Steve Dolinsky's Audio Podcast

Chicago's kosher chef, Laura Frankel, creates elaborate meals at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies in Chicago, but she's also written a new cookbook, "Jewish Slow Cooker Recipes."  We talked about an upcoming Hannukah cooking class she's leading, as well as the art of slow cooking.

Taking the day off... have a great Turkey Day.

After 37 years on West Belmont, Gene's Sausage Shop has opened its second location, this time in Lincoln Square, in the legendary former Meyer Delicatessen space.  I spoke with Yolanda Luszcz, whose family has spent the past two years overhauling the space to turn it into a true European grocery store - complete with dozens of homemade sausages and other beef and pork-related products.  More info at www.genessausage.com

The third annual Pinot Days comes to Chicago this weekend, with wine dinners, private seminars and a grand tasting event at Navy Pier on Saturday, November 14th, from 1 - 5 p.m.  I spoke with Co-Founder Lisa Rigisich at Bin Wine Cafe about the annual taste-a-thon.  More info on tickets and events at www.pinotdays.com

The sophomore follow-up to their popular "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day," authors Jeff Hertzberg, M.D. and Zoë François stopped through Chicago on their book tour to talk with me about their latest project.  This book has a lot of great information for gluten free bakers, by the way.  More information about the book at www.healthybreadinfive.com

It's not everyday a chef gets to go to New York City to cook at the legendary James Beard House, but two Chicago chefs are about to head East for a big dinner next week.  Chefs Rodelio Aglibot of Sunda, and his colleague, James Gottwald of Rockit Ranch Productions (and Exec. Chef of Rockit Bar & Grill) will be cooking at the Beard House on Nov. 6.  I spoke with them this week to find out what kind of prep is involved for such a dinner.

Fans of Urban Belly rejoice: Belly Shack just opened this week beneath the Blue Line stop at Western Ave. in Chicago.  The concept is Asian/Latin sandwiches, along with some creative soft serve.  I spoke with owner Bill Kim just two hours after he opened the doors, to talk about this new concept. More info at the Belly Shack website.

Three years ago last week, the great gastronome and New York Times writer/editor R.W. "Johnny" Apple Jr. passed away. The man was the last of a rare breed; pure old school journalist and boy, could he eat. Every year around this time, I replay one of the highlights of my career: having lunch at Topolobampo with the legend then interviewing him about his latest book about eating and lodging in North America.

For the second year in a row, Chicago pastry chef and instructor Mark Seaman is planning an International Pastry Tour through France, May 10-20, 2010.  If you have an insatiable appetite for macarons, chocolat and butter, this is the tour for you.  More information at www.markedfordessert.com

The city's 2nd annual food and wine extravaganza was a huge hit this year. Cooking demos, tastings and schmoozing with Chicago culinary elite made for a delicious weekend in Millennium Park. I spoke with chef Mario Santiago (May St. Cafe) about his participation, and the reaction from chefs at the event this year.

On October 4th, Chicago's Bin 36 is holding its annual "Harvest Fest," which gives people the chance to custom-blend and create their own wines (which will be professionally bottled in California).  I spoke with co-owner Dan Sachs about how it works.  For more information about the event, go to www.bin36.com

Seedling has become one of the biggest names on the local fruit scene in Chicago the past few years.  Owner Peter Klein is a Chicagoan who bought the orchard in South Haven, Michigan, and now has stands at just about every farmer's market, as well as a prominent place on many local menus.  This time of year - and with Rosh Hashana just two days away - his apple cider is especially relevant.  I spoke with Klein at the Lincoln Square Farmer's Market earlier this week.

Saint's Alp Teahouse is a Hong Kong-based fast food concept that has now been in Chicago's Chinatown for a couple of years.  They continue to attempt to try out Hong Kong-style snacks and bubble teas on an increasingly adventuresome clientele.  They have locations all over Asia, and now in America, just one in New York City and one in Chicago.

