Go Fork Yourself: Yelp

Yelp The Great Debate Andrew and Molly invite Yelp’s Director of Public Affairs Luther Lowe (@lutherlowe) to join them on this week’s podcast. They talk  all things Yelp, from it’s inception and filters to blackmail issues. Plus, a recap of the Minneapolis leg of Anthony Bourdain’s Guts & Glory Tour. Things got a little down…  Read More

Handmade Cleavers

A Field Trip to Primitive Precision Metalcraft I’m obsessed with these cleavers. Made in Minneapolis from scavenged metal, they are one-of-a-kind usable works of art. Hans Early-Nelson happened to be crafting a cleaver for a very special friend and food-lover, Anthony Bourdain, so we took a trip to his blacksmithing workshop to check out the…  Read More

5 Questions: Laura Werlin

Obsessed With Cheese Laura Werlin is the country’s foremost expert on cheese. She’s written six cheese-centric books, including the James Beard award-winning All-American Cheese and Wine Book, is the president of the American Cheese Education Foundation and a teacher at The Cheese School of San Francisco. Laura explains why the U.S. is the most exciting…  Read More

Eating in Shanghai

China’s Modern Metropolis By Bob & Sue The food in Shanghai can be a bit sweeter and browner in color than that of its northern neighbor in Beijing, but many of the local foods are available highly spicy if you ask. Lost Heaven offers outstanding food at several locations, with dishes such as delicious kung pao…  Read More

Bizarre Bites: Durian

King of Fruits Is it rotten onions? Funky garbage fumes? A dirty gym sock after a high school basketball tourney? No, that could simply be fresh fruit. Durian, known in Asia as the “king of fruits,” is crowned with a spiky exterior and filled with stinky fruit flesh. This fruit from the durian tree is…  Read More

The Munchies Award Winners 2013

The Votes Are In! After a month of competition and thousands of votes, Tablespoon.com reveals the winners of The Munchies: People’s Choice Food Awards, hosted by yours truly and an expert panel of 26 in-the-know chowhounds. Now in its second year, these awards recognize the best-of-the-best in the food biz, from terrific tastemakers to top…  Read More

Five Islands Lobster Co.

My Favorite Lobster Roll Located on the island of Georgetown, Maine at Five Islands wharf, this seafood shack serves the best lobster roll around. Pulled from the surrounding waters and never tanked, these lobsters couldn’t get any fresher. Their “big boy” lobster roll is my idea of the perfect sandwich, served on a buttered and…  Read More

Rene Ortiz & Sway

15 Years in the Making I had the opportunity to chat with one of my favorite people in the world Rene Ortiz (La Condesa) at the Austin Food & Wine Festival 2013. He gave me the background on his new restaurant, Sway. He explained how he went about putting the project together and what he…  Read More

James Beard Foundation Awards 2013

Congratulations JBF Award Winners! I just returned from the James Beard Foundation Awards in NYC, the nation’s most prestigious awards ceremony honoring professionals in the food and beverage biz. Winners of the Foundation’s annual Book, Broadcast, and Journalism Awards were presented on May 3, at Gotham Hall in New York City, during a ceremony hosted…  Read More

Lunch at Franklin Barbecue

Best on Planet Earth If you ever find yourself in Austin, Franklin Barbecue is a must-stop. The food there is amazing. The brisket is universally considered the best on planet Earth. The turkey is incredible, and the sides like potato salad, cole slaw and beans are fantastic. Aaron Franklin is dedicated to his craft and…  Read More

Discussing Demos with Tim Love

Chef-on-Chef Action During the Austin Food & Wine Festival, Tim Love (Lonesome Dove) and I did a really fun demo together called “Heads or Tails.” It isn’t a typical demo where the audience watches as the chefs cook. In this demo, everyone participates. While Tim and I are on stage in the front, the grass…  Read More

Go Fork Yourself: Austin Food & Wine Festival 2013 Recap

Austin Food & Wine Festival 2013 Recap Keep Austin Weird Andrew and Molly reflect on their weekend at the Austin Food & Wine Festival. They discuss their highs from the festival, their Lance Armstrong sighting, and why Andrew has an issue with Brian Malarkey. Then, Molly asks the important (five) questions to Brian Malarkey and…  Read More

5 Questions: Ingrid Hoffmann

Latin Flavor Ingrid Hoffmann has built a large following around her Delicioso brand – she’s the lovely host of a popular TV show on the Cooking Channel and Univision, the creative director of a Latin-influenced cooking line and a best-selling cookbook author. Ingrid shares her go-to recipes for entertaining, tips for healthy eating habits from…  Read More

Singing with Sour Bridges

“A friend of the devil is a friend of mine.” During the weekend of the Austin Food & Wine Festival 2013, I hosted an event for The Munchies People’s Choice Food Awards at Torchy’s Tacos in Austin, Texas. Bluegrass band Sour Bridges played music for the event, and I had the pleasure of jumping on…  Read More

Austin Food & Wine Fest Recipes

Cooking Alternative Proteins in Texas I have a lot on my plate at this year’s Austin Food & Wine Festival. I’m judging Rock Your Taco, teaching a grilling class called “Head-to-Tail with Tim Love,” and also demonstrating Wild Bird 3 Ways: ducks, pheasant and dove. Hope you enjoy these recipes! Head-to-Tail with Tim Love Kyoto…  Read More

5 Questions: Curtis Stone

Bravo’s Golden Boy You may recognize this handsome Aussie as the host of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, but Curtis Stone is also a classically trained chef and best-selling cookbook author with his own line of sleek kitchen products. His latest book, What’s for Dinner?, is packed with flavorful, unfussy recipes for the family on the…  Read More

Shin Chon Garden

Exquisite Korean Barbecue With the largest Korean population in the country outside of Los Angeles and New York City, it makes sense that Baltimore is home to great Korean restaurants. Just west of downtown in Ellicott City, you’ll find Shin Chon Garden, one of the top ten Korean barbecue joints in America. Expect a communal,…  Read More

Bizarre Bites: Octopus

Eight-Legged Treats Octopus is an ingredient used in dishes across the globe, but in Korea it’s prepared it a little differently. Sannakji is made by cutting a live octopus into small pieces right before serving. Though the animal is dead, electrical impulses still in the octopus’s arms cause the pieces to wriggle around on the…  Read More

Bizarre Bites: Octopus

Eight-Legged Treats Octopus is an ingredient used in dishes across the globe, but in Korea it’s prepared it a little differently. Sannakji is made by cutting a live octopus into small pieces right before serving. Though the animal is dead, electrical impulses still in the octopus’s arms cause the pieces to wriggle around on the…  Read More

Eyebobs

Introducing The Zimm   I partnered with Eyebobs Eyewear to design these awesome reading glasses. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Eyebobs is known for their creative, quirky and affordable eyeglass styles. For every Zimm pair purchased, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the James Beard Foundation, an organization very dear to me that’s devoted to celebrating,…  Read More

Go Fork Yourself: Munich

Munich In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus An update on the IKEA meatball scandal, the end of cupcakes and a food-lovers guide to Munich. All of this and more on this week’s Go Fork Yourself. Read more about Carl Blake and his better-tasting pork here. Go to his Indiegogo site here. For Andrew’s Munich recommendations, go…  Read More