarms

Episode Notes

Born and raised in Germany, Heidrun Metzler brought her rich heritage of German baking to the United States when she moved here in 1978, and eventually settling in Hawaii. Her love of pastries and wealth of knowledge from generation of tips, techniques, and ingredients is poured into her book, German Heritage Baking: Time-Honored Recipes, Traditional Techniques, and Culinary Secrets, where she shares recipes such as Almond Hazelnut Mini Tarts, Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel), Traditional German Cheesecake with Quark, Black Forest Torte, and more! In this episode, we chat about her idyllic childhood in Germany, the challenges she faced translating her beloved German recipes to an American kitchen, and more.

Learn about Heidrun at https://heidrunmetzler.com

Follow Heidrun on Instagram @heidrun_metzler

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/german-heritage-baking-with-heidrun-metzler

If you love hosting and entertaining, you’ll love this chat with Internet personality, host, podcaster, and author Danni Rose. You may know her from her popular YouTube Channel, where she shares Southern home cooking with a modern twist from her California kitchen. She brings this and her entertaining expertise to a new original series from Pinterest and Tastemade called Deliciously Entertaining. Each episode brings together food lovers and creatives to cook, create, and gather, whether it’s a dinner party or a bubbly brunch, and Danni is there to show us how to find inspiration to do it ourselves at home. Tune in for her tips about creating the experience, community, and memories around the table!

New episodes of Deliciously Entertaining air every other Friday on the Tastemade streaming channel. Tastemade is easy to watch anywhere you stream TV for free: https://www.tastemade.com/streaming

Find Danni on YouTube.

Follow Danni on Instagram: @thedannirose

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/deliciously-entertaining-with-danni-rose

Anna Olson is the professionally trained chef and host of Food Network’s Bake with Anna Olson and the popular Oh Yum with Anna Olson channel on YouTube. Anna also shares her baking expertise as the author of 10 best-selling and awarded-winning cookbooks. She has released her latest book, Baking Wisdom: The Complete Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Make You a Better Baker. This episode discusses Baking Wisdom, troubleshooting baking blunders, her love for Eastern European desserts, and more!

Learn more about Anna at Oh Yum with Anna Olson channel

Follow Anna on Instagram: @chefannaolson https://www.instagram.com/chefannaolson/

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/anna-olsons-baking-wisdom

Anna's Blueberry and Greek Yogurt Breakfast Galette: https://kitchenconfidante.com/blueberry-and-greek-yogurt-breakfast-galette

Eden Passante is the creator of the beautiful and inspiring lifestyle and food blog, Sugar and Charm, where she shares her love entertaining and adds charm to everything she touches, from food and drink to holidays and decor, and of course, parties. She recently wrote Entertaining with Charm, where she shares her secrets to hosting easy, stress-free, and of course, charming gatherings all year round. In this episode, we chat about her secrets to stress-free entertaining, hosting on budget, creating a charming vibe, and more!

Learn more about Eden at https://sugarandcharm.com

Follow Eden on Instagram: @sugarandcharm

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/entertaining-with-charm-with-eden-passante

This episode welcomes David Garci-Aguirre, Master Miller for Corto Olive Company. Much like a winemaker, David ensures Corto’s 100% California Extra Virgin Olive Oil adheres to rigorous flavor and freshness requirements while maintaining a full-bodied and dynamic flavor profile. Under David’s direction, Corto won 30 olive oil competition medals in 2021 alone, including seven gold. In this episode, we chat about what the role of Master Miller entails, what makes the best quality olive oil, olive oil tips and myths, and so much more.

Try Corto Olive Company’s Virtual Tasting Experience.

Learn more about Corto Olive Co. at https://corto-olive.com

Follow Corto Olive Co. on Instagram @corto_olive

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/olive-oil-secrets-corto-olive-oil-david-garci-aguirre

Natalie Keng is the founder and CEO of Global Hearth and the creator of an award-winning line of Georgia-grown, Asian-inspired sauces that are based on old family recipes and feature natural ingredients, which have given her the nickname The Sauce Maven. She recently published her memoir cookbook, Egg Rolls & Sweet Tea, tracing her journey as a first-generation Chinese-American growing up in the Deep South. In this episode, we discuss creating traditional Chinese dishes with local Southern ingredients, the culinary tradition in Georgia, how she marries these two cultures in her cookbook, and more!

Learn more about Natalie at nataliekeng.com and globalhearth.com

Follow Natalie on Instagram: @thesaucemaven

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/egg-rolls-sweet-tea-with-natalie-keng

Episode Notes

Born and raised in Rome to an Italian father and American mother, Sophie Minchilli’s love for Italy stems from the country’s beauty, its delicious food, and the people who make it special. Sophie shares what she calls the “real Italy” running food tours that takes her clients behind the scenes and into the homes of locals. In this episode, we chat about Sophie’s first book, The Sweetness of Doing Nothing: Live Life the Italian Way with Dolce Far Niente, where she teaches us how to incorporate the sweetness of doing nothing into our own lives, no matter where we live!

Learn more about Sophie at  http://www.sophieminchilli.com

Follow Sophie on Instagram:  @sminchilli

Saddle up and join me as I chat with Elizabeth Poett, the star of Magnolia Network's Ranch to Table, where she shares life as a seventh-generation cattle rancher on her family's historic 14,000-acre cattle ranch on California's Central Coast. Elizabeth recently published The Ranch Table, which shares recipes from a year on the ranch, from harvests, celebrations, and family dinners. In this episode, we chat about life on the ranch - from what it was like to grow up in Rancho San Julian to how she now is a steward of the land and her family's legacy - how it is preserved in her new book, The Ranch Table, and more!

