Mary Ladd is a freelance writer and event professional based in her hometown of San Francisco. Her writing has been featured in SF Weekly, Tasting Table, the San Francisco Chronicle and elsewhere. She has shuttled Anthony Bourdain around town and mastered the art of properly loading a catering van in a flash. Mary has eaten the world’s hottest burger and loves to cook and eat. Follow her at @mladdfood
In celebration of LGBT Pride month, Mary Ladd profiles culinary artist Yasmin Golan, who lives in Oakland and has worked locally in the pop-up scene and restaurant world. Golan’s ideas on cooking and living are based around community and sustainability.
In celebration of LGBT Pride month, Mary Ladd profiles Michael Procopio, who is a San Francisco waiter and writer online at Food for the Thoughtless. Procopio shares how his brother Doug, who died of AIDS, influenced his brand of humor, and talks about one of his favorite gay eateries.
In celebration of LGBT Pride month, Mary Ladd profiles Preeti Mistry, who is opening Juhu Beach Club in San Francisco and has appeared on Top Chef. Mistry shares what it’s like to be female and queer in the culinary world.
In celebration of LGBT Pride month, Mary Ladd profiles Palomino Chef Adam Jones, who has spent 26 of his 38 years cooking. Jones shares what it’s like to be queer in the restaurant community.
Mary Ladd interviews Chef Ben De Vries, chef-owner at Luella, a Russian Hill restaurant that is celebrating its “seven year itch” with specials on chicken and ribs and bottles of wine. Chef De Vries dishes on why he makes La Venganza hot sauce, and what he’s up to in the kitchen.
Mary Ladd profiles blogger Michael Natkin, a Seattle cook who created the award-winning Herbivoracious blog and has a new cookbook. Natkin describes what it’s like to be on tour and possibly opening a pop-up restaurant that is a live version of his blog.
Mary Ladd profiles Absinthe chef Adam Keough, who shares his spicy rabbit meatball recipe and talks about cooking, food and his culinary mentors.
Mary Ladd profiles Grand Café executive chef Alicia Jenish, who is cooking up misfit dinners that include goat, lamb and rabbit dishes. Jenish shares who her cooking mentors are and why she calls Charles Phan “the Spotted Owl.”
Hospitality expert Stanley Morris talks about his new French Blue wine country restaurant project and shares insights into Teatro ZinZanni and why the Bay Area is so great.
The upcoming 2012 baseball season means SF Giants fans will eat and celebrate at AT&T Park. Public House’s new Executive Chef Chris Wade talks about baseball, food, his pastry chef wife and his local food favorites.
Bay Area chef Carlo Espinas is cooking up classic San Francisco cuisine to complement the cocktails at Comstock Saloon. The Mission resident loves to travel and shares his approach to food and cooking.
San Francisco Chef Dominique Crenn describes why she is doing dialogue dinners with other international chefs. She also shares info on her book project, travel and food favorites.
Chef and Bay Area native James Ormsby discusses his culinary outlook and shares where he likes to shop for food. He tells how he met the members of the rock band The Scorpions and shares a popular Bluestem Brasserie recipe for Caramelized Butterscotch Tapioca Pudding.
Hecho is Joseph Manzare and Mary Klingbeil’s latest venture, a Tokyo style sushi and robata with a tequila bar and mariachi bands. Manzare shared some of his favorite local food spots with BAB.
Jonny Raglin is a San Francisco resident, bartender, and founding partner at Comstock Saloon in North Beach. Raglin shares his favorite foods and restaurant spots, and tells what it’s like to have a family with his wife Sara Spearin, who runs a popular food business: Dynamo Donuts.
If you’ve eaten or made an American style chocolate truffle—known for a soft center and slightly lumpy form compared to French truffles–you have a local Bay Area chocolate expert to thank.
Del Popolo, a custom-mobile-pizzeria-on-wheels, is due to roll out next month from self-proclaimed “dough guy” Jon Darsky. He is most recently known to pizza fans for his gently blistered, thin-crust, award-winning pizzas from flour + water. BAB caught up with Darsky for an interview.
Bay Area Bites (BAB), KQED's public media food blog, feeds you visually compelling food-related stories, news, recipes and reviews from the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Enter your email address to receive updates each time we publish new posts.
Flax Seed: The Next Superfood For Cows And Beef?
After years of research, an animal scientist looking for ways to keep inflammation down in cattle came up with a novel approach: feed them flax. The flax in their food helps keep animals healthy and has an added benefit for those who later eat their meat: omega-3 enriched beef.
Congress: Where Food Reforms Go To Die?
As Congress gets to work on the farm bill, two common-sense, bipartisan reform measures seem to have gotten run over somewhere along the way. The first would set minimum standards for housing egg-laying chickens. The second sought to change how the U.S. provides food aid to people in foreign nations.
