Showing results by narrator "Jim Coleman" in All Categories

Most cooks can't wait for those first signs of spring: fresh asparagus, local greens, and the scents of the first blooms. Let's celebrate them all - starting with ramps, the wild leek that inspires festivals around the south. A brewer describes the beauty of hop blooms. We'll also take a look at an unusual, but fragrant, approach to dining. Later, New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman believes a healthier you can mean a healthier planet.

What dishes HAVE to be on the holiday table? There are some flavors that are so much a part of our holiday spirit they have come to define us. For playwright Eduardo Machado, it's Cuban Roast Pork. For Michelle Bernstein it's a family chicken soup recipe...from Argentina. We'll also discover some slightly unusual holiday beer traditions. And for some, it isn't the holidays without uncorking champagne.

Everyone loves second helpings, so join us for an encore presentation....Some call it the difference between Venice and Mars. For one married man, it's all about sex, love, and dirty dishes. On the next Chef's Table, we're having some fun with the battle of the sexes. Judith Jones weighs in on men in the kitchen. Plus, where would the martini be without it? We'll hear about the history of the toothpick.

It's almost Halloween, so let's go into the dark side of food. We'll discover common frauds from the past, plus some concerns for today. The creator of the Spiderwick Chronicles talks about her latest venture into the world of fairies. And what's Halloween without a murder mystery? We've got one plotted in a vineyard!

Sugar plays a starring role on Valentine's Day, but it's also a big part of our every day lives. We'll discover how we developed our famous sweet tooth.

Let's listen to a few blasts from the past. On today's show we'll revisit some favorite interviews. Remember Molto Mario when he had just one little restaurant in Greenwich Village? We'll hear some early Rachel Ray, plus chat with Jeramiah Tower and Rozanne Gold. Also, recalling a trip to Italy. And Annemarie Colbin begins our ten year love affair with food and aphrodisiacs.

Time can be a great ingredient. On today's show, we talk about aging...from wine and cheeses to sausages and even father-son relationships. We'll also talk with Delilah Winder about soul food, a cuisine that has been handed down from generation to generation. Her Mac and Cheese recipe was deemed "The Best" by Oprah. Nora Ephron discusses women, age, and necks. A father and son reconcile over bialys in a new memoir. Plus, Graham Kerr's healthy life on the road and more.

No matter how you slice 'em, it's the time of year to enjoy apples! On today's show, we take a bite out of fall and get an in-depth look at the art of eating an apple. And if you want to get the most of out of your grill before the winter hits, try breakfast. Then we take a look at a museum exhibit and the history of Chinese restaurants. Susannah Foo stops by to talk about her Eastern/Western fusion, Corrine Trang gives us tips on rice and we cook with ginseng: it's not just for tea.

From special events to simple pleasures, today's show takes us to unique places, and finds us unusual products and things to do. We'll discover the secrets of planning a wedding from a professional who's helped over 100 couples walk down the aisle in style. Then we'll fly to Barbados and talk to two chefs about flying fish and coo coo. We'll find out about a special raisin only available in the fall and look for heirloom chocolate deep in the Amazon.

It's hard to believe that it has been nearly a year since Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the coasts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. On today's show, we'll see how the region is faring. The reviews have been mixed: some will say they are well on the road to normalcy; others indicate help has been sorely lacking.

Summer pastimes.... why is it that simple pleasures are the best this time of year? Maybe it's the childhood memories of camp, or a country visit to Grandma and Grandpa. We talk to a champion Cherry Pit Spitter and have a little competition of our own. Then, make a perfect pie crust and a frosty glass of tea. Our guests include John T. Edge waxing poetic about donuts and Priscilla Martel getting nutty over nuts. Later, we discover what food choices can reveal about our dates.

Oscar Night! All the fun, glamour, and glitz of the silver screen. Plus, movie menus and entertaining without the fuss. Join Chef Jim Coleman with our tribute to the Academy Awards. A film historian gives us some insights on food in the silent film era, and we take a listen to our favorite food flicks. And, if you are preparing an Oscar Night party, get some tips from Chef Interrupted, Melissa Clark's new book that helps home cooks create the star-chef recipes.

Do you get stressed out when you're hosting a holiday party and forget to enjoy your company? On this week's show get some tips and tricks for successful entertaining. Chef and restaurateur, Terrance Brennan, responsible for the resurgence of quality cheeses, tells us how to make a holiday cheeseplate for luxurious but simple entertaining. Michael Rechuitti reveals what chocolate women love most. And a comic strip writer brings his family Seven Fish celebration to life in print. Plus -a robotic pot!

TV cooking shows. What's your favorite? On today's show we'll take a look at the evolution of celebrity chefs and food on the tube. We'll talk to historian Kathleen Collins about early shows and what's happening on the screen today. Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio gives us a behind-the-scenes look at this successful reality cooking show. Marcus Samuelsson stops by to talk about a special Swedish custom this time of year - and you'll hear his reluctant singing debut!

The leaves are turning and there's a nip in the air. So, it's time to revamp those menus and bring some heartier fare and ingredients into the kitchen. We'll visit with the authors of the Canal House Cooking series. Later, some tips from our Registered Dietician for staying healthy during this flu season. And, something to bring the kid out in you - we'll hear from the author of the book that inspired the 3-D animated film, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs.

It's the beginning of the summer season and we're all thinking of places to visit. Here at Chef's Table our informal survey shows most people would choose a trip to Disney World over a trip to the moon. But, we thought we'd take a look at a few more destinations. First up, Southern Italy with Nancy Harmon Jenkins. Then onto the Arabian Peninsula, and later... Mauritius. Closer to home we talk about the Hamptons with the founder of it's unique paper, "Dan's Papers."

Today we're all about the upcoming celebration on the Fourth. It's all about patriotic ceremonies, fireworks, history, and of course the food. And, as a nation of many immigrants, we're lucky to have many food influences. Lidia Bastianich discusses her ten favorite places in Italy, plus her life as a native of Italy and her adopted America. Grilling expert David Joachim reveals how to master your grill.

The best time machine is food. On today's show we'll travel in time to the dining hot spot of 1773 - Philadelphia's City Tavern. We'll also discover a unique writing project that looks at regional foods of the 1930's. Later, meet a fictional turn-of-the-century Harvey Girl and an historian looks at the origins of soul food. Also, if you've got a mid-life crisis the answer might be to travel the globe. And, one man finds the answer to his love life in Ramen Noodles.

Got a lot of frequent flyer miles? Guess what, probably not as much as your food does! Today, the average meal travels thousands of miles to our table. On today's show we're talking transportation... from our food to our personal travels. We begin with shipping containers and our moveable feast. A couple talks about their year eating locally. Later we take a train ride in India. We'll also talk to a neuroscientist about the tricks of memory and Proust's famous madeleines.

No question beef is an iconic American food - from big burgers to thick, luscious steaks. How did we go from the cattle drive of the West to corn fed agribusiness, and now back again to the resurgence of grass fed? In her book, Raising Steaks, food writer Betty Fussel takes us through the history of American beef. Later, Jennifer McLagan helps us "chew the fat" about beef fat - and what she has to say will surprise you.