Learn more about Elizabeth at https://theranchtable.com/

Follow Elizabeth on Instagram: @Elizabethpoett

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/the-ranch-table-with-elizabeth-poett

Episode Notes

Host Liren Baker talks with Ned and Ariel Fulmer from the wildly popular YouTube channel, The Try Guys, about their newly released book, The Date Night Cookbook, food as a love language, and their tips for couples in all stages of their relationship! Learn more about Ned and Ariel and The Date Night Cookbook at https://www.datenightcookbook.com/

Episode Notes

Host Liren Baker talks with Toni Dash of the site Boulder Locavore, as well as the newly launched Make It Skinny Please! Based in Boulder, Colorado, Toni had been developing recipes for over two decades, when she recognized a need for quality gluten-free recipes for her family. Her site Boulder Locavore has been a resource for both conventional and gluten-free recipes, and with her new site, she is sharing her secrets for transforming classic recipes, slimmed down. They chat about what inspired her to create her websites, what it’s like to run multiple food blogs, how life as an expat and her travels inspire her recipes, her love for cocktails, and more!

Learn more about Toni Dash at blogs at Boulder Locavore and Make it Skinny Please. 

Follow Toni Dash Instagram: @boulderlocavore and @makeitskinnyplease

Pailin Chongchitnant is the best-selling and award-winning author of Hot Thai Kitchen and the creator and host of Pailin's Kitchen on YouTube! Born and raised in Thailand, Pailin is now based in Vancouver, Canada, where, as a professionally trained chef, she has made it her mission to show everyone how to create authentic Thai dishes, wherever they may be. She is out with a new book, Sabai: 100 Simple Thai Recipes for Any Day of the Week. In this episode, we chat about the authenticity of chicken satay, what makes a Thai meal balanced, what it means to cook "sabai," and more!

Learn more about Pailin at https://hot-thai-kitchen.com and watch her on YouTube at Pailin’s Kitchen.

Follow Pai on Instagram: @hotthaikitchen

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/sabai-100-simple-thai-recipes-with-pailin-chongchitnant

Pai's Mango Coconut Tapioca Pudding

Chances are you may have a gluten-free or gluten-sensitive eater in your life. While cooking gluten-free may feel challenging, Lindsay Cotter is here to help. Lindsay is the creator of the popular gluten-free recipe blog, Cotter Crunch, where she shares allergy-friendly recipes that help cooks thrive. As a nutrition specialist for sports nutrition and gluten-free eating, Lindsay has been featured in Shape magazine, Dr. Axe, Men’s Health, and more. Her latest cookbook: The Gluten-Free Family Cookbook: Allergy-friendly Recipes for Everyone Around Your Table is available now, and makes eating gluten-free easy and delicious.

Learn more about Lindsay at https://www.cottercrunch.com/

Follow Lindsay on Instagram: @cottercrunch

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/gluten-free-family-cooking-with-lindsay-cotter

Gesine Bullock-Prado is a celebrated pastry chef, instructor, and author who shares baking wisdom on her Food Network show, Baked in Vermont. Gesine has written six books on baking and recently released her newest book, this time embracing savory recipes, A Vermont Table: Recipes for All Six Seasons. In this episode, we chat about the six (!) seasons of Vermont, cooking and baking with maple syrup, tackling a cookbook with savory recipes, and more!

Learn more about Gesine at https://www.gesine.com/

Follow Gesine on Instagram: @gesinebp

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/my-vermont-table-with-gesine-bullock-prado

Gesine's Bavarian Pretzels: https://kitchenconfidante.com/bavarian-pretzels

Molly Gilbert is a sheet pan queen! The creator of the site Dunk & Crumble, Molly is a professionally trained pastry chef, with culinary and pastry training from the French Culinary Institute and experience as a private chef, a chocolatier, and the SAVEUR Magazine test kitchen. Her first two books - One Pan & Done and Sheet Pan Suppers - embrace simple meals that go from oven to table. She’s back with a third book, Sheet Pan Sweets: Simple, Streamlined Dessert Recipes! In this episode, we chat about her love of sheet pan cooking and baking, what makes the perfect sheet pan, and all her best cooking and baking tips!

Learn more about Molly at http://www.dunkandcrumble.com

Follow Molly on Instagram: @mollydunkncrumb

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/sheet-pan-sweets-molly-gilbert

Melting pots of flavors make the world more delicious, and Caribbean cuisine is a prime example with its rich history of delicious influences! In this week’s episode, we chat with Althea Brown, a certified Whole30 coach and creator of the immensely popular blog Metemgee, where she shares recipes inspired by Guyanese traditions and Caribbean flavors. Born and raised in Guyana, Althea is now based in Denver, CO, where she found herself missing the flavors of home, which she shares with her audience, along with Carribean Whole30 and Paleo recipes. We chat about her first cookbook, Caribbean Paleo: 75 Wholesome Dishes Celebrating Tropical Cuisine and Culture, the remarkable women in her family who inspired it, and so much more.

Learn more about Althea at https://metemgee.com

Follow Althea on Instagram @metemgee 

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/carribean-paleo-with-althea-brown

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Rowena Scherer - educator, author, and culinary curator of global flavors. As the founder of eat2explore, Rowena is on a mission to bring the world's cuisines and cultures into our kitchens, one family at a time. With roots in Malaysia and a detour through Wall Street, Rowena's journey is as rich and diverse as the recipes she shares in her first cookbook for families, A Taste of the World: Celebrating Global Flavors, where kids of all ages can learn and taste their way through each recipe. We chat about the importance of early culinary exposure, creating lasting family bonds over shared meals, and how cooking can foster global citizenship.

