Chewing

Chewing podcast co-host Louisa Chu talks with MacArthur's cafeteria owner Mac Alexander for her Chicago Tribune 8-part series on Black-owned restaurants after a year of pandemic, protests, and politics. Then Louisa and co-host Monica Eng critique the role of restaurant critic in Chicago. Plus Monica debuts a new game (with Big Drop alcohol-free IPA beer) that she calls Can You Guess? Finally she dares Louisa to try a grilled Korean macaroni pumpkin snack, but Will She Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Louisa Chu talks with chef Zoe Schor about why she has not reopened for indoor or outdoor dining yet in Chicago. Co-host Monica Eng talks with Top Chef Beverly Kim and Asian American restaurateurs Rohini Dey, Mary Nguyen Aregoni, and Geri Guidote Hernandez about how to cope during COVID. Monica dares Louisa with Flamin' Hot mac and cheese, but Will She Eat it?

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng talks to Mareya Ibrahim, author of "Eat Like You Give a Fork: The Real Dish on Eating to Thrive." Plus Monica checks in with filmmaker / grocer Matt Wechsler of Village Farmstand in Evanston near Chicago. Then co-host Louisa Chu dares her to drink hot water, the Chinese go-to beverage, but Will She Drink It?

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng talks to CBD Tulip Tree Gardens founders Rachael and Jesse Smedberg and tries their CBN oil in her quest for a peaceful pandemic night's sleep.

Then Monica consults to sleep doctors at the Northwestern Medicine Center for Circadian & Sleep Medicine.

Plus she asks chef and author Hank Shaw about how to get her goose cooked.

Finally Monica dares co-host Louisa Chu and producer Iris Lin to taste CBD ice cream from Ida's Artisan Ice Cream, but Will They Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng tries home grain mill Mockmill.

Then Monica talks to Man in the Kitchen founder Steve Katz.

And she dares co-host Louisa Chu to taste self-described "nutritious" Vite Ramen, but Will She Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng visits to gardening activist Nicole Virgil.

Then Monica talks to James Beard grant winning chef Jasmine Sheth about her project Tasting India.

Plus co-host Louisa Chu dares Monica to do shots of baiju for a very special wedding toast to producer Iris Lin, but Will They Drink It?

Chewing co-host Monica Eng shares her story about leptospirosis on the food and health podcast, the deadly disease that killed Louisa Chu's beloved dog Kiba.

Then Monica explains why her favorite pizza was a New York style slice, and Louisa digs deep on Chicago style.

Plus Louisa dares Monica and producer Iris Lin to taste duck neck and White Rabbit flavored potato chips, but Will They Eat It?

In between seasons we're releasing a few bonus interviews. This one deals with Monica's search for a good night sleep. She hopes to find it in the new Kitchen Toke CBD honey and talks to Joline Rivera about it.

Chewing podcast co-hosts Louisa Chu and Monica Eng talk about the importance of Harold's Chicken Shack and mild sauce, then Louisa talks to Harold's #55 owner Percy Billings