Dear Food

If food is your favorite thing to talk about, you've found the right show. Dear Food transports you to kitchens around the world, sharing stories behind the dishes that make us feel something deep in our souls. Whether you're a professional Chef, or just a professional Eater like Host Ashley Chaney, you are welcome here. So grab a plate, and let's dig in!

Trader Joe’s Customer Favorites! We tried them all and share our thoughts 01/29/2021

Mini Episode: Gadgets and Gizmos every Home Chef needs! 01/08/2021

Lucky foods to eat for the New Year, and other holiday traditions 12/25/2020

Alfred Coffee: An Insta-Famous Iconic LA Cafe 12/11/2020

Alfred Coffee: An Insta-Famous Iconic LA Cafe But first, coffee. That’s not just a cute Pinterest quote, it’s the trademarked tagline of this week’s guest, Josh Zad, who is the CEO and Founder of LA’s iconic Alfred Coffee. Josh is an architecture and design nerd, and he intentionally infused his eclectic personality into the creation of his coffee shops and tea rooms. You have most definitely seen pictures of people gleefully posing with their fancy drinks at one of his fabulously outfitted cafes. Hear how social media helped turn this coffee shop into a global tourist attraction. What’s in this episode: Is it Alfred, or Alfred’s? Josh spills the literal tea. How social media made this cafe a tourist destination How Instagram played into the design and creation of the cafe experience Yes, they really do own that phrase “But first, coffee” The Pink Drink - who made it first? We say it was Alfred. Can you guess the secret ingredient in the Pink Drink? The most popular drinks at Alfred Coffee and Tea What makes their Iced Vanilla Latte world-famous? Do you know what boba is? I just learned: it’s tapioca. Wait until you hear the celebrities that have visited Alfred coffee HINT: Presidents drink Alfred coffee The famous TV show that shot an episode at Alfred. It will make you want to Curb Your Enthusiasm … how’s that for a hint? Larry David wears silk socks. Josh shares the whole story. It’s classic. How does the owner of a famous coffee shop take his coffee? Why coffee is pandemic-proof And much more! Links from the show: : @alfred. : www.alfred.la @DearFoodPodcast Be on the Show Tell us your food stories! The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to PLEASE SUBSCRIBE to Dear Food on Apple Podcasts. It's totally free to subscribe, and it makes a huge difference for independent podcasters like me. Thank you, I love you. /episode/index/show/dearfood/id/17153237

Healthy Pancakes! Model/Actress, Molly Ritter, shares the recipes that keep her in shape 11/26/2020

Healthy Pancakes! Model/Actress, Molly Ritter, shares the recipes that keep her in shape Have you ever looked at a beautiful Model and thought, I wonder what she eats? Molly Ritter, is an *actual* Model and Actress, and she got so tired of being asked that very question, that she went ahead and created her own food blog. Lucky for us, because her recipes are fantastic and actually succeed at tasting delicious while still being healthy. She shares two of her favorite breakfast recipes with us, and gives us a little glimpse inside her daily life. What’s in this episode: How Molly became a food blogger How being an Actor and Model affects what Molly eats How Molly makes healthy food taste delicious She shares her collagen pancake recipe What goes into developing a healthy recipe Why Molly is not afraid of carbs What makes the *perfect* pancake This is controversial, but Molly swears by adding vegetables to her pancakes. It’s way better than you think, she explains. The spice that makes everything taste like donuts Another make-ahead breakfast you have to try this week: overnight oats Molly’s pumpkin overnight oats recipe is *Chef’s kiss* The signature cooking method she has dubbed “dump and pray” Pro tip for overnight oats - you can reuse a nut butter jar, and you don’t even have to clean it first! Molly’s mindset in the kitchen is actually great advice for life at large Molly’s famous uncle … kind of Links from the show: : @MollyRitter @Thymeforhoney : @DearFoodPodcast Recipes from the show: Pumpkin Maple Overnight Oatmeal recipe: Be on the Show Tell us your food stories! The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a friend! It makes a huge difference for independent podcasters like me. /episode/index/show/dearfood/id/16969274

