Episode 158: Vicky Bennison In this week’s episode, Vicky and I discuss: * Growing up for several years on a farm in Kenya, where her father was working in agricultural development, and how she formed a relationship with food at an early age; * Her nearly-decade-long project, Pasta Grannies, to document the time-honored techniques and recipes passed down through generations of nonnas, the Italian grandmothers; * The diversity of regional pasta and cooking styles around Italy, and the stories behind these recipes; * Her cookbooks, including her debut award-winning Pasta Grannies: The Official C ..read more

Episode 157: Noah Galuten In this week’s episode, Noah and I discuss: * His early interest in both food television (Lidia Bastianich, Ming Tsai) and cookbooks (Marcella Hazan, Edna Lewis), * How he fell into opening up new locations of Bludso’s BBQ and then teaming up with Kevin Bludso to co-author Bludso's BBQ Cookbook: A Family Affair in Smoke and Soul … and then with chef Jeremy Fox to write On Vegetables: Modern Recipes for the Home Kitchen, * The pandemic-inspired “Don’t Panic Pantry” video series, which went onto become the concept for his first solo cookbook, * And the chef’s favor ..read more

This week, Maren Ellingboe King joins us to #TalkCookbooks. But first… In today’s episode, Maren and I discuss: * How her upbringing in the Midwest influenced her decision to pursue a career in food. * Her work at food media outlets like Food & Wine and Sunset magazine as well as culinary events companies like Just Add Salt. * The inspiration behind her first cookbook, Fresh Midwest, including how a collection of family recipes compelled her to tackle the project. Plus, as always, we put Maren to the culinary test in our signature game. We ? local bookstores. Find your copy of Maren’s Fres ..read more

The Chat! In today’s episode, Danny Bowien and I discuss: * Growing up in Oklahoma after being adopted from his birthplace of South Korea, and a lingering nostalgia for Olive Garden. * His journey to becoming a chef, from an early job at a pizza shop to culinary school to winning the Genova Pesto World Championship. * The process of opening Mission Chinese Food and how he handled being catapulted to a new level of fame. * The inspiration behind his latest cookbook, Mission Vegan, and some of the ways his culinary repertoire has evolved in recent years. Plus, as always, we put Danny to the culi ..read more

Hi there! Our Spring 2023 season of the Salt + Spine podcast kicks off right here, right now, with a marvelous returning guest: the delightful Claire Saffitz. In today’s episode, Claire and I discuss: * How she’s worked to create dessert recipes that speak to everyone—from sweet to tart, simple to complex. * The impact of the pandemic on her creative process as she embarked on writing book No. 2, What’s for Dessert. * Which cookbook authors inspire Claire, and which books she turns to time and again—including community cookbooks! * Her advice to home bakers, based on years of creating recipes ..read more

Episode 153: Uliks Fehmiu Uliks Fehmiu is a co-founder of the beloved bakery Pain D’Avignon, which sprang up on Cape Cod over three decades ago. But the story of the bakery begins back in Uliks’ childhood and his early friendships in war-torn Belgrade. What Uliks calls an “improbable journey into baking” is shared, for the first time in this format, with his recent cookbook: The Pain d'Avignon Baking Book: A War, An Unlikely Bakery, and a Master Class in Bread. The book offers an in-person account of Uliks’ and his co-founders’ stories—brought to life with striking illustrations. Here’s more ..read more

Episode 152: Maya-Camille Broussard Maya-Camille is the creative force behind Justice of the Pies, her Chicago bakery that’s become known for inventive and unmatched flavors (Lemon Espresso Pie … Blue Cheese Praline Pear Pie … and so on). Much of Maya-Camille’s work traces back to her roots, with a significant influence from her father, the self-dubbed “Pie Master,” who worked as a criminal defense attorney by day. As with many family stories, Maya-Camille’s is complex and dotted with both adoration and strife. A strong sense of social activism and community building runs through her blood, th ..read more

Hi there, today we’re excited to release the fifth episode in our 2022 Baking Month. Thanks for your patience, as our team was under the weather! Today’s guest is Brian Noyes, whose latest cookbook is The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook. For all of December, we’ll be celebrating some of the year’s best baking books with a handful of author interviews, dozens of featured recipes, excerpts, and more. Read on! * Do you love Salt + Spine? We’d love if you shared this email with a friend who might want to #TalkCookbooks with us, too: Episode 151: Brian Noyes Next in our Baking Month series, Bri ..read more

Hi there, today we’re excited to release the fourth episode in our 2022 Baking Month. Today’s guest is Laurel Kratochvila, whose debut cookbook, New European Baking, is out now. For all of December, we’ll be celebrating some of the year’s best baking books with a handful of author interviews, dozens of featured recipes, excerpts, and more. Read on! * Do you love Salt + Spine? We’d love if you shared this email with a friend who might want to #TalkCookbooks with us, too: Episode 150: Laurel Kratochvila Next in our Baking Month series, Laurel Kratochvila joins us to #TalkCookbooks! Born in Bosto ..read more

Hi there, today we’re excited to release the third episode in our 2022 Baking Month. Today’s guest is Erin Jeanne McDowell, whose latest cookbook, Savory Baking, is out now. For all of December, we’ll be celebrating some of the year’s best baking books with a handful of author interviews, dozens of featured recipes, excerpts, and more. Read on! * Do you love Salt + Spine? We’d love if you shared this email with a friend who might want to #TalkCookbooks with us, too: Episode 149: Erin Jeanne McDowell Next in our Baking Month series, Erin Jeanne McDowell joins us to #TalkCookbooks! A Midwest nat ..read more