Finding really authentic Jamaican jerk chicken in Chicago isn't easy.  Some people swear by Daddy O's Jerk on the South Side, but for my money, I'll head to one of the four (soon to be five) Uncle Joe's Jerk restaurants on the South Side.  Owner Joe Niesh and his wife have somehow captured the flavors I recall from eating the tongue-searing jerk on Boston Beach in Jamaica, and they've even started bottling their homemade jerk sauce!  Check them out at www.unclejoesjerk.com

Vijay Puniani was tired of the Americanized Indian food on Devon Avenue in Chicago, and he realized there was a demand for tasty Indian but in a more fast-casual environment.  Inspired by Chipotle, he has created Chutney Joe's, the Indian answer to fast food, which he's hoping to open up around the country. www.chutneyjoes.com

Jamaican Independence Day is coming up (Aug. 6) and in honor of that special day, a tribute to a very special dish: Jamaican Jerk. This indigenous rub of thyme, garlic, Scotch bonnet peppers and scallions is also part of a unique style of cooking - over the branches of the allspice tree. I was in Boston, Jamaica recently - home of jerk cooking - to see how they make the real thing. Incidentally, if you're looking for good jerk in Chicago, head to Uncle Joe's on the South Side. http://unclejoesjerk.com/

This is prime season for The Chef's Garden. The Huron, OH-based farm is the go-to source for high-end chefs from all over the country, especially if they want baby, micro or petite versions of their herbs and vegetables. (I just saw a boatload of them at Terzo Piano, inside the new Modern addition at the Art Institute of Chicago). I spent some time at the farm recently, and was just blown away with their devotion to teaching all of us about the various stages of veggies and herbs. www.chefs-garden.com

With the 4th of July upon us, most folks will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers this weekend.  I have the just the story to get you into the mood: the best hot dog story ever produced on Chicago Public Radio.  This piece garnered a James Beard Award several years ago, as well as a Peter Lisagor Award.  It was masterfully produced by my former partner-in-crime, Justin Kaufmann - a mixing genius.  Enjoy, and don't forget: no ketchup!

The Trump International Hotel and Tower opens its drop-dead gorgeous Terrace tonight, and we had a little preview last night. With commanding views to the North, East and South, including a killer view of the Chicago River and Lake, it is without peer in Chicago. I spoke with the Trump's Food & Beverage Director about the new Terrace, and what they'll be serving out there.  More information at: www.trumpchicagohotel.com

In memory of my big brother, who passed away suddenly two weeks ago, I wanted to keep a part of him on my podcast site forever. This is one of his favorite pieces, the "Mars" movement from Holst's "Planets" suite. It's 100% Neil: intense, astronomy-related, brass-heavy and of course, in a minor key.

Bruce Kraig is a Chicago Culinary Historian, Kendall College Instructor and writer, but he's also a hot dog aficionado. He has just written "Hot Dog - A Global History," which answers just about every question you've ever had regarding the beloved red hot. I spoke with him this week in Chicago about our fascination with the frankfurter.

Chicago chef Takashi Yagihashi not only has a noodle kiosk in Macy's and a namesake restaurant in Bucktown, but a new book out as well. We spoke over a bowl of ramen about the inspiration for it.

This was a very brief interview with Mark Bitterman, owner of The Meadow in Portland, OR - www.atthemeadow.com - he's a salt expert who was attending the Food Writer's Symposium at the Greenbrier this year. He is the master of all things saline. French? Lava? Murray River? Mark is the man to ask.

I was one of the speakers at this year's Food Writer's Symposium at the historic Greenbrier Resort in W. Virginia. At one of my presentations, I demonstrated how to upload a podcast, and so I had someone take this picture, then I walked over to interview the Symposium's Founder, Toni Allegra, to talk more about why this event has become so important to food writers over the past 19 years. For more information about the 2010 conference, go to www.greenbrier.com

If I were a New York-based food reporter, this podcast would be a half-hour or more, since the 2009 Beard Awards featured mostly NYC restaurants. But Chicago (despite 17 nominations) only had two winners, (Cookbook From a Professional Point of View and Restaurant Design) plus another one by a chef who spent a lot of time in the city and still has an apartment here. Here are my three interviews with the Chicago winners.  More info: www.jamesbeard.org

Former Chicagoan Eric Partaker couldn't find any good Mexican fast food in London, so he reached back to his memories from home, creating a new concept akin to a Chipotle in two London locations. I spoke with him over a pulled pork burrito at his Islington store.