Happy Diwali! Raj Rawal on how to celebrate with Indian food 11/16/2020

Happy Diwali! Raj Rawal on how to celebrate with Indian food Happy Diwali! Diwali is the five day Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus. Like most holidays, there are some celebration rituals that center around food. So naturally, I grabbed one of my good friends, who is both Indian AND a major foodie, for this special episode. Raj Rawal, a Content Lead for a major food publisher, joins us this week to walk us through the dishes we should be ordering when we go to Indian restaurants. What’s in this episode: The best place to get Indian food in the world (hint, it’s not India) What Diwali is, and how it is celebrated What foods are central to Diwali The street foods of Mumbai that you should order whenever you see them on the menu Raj’s advice on Indian Food buffets? Do it. Little India in California is located in Cerritos/Artesia If you’re in California, hit Pioneer Blvd for the best Indian food If you’re in New Jersey, visit the famous Oak Tree Road Most Americans are actually eating Punjabi food Pro-tip: Trader Joe’s Tikka Masala is approved by the Indian community Thums Up is the Indian version of Coca Cola, note the spelling When eating Indian food, your naan (bread) is basically your utensil Alert: do not eat with your left hand! Raj explains why. It’s gross, but an important rule to know about when traveling abroad. Garam Masala is the spice you should have in your cabinet if you want to cook Indian food Why the cow is sacred in the Hindu religion The famous Indian beers you to try, and no, it’s not an IPA Links from the show: : @Asaprajy @Asaprajy @DearFoodPodcast Be on the Show Tell us your food stories! The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a friend! It makes a huge difference for independent podcasters like me. /episode/index/show/dearfood/id/16835459

Bon Appetit! You must eat this French food when you visit Paris 10/30/2020

Bon Appetit! You must eat this French food when you visit Paris POV: you’re here because you just binge-watched Netflix’s ‘Emily in Paris’ and have become a francophile. You’re not alone. After watching the whole season of Darren Starr’s latest hit, I found myself reminiscing about the one time I visited France with my boyfriend, which happens to be exactly one year ago today. Drew joins me for this episode, and together we share our favorite moments from our trip to Marseilles and Paris. With only 24 hours to see the big city, and a strict diet looming overhead, could we actually enjoy ourselves? The answer is a resounding ‘oui.’ What’s in this episode: What makes the city of Marseilles so special Marseilles is the gateway to the Mediterranean The first food I ate in France, was on a train Croque Monsieur translates to “Crunchy Sir” You have to visit ‘Le Panier’ region of Marseilles Bouillabaisse is the famous fish stew that originated in Marseilles The ceremony that accompanies eating Bouillabaisse The adorable part of Paris you must visit? Montparnasse Montparnasse is the Crepe capital of the world The best meal we had in Paris was in fact a crepe Crepes are traditionally served with cider Savory or sweet: which crepes are better The gourmet foods of France that we didn’t get to try Our travel hack for visiting new cities: bike sharing The French stereotypes we found to be true, and which ones we debunked The French expression that will win your favor in Marseilles Links from the show: : @Drewpbaldwin @DearFoodPodcast Be on the Show Tell us your food stories! The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a friend! It makes a huge difference for independent podcasters like me. /episode/index/show/dearfood/id/16616960

Not Another Cooking Show: Stephen Cusato aims to empower home cooks 10/16/2020

Soul Mate Search: Buddy Stringer is cooking until he finds true love. Is that you? 10/09/2020

Soul Mate Search: Buddy Stringer is cooking until he finds true love. Is that you? Buddy Stringer is looking for love, on TikTok of all places. He’s cooking for his future soulmate and making videos of each recipe. The internet has fallen in love with him, but he still hasn’t found "the one." We’re talking with Buddy to find out what exactly he’s looking for in a partner, and how food plays a critical role in his search. What’s in this episode: Buddy explains his mission to find his soulmate through food The recipe for his famous ‘Buddy Buns’, or so we call it. It’s the unnamed dish that shot him to TikTok fame An update on Buddy’s dating life right now What the future looks like for Buddy - in love and work The qualities Buddy is looking for in his soulmate His ideal first date What your choice in a charcuterie board says about you Does eating spicy food make you a better lover? A new cocktail for you to try: Mezcal Old Fashioned What is the first dish Buddy wants to make for his soulmate How Buddy’s son influences his dating life and the one rule he enforces with his son The one food Buddy has never eaten! Recipe for Buddy Buns: ½ pound ground Italian sausage ½ white onion 2 to 3 cups of finely chopped spinach 8 oz cream cheese (preferably flavored) ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese Pre-made puff pastry Directions: Brown sausage and set aside Mix remaining ingredients on medium bowl Cut 5x5 inch squares of puff pastry Drop 2 tbsp of mixture onto squares Gather the corners up top, and twist to make a little bun shape Place in the oven at 350 for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown Links from the show: : @BitesWithBuddy Be on the Show Tell us your food stories! The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with a friend! It makes a huge difference for us independent podcasters like me. /episode/index/show/dearfood/id/16341992