For Supreme Court, Monsanto’s Win Was More About Patents Than Seeds
The high court ruled unanimously that when farmers use patented seed for more than one planting in violation of their licensing agreements, they are liable for damages.
Try A Do-It-Yourself Mother’s Day
Rather than waiting for someone to give you a treat, why not make one of your favorites for yourself? Something you can snack on all week when no one’s around. Or, better yet, something you don’t have to share. Food writer T. Susan Chang recommends slow-roasted pecans, salty-sweet matzo candy and more.
A Fresh Pod Cast: Savoring Spring’s Green Peas
Emerald green and tender, yet with a gentle crunch, garden peas can be so delightful when fresh — and so disappointing when not. Try them now in their seasonal prime in these recipes for chilled soup, a citrusy spread and a traditional rice dish.
Spring has sprung! And it’s time to bask in the garden, celebrating the sweet greens of spring with Fava-Bean Crostini topped with mint and Pecorino Romano cheese.
Hunan Home’s Restaurant, Radius, Guerilla Café: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews
Restaurants reviewed: Hunan Home’s Restaurant (San Francisco), Radius Restaurant and Café (San Francisco) and Guerilla Café (Berkeley).
Chris Hadfield: Space Chef In Chief
The Canadian astronaut didn’t just tweet and sing his heart out during his five months as commander of the International Space Station. He also took time out to show the world what it’s like to eat up there.
Bocanova, Willi’s Wine Bar, The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews
Check, Please! Bay Area reviews these restaurants: Bocanova (Oakland), Willi’s Wine Bar (Santa Rosa), The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus (San Francisco).
Celebrate the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market 20th Birthday Bash with CUESA
In honor of its 20th anniversary, Bay Area Bites looks back on how the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market has become a San Francisco institution for chefs, home cooks, and curious eaters from around the world.
Exploratorium Elevates Museum Eating Experience
Chef Loretta Keller, the force behind the Exploratorium’s new culinary options, talks bee jet lag, living foods, and seawater cocktails with BAB’s Sarah Henry.
Grits, Fried Chicken and Gospel Brunch – Chef David Lawrence Discusses Life at “1300 on Fillmore”
Mary Ladd interviews Chef David Lawrence about his restaurant “1300 on Fillmore” which is known for fabulous grits, fried chicken and a lively Sunday Gospel brunch.
Hunan Home’s Restaurant, Radius, Guerilla Café: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews
Restaurants reviewed: Hunan Home’s Restaurant (San Francisco), Radius Restaurant and Café (San Francisco) and Guerilla Café (Berkeley).
First Impression: Healdsburg SHED
What would a wine country locavore’s paradise look like? Stephanie Rosenbaum talks to Cindy Daniel, owner of Healdsburg’s new SHED, a 21st-century grange, store, and sustainable-living center.
Bocanova, Willi’s Wine Bar, The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews
Check, Please! Bay Area reviews these restaurants: Bocanova (Oakland), Willi’s Wine Bar (Santa Rosa), The Rotunda of Neiman Marcus (San Francisco).
Pompei’s Grotto, Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food, SPQR: Check, Please! Bay Area reviews
The fourth episode of Season 8 features these restaurants: Pompei’s Grotto (San Francisco), Lillie Mae’s House of Soul Food (Santa Clara) and SPQR (San Francisco). Leslie Sbrocco shares wine tips about Napa Valley wines.
Michael Pollan talks about his new book ‘Cooked’
As in his previous books, Michael Pollan argues in “Cooked” that relying on processed food disrupts our link to the natural world and weakens our interpersonal relationships. But this time he takes a more hands-on approach, doing apprenticeships with a variety of culinary masters who teach him the fine points of fermentation, the benefits of bacteria, and other secrets of honest cuisine. He joins KQED’s Forum in the studio.
KQED’s Forum: Mark Bittman on Part-Time Veganism
Mark Bittman talks about his new book, and how a full-time meat lover adapted to part-time veganism.
Art as Food as Art: Caitlin Freeman and her “Modern Art Desserts”
Cailtlin Freeman’s new book details the drama and recipes behind her self-made dream job: responding to SFMOMA’s art through food.
Are the benefits of genetically engineered foods worth the risks? Check out this half-hour special from QUEST Northern California that explores the pros and cons of genetically engineered crops and what the future holds for research and regulations.
Baby & Toddler On The Go: fresh, homemade foods for a busy life (VIDEO)
A precociously independent toddler packs a healthy homemade lunch and heads off to snack in Bernal Height’s Holly Park in San Francisco. This video is a promo for Kim Laidlaw’s new book: Baby & Toddler On The Go: fresh, homemade foods for a busy life.
Deaf Foodies Savor Gourmet Ghetto Tasting Tour in Sign Language
A dozen Deaf Foodies relish the tastes and history of Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto in a 3 hour tasting tour presented completely in American Sign Language (ASL) by food writer (and ASL interpreter) Anna Mindess through Edible Excursions.
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