With four locations in London, Ottolenghi is more than a food store. It is a celebration of the freshest, seasonal ingredients, with a strong nod toward the owners' Middle Eastern roots. I was completely blown away with the display on offer at their Islington shop, and spoke with co-owner Yotam Ottolenghi about he and his partner Sami's committment to their craft. More info at: www.ottolenghi.co.uk

Paula Haney is a double Hoosier: she is not only from Indiana, she went to Indiana University. Her love of all things sweet has led her from a previous job as a four-star pastry chef, to the owner - with her husband - of a fantastic little pie shop in Ukrainian Village, called Hoosier Mama Pie Co. As the weather begins to turn warmer, she's getting psyched for all of the pie possibilities. www.hoosiermamapie.com

I'm in Australia this week, where they're in the middle of the wine harvest. My base has been Geelong, a city about an hour-and-a-half from Melbourne, and just outside of town is the Lethbridge Winery, an organic, bio-dynamic winery where they grow not only the popular shiraz, but also incredible pinot noir and even riesling. I spoke with winemaker Ray Nadeson about his unique winemaking style, and the terroir in this part of Victoria. www.lethbridgewines.com.au

The Hungarian Kosher Supermarket in Skokie is one of the best sources for all things Passover related in the Midwest. Since the holiday is coming up next week, this is the perfect time to hit the aisles. This report originally aired on P.R.I.'s "The World"

Las Vegas has been hit hard by the current economic downturn, but the city is still plowing ahead with its annual "Vegas Uncorked" event May 7-10. Four of the best hotel properties are collaborating on a spectacular food and wine weekend. I spoke with chef Paul Bartolotta, of Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare at the Wynn Las Vegas, about this big event. More information at www.vegasuncorked.com

The March issue of Health Magazine lists the top 10 healthy fast food chains around the country, and surprisingly, Jason's Deli came in a number two. This Texas-based chain has about 200 locations around the country, and has eliminated trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup (mostly) and spends a lot of extra money on stocking its all-you-can-eat salad bar with organic produce. I spoke with company co-owner Rusty Coco about this new wave of healthy fast food.

Common Threads - a local non-profit dedicated to teaching inner-city kids about ethnic foods and cooking - was started by chef Art Smith several years ago, and the annual fundraiser, called the World Festival, has slowly attracted a major who's who of the culinary world over the past few years. This year's event, March 23rd at the MCA, brings together more than 40 chefs from all over the country. I spoke with Linda Novick O'Keefe, the Exec. Dir. of Common Threads, as well as Bill Kim, chef-owner of Urban Belly, one of this year's participants. For ticket information, go to www.commonthreads.org.

If you're one of those gastronomes who laughs in the face of superstition, then the folks at Blue 13 have just the ticket this Friday the 13th. They're holding a "Seven Deadly Sins" dinner, with each course inspired by one of the sins (greed, sloth, envy, etc.). The $77 dinner starts at 7 p.m. I talked with chef Chris Curren in his kitchen about the meal, as well as the restaurant's recent move to institute Sunday Night Family Meals, a trend that is picking up steam in Chicago. By the way, if you can tell me the name of the artist and the title of the song at the end of the interview, I'll send you a $25 dinner gift card from Brazzaz. Send your answers to me at: steve@stevedolinsky.com. Good luck!

The Sanabel Bakery (no relation to the island in Florida) has just opened in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood. Run by Pierre Mounsef, who used to operate a popular Lebanese restaurant down the street, he now spends his days shoulder-deep in flour, sugar and yeast, cranking out tens of thousands of pita loaves everyday. I spoke with his son, Ellie, about the growing demand for local, homemade pita.