SURVEY SAYS! A Mini Episode with Ashley 10/02/2020

Santa Maria Style BBQ with Food + Drink Journalist Jaime Lewis 09/25/2020

Bean to Bar: How Chocolate Is Made with David Menkes 09/18/2020

Hong Kong Style Chinese Food with restaurant owner Elaine Truong 09/11/2020

Food Network’s ‘ Worst Cooks in America’ Louisa Sharamatyan on Middle Eastern Food 09/04/2020

My 91 Year Old Grandfather Shares His Famous Popover Recipe 08/28/2020

Salad Jar Meal Prep: Healthy Make-Ahead Meals with Amanda Meixner Rocchio 08/21/2020

Salad Jar Meal Prep: Healthy Make-Ahead Meals with Amanda Meixner Rocchio Looking for healthy meal inspiration? So were the 1.4+ Million people who now follow Amanda Meixner for meal prep ideas and nutrition information. She joins the show this week to share her favorite make-ahead meals, that are both delicious AND aesthetically pleasing. Hey, if you’re not photographing your meals, did they even really happen?! Amanda hasn’t always had a healthy relationship with food though. In high school, she developed anorexia, but it was through her journey to recovery that she learned to use food as part of her healing. After making a full recovery, she made it her mission to show people that being healthy wasn’t about starving yourself, but rather about fueling your body with the right foods. She now uses her social media and podcast to support people on their own nutrition journey. What’s in this episode: Amanda shares how her meal prep photos made her Instagram famous Here first taste is one that most kids would not like! We talk about the years Amanda spent in India as a child She talks about the Austrian food influence in her life How Amanda overcame an eating disorder How a chance encounter at Trader Joe’s led to her marriage! The ways her husband helps her maintain a healthy mindset around eating The Food of the Day is Salad Jars! Salas jars can keep fresh for up to 5 days Amanda’s second favorite meal prep is Chili The fight that turkey chili caused between Ashley and her boyfriend The secret ingredient in Amanda’s mom’s chili recipe The most used kitchen gadget in her kitchen is her egg cooker Amanda teaches us how to make the perfect salad jar She shares some fun suggestion for kids back-to-school lunches The diet that Amanda recommends? The one that works for you. Why the Paleo diet fit well into her lifestyle How Covid has affected her meal planning Who does the cooking in the Rocchio household The biggest lesson from Amanda’s career as an Influencer Amanda answers these questions from Listeners: What do you do when you don't want to eat what you’ve prepped? Do you have any vegan go-to’s for meal prep? What’s the best time to cook meats in relation to consumption date? How do you keep costs down while cooking healthy? Do you have any thoughts on meal delivery services? How do you decide what to cook each week? Amanda’s favorite treats: sweet potato brownies, paleo fudge, homemade popsicles Links from the show: Link to Amanda’s ebook ‘101+ Healthy Snacks’ Here’s Amanda’s Sweet Potato Brownie Recipe Here’s the post that describes the anatomy of a salad jar recipe Link to Amanda’s chili recipe Master Your Health Podcast Quotes from this episode: “Look at how beautiful mother nature is, with the fruits and the vegetables, and the protein and all that together.” “Eat the rainbow, but the actual rainbow, not skittles.” “I do try to make sure I’m getting a nutritious well-balanced week, so I always have some fruit. I have a lot of vegetables.” Be on the Show Tell us your food stories! The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to Are you loving the show?? Tell a friend about it, and please write us a review! /episode/index/show/dearfood/id/15695918

Hamburger Steak and Mom's Home Cooking with Boy Mom, Felicia Brantner 08/14/2020

Hamburger Steak and Mom's Home Cooking with Boy Mom, Felicia Brantner Felicia Brantner grew up in the mountains of West Virginia, and learned how to peel a potato with a knife when she was five years old. Now, she’s the mom of FIVE children, all boys, which includes two sets of twins. Yes, you read that right. This woman gave birth to twins, TWICE. That alone should secure her title as ‘Mom of the Year’, but she goes above and beyond to make her children feel supported and full. She pours her heart and soul into everything she makes, and anyone who is lucky enough to eat one of Mama Fee’s meals feels the love in every bite. What’s in this episode: Meet Felicia Brantner, the ultimate BoyMom Felicia describes the first food she remembers tasting We hear what Felicia’s life was like growing up in German valley, West Virginia Felicia’s Aunts taught life lessons through cooking Mill gravy versus brown gravy Ever heard of “ramps’? They’re a particular onion only grown in West Virginia. Felicia explains. We learn exactly what Hamburger Steak is and why this meal is so special in Felicia’s home Cooking tip! Add sour cream or heavy cream for ultra creamy mashed potatoes Felicia’s tip: If you’re cooking with milk, flour or tomatoes, add extra salt Felicia gives us a delicious green bean recipe. The sneaky ways that Felicia gets her children to eat veggies How Felicia meal preps for a family of seven Life lessons from Felicia’s father Friday curse words: her house rules around swearing The hilarious reason they have FOUR Alexa devices in their house How Felicia earned the nickname “Mama Fee” The difference between hamburger steak and salisbury steak and chicken fried steak What foods the state of Virginia does right The only two states you can find Queso dip Y'all - three words: Pineapple. Cheddar. Casserole. Quotes from this episode: “We were onion people.” “Every time I make that meal, I think about what it meant to grow up in the country, in West Virginia, on the side of a mountain.” "In my home, the ultimate focus is that my children feel loved. That they have all the encouragement to be exactly who they are and that they have this really deep sense of ‘Mom’s got me’. at https://www.midlothianmoms.com/ Be on the Show Tell us your food stories! The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to Are you loving the show?? Tell a friend about it, and please write us a review! /episode/index/show/dearfood/id/15602699