Learn more about Rowena and eat2explore at https://eat2explore.com

Follow eat2explore on Instagram: @eat2explore

Grab your copy of "A Taste of the World" and dive deeper in the Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/a-taste-of-the-world-with-rowena-scherer

Host Liren Baker chats with award-winning international food and travel writer Sylvie Bigar. A regular contributer to The Washington Post, Sylvie’s work has also been seen in The New York Times, Travel and Leisure, Departures, and more. She has also written many books, including her work with Chef Daniel Boulud as co-author of Daniel, My French Cuisine. Her memoir, Cassoulet Confessions, will be released in September 2022. In this episode, Liren and Sylvie chat about Sylvie's childhood in Geneva, Switzerland, her path to journalism and travel writing, her love for cassoulet, and the art of writing a food memoir.

Learn more about Sylvie Bigar at https://sbigar.com. Follow Sylvie Bigar on Instagram: @sylviebigar

October marks Filipino-American History Month, and I can’t think of a better way to honor the legacy of Filipinos in the United States and the Philippines than by welcoming my friend Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino in this episode. Betty Ann is an award-winning journalist, food writer, correspondent, cookbook author, artist, and the voice behind the food site The Quirino Kitchen, where she shares Filipino home cooking. She is a multi-award winner of the_ Plaridel Writing Awards_ for excellence in journalism, given by the Philippine-American Press Club, and is the recipient of a Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Award for her essay, “A Hundred Mangoes in A Bottle.” She was named one of the Filipina Women’s Network's 100 Most Influential Women of the World.

In this episode, we discuss her recently published memoir, Every Ounce of Courage, where she chronicles an untold story of one of the unsung heroes of World War II — her mother, Lulu Reyes, during a frightening period of Filipino - and worldwide - history. 

Learn more about Elizabeth Ann at https://thequirinokitchen.com

Follow Elizabeth Ann on Instagram: @bettyannquirino

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/every-ounce-of-courage-with-elizabeth-ann-besa-quirino

Jessie-Sierra Ross is the voice of the cooking and home entertaining blog, Straight to the Hips, Baby, where she shares approachable food for every home cook. A native Bostonian and former professional ballerina and ballet coach, Jessie-Sierra now embraces the farm-to-table life in the Berkshires, sharing this creative adventure with her husband, Jonathan, which has expanded beyond the blog to television appearances, lectures, big-brand collaborations, and more.

Learn more about Jessie-Sierra at https://straighttothehipsbaby.com

Follow Jessie-Sierra on Instagram: @straighttothehipsbaby

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/creating-food-content-for-television-with-jessie-sierra-ross

Episode Notes

Host Liren Baker talks with David Tamarkin, the Editorial Director at King Arthur Baking Company, about the recently updated and revised version of the Essential Cookie Companion Cookbook, and how this edition improves upon the beloved cookie resource. If you’re a cookie lover (and who isn’t?) or are looking for baking inspiration for cookie season, this episode is for you!

Learn more about the Essential Cookie Companion Cookbook at King Arthur Baking.

Follow King Arthur Baking on Instagram: @kingarthurbaking Follow David Tamarkin on Instagram: @davidtamarkin

Also find David Tamarkin on DavidTamarkin.com.

KingArthurBaking

We welcome back award-winning, international food and travel writer Sylvie Bigar to the show to chat about her recently released memoir, Cassoulet Confessions, Food, France, Family, and the Stew That Saved My Soul. In this episode, Sylvie talks to host Liren Baker about how cassoulet has become a beloved dish in France, how she immersed herself in Carcassonne with her mentor and cassoulet master, Chef Eric Garcia, her beloved father, and more!

Learn more about Sylvie Bigar at https://sbigar.com

Follow Sylvie Bigar on Instagram: @sylviebigar

Podcast show notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/cassoulet-confessions-with-sylvie-bigar

Chef Ariel Fox is best known as the winner of Hell’s Kitchen in season 18 and as a guest judge on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay. Off-screen, she is the Regional Vice President of Culinary for Landry’s at Dos Caminos and Del Friscos. She recently released her latest book: Spice Kitchen: Healthy Latin and Caribbean Cuisine.

In this episode, Chef Ariel shares all about her worldly culinary upbringing and the vibrant, adaptable recipes in her new book.

Follow Chef Ariel Fox on Instagram: @chefarielfox

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/spice-kitchen-healthy-latin-and-caribbean-cuisine-with-ariel-fox

Samantha Ferraro is the creator of The Little Ferraro Kitchen, where the diversity of her Sephardic heritage, her love for global flavors, and the places she has lived, spanning from Brooklyn, the Big Island of Hawaii, Southern California, and now, the Pacific Northwest, shines in the food she shares, whether it’s on her website, media appearances, or publications. In 2019, Samantha released her debut cookbook, The Weeknight Mediterranean Kitchen, inspiring countless cooks to bring a taste of the Mediterranean into their own kitchens. She’s back with a new cookbook, One-Pot Mediterranean, making weeknight cooking with Mediterranean flavors even simpler! In this episode, we chat about her heritage, cooking by "feeling," the versatility of Mediterranean and one-pot cooking, and more!

Learn more about Samantha at https://littleferrarokitchen.com/

Follow Samantha on Instagram: @ferrarokitchen

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/one-pot-mediterranean-cooking-with-samantha-ferraro

Episode Notes

Host Liren Baker chats with Kimberly Sorensen of Triple Delight Blueberries, a 6th generation California family farm. Kim and her husband, Mark, established Triple Delight Blueberries in 1997 in California’s San Joaquin Valley. They were one of the first families to farm blueberries in the Central Valley, and now bring fresh blueberries to kitchens and many of the top restaurants throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. They chat about what makes Triple Delight Blueberries so special, their love for farmer’s markets, how she considers farming a family affair, and more.

