Alice Waters is a food icon. She is a chef, author, food activist, and the founder and owner of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkeley, California. Waters has been a champion of local sustainable agriculture for over four decades. In 1995 she founded the Edible Schoolyard Project, which advocates for a free school lunch for all children and a sustainable food curriculum in every public school. It is easy to see why there are hundreds of chefs across the country that look up to Alice Waters.

Chef Rick Bayless is known for his Mexican cooking. This week, he puts it aside and shares a dish he only makes a few times year. This recipe is so near and dear to his heart as it comes from his family’s BBQ restaurant they had in Oklahoma for 37 years- it’s his Oklahoma Style BBQ Ribs. Check out Episode 014 to hear Rick’s full episode from last week.

Chef Rick Bayless has made a profound impact on Mexican cuisine in Chicago & across the country. He has multiple restaurants throughout Chicago and beyond. In addition, he has a successful line of grocery store products; multiple cookbooks; won Top Chef Masters; received seven James Beard Awards; has a long running series on PBS; recently was the 2nd recipient of the Julia Child Foundation Award; and founded an extraordinary Foundation that has changed the lives & businesses for hundred of Midwest farmers.

This week is a twofer! Rocco DiSpirito shares his Snickerdoodle Protein Balls from his new book, Rocco’s Healthy & Delicious! Also, our host Kappy grabs the mic and takes you through his favorite meatball recipe of all time, which happens to be Rocco’s Mama’s recipe. Not only will you get detailed first-hand instructions, he shares tips and tricks along the way to ensure success in your own kitchen. If you missed Rocco’s full episode, check out Episode 012 from last week.

Rocco DiSpirito is one of the country’s best chefs. He helmed the kitchen of Union Pacific, a restaurant that was a NYC culinary landmark for years. His health took him on a different path than the food world may have hoped for, but in turn, he now cooks and coaches clients to achieve their best health. He’s authored 13 books, was the Healthy Food Coach on ABC’s Extreme Weight Loss, & Dr. Oz presented him with his foundation’s Golden Heart Award. He is also an advocate for food security & obesity is

Chef Scott Conant walks you through his smooth and delicious Polenta recipe- one that is on all five of his restaurant menus in NYC, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Arizona. Check out Episode 010 to learn how this dish literally changed our host, Kappy’s, life.

Chef Scott Conant is a regular judge on Food Network’s Chopped. He currently has restaurants in NYC, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Arizona. Conant’s accolades span from Food & Wine magazine to James Beard Awards and more. He is one of the most compassionate people we know, giving his time to helping good friends and their causes, while also giving back to his team at his restaurants by mentoring, coaching and teaching them about the industry.

This week kicks off our first “5th Wednesday” where we introduce you to impactful organizations and discuss the positive social impact they have on communities around the world. Each 5th Wednesday we’ll ask five question; and we’re starting with three young women in Guatemala who are promoting better nutrition through sustainable farming of protein-rich mealworms. Don’t say yuck so quick…80% of the world’s population eats insects as a regular part of their diet.

Restaurateur Rich Melman of Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You currently operates over 125 restaurants coast to coast. In this episode, he breaks down the original menu from R.J. Grunts- the first restaurant he opened in 1971. Enjoy these stories, some dating back 46 years ago. Melman says, “I believe R.J. Grunts is the most influential restaurant we’ve ever opened.” If you missed Rich Melman’s full episode, check out Episode 007.

Rich Melman is Founder and Chairman of Lettuce Entertain You, a Chicago-based restaurant group that owns over 125 restaurants. Lettuce has done over 200 concepts to date and is known for founding some of the most celebrated restaurants in America. Melman formulated the widely-used philosophy based on the importance of partners, of sharing responsibilities and profits with them, and of developing & growing together. People claim Melman invented the salad bar- tune in as he settles this debate once & for all.