Sourdough Bread Baking For Beginners with Roya Platsis 08/07/2020

Sourdough Bread Baking For Beginners with Roya Platsis Raise your hand if you hopped aboard the sourdough bread train? With all this time at home, a lot of us have taken on lofty kitchen projects like baking sourdough bread from scratch. In this episode, we’re joined by the fabulously sassy, bread-making wizard, Roya Platsis. By day, Roya is a big wig in the HR world, but at home, she’s mastered the art of sourdough bread and has taken to social media to show us the easy, no-frills technique that guarantees successful bread. We talk about bread making, the pressures of producing content, and being true to yourself - even when that means embracing your potty mouth! What’s in this episode: Roya and Ashley rehash their time working together at Lucasfilm How Roya’s cooking videos went viral on Facebook Roya’s first food memory at the San Francisco zoo How eating out threatened her relationship early-on Though she’s a self-taught cook, who Roya credits for her cooking skills How to make sourdough bread starter What a levain is The step-by-step process for making sourdough bread Roya shares her lemon rosemary bread recipe What is was like to bake bread, live, in front of a huge audience Why it was so important to fail in front of viewers The non-intimidating approach Roya takes to bread making How bread has become a great teacher for both Roya and Ashley Roya describes her family life and how they are doing during the pandemic The best type of bread for a beginner to make Similarities between brewing beer and making sourdough What “hooch” is in relation to starter What to do if your sourdough starter isn’t active Roya’s dream dinner About Roya: In Roya’s own words, she is the dirt-loving mother of two, wife to one, who swears too much and is great at cooking. She is currently the Director of Human Resources at CamelBak, and lives with her darling family in Petaluma, California. Connect with Roya: by searching “Fancy as Fork” Or on and @DirtDontHurtMom is called ‘Della Fattoria Bread’ Quotes: “You fold it for what feels like an entire day. And then you bake the sh*t out of it” - Roya “There’s a beautiful, fancy, loaf of bread at the end of the process.” - Roya “It’s just flour and water. And that was what I was trying to get across.” - Roya “I don’t need pasta, I need bread. Good bread especially. The $8 kind.” - Roya Be on the Show Tell us your food stories! The first time you remember tasting food, your dream dinner, or just a food that you can’t stop thinking about. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to Are you loving the show?? Tell a friend about it, and please write us a review! /episode/index/show/dearfood/id/15505094

Homemade Biscuits, Fried Catfish, All Your Favorite Soul Food with Lem Gonsalves 07/31/2020

