food history and celebrities
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.
How did Julia Child get her start as one of television’s most iconic chefs? In honor of Child’s upcoming centennial, we’ve got two classic black-and-white shows from her original series, The French Chef, plus her recipe for bubbling, cheese-topped French onion soup.
Remembering longtime Bay Area cookbook author, writer, and teacher Marion Cunningham, whose updates of “The Fannie Farmer Cookbook,” among others, were the batter-splattered, soup-splashed go-tos for a modern generation of cooks.
Mary Ladd reports on the history behind the SF Chefs food festival, which is celebrating its fourth year this summer with a bounty of dinners, tastings, classes, and cooking demos. SF Chefs is the brainchild of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association and celebrates our culinary community.
Soul Food Junkies, a new film by Byron Hurt which will be featured on KQED’s Independent Lens series, had its West Coast premiere in Oakland. Soul Food is both a beloved part of African American culture and a leading cause behind the epidemic of diabetes, heart disease and other health issues. The film details the historical and social influences on soul food and efforts by many to change the eating habits of a whole generation.
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.
St. Helena’s former Martini House welcomes back its opening Chef de Cuisine in its new incarnation as cozy, upscale gastropub Goose & Gander.
Celebrity chef Jacques Pépin has been cooking for over 60 years. He has published 27 cookbooks and recently won an IACP Award for his new TV series “Essential Pépin.” Previously, Pépin has won a Daytime Emmy, numerous James Beard Awards and two of France’s highest honors. Pépin joined Michael Krasny on Forum to discuss food, his newest cookbook and his KQED-produced PBS series “Essential Pépin.”
The new four-part PBS Series “America Revealed” explores the hidden food, energy, transportation and manufacturing systems that keep America running. Forum talks to host Yul Kwon about the new program, and about his unique career. The multi-talented Stanford grad has also worked at Google and the FCC. He’s also the first Asian-American to win the CBS reality show “Survivor.”
As someone who has a deep appreciation for both food and films, I was looking forward to the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi coming to theatres in the Bay Area this month.
Cowgirl Creamery, a forerunner of the artisanal foods movement in the Bay Area, has been producing organic cheese in West Marin for 15 years. Here is a recap of a tasting tour, some history of the creamery and information about many of the Cowgirl cheeses.
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.
Can A Piece Of Hair Reveal How Much Coke Or Pepsi You Drink?
People are notorious for under-reporting what they consume — they lie, forget or just guess wrong. For researchers who want to know how much soda we’re drinking, a high-tech analysis technique could help.
ADHD In Childhood May Feed Obesity In Adults
People diagnosed with ADHD as children may be more apt to be obese in adulthood, scientists say. Differences in brain biology or the impulsiveness typical of ADHD may contribute to lasting, bad eating habits.
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.
How to Make Kombucha: An Illustrated Mother/Daughter Tale
See how a dripping blob of bacteria and yeast makes fizzy, homemade kombucha and bonds a mother and daughter. Liberally illustrated with drawings of Kombucha Killers, Vessel Guide, Friendly Add-Ins, Dangers Signs and Brewing Steps.
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.
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.
Cheese Books for the Curd Nerd
Every aspiring curd nerd yearns to embiggen their knowledge base about the dairy darlings they adore. Garrett McCord shares two books that help you gain a broader understanding of cheese and supply you with tasteful cheese-centric recipes.
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.
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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