food history and celebrities
Mary Ladd interviews Bay Area resident and Master Chef Martin Yan, who has opened a new Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. Yan dishes about his new TV show, the Year of the Snake, and where he likes to eat locally.
Across Scotland and around the world, poetry lovers gather in appreciation of 18th century bard Robert Burns. Central to the menu of all these Burns Suppers is, of course, haggis, paraded into the room on a silver platter.
Presley’s legendary love for peanut butter and bananas and bacon helped lead to his outsized body toward the end of his life, and a lasting food legacy. And, oh yeah, he could sing too.
Watch the video to find out the surprise Bay Area Bites blogger Mike Kahn got when he picked up some Hostess snacks and found that a number of them might contain beef fat.
Some early Europeans toasted to profess their love to young women, while others lifted their arms to honor their kings. Toasting, which dates back to ancient times, is a ritual shrouded in urban legends. But one historian says some of the tall tales are actually true.
Thousands of years ago, ancient farmers gained the ability to consume milk as adults without getting an upset stomach. A remarkable mutation let some of them digest lactose sugar. But scientists still puzzle over why that mutation persisted and became prevalent in modern humans.
On November 18 and 19, KQED will broadcast the premiere of “The Dust Bowl,” a new documentary by Ken Burns that explores the most severe, man-made ecological catastrophe in American history.
Looking for spooky inspiration for your Halloween table? Enjoy our holiday round-up of all things pumpkin-y and Halloween-y. They’re scarily delicious!
Mary Ladd interviews Iron Chef Jose Garces, who is visiting San Francisco to promote his latest book, “Latin Road Home: Savoring the Foods of Ecuador, Spain, Cuba, Mexico, and Peru.” He recently won a trophy at the Arizona Taco Fest and shares where he will eat while in town, and who is his culinary mentor.
Mary Ladd interviews Chef Mourad Lahlou, who recently accepted a position as a culinary diplomat in a program pioneered by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Lahlou details his favorite dining spots as well as what the local culinary “brain drain” is.
Decorate sugar skulls with icing, sequins and feathers or learn to make bone-shaped Pan de Muerto bread for the upcoming Day of the Dead festivities in the Bay Area.
Mary Ladd interviews Vietnamese food expert and chef Charles Phan, whose first cookbook, Vietnamese Home Cooking is now out. Phan discusses cooking with Alice Waters, his “refugee thinking” and upcoming Bourbon and fried chicken “Southern bar” concept.
Mary Ladd interviews Chef Traci Des Jardins, who details the ups and downs of Jardinière Restaurant’s fifteen year history and what it’s like being a woman in the male dominated culinary industry.
Mary Ladd interviews Southern food and culture expert John T. Edge, who shares why he was happy to visit San Francisco for La Cocina’s Street Food Festival as well as thoughts on his latest book, “The Truck Food Cookbook.”
Mary Ladd interviews Laura Werlin, who is an award-winning cheese educator, author and expert who lives in San Francisco when she’s not on the road. Werlin dishes on the best questions to ask at the cheese counter and shares why she got into cheese back in 2000 after a news media career path.
Mary Ladd interviews Nion McEvoy, who has owned and operated the San Francisco-based Chronicle Books since 1999. Social media is an integral part of the company’s strategy, and McEvoy shares why he keeps the independent publishing house in San Francisco.
She was a Paris-loving home cook from California. He was a classically trained French chef relocated to America. But when Julia met Jacques, a lifetime culinary friendship and television partnership was born. With videos from Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home, a tribute video from Jacques, and a recipe for Caesar Salad Julia’s Way.
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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