Learn more about Triple Delight Blueberries at https://www.tdberries.com

Follow Triple Delight Blueberries on Instagram @tdberries

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/family-farming-and-hand-picked-blueberries-with-kimberly-sorensen-of-triple-delight-blueberries

In this episode, Liren Baker chats with Michelle Tam of Nom Nom Paleo! Dubbed the Martha Stewart of Paleo by The New York Times, Michelle started her blog in 2010 to chronicle her culinary adventures following a switch to a Paleo approach to nutrition. Nom Nom Paleo (and Michelle) has grown to win multiple awards, including Best Food Blog by Saveur Magazine. Michelle’s first cookbook garnered a James Beard Award nomination and following the publication of all her cookbooks, Michelle has the honor of being a 3-time New York Times best selling author. In this episode, Liren and Michelle discuss her most recent cookbook, Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go.

Learn more about Nom Nom Paelo at  https://nomnompaleo.com   Follow Nom Nom Paelo on Instagram:  @nomnompaleo

If you've ever marveled at the artistry behind beautiful cakes, pastries, and pastries, the decadence is within reach with the guidance of Janani Elavazhagan. Janani is the baker, recipe developer, blogger, and immensely talented food photographer of the blog Skillet to Plate. Based in Portland, Oregon, Janani’s stunning photography accompanies her simple recipes, which have led to her first cookbook, The Effortless Baker: Your Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Decadent, Showstopping Sweets and Treats. The Effortless Baker blends the best of Indian and classic American desserts, making traditional Indian sweets more accessible by integrating simple baking techniques.

In this episode, we chat about her love of fusion baking, how she hones her photography craft, and some of the beautiful recipes in her new book. 

Learn more about Janani at https://www.skillettoplate.com

Follow Janani on Instagram: @skillettoplate

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/the-effortless-baker-with-janani-elavazhagan

Bri Beaudoin is the creator of the food blog, Evergreen Kitchen, where she shares delicious, crowd-pleasing vegetarian recipes. As a recipe developer, certified holistic nutritionist, and food stylist, Bri runs Evergreen Kitchen with her husband, Anguel Dimov - sharing the food that inspires them in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In this interview, we chat about Bri’s first cookbook, Evergreen Kitchen: Weeknight Vegetarian Dinners for Everyone, what it’s like to work as a husband and wife team, the secret to a good vegetarian congee, and more!

Learn more about Bri at https://evergreenkitchen.ca

Follow Bri on Instagram: @evergreenkitchen

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/evergreen-kitchen-with-bri-beaudoin

Carb lover? Carb fearer? Phoebe Lapine is here to arm us with knowledge to help us navigate the confusing world of carbs and help us enjoy one of the most loved (and misunderstood) foods. Phoebe is the food and health writer, chef, speaker, and voice behind the award-winning blog Feed Me Phoebe. She is the author of four books, including her acclaimed memoir, The Wellness Project, and recently published Carbivore: 130 Healthy Recipes to Stop Fearing Carbs and Embrace the Comfort Foods You Love. Join us as we chat about the biology behind carbs, how we can make carbs work for our bodies, and so much more!

Check out Carbivore at https://www.carbivorecookbook.com

Learn more about Phoebe at https://phoebelapine.com and https://feedmephoebe.com

Follow Phoebe on Instagram: @phoebelapine

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/carbivore-with-phoebe-lapine

Nisha Vora is a plant-based chef, food blogger, and author of the cookbook "The Vegan Instant Pot Cookbook." With a passion for healthy and delicious meals, Nisha has built a loyal following on social media and her website and YouTube channel, Rainbow Plant Life, where she shares her insights on plant-based cooking and tips for creating flavorful meals, with an audience of over 1 million subscribers. In this episode, we discuss trading her career in law for one in culinary, how it helps her with recipe development and content creation, her path to vegan cooking, how the Instant Pot improves vegan cooking, and more!

Learn more about Nisha at https://rainbowplantlife.com. Follow Nisha on Instagram: @rainbowplantlife

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/vegan-instant-pot-cooking-with-nisha-vora

Nisha's recipe for Instant Pot Mixed Berry Compote: https://kitchenconfidante.com/mixed-berry-compote-instant-pot

Susan Gravely is the founder and CEO of Vietri, a lifestyle brand offering handcrafted Italian tabletop and home and garden accessories. Her love for handpainted dinnerware started after a trip to the Amalfi coast with her mother and sister in 1983 - and when they returned home, they built Vietri to share this beautiful craft. Vietri has since become the largest importer of Italian ceramics in the US. To celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary, Susan has written a memoir and cookbook: Italy on a Plate: Travels, Memories, Menus, and in this episode, we chat about her book, the friendships and partnerships in Italy that have made Veitri so successful, the parallels between Italian and Southern hospitality, and more!

Learn more about Vietri at https://www.vietri.com and Susan Gravely at https://susangravely.com.

Follow Vietri on Instagram: @vietriinc

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/italy-on-a-plate-with-vietri-founder-susan-gravely

Tita Bosio's recipe for Carrot and Zucchini Strudel.

Anne Byrn is an award-winning New York Times bestselling food writer and author of beloved cookbooks, including American Cookie, American Cake, and the Cake Mix Doctor. Anne publishes the weekly newsletter, Between the Layers, one of the top 20 food and drink newsletters worldwide on Substack. She recently joined me on the podcast, where we chatted about her latest book, Baking in the American South: 200 Recipes and Their Untold Stories.

Baking in the American South dives into the history of the South, from Texas to Florida, Kentucky to Tennessee, and more—where she weaves stories and recipes from pre-Civil War times to today’s modern Southern kitchens. The history behind some of the most iconic and unique biscuits, cakes, pies, and more makes this a definitive guide on the richness of Southern baking.In this episode, we chat about the origins of Southern baking, the stories behind iconic regional recipes, and Anne’s process of preserving culinary history in her latest cookbook. 

