5 questions

5 Questions: Paul Kahan

Chicago’s Culinary Rockstar Paul Kahan was ahead of the farm-to-table curve when he opened Blackbird in the West Loop, he brought the city communal tables and small plates with Avec, a pig-lovin’ gastropub with the Publican, followed by Big Star taco bar in Wicker Park and now the artisanal butcher shop Publican Quality Meats. The serial restaurateur…  Read More

5 Questions: Paul Kahan

Chicago’s Culinary Rockstar Paul Kahan was ahead of the farm-to-table curve when he opened Blackbird in the West Loop, he brought the city communal tables and small plates with Avec, a pig-lovin’ gastropub with the Publican, followed by Big Star taco bar in Wicker Park and now the artisanal butcher shop Publican Quality Meats. The serial restaurateur…  Read More

5 Questions: Samantha Brown

The Intrepid Traveler Samantha Brown knows she has the best job in the world. As a veteran Travel Channel host, this globe-trotting junky elicits her natural charm and wit as she takes envious viewers on a tour of the world, exploring exotic cultures, cuisine and natural wonders. We quiz Samantha about holiday travel tips, her favorite…  Read More

5 Questions: Samantha Brown

The Intrepid Traveler Samantha Brown knows she has the best job in the world. As a veteran Travel Channel host, this globe-trotting junky elicits her natural charm and wit as she takes envious viewers on a tour of the world, exploring exotic cultures, cuisine and natural wonders. We quiz Samantha about holiday travel tips, her favorite…  Read More

5 Questions: Michael White

Building an Empire As the culinary mastermind behind the much-lauded Ai Fiori, Marea, Osteria Morini and Nicoletta (a new East Village pizzeria), this Wisconsin transplant has become NYC’s unofficial ambassador of soulful Italian cuisine. We chat with Michael about Italy’s allure, Midwestern hospitality and what’s on the menu for the Altamarea Group in 2013. AndrewZimmern.com: What experiences led…  Read More

5 Questions: Michael White

Building an Empire As the culinary mastermind behind the much-lauded Ai Fiori, Marea, Osteria Morini and Nicoletta (a new East Village pizzeria), this Wisconsin transplant has become NYC’s unofficial ambassador of soulful Italian cuisine. We chat with Michael about Italy’s allure, Midwestern hospitality and what’s on the menu for the Altamarea Group in 2013. AndrewZimmern.com: What experiences led…  Read More

5 Questions: Raquel Pelzel

Queen of the Test Kitchen Tasting Table‘s senior food editor Raquel Pelzel lives and breathes food. As director of TT’s test kitchen, her head’s in the fridge most days crafting creative content for their daily email publications, she’s also written over a dozen cookbooks (including a few James Beard award-winners) and she still loves to…  Read More

5 Questions: Christine Ha

Putting Her Best Dish Forward As the first blind contestant on the home-cook competition show MasterChef, Christine Ha had her work cut out for her, but she overcame the obstacles and cooked her way to the top winning over the palates of three notoriously harsh critics. We chat with Christine about competing with a disability and…  Read More

5 Questions: Christine Ha

Putting Her Best Dish Forward As the first blind contestant on the home-cook competition show MasterChef, Christine Ha had her work cut out for her, but she overcame the obstacles and cooked her way to the top winning over the palates of three notoriously harsh critics. We chat with Christine about competing with a disability and…  Read More

5 Questions: Megan Seling

It’s What’s Inside That Counts A mad scientist in the kitchen, baking enthusiast Megan Seling is obsessed with stuffing cupcakes and brownies with unconventional surprises (think pumpkin pie, donut or even baklava-filled sweets). We chat with Megan about her new cookbook, Bake it in a Cupcake: 50 Treats With a Surprise Inside, her wicked sweet-tooth…  Read More

5 Questions: Megan Seling

It’s What’s Inside That Counts A mad scientist in the kitchen, baking enthusiast Megan Seling is obsessed with stuffing cupcakes and brownies with unconventional surprises (think pumpkin pie, donut or even baklava-filled sweets). We chat with Megan about her new cookbook, Bake it in a Cupcake: 50 Treats With a Surprise Inside, her wicked sweet-tooth…  Read More

5 Questions: Lee Brian Schrager

Food Festival Mastermind At the helm of Southern Wine & Spirits’ communications and event planning, Lee Schrager is the brains (and charisma) behind the South Beach and New York Wine & Food Festivals – he’s planning the parties, wrangling stars and celebrity chefs, and pulling it all off without a hitch for 60,000 guests. We…  Read More

5 Questions: Lee Brian Schrager

Food Festival Mastermind At the helm of Southern Wine & Spirits’ communications and event planning, Lee Schrager is the brains (and charisma) behind the South Beach and New York Wine & Food Festivals – he’s planning the parties, wrangling stars and celebrity chefs, and pulling it all off without a hitch for 60,000 guests. We…  Read More

5 Questions: Chris Cosentino

Offal’s Leading Advocate At the forefront of the whole-animal movement, chef Chris Cosentino woos diners with old world techniques and artful pairings, turning organs and extremities into haute cuisine at San Francisco’s acclaimed Incanto. We chat with Chris about all things offal, Top Chef Masters and the city’s best restaurants. AndrewZimmern.com: You’ve become the king of…  Read More

5 Questions: Chris Cosentino

Offal’s Leading Advocate At the forefront of the whole-animal movement, chef Chris Cosentino woos diners with old world techniques and artful pairings, turning organs and extremities into haute cuisine at San Francisco’s acclaimed Incanto. We chat with Chris about all things offal, Top Chef Masters and the city’s best restaurants. AndrewZimmern.com: You’ve become the king of…  Read More

5 Questions: Ardie Davis

Kansas City’s Barbecue Guru Ardie Davis, PhB (doctorate in barbecue philosophy), founded the American Royal BBQ Sauce, Rub and Baste Contest, has written nine barbecue cookbooks and is a backyard meat-smokin’ professional. We chat with Ardie about the country’s best barbecue, the competition trail and tips for championship-quality ribs. For your own taste, head to the American…  Read More

5 Questions: Ardie Davis

Kansas City’s Barbecue Guru Ardie Davis, PhB (doctorate in barbecue philosophy), founded the American Royal BBQ Sauce, Rub and Baste Contest, has written nine barbecue cookbooks and is a backyard meat-smokin’ professional. We chat with Ardie about the country’s best barbecue, the competition trail and tips for championship-quality ribs. For your own taste, head to the American…  Read More