Homemade Biscuits, Fried Catfish, All Your Favorite Soul Food with Lem Gonsalves World traveler, biscuit connoisseur, and soul food aficionado Lem Gonsalves joins the show this week! Lem makes us drool over his favorite soul food dishes, and tells us the best spot to get fried chicken in the United States. We talk about the BLM Movement, and how Lem is using his voice in Hollywood to speak out against social injustice. We get some inside scoop on the drama that unfolded on MTV’s ‘The Challenge’, and we dish a little about our time together at Maria Menounos’s network, Afterbuzz TV. What’s in this episode: Lem and Ashley’s shared Hosting background How Lem is involved in the BLM movement Lem’s take on MTV’s ‘The Challenge’ drama The first food Lem remembers tasting? His Mom’s biscuits. Lem’s family dynamic; his mom was the cook The true roots of soul food Lem’s favorite soul food dishes What exactly ARE chitlins? Hot water cornbread versus regular cornbread The best fried chicken Lem’s ever had. Gus’s fried chicken in Chicago The holy trinity of fried chicken White girls’ PR campaign for quinoa Lem’s mom has some interesting eating habits A special ‘Love, Listeners’ call: a story about carbonara What Lem’s up to now and where you can find him Lem’s Dream Dinner is sushi in Japan with Chef Jiro About Lem:Lem “Saint” Gonsalves first began his poetic journey reciting poems at his father’s church. Since then, he has performed internationally and produced CD’s and documentary films. He uses humor and passion to inspire and entertain his audiences. In addition to performing spoken word poetry, he is also an accomplished host working with television networks like VH1, FOX, MTV and online network Afterbuzz TV. He has opened for artists like Kirk Franklin, Lupe Fiasco and Common! He was also selected to be on Seasons 3&5 of the NAACP Image Award nominated show, “Verses and Flow”. Lem was one of the first ever podcast hosts for the television show “Love and Hip Hop” which is VH1’s most popular show. Lem can also officiate your wedding! He’s an ordained minister who has traveled domestically and internationally, conducting personalized wedding ceremonies. He has recently begun an acting career and has starred in commercials for Apple and Bosch. He has studied improvisational comedy and performed on the Upright Citizen Brigade’s stage in Hollywood. Connect with Lem: | | Quotes from This Episode:“I’m a connoisseur of biscuits.” - Lem “We would hate it when Dad cooked. It was just like, ugh, dad’s cooking again.” - Lem “You have to have the right consistency of the crispy skin, versus the juicy inside. So there has to be a good marriage. And then bonus points on flavor. It sucks to have people who fry chicken and don’t season it. That’s the cardinal sin.” -Lem Share YOUR food stories! I want to hear your stories! Tell us about the foods that have affected your life, the first time you remember tasting food, any questions you have for me - I’d be SO happy to connect with you. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to . Spread the love! Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe, drop a 5-star rating and don’t forget to share it with a friend who adores food as much as you do! /episode/index/show/dearfood/id/15415868

Pasta Carbonara, Parmigiano Reggiano: Real Italian Food with Eleonora Baldwin 07/24/2020

Pasta Carbonara, Parmigiano Reggiano: Real Italian Food with Eleonora Baldwin Welcome to Dear Food, I am your host Ashley Chaney. I LOVE food. I love to make food, I love to eat food, I love to talk about making food. I believe that food has the power to transport us to different places around the world and different moments in our lives through memories. In this episode, I was joined by none other than the renowned TV Host and Food Writer, Eleonora Baldwin. Eleonora is the co-owner of Casa Mia Tours and a culinary connoisseur. She and I talk about Italian cuisine including her first carbonara experience, a few of her favorite Italian dishes and her rituals around food! What’s in this episode: How she’s been doing during the pandemic Why Eleonora finds comfort in rituals Eleonora’s background and childhood experience The first food she ever remembers tasting What Italian cuisine means to Eleonora Her signature dishes to make What her first carbonara experience was The ritual around sourcing, cooking and eating meals with her family Her virtual cooking classes and experiences What’s for dinner tonight in Eleonora’s household About Eleonora:American-born and Italian-raised Eleonora is a TV celebrity, bilingual journalist, and culinary connoisseur. After a successful career in graphic design and motion picture, Eleonora’s attention transitioned to journalism and blogging with a strong focus on her great passion: slow travel and the culinary culture of Italy. Constantly on the lookout for tantalizing food in Italy and beyond, her reporting appears regularly in several online and print food & travel columns. Her topics range from the Italian lifestyle to culinary customs and traditional recipes. She is the creator of popular food, travel and lifestyle blog Aglio Olio e Peperoncino, which has subscribers in over 100 countries. She is the Host and Creator of prime-time TV hits “ABCheese”, “Uazz’America” and "A Tavola con Mamma" broadcast by SKY TV for Gambero Rosso Channel, Italy's number one food network. Connect with Eleonora: | | | Links: Quotes from this episode: “Food is love and it’s also therapy.” - Eleonora “Every little moment that’s tied to food or nourishment is so much more than just nourishing the body and the stomach. It’s nourishing everything else.” - Eleonora “Italian food is not just food. It’s eating, sitting down with the family, with friends or loved ones or by yourself and making that moment the most important moment of the day.” Eleonora Share YOUR food stories! I want to hear your stories! Tell us about the foods that have affected your life, the first time you remember tasting food, any questions you have for me - I’d be SO happy to connect with you. Call in to leave us a voicemail at 626-709-6551 or send your messages to . Spread the love! Enjoyed the podcast? Subscribe, drop a 5-star rating and don’t forget to share it with a friend who adores food as much as you do! /episode/index/show/dearfood/id/15294428

Welcome to Dear Food! 07/15/2020

Dear Food

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