Good Food

Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis pay homage to their Middle Eastern heritage in their sophomore restaurant cookbook, “ Bavel .” In a year of hours clocked in the kitchen and embracing DIY projects, journalist Danielle Dreilinger traces the history of the surprising science behind the field of home economics. TASTE editor Anna Hezel weighs in on the benefits of nonstick cookware. Australian chef Josh Niland approaches fish butchery with sustainability and suggestions on how to use every component of a fish. Market correspondent Gillan Ferguson talks about melons with farmer Alex Weiser and Chef Sarah Hymanson of Kismet. Los Angeles Times restaurant critic Bill Addison heads south to Anaheim for Yemeni cuisine.

Colombia, with its Carribean and Pacific coasts and Andres mountain ridges, has vast climates and Indigenous communities that influence its regional cuisines and flavors. This week, food stylist Mariana Velàsquez speaks about the essential, fresh ingredients of her homeland’s recipes and pays homage to the women who were the backbone of her childhood in the kitchen. Gullah Geechee farmer and chef Matt Raiford describes the seafood of the Georgia coast, including shrimp for breakfast. From parmesan versus Parmigiano Reggiano to crispy versus crunchy, Brette Warshaw answers “What’s the difference?” between some of the kitchen and grocery aisles most common headscratchers. Piemaker Kate Lebo embraces fruit and waxes poetic about its more difficult varieties. Eggplant makes its appearance at the farmer’s market. Finally, Bill Addison visits a Cameroonian restaurant in Boyle Heights.

This week, author and journalist Mark Arax chronicles the journey water takes in California, from the mountainous peaks and snow melts of the north, through the nut and fruit farms of the Central Valley, and up and over the mountain to the faucets and swimming pools of Southern California. Environmental attorney Thomas Linzey discusses his work defending the “rights of nature.” Science writer Lucy Jones makes the connection between nature and mental health. At the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, Dawn Birch reveals unprecedented steps she and her husband are taking to irrigate their property, and Chef Carlos Salgado is in search of peaches.

This week, Bill Esparza continues his trek through California in search of the best barbacoa. Matt Kettmann makes recommendations for tasting room visits in Santa Barbara wine country. Chef Renee Erickson has recipes inspired by her travel, making a getaway as close as the kitchen. Food stylist and chef Sarah Glover offers kid-friendly camping cooking tips that spark imagination for overnighters in the wild. If you’re looking to escape the heat at a movie theater, Morgan Neville’s new film “Roadrunner” reveals the joys and pain of the most recognized traveler of our time — Anthony Bourdain. Plus, a quick trip to the farmer’s market for summer corn.

Evan Kleiman visits “The Plastic Bag Store,” where artist Robin Frohardt has designed products from collected materials that speak to the foreverness of single-use plastics and what it means for the future. Bill Esparza journeys through Los Angeles for barbacoa, the pit-roasted meat found across Mexico. The availability window for Blenheim apricots is open, and Sherry Yard shares how she is using those from See Canyon Fruit Ranch. Director David Gelb reveals the rise of the celebrity chef in his new documentary “Wolfgang.” Journalist and editor Laurie Ochoa remembers Chef Mark Peel. Finally, Los Angeles Times restaurant critic Bill Addison returns with his weekly reviews.

The heat is on, so Good Food celebrates all things cold but starts with the reopening of Smogasburg on July 4. General Manager Zach Brooks has a rundown of new vendors and old favorites. Eater LA Associate Editor Cathy Chaplin shares where to get cold bowls of noodles to stay cool. Dr. Rajita Katta reveals the curious phenomenon of Margarita dermatitis, a skin condition caused by citrus juice on the skin and exposure to the sun. Richard Parks III speaks to Fernando Lopez of I Love Micheladas about the southland’s favorite beer cocktail. Dave Arnold has perfected the gin and tonic. Finally, the history of the men and women who drive ice cream trucks.

In her new book “ We Are Each Other’s Harvest ,” author Natalie Baszile brings together the narratives and histories of Black farmers in America. She co-hosts this edition of Good Food with Evan Kleiman, as they speak to those who are tied to the land and profiled in the book. “Farmers are living ancestors for Black people,” explains Baszile, whose personal history includes a connection to farming.

Clyde W. Ford provides a historical account of how the American government has failed Black farmers. Willie Earl Nelson and his son Adrain explain the discriminatory tactics deployed to deny Black farmers of capital to purchase land. O’Neal Bluefort remembers early days on his family’s tobacco farm and his grandfather’s final gift with wishes to continue his legacy. Baszile recounts a visit from her grandmother and her recipe for dirty rice. Finally, Naima Penniman reads her poem for future generations.

June 19, 1865 was the day in Galveston, Texas when enslaved African Americans learned they were free a full two years after then-President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Today is Juneteenth, the yearly holiday Black Americans celebrate their true emancipation. Chef and artist Ray Anthony Barrett discusses how he incorporates Hoppin’ John and other dishes into his Juneteenth menus. Host Stephen Satterfield joins producers Fabienne Toback and Karis Jagger in their journey to bring the book “High on the Hog” by Jessica B. Harris to the small screen. Los Angeles Times restaurant critic Bill Addison returns with his most anticipated dining experiences now that reservations are open across the city. Stephanie Wilson solicited funds to reopen the beloved diner Swingers in this week’s edition of “In the Weeds.” Marcia Chatelain recently was awarded a Pulitzer in history for her work, “Franchise.” Finally, it’s berry season at the farmer’s market.

With California fully reopening on June 15, many restaurants are poised to drop capacity limits and masks. Good Food looks at the idea of hospitality, starting with longtime server Tiffany Coty at Lawry’s. Essayist and activist Priya Basil describes the roots of the word “hospitality” and the notion of give and take in and outside of the industry. Journalist Simran Sethi details two cases that the U.S. Supreme Court will decide on, which hold “Big Chocolate” accountable for child labor abuses in the cocoa supply chain. Peter Bahlawanian has a primer for making root beer at home. Dan Pucci and Craig Cavallo share the history of cider. Finally, cherries come to the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market.

Barbecue season is upon us. Good Food heads to the pit for the smoke, the meat, and the masters. Adrian Miller examines the surprising and often overlooked beginnings of American barbecue. Rodney Scott was cooking a whole hog every weekend by the time he was 17-years-old and shares his knowledge of mastering the pit. Andrew and Michelle Munoz are the husband-wife team behind Texas-style Moo’s Craft Barbecue. They explain their backyard to brick & mortar journey in this week’s edition of “In the Weeds.” Nicolette Hahn Niman examines the complex relationship between raising beef and the environment. Gabriela Gomez fell in love with butchering in high school and is now behind the block at Electric City Butcher. Finally, new potatoes are plentiful at the farmer’s market.