Cameron Hughes isn't a household name - yet - but his wines are remarkable, because he doesn't even own a winery. He's one of the few people buying wine on the bulk market, and then branding his own namesake label. His latest effort: The Flying Winemaker. Currently, his wines are available at Binny's Beverage Depot and a number of Costcos around the country. I spoke with him from the Costco in Lincoln Park, among bottles of reasonably-priced wines from all over the world.

Linda Long is not a food writer, but an accomplished food photographer as well. In her new book, "Great Chefs Cook Vegan," she talks with some of the greatest chefs in the U.S., and gets them to come up with dynamic, delicious (and from a few, rather complicated) vegan dishes that would have previously been unthinkable. This book really proves that vegan cooking is a cuisine in its own right, and has finally been elevated to rock star status and high acclaim among the nation's culinary elite. I spoke with her on her recent tour through Chicago.

Everyone jumps on the chocolate bandwagon this time of year, in anticipation of Valentine's Day. But at Eno - a chocolate/cheese/wine lounge inside the Hotel Intercontinental on Michigan Avenue - the staff is pumped up about chocolate yearround. I spoke with Shara Bauer, the Chocolate Buyer and Wine Manager at Eno, about some interesting chocolates, as well as some great wines that pair with them this Valentine's Day.  Incidentally, Shara will lead a chocolate-wine pairing class at 6 p.m. on Feb. 9 at Eno.

In a city thirsty for more small craft brewers, Metropolitan Brewing Company has just started producing and selling its two lagers to Chicago-area pubs and restaurants. The only brewer in the city - besides Goose Island - is the dream of owners Doug and Tracy Hurst. Incidentally, their Ravenswood brewery is also the site of a current play by the Neo-Futurists, called "Beer." It plays inside the brewery every Thurs., Fri. and Sat. through March 7th. Call 773-275-5255 more more info.  For more info on the brewery: www.metrobrewing.com

Ever been curious to learn how they put together the mind-bending array of dishes at world-class restaurants such as Alinea or The French Laundry? NYC-based "A Razor, A Shiny Knife" is a collective of artists and culinary enthusiasts, and they're in Chicago this week, recreating - to the best of their knowledge and advance work - a blowout anniversary meal at Alinea from last month. Michael Cirino spoke with me about his organization, and how they intend to recruit like-minded foodies from Chicago to help them with this endeavor.

With Chinese New Year almost here (Jan. 26), several foods take on special significance: oranges, dried oysters and noodles. Signifying long life, these culinary staples are rarely made from scratch, but at Yu's Mandarin, in Schaumburg, IL, they make hundreds of pounds of noodles everyday. I spoke with Xuan Hong, the restaurant's owner, about why they make them everyday.

Ever dreamed of learning about French pastries from the people who actually made it world-famous? Chicago pastry chef Mark Seaman (Marked For Dessert) is leading a 10-day tour of Paris and Lyon in April, taking less than a dozen aficionados to see and learn first-hand from the best pastry people in the world. There are still a few spots left...

Have a healthy, safe and delicious New Year! Here's a little something to cook by...

Stuck at home over the holiday break with kids? The Kid's Table has the answer: pint-sized cooking classes for 4 - 10 year olds. They also have a bunch of great gifts for the future chef in your life. I spoke with Elena Marre, the founder of the business, about what's coming up in late December.  For more info: www.kids-table.com

Andrew Zimmern has become a fixture on the Travel Channel; his show, "Bizarre Foods" is captivating not only because he puts strange things into his mouth (and swallows them, incidentally) but also, because he's a master at introducing us to new cultures through the natives' mouths. Andrew recently stopped in Chicago, where we went out to Veerasway to nosh on some very good Indian food. I spoke with him about how he got his job, and how the show is produced. For more info about Andrew, go to www.andrewzimmern.com

Holiday season means plenty of baking, and nearly every sweet recipe calls for vanilla. The Nielsen-Massey Company - based in Waukegan, about an hour North of Chicago - is one of the world's leading vanilla processors. As they celebrate the centennial of the company's founding, they have just released a new cookbook, entitled "A Century of Flavor." I spoke with Craig Nielsen, the third generation and C.E.O. about where vanilla comes from, how its processed and how to use it in both sweet and savory recipes.