Learn more about Anne at https://www.annebyrn.com

Follow Anne on Instagram: @annebyrn

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/baking-in-the-american-south-with-anne-byrn

Join me in welcoming my son, Carsten, into the studio, for the 2022 #AskMeAnything episode! We pick up where we left off from last year’s Ask Me Anything episode with my daughter, and tackle your questions from Instagram! Technically it was an #AskUsAnything episode! We chat about all the topics you are curious about, from staying young (!?), raising a competitive cyclist, my son’s favorite food memory, what it’s like to be the child of a food content creator, our holiday baking tradition, and more!

Related Episodes: #AskMeAnything Q&A with Liren (Plus Meet my Daughter!)

Pour yourself a glass of wine and join me in my conversation with Jermaine Stone! Also known as the Wolf of Wine, Jermaine is a Bronx native who has crafted a career blending his two passions: hip hop and wine. After getting his start at Zachys Wine Auction, he founded Cru Love Selections, a wine branding and marketing agency dedicated to engaging hip-hop fans with the world of wine. He also hosts the podcast The Original Wine & Hip Hop. Now, he travels the country in Tastemade’s newest series, Street Somm, exploring the stories behind the chefs and delicious foods in each city and sharing unique wine pairings. 

Learn more about Jermaine at wineandhiphop.com and https://www.cruluvwine.com

Follow Jermaine on Instagram: @realwolfofwine

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/hip-hop-and-wine-street-somm-with-jermaine-stone

Host Liren Baker talks with Raquel Royers of the wine blog, Watch Me Sip. Based in the beautiful Napa Valley, Raquel not only lives in wine country, but works in the industry, splitting her time as a marketing consultant at Creative Sip Marketing and on her blog. As a certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits, Raquel is an amazing resource for wine lovers and travelers to various wine regions - and she’s always sharing tidbits on Instagram that will make you want to pour a glass of wine right alongside her. They chat about her journey from journalism to the world of wine, tips for visiting Napa, Sonoma and the many other wine regions in California and beyond, and more!

Learn more about Raquel Royers at Watch Me Sip.

Follow Raquel Royers on Instagram: @watchmesip

In the summer of 2022, Linda Skeens won dozens of ribbons at the Virginia-Kentucky District Fair. From a clean sweep of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for best cookies to awards for Best Cake, Best Pie, Best Brownies, Best Overall Baked Good, and more - she was a force to contend with. It didn’t stop there. She also won in multiple savory categories, including canned tomatoes, pickled peppers, spaghetti sauce, and another clean sweep of all three embroidery categories. In this episode, Liren talks to Linda about her life and family in Appalachia, her long history with county fairs, and her book, Blue Ribbon Kitchen: Recipes and Tips from America’s Favorite County Fair Champion.

Learn more about Linda at http://lindaskeensblueribbon.com/

Follow Linda on Instagram: @lindaskeensblueribbon Follow Linda on TikTok: @lindaskeensblueribbon

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/americas-favorite-county-fair-champion-linda-skeens

Episode Notes

Host Liren Baker talks to Chef Ji Hye Kim, the chef and managing partner of the restaurant Miss Kim, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Chef Ji Hye has had the distinct honor of being recognized as a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2021 as well as a James Beard Semifinalist in 2020 in 2022. In this episode, Chef Ji Hye talks about her journey as a chef, the inspiration behind her restaurant, and how she cooks traditional Korean cuisine inspired by her mother's cooking with local Michigan ingredients.

Learn more about Miss Kim https://misskimannarbor.com

Follow Ji Hye Kim @chefjihyekim Follow Miss Kim @misskimannarbor

Gather 'round for storytime! In this episode, we chat with Sophia Lee and Christine Almeda — Sophia is the author of Holding On and Soaring Saturdays, and her first book, What Things Mean, won the Grand Prize at the 2014 Scholastic Asian Book Awards. Christine is a freelance illustrator and has worked with clients such as Scholastic, HarperCollins, The New York Times, Eater, and more. Together, they are the author and illustrator of Lolo’s Sari-sari Store, a heartwarming children’s book that celebrates community, connection, and Filipino culture.

Learn more about Sophia at  https://www.sophialeewrites.com/ Follow Sophia on Instagram: @sophianleewrites https://www.instagram.com/sophianleewrites/

Learn more about Christine at  https://www.christinealmeda.com/ Follow Christine on Instagram: @eychristine https://www.instagram.com/eychristine/

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/lolos-sari-sari-store-with-sophia-lee-and-christine-almeda

Episode Notes

In this episode, host Liren Baker talks with Genevieve Ko, the Deputy Editor for the New York Times Food section and NYT Cooking, about their newest recipe series, Learn to Cook (and ❤️ It) in 10 Easy Dishes. These beginner recipes are aimed at novice cooks to help them gain confidence in the kitchen - but are recipes that cooks of all abilities will appreciate. This episode is for you if you’re looking for simple recipes and tips to kick off your cooking journey!

Learn more about the beginner recipes in the New York Times.

Follow NYT Cooking on Instagram: @nytcooking

Learn more about Genevieve Ko at http://www.genevieveko.com

Follow Genevieve on Instagram: @genevieve_ko

In this episode, I am on location in Santa Paula, California at the Calavo Growers headquarters, where I had the unique opportunity to learn firsthand how the Calavo family of growers has been providing us with avocados for nearly 100 years! In addition to my very personal tour of the groves, processing plant, and ripening facilities, I sat down with Calavo CEO, Brian Kocher, to learn all about how they grow, harvest, package, and distribute avocados all over the world! We also chat about how Calavo has grown from the original family of growers since 1924, the other produce and ready-to-eat items Calavo distributes, his favorite way to enjoy avocados, and more! If you love avocados as much as I do, this episode is a must-listen!

