It’s time for a holiday kitchen confession… I grew up in the South, yet somehow never learned how to make biscuits! Thankfully, my dear friend Chef Carla Hall—along with the wonderful Chadwick Boyd—brought Biscuit Time to this special encore edition of Kitchen Chat.

We rolled up our sleeves at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, where Chef Jaime Laurita joined us for a fun, flour-dusted biscuit lesson. One bite of a warm, fresh biscuit instantly transported me back to my childhood and the flavors my father used to make with such love.

This is an episode to cherish. With Carla, Jaime and Chadwick as your biscuit buddies, you’ll learn exactly how to create tender, perfect biscuits every single time.

The post Encore: Biscuit Time! Holiday Baking with Carla Hall appeared first on Kitchen Chat.

Congratulations to Kevin Boehm on the launch of his compelling book The Bottomless Cup: A Memoir of Secrets, Restaurants and Forgiveness. Margaret McSweeney and Kevin Boehm first met in 2016 at The James Beard Awards in Chicago after their first Kitchen Chat. Kevin is the co-owner and co-founder of the highly acclaimed and award winning Boka Restaurant Group which he started with Rob Katz. In 2019, Kevin and Rob were the recipients of Outstanding Restaurateur at the James Beard Awards.

Here’s the link to our video chat with Kevin.

In this Kitchen Chat, Kevin shares the highs and lows of his personal life along with key components of success in his professional life. He also discusses the importance of mental health. You will be inspired by his story and strength.

Here is the link to buy his new book which launches November 4, 2025.

Savor the day!

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Host Margaret McSweeney takes us to the Oxfordshire countryside to Estelle Manor, one of the “hottest” destinations in England.

Originally built in 1780 in Georgian style and rebuilt in 1908 in Jacobean style, Estelle Manor sits on 85 acres and is surrounded by 3,000 acres of parklands and gardens. In 2023, Ennismore opened this beautiful property as a private club and hotel.

Here’s a peak at the video:

The kitchen gardens provide a bountiful and beautiful harvest of greens for the salads at the Glass House, one of the hotel’s restaurants. Margaret enjoyed chatting with one of the chefs who was collecting the day’s harvest from the gardener.

The Potting Shed is the perfect place for a morning latte and pastries amongst the lush plants throughout the interior.

Margaret’s friend May and her dogs, Lulu and George joined her for this stay.

They enjoyed a delicious lunch in the private library and dinner at Brasserie.

Margaret especially enjoyed booking the Thermal Journey at the Eynsham Baths, an oasis of relaxation at Estelle Manor. This experience included exclusive access to the Tea Lounge where a tea master prepared a special blend for her. She purchased some tea to continue her wellness journey in Chicago.

Soak up the sun at the Riviera inspired heated pool.

And the evening view is enchanting!

Please click here for additional information about Estelle Manor.

Many thanks to Claire and her Great British Tea Party Facebook Community for the opportunity to share Kitchen Chat on their Facebook Page.

Savor the day!

The post Estelle Manor: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality appeared first on Kitchen Chat.

“Find a great need in a near edge and act upon it to make a difference” as my father always encouraged. This has proven to be a powerful recipe for action, especially for Nancy Brinker, a three-time Ambassador and New York Times best-selling author, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. She launched two impactful charitable organizations from her kitchen table. Nancy is regarded as the leader of the global breast cancer movement. Her journey began with promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen that she would do everything possible to end the shame, fear and hopelessness caused by this disease. Since 1982, Susan G Komen Foundation has invested nearly $1.1 billion in breast cancer research. The second charity that Nancy recently founded is the Promise Fund of Florida, which helps ensure that every woman, regardless of her circumstances has access to life-saving cancer resources. She was shocked to discover that 80,000 women ages 18-65 in Palm Beach County do not have health insurance coverage, and 30% of breast cancers are at an advanced stage when diagnosed. Kitchen Chat was honored to sit with Nancy at this very kitchen table where she started The Promise Fund of Florida to discuss an issue that is important to both of us. Nancy and I are breast cancer survivors.

Nancy Brinker and I met at Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) event at the United Nations where she was being honored by Wendy Diamond, the founder of the WEDO. During our Kitchen Chat, Nancy and I of course bonded over our love and appreciation of food. She shared highlights from her favorite meals as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary along with her appreciation of her late husband’s accomplishments as a pioneer within the restaurant industry. Norman Brinker was the founder of Steak and Ale and CEO of Brinker International which owns Chili’s Grill and Bar, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and Maggiano’s Little Italy. He is credited for revolutionizing the casual-dining restaurants in the United States.

In a full circle, “hugs from heaven” moment, Nancy invited me to join her for the Women of Distinction awards luncheon in Palm Beach which is hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic University. She of course is a past honoree. What she didn’t realize is that when my father was president of Palm Beach Atlantic University over thirty years ago, he actually helped create this concept of honoring women in the community.

Please help support the Promise Fund of Florida and make an impact for women to have access to life-saving cancer resources. Thank you, Nancy Brinker for finding “a great need in a near edge and acting upon it to make a huge difference.”

Savor the day!

Foodie friends, what are some of your favorite charities that you discuss at your kitchen table?

The post Nancy Brinker: Leading the Global Movement to end Breast Cancer appeared first on Kitchen Chat.

“Scotland is a land of mountains, glens, and islands, a land of myth and legend” – Walter Scott