Mixology Master Dale DeGroff's new book, "The Essential Cocktail - The Art of Mixing Perfect Drinks" has just hit bookstore shelves, and it's an instant classic. DeGroff has spawned numerous mixologists around the country, including Steven Olsen, Julie Reiner and Tobey Maloney. I caught up with him at a book release party inside The Violet Hour, Chicago's true temple of cocktail culture.

As we prepare to fill our bellies yet again, on this Thanksgiving Day, my kids and I reflect on some of the culinary things and places we are thankful for.

The harvest in California's Central Coast just wrapped up, and Denise Shurtleff is feeling a sense of relief. As Winemaker for Cambria, she oversees chardonnay, pinot noir and some viognier production. In Chicago this week for the big Pinot event and the Food & Wine Showcase, we tasted some '05 and '06 Cambria wines over a few crabs at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab.

On a routine business trip out of town recently, I met Barry Levenson, the Founder/Creator/President of the Mt. Horeb Mustard Museum, in bucolic Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin. Barry has more than 5,000 different kinds of mustard on hand - plenty for sale too. He spoke with me about the birth of this unique endeavor. Incidentally, you can check out much more at www.mustardmuseum.com

If you're going to eat in Las Vegas, forget Zagat, Citysearch and Yelp. Instead, go check out www.eatinglv.com, the site run by local food critic/bon vivant John Curtas. The man makes me look downright lazy, with all of his noshing and blogging. John makes it a point to eat off the Strip as much as on it, and his reports air weekly on the local CBS affiliate as well as on the NPR station in town. He picked me up at the airport this week, and took me to a great little Thai place many foodies rave about, Lotus of Siam.

We're shifting into holiday baking mode over the next few weeks, and what better way to kick it off, then with some basic baking tips. Cindy Mushet is the author of the comprehensive new book, "The Art & Soul of Baking." She stopped in Chicago this week to talk about the book, and some basic tips for novice bakers this holiday season.

Bon Appetit Magazine just released a new cookbook, entitled "Fast Easy Fresh." It contains more than 1,100 simple recipes for everyday eating. I spoke with Editor-in-Chief Barbara Fairchild on her recent stop in Chicago, who talked about the process of putting this book together.

The 2nd Annual "Porkapalooza" took place recently in Fennville, Michigan. This local celebration benefits the Saugatuck Dunes Project, and celebrates all things local. I spoke with the "Beervangelist" from New Holland Brewing about it, as well as chef Matthew Millar, the owner of The Journeyman and Rye restaurants in Fennville, about the day's activities, and how you roast a pig in a pit.  More info at www.savegaseatpork.com

Farm-fresh produce comes to Downtown Chicago. The City's Dept. of Cultural Affairs has recently set up a downtown farmstand, featuring products produced or grown within 250 miles of Chicago, that will be open several days a week. I spoke with Judith Hines, from the City of Chicago, to talk about this new farmstand and what it means for locals and tourists.  More information about the farmstand is available here

Bridget Albert comes from a long line of bartenders, and the Beverage/Mixologist for Southern Wine & Spirits has a new book out, "Market Fresh Mixology," which extolls the virtues of real cocktails. I sat down with her (over a drink, of course) at the Chi Bar in the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago, to talk about her latest project.