Learn more about Calavo at https://calavo.com

Follow Calavo on Instagram: @calavogrowers

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/all-things-avocado-with-calavo-growers

Mary Ann Esposito is the creator and host of the nationally televised PBS series Ciao Italia and the author of numerous cookbooks, including her most recent, Ciao Italia, Plant, Harvest, Cook! In her latest book, Mary Ann shares tips for anyone interested in growing their vegetables and cooking them Italian style. Join us on this episode, where we chat about Ciao Italia’s longevity as the longest-running television cooking series, her home garden with her husband Guy, the family feud between her two nonnas and eggplant parmesan, and more!

Learn more about Mary Ann at www.ciaoitalia.com Follow Mary Ann on Instagram: @ciaoitaliashow Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/plant-harvest-cook-with-mary-ann-esposito

Episode Notes

Vedika Luthra is the creator of the food blog and popular YouTube channel, Hot Chocolate Hits. Born in India, Vedika was raised in Poland and later moved to the Netherlands where she pursues postgraduate studies in law. Vedika’s first cookbook, 52 Weeks, 52 Sweets: Elegant Recipes for all Occasions, was released last year and offers tasty treats every week of the year! In this episode, Vedika shares the inspiration behind her book, how she built her YouTube channel, how she harnesses the power of spices in baking, and more!

Learn more about Vedika on http://hotchocolatehits.com

Follow Vedika on Instagram @hotchocolatehits

In this episode of the Kitchen Confidante Podcast, we're whisked into the vibrant world of modern Jewish cuisine with Micah Siva, a San Francisco-based chef, dietitian, and the creative mind behind the blog Nosh with Micah. Micah takes us on a culinary journey that blends the rich traditions of Jewish food with a plant-forward twist. She shares the charming story of her first cooking memory — making thimble cookies with her grandmother — and her path from culinary school to food blogging. Micah discusses her new book, "Nosh: Plant-Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine," and the personal and cultural inspirations that fueled its creation. From vegan matzo ball soup challenges to creating carrot “lox,” Micah's passion for food and storytelling is as nourishing as the dishes she creates. 

Discover more about Micah and her culinary adventures at https://www.noshwithmicah.com

Follow Micah on Instagram: @noshwithmicah

Get your copy of "Nosh" and explore more in the Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/nosh-plant-forward-jewish-recipes-with-micah-siva

Episode Notes

Host Liren Baker chats with Iva Chen, the Director of Business Development and Marketing of Lady Luck Gourmet, which owns and operates Goldilocks at San Francisco International Airport. Goldilocks Bakeshop has been a go-to since 1966 for delicious cakes, baked goods, and Filipino cuisine for Filipinos and Filipino Americans. Since the first store opened in Makati, Manila, there are now more than 900 Goldilocks stores throughout the Philippines, the US, and Canada. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Iva opened Goldilocks at SFO’s Harvey Milk Terminal 1, making it the first Filipino restaurant to open in a US airport. In this episode, Liren and Iva chat about Iva’s path to restaurant development, the challenges of opening an airport restaurant during the pandemic and introducing a taste of Filipino food to travelers from around the world.

Learn more about Iva Chen at  http://ladyluckgourmet.com

Learn more about Goldilocks SFO at  https://goldilocks-sfo.com

Follow Iva Chen on Instagram at @goldilocks_usa

Episode Notes

Join host Liren Baker on location for a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at Eataly Silicon Valley, which is opening at Westfield Valley Fair on June 16th! The newest location is the 9th to open in North America and joins over 40 Eataly stores worldwide. Bay Area Italian food lovers can now explore 3 floors of delicious food, with its two restaurants, five production laboratories, over 10,000 products, 12,000+ Italian wines, and even get hands-on in the cooking school.

While on-site, Liren chats with Alex Saper, Managing Partner and COO, as well as Cristina Flores, VP of product, about what makes Eataly Silicon Valley so unique. They also discuss the local Bay Area producers highlighted at the Silicon Valley location, the secret behind cooking the perfect pasta, and more — we even have a bit of a live pasta tasting on the podcast!

Learn more about Eataly at https://www.eataly.com

Follow Eataly on Instagram: @eatalysiliconvalley

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/eataly-silicon-valley-brings-a-taste-of-italy-to-the-bay-area

Ed Mitchell has been cooking whole hog barbecue since he was a teenager, but it wasn’t until his mid-40s that life steered him to devote his life to the tradition when he founded the famed Mitchell’s Ribs, Chicken & Bar-B-Q in North Carolina. His son Ryan brought his background in finance to the family business; after eight years working in commercial and investment banking, he returned to his roots in BBQ to work with his father.

As the family business grew, so did their reputation. Ed has cooked all over the world, including at the James Beard House in New York, and has featured on several television series, including Michael Pollan’s “Cooked” on Netflix, Anthony Bourdain’s “A Cooks Tour,” and “Beat Bobby Flay.” The family restaurant has transitioned to The Preserve, which opens this summer in Raleigh, and Ed’s sauces and rubs - True Made Foods, are available at stores nationwide.

In this episode, Ed and Ryan chat about the history of whole-hog barbecue and their cookbook, Ed Mitchell’s Barbeque, which celebrates the tradition of whole-hog barbecue.

