Looking for the sweet spot where tradition meets the table? We bring together a master appraiser, a wine guide, and a hometown foodie to show how old-school cookbooks, a just-released French red, and a one-pan dinner can turn a chilly weeknight into a warm celebration.

Dr. Lori kicks things off with a collector’s map to the kitchen shelf: early printings of The Joy of Cooking, The White House Cookbook, and first editions from Julia Child, Ina Garten, and Rachael Ray—and why themed and community cookbooks carry both cultural weight and market value. She shares clear preservation tips you can use today and explains how to spot the difference between “well-loved” and “deal-breaker” condition.

We then uncork the season with Catherine Montest, Your Fairy Wine Mother, for an easy primer on Beaujolais Nouveau. Learn why this Gamay-based, fruit-forward red lands each November, how EU designations protect producers and quality, and why Nouveau’s bright cherry-strawberry profile is a knockout with turkey and a welcoming pour for red-wine skeptics. Think of it as a snapshot of the year’s harvest—festive, fresh, and perfectly timed for your holiday table.

Closing things out, Angie Carducci of Angie Loves PGH shares her weeknight sheet pan blueprint: chunky seasonal veg, a reliable starch, and a simple protein like pressed tofu, all tossed with high-quality Arbequina olive oil and finished with local spice blends from Steel City Salt. 

If you love the hunt for a great cookbook, want a crowd-pleasing wine for Thanksgiving, or just need a dinner that practically cooks itself, this one’s for you. Subscribe for more local flavor, share with a foodie friend, and leave a quick review—what cookbook gem, bottle, or sheet pan combo should we try next?

Support the show

Liked the episode? We'd love a coffee!