For more than 140 years, Julius Meinl has stood for high-quality coffee and tea, yet the brand was limited to Central Europe. The company has recently expanded with two stores in Chicago, but on a recent trip to Vienna, I met up with the company's third and fourth generation owners, who showed me how the brand is viewed in their home country. From an elegant dinner in the flagship store in Vienna, to a tour of the coffee plant and a private jam tasting, this company does much more than just teach baristas to crank out espresso.  More information about Meinl available at www.meinl.com

Hart Davis Hart is one of the most prestigious wine auction houses in the country. This weekend in Chicago, they'll be holding their largest auction ever, selling off one person's collection, expected to fetch $7-10 million dollars. I spoke with Paul Hart about the auction, and he gave me a little preview of what to expect.  Incidentally, that large Imperial (6 liter) bottle of '98 Lafite-Rothschild in the picture, is expected to fetch between $4500 and $6500.

One of my favorite grape varietals for the past year or so has been gruner veltliner from Austria. I was just in Vienna last week, and had a chance to drive out to the countryside, to meet Michael Martin, owner and winemaker at Martinshof Wines. We talked about the challenges of growing this sought-after grape, and how he's trying to get it sold in America.  More information available at www.martinshof.at

The latest cupcake boutique to open in Chicago is called More. Located in the Gold Coast (1 E. Delaware), they don't open to the public until September 12, but I was able to sneak in for a press preview. They offer both sweet and savory flavors, all designed by Gale Gand, one of the country's top pastry chefs. I spoke with owner Patty Rothman about some of the inspiration behind the new treats.  More information available at www.morecupcakes.com

Bob Schwartz has worked for the Vienna Beef Company for decades. He's compiled some of the best stories about the birth of Chicago's beloved hot dog, including backstories on just about every notable joint in the city. I talked to him over a dog (with everything) at the legendary Max's in Chicago's Loop.

Chicago's Parthenon celebrates its 40th anniversary this year with the release of a new cookbook. The birthplace of flaming saganaki ("opaa!") and spit-fired gyros has plenty to be proud of. I spoke with author Camille Stagg at the legendary Greektown restaurant about local Greek history and some of the classic recipes. If you're in Chicago this weekend, be sure to check out the Greek Festival going on all weekend, up and down Halsted St. in Greektown.

A wave of churrascos - Brazilian-style beef emporiums - has swept the U.S. In Chicago alone, there is Fogo de Chao, Brazazz and Texas de Brazil, with another - Zed 451 - offering a more American approach. We visit the original, Fogo de Chao, to see what it's all about.

Jamaican Independence Day is this week (Aug. 6) and to celebrate, locals tend to feast on their national dish - not Jerk chicken or pork mind you, but rather, ackee & saltfish. A recent trip to the island nation showed me how this unique combination comes together.

Hi folks. After publishing podcasts for nearly a year straight, I'm taking today off. But I wanted to share a picture from a recent Persian feast my friend cooked up for us. These cucumber-yogurt-almond salads were tremendous. Enjoy!

I just spent 48 hours hitting 10 restaurants in the nation's capital. I'll break down each one, and tell you about some of the highlights, all in less than 10 minutes. You may need to bring some Pepto or a Tums, depending on the relative strength of your stomach.

Oak Park, IL - home to icons Ernest Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright, is now also home to a greatly expanded Marion Street Cheese Market. Owner Eric Larson gave me a walk-through on the eve of the highly-anticipated opening.

This one-of-a-kind farm grows specialty produce for some of the finest restaurants in the country. They're holding their annual fundraiser, a Food & Wine Celebration, at their farm in Milan, OH (about an hour from Cleveland) on July 19th. I visited the farm recently, and filed this report. For more info on the event: http://veggieu.org/assets/misc/fwc2008.htm

Tony and Cathy Mantuano are the forces behind the 4-star Spiaggia in Chicago, but they just released a new book, "Wine Bar Food," which focuses on their love of small plates paired expertly with Mediterranean wines. One of the big (and pleasant) surprises in this book is the fact they didn't just stick to their comfort zone of Italy. They also branched out to Greece and Spain, and added some really tasty recipes.

Katie Das had a simple dream: to make the best caramels. She and her husband now produce an assortment of delicious caramels from their tiny business near the Illinois-Wisconsin border, which are gaining distribution - including Whole Foods. I visited the plant recently to taste for myself.