Learn more about Ed and Ryan Mitchell at https://www.thepitmasteredmitchell.com

Follow Ryan on Instagram: @bbqprince1031

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/whole-hog-barbeque-with-ed-mitchell-and-ryan-mitchell

Ed Mitchell's Recipe for Watermelon Sweet Tea: https://kitchenconfidante.com/watermelon-sweet-tea

Pizza lovers, you’re in for a treat!  In this episode of the Kitchen Confidante, we’re chatting with Christy Alia of Real Clever Food. Christy is a dedicated pizzaiola (pizza maker), sourdough bread baker, instructor, recipe developer, and founder of #WomensPizzaMonth, a community and celebration behind the iconic pizza and the women in our lives. This year, she has teamed up with Corto Olive Co. and Stanislaus to help us celebrate at home and a scholarship opportunity to send aspiring women pizza makers to Pizza University. Whether you’re a seasoned pizzaiola or just starting, join us as we chat about the importance of high-quality ingredients, how to make your best pizza yet, and Christy’s dedication to the art of pizza making!

Get your limited-edition Corto x Stanislaus Pizza Kit and apply for the Pizza Scholarship:  https://corto-olive.com/products/pizza-kit

**Follow on Instagram: ** Christy @realcleverfood Corto Olive Co. @corto_olive Stanislaus @stanislaustomatoes

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/a-slice-of-inspiration-womens-pizza-month-with-christy-alia

Karista Bennett is a recipe developer, former culinary instructor, photographer, and the author of The Oregon Farm Table Cookbook. Her recipes have been featured in Home by Design, Hobby Farms, and she recently released a new book, For the Love of Seafood: 100 Flawless, Flavorful Recipes That Anyone Can Cook. In this episode, we talk about her surprising love story with seafood, the coastal cities she has called home, and her travels that inspired the flavors in her book.

Learn more about Karista at https://karistabennett.com

Follow Karistsa on Instagram: @karista_bennett_author

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/for-the-love-of-seafood-with-karista-bennett

If you've ever been to Utah, chances are you've been to Kneaders Bakery & Café. In this episode, we chat with Colleen Worthington -- more than 25 years ago, Colleen and her husband Gary pursued their passion for artisanal bread baking and opened their first bakery in Orem, Utah. Kneaders has grown to over 50 locations spanning Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Texas, and Utah, and so has the Kneaders family behind the scenes. Colleen recently released a cookbook, Kneaders Bakery & Cafe: A Celebration of Our Best Recipes and Memories, to celebrate this milestone. In this episode, we chat about some of their beloved recipes, from deep-fried scones with pie filling to the secrets behind Nana's pumpkin pie. We also talk about some of the people who have become part of the Kneaders family in more ways than one.

Learn more about Kneaders Bakery & Café at https://www.kneaders.com/

Follow Kneaders Bakery & Café on Instagram: @kneaders

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/kneaders-bakery-cafe-celebrating-25-years-with-colleen-worthington

We all have our favorite Pixar films, and Tara Theoharis is here to bring them to life in your kitchen with PIXAR: The Official Cookbook! Tara Theoharis is an author and the founder of the food blog The Geeky Hostess, and has been sharing recipes based on pop culture fandoms since 2009. Her cookbooks embrace recipes inspired by beloved video games such as Minecraft and Tombraider, as well as the world of musical theatre! And now, along with cowriter S.T, Bende, Tara brings the creative world of Pixar Animation Studios into your kitchen with more than 75 delicious recipes inspired by nearly every beloved Pixar short and film, including Toy Story, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and more! In this episode, we chat about her inspiration in developing recipes from these iconic films, her personal favorite Pixar movie, how to cultivate and nourish creativity in the kitchen, and more!

Learn more about Tara Theoharis at https://taratheoharis.com and The Geeky Hostess at https://geekyhostess.com

Follow Tara on Instagram: @geekyhostess

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/anyone-can-cook-with-tara-theoharis

Host Liren Baker talks with Chef James Houghton, the Director of Culinary at Trinchero Family Estates - one of the leading producers in Napa Valley with over 50 wine and spirit brands in their portfolio, where he creates incredible culinary experiences and serves as the winery’s ambassador. They chat about his journey as a chef to the Napa Valley, understanding food and wine pairings, and what keeps him motivated with wine, cooking, and more.

Learn more about Chef James Houghton and the wine and culinary experiences at Trinchero Family Estates 

Follow Chef James Houghton on Instagram: @jvghoughton  Follow Trinchero Family Estates on Instagram: @trincheronapavalley

Episode Notes

Host Liren Baker talks with Nik Sharma, the molecular biologist turned food writer and photographer behind the award winning blog, The Brown Table, and author of Season: Big Flavors, Beautiful Food, which was a finalist for James Beard Foundation and IACP awards. They chat about Nik’s journey from Mumbai to the United States, his transition from the lab to the kitchen, and his second book, The Flavor Equation which was published in 2020.

Learn more about Nik Sharma at The Brown Table.

Follow Nik Sharma on Instagram: @abrowntable

Let’s pack our bags, hit the road, and eat our way through some amazing cities with Frankie Celenza! Frankie is the Emmy® Award Winning Culinary Host of the hit series Struggle Meals and Frankie Cooks. He recently launched a new mouthwatering food travel series on Tastemade - Worth the Hype, where he explores local food scenes and communities in cities like LA, New York, Austin, and more, airing every Wednesday at 7 pm on the Tastemade streaming channel. In this episode, we discuss some of his favorite food travel memories, what makes a place “worth the hype,” the chefs he has met, their unique stories, and more!

Learn more about Frankie at http://www.frankiecelenza.com

Follow Frankie on Instagram: @frankiecooks

Watch Worth the Hype on the Tastemade streaming channel.

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/worth-the-hype-with-frankie-celenza

Episode Notes

If anyone can get even the staunchest doubter excited about veggies, leave it to Australian food writer, broadcaster, and television host, Alice Zaslavsky. Alice is the resident Culinary Correspondent on ABC News Breakfast, the host of ABC Radio Sunday Drive and numerous Australian food shows, and the writer of the best-selling and award-winning cookbook, In Praise of Veg: The Ultimate Cookbook for Vegetable Lovers. In this episode, she chats with host Liren Baker about her secrets to enjoying vegetables (for both kids and grown-ups!), the importance of color, the hot veggies of the moment, and more!