This year, two of the magazine's "10 Best New Chefs" are from Chicago. I spoke with both of them at a fabulous reception at the Aspen Highlands, as well as with Editor-in-Chief, Dana Cowin, about the burgeoning food scene in Chicago.

The authors of "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" swept through Chicago recently, to tell me how to make delicious, homemade bread without the fuss. The authors spent years developing a fool-proof method that allows the home cook to keep plenty of dough on hand for last-minute baking. All you need are three tools: a bread stone, an oven thermometer, and, well, you better just listen...

In honor of this weekend's James Beard Awards, where excellence is honored, I salute one of my gastronomical heroes - the late R.W. "Johnny" Apple, Jr. - former New York Times reporter/editor and globe-trotting gourmand. Shortly before his death, he came to Chicago to promote his final book, "Apple's America," and we sat down to an incredible lunch at Topolobampo. I interviewed him right after our meal.

John T. Edge, Founder of the SFA, talks about a Memorial Day weekend eating/drinking tour of Chicago's South and West Sides, including a visit with legendary Soul Food Queen Edna Stewart, pictured, at her eponymous restaurant.

Sushisamba Rio in Chicago is featuring all things Brazilian until May 21st. I spoke with Valter Jarocki Jr., a Brazilian restaurateur who is in Chicago this week, promoting and cooking Brazilian dishes with a modern flair.

The Lanesborough Hotel in London recently won the coveted "Best Afternoon Tea Service in the U.K." from the U.K. Tea Guild's Tea Society. I spoke with their Tea Sommelier, Karl Kessab, about what makes tea service so special. As you can see from the assortment of tea sandwiches, sweets and other goodies, this is no ordinary high tea. The hotel is conveniently located across the street from Hyde Park, perfect for an afternoon respite. The selection of teas here is incomparable, and even if you only have an hour or two, it's worth it just to have a drink in the hotel's classic bar or a cup of tea in the light-filled dining room.

Restaurant Magazine in the U.K. just released it's annual "50 Best Restaurants in the World" last week in London. I spoke with Alinea (#21) Chef Grant Achatz about the award. The young chef recently overcame a battle with tongue cancer, and is also nominted by the James Beard Foundation this year for Best Chef in the U.S.

Think you know where they make the best prosciutto in the world? How about Grana Padano cheese? I travel to San Daniele for world-class prosciutto, and then to the Lombardy region for some amazing Grana Padano. The production process for both items is amazing: both utilize Old World technique combined with modern technology. This Geo Quiz originally aired on P.R.I.'s "The World"

Interview with Chef Jose Andres, owner of D.C.-area restaurants Oyamel, Jaleo, Zaytinya and Minibar. His PBS show, "Made in Spain" is currently airing all over the U.S., and he is one of five nominees for best chef in the country by the James Beard Foundation.

I talk with Judy Bart Kancigor, author of "Cooking Jewish," a new cookbook with an extensive chapter on Passover.

Interview with Tom Sietsema, Food Critic for The Washington Post, shortly after dining with him at IndeBleu in D.C. recently, about how he does his job.

Interview with Jose Garces, the Executive Chef at Mercat a la Planxa, the new contemporary Spanish restaurant in Chicago.

We travel to Boston Beach, Jamaica, birthplace of "jerk" cooking, which relies heavily on allspice from the native pimento tree.

With Passover approaching, we visit an all-kosher market just North of Chicago where the options have expanded greatly over the past few years.

We travel to Vancouver, BC to learn more about the Izakaya (Japanese pub) trend. This "Geo Quiz" originally aired on P.R.I.'s "The World."

Author and Greek food expert Susanna Hoffmann talks about her book, "The Olive And The Caper" over a meal of mezze, lamb and cheese in Chicago's Greektown.

We visit a one-of-a-kind farm near Delray Beach, Florida, where some of the world's most exotic fruits are grown and then consumed in a nearby hotel.

I continue my monthly series, discovering four regional differences of a single country - in this case, India - all within the city of Chicago.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we meet a real-life Willy Wonka. New York Pastry Chef Jacques Torres has a way with sweets. We visited his namesake chocolate shop in New York City to see how he makes chocolate from cacao beans he buys from all over the world.

Sure, a lot of people will be ordering pizza for Super Sunday, but where does this tradition come from?  Chicago certainly has its own share of pizza history, as I discovered recently.

Report on how Chicago-based Intelligentsia Coffee travels around the world to find the best beans and pays farmers top dollar to get them.

I continue my monthly series on discovering four unique regions of a country's cuisine, all within Chicago.

I take 10 year-old Madeline and seven year-old Max on a hunt for good Vietnamese food along Arglye Street in Chicago.  We stopped at Pho 777.

It's fast food chicken with a cult following in Guatemala and El Salvador, and they've now opened their first location in Chicago.  Look out, Colonel Sanders.

Report on Saint's Alp Teahouse, a Hong Kong-based chain that has stores in New York, and is now opening it's first Midwest location in Chicago.

Craving a thick, juicy burger?  We talked with a couple of chefs who devote the same resources to their burgers as the other high-end items on their menus.

Report from Dearborn, Michigan, on how falafel is really more representative of the true Christmas meal than turkey or ham.

Report on how you can find authentic dishes from four distinctive Mexican regions all within Chicago's city limits.

Interview with Suvir Suran, Chef-Owner of Devi in New York City, about his latest book, "American Masala"

Interview with the Founder of Choctal Single Origin Ice Cream, a new product slowly becoming available all over the U.S.

What is a true Brazilian churrasco? We talk with the owners of Fogo de Chao, a growing chain in the U.S., about the tradition and the procedure for eating like a native.

Food report on four different African cuisines all located within Chicago.

What is Korean BBQ and how do you eat it? I dig into kalbi and panchan with Monica Eng, Food Writer at the Chicago Tribune, and self-professed Korean BBQ aficionado.

Interview with Calvin Trillin - New Yorker writer and food journalist - about the release of his book, "Feeding A Yen: Savoring Local Specialties From Kansas City to Cuzco." Originally aired on Public Radio International's "The World"

Food Report on how Indian festival of Diwali is celebrated since popular U.K.-based chain Ambala Sweets opened its first North American store in Chicago.

Report on various South American countries and their cuisines, all located within Chicago.

Interview with Alice Waters, Chef/Founder of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA, about her latest cookbook, "The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons and Recipes From a Delicious Revolution"

Here is a sampling of "The Hungry Hound Radio Show" which aired on WCKG-FM (105.9) in 2007

Food report on heirloom apples from a farm in Marengo, IL; also, how they're used at the Four Seasons-Chicago. Originally aired on WBEZ-FM (Chicago Public Radio).

Interview with Saveur Magazine Editor-in-Chief, James Oseland, about the October, 2007 issue, which is completely devoted to Chicago.

Fishing for salmon in Vancouver, BC, then eating it at a local restaurant.

Continuing series on exploring the regional varieties of food within one country. Four regions of Spain are uncovered, all within Chicago.

Interview and sound with Chicago chefs Rick Bayless and Freddie Sanchez about two of the classic dishes served on Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 15).

Report on honey apiary on Chicago's West Side that is showing up in local markets and restaurants.

Is there such a thing as a Canadian Cuisine? Food report on the indigenous eating options to our North.

Food report on The Chef's Garden, a one-of-a-kind farm in Huron, OH - about an hour from Cleveland - where micro, baby, petite and ultra-sized fruits and vegetables are grown. Top chefs from all over the country dictate what types of produce are to be grown here.

The quintessential report on the origins, lore and customs of the one-and-only Chicago hot dog. Originally aired on WBEZ's "848" program.

Report on the history and status of the Italian Beef Sandwich - a Chicago culinary icon. Originally aired on WBEZ-FM (Chicago Public Radio).

Food report on Jamaica's national dish: ackee & saltfish, in honor of 40th Anniversary of Jamaica's Independence. Originallly aired on Public Radio International's "The World"