Learn more about Alice Zaslavsky at https://www.aliceinframes.com

Follow Alice Zaslavsky on Instagram: @aliceinframes

Podcast show notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/in-praise-of-veg-with-alice-zaslavsky

Episode Notes

If you love sweets, you’re in for a treat! Host Liren Baker chats breads, pastries, and coffee with David Lazaro and Emileen Yen, the respective Director of Marketing and Cake Product Manager at 85°C Bakery Cafe. Founded in Taiwan in 2003, 85°C celebrated its launch in the U.S. when it opened its Irvine, California store in 2008. Since then, the franchise has grown to over 1,000 locations, bringing its delicious Asian baked goods and coffee to neighborhoods worldwide!

Learn more about 85C Bakery Cafe at https://www.85cbakerycafe.com

Follow 85C Bakery Cafe on Instagram: @85cbakerycafe

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/a-taste-of-85c-bakery-cafe

Sarah Koszyk is a Registered Dietitian & Sports Nutritionist based in San Francisco, specializing in sports nutrition, weight management, and digestive and skin health. In her private practice, she works with clients all over the world, which includes everyone from tech firm CEOs and employees to families and professional elite athletes. Sarah is also the co-founder and formulator of MIJA, a wellness superfood company. In this episode, we chat about how elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts can boost their performance through nutrition, brain health, how superfoods can help our skin, and more!

Learn more about Sarah at https://sarahkoszyk.com/ and MIJA at https://mijanaturals.com/ Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahkoszyk Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/sports-nutrition-with-sarah-koszyk

Episode Notes

In this episode, host Liren Baker chats with Vasanti Bhadkamkar-Balan of the blog Signature Concoctions. Originally from Pune, a major city in the western part of India, Vasanti is now based in the San Francisco Bay Area. By day, she works in business intelligence and analysis, while using her culinary school training in her work on Signature Concoctions as a cooking instructor, and now as a cookbook author. Her first book, Authentic Indian Cooking with your Instant Pot: Classic and Innovative Recipes for the Home Cook was released earlier this year. Vasanti shares all about her family and childhood in India, the inspiration behind her cookbook, and how her love of the Instant Pot came about!

Learn more about Vasanti at SignatureConcotions.com

Follow Vasanti on Instagram: @signatureconcoctions

Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/authentic-indian-cooking-with-your-instant-pot--with-vasanti-bhadkamkar-balan

Molly Chester and her filmmaker husband, John, left the urban jungle of LA to purchase and rehabilitate a neglected piece of land northwest of the city into a lush, biodynamic farm. They shared the inspiring process, along with the struggles and its success, in the award-winning documentary, The Biggest Little Farm. Apricot Lane Farms has since expanded to 234 thriving acres, where they continue to research, restore, educate, grow, and inspire. Molly recently published The Apricot Lane Farms Cookbook, which brings the farm's bounty to all of us! In this episode, we chat about how human gut health and soil health are interconnected, the importance of biodiversity on the farm, and how the farm comes to life in the cookbook.

Learn more about Apricot Lane Farms at https://www.apricotlanefarms.com/ Follow Apricot Lane Farms on Instagram: @apricotlanefarms Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/apricot-lane-farms-with-molly-chester

Episode Notes

Tara Bench is a veteran in the food publishing and magazine industry, and a trained chef. She has over 20 years of experience, with prominent roles as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Food Director at the Ladies’ Home Journal, and is also known for her site, Tara Teaspoon. She is celebrating the release of her new book, Delicious Gatherings: Recipes to Celebrate Together.

In this episode, Tara shares all about cooking with her mom growing up, her career as a food stylist and now book author and blogger, and the inspiration behind her new book.

Learn more about Tara at https://tarateaspoon.com

Follow Tara on Instagram: @tarateaspoon

Podcast show notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/delicious-gatherings-with-tara-bench

Episode Notes

Nancy Singleton Hachisu is a California native and Stanford alumnus who moved to Japan in 1988 to live in rural Saitama prefecture with her husband, a Japanese farmer. A James Beard Award-winning food writer, Nancy is the author of 4 cookbooks and frequently appears in Japanese print and television media. You may have seen her on Netflix’s Salt Fat Acid Heat. Nancy’s latest book, Japan: The Vegetarian Cookbook, is a follow-up to the global best seller, Japan: The Cookbook, and showcases the elegant simplicity of Japanese vegetarian dishes.

In this episode, Nancy and Liren discuss her newest cookbook, a sense of spirituality and connection with vegetables, the finer points of tempura, and more!

Learn more about Nancy at https://www.nancysingletonhachisu.com

Follow Nancy on Instagram: @nancyhachisu

Episode show notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/mindfulness-and-connection-with-japanese-vegetarian-food-with-nancy-singleton-hachisu Nancy's Quick Pickled Napa Cabbage: https://kitchenconfidante.com/quick-pickled-napa-cabbage

Episode Notes

Since 2012, Nicole Cardone and Deborah Gorman have been on a mission to give sorbet the respect it deserves. As the cofounders of SorBabes, they’re out to revolutionize the way we think of sorbet with their bold flavors and creamy sorbet bars! In this episode, Nicole and Deborah share what makes SorBabes such a unique frozen treat, the inspiration behind their flavors, and their wisdom for women entrepreneurs.

Learn more about SorBabes at https://www.sorbabes.com

Follow SorBabes on Instagram: @sorbabes

Podcast show notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/redefining-sorbet-with-sorbabes-founders-nicole-cardone-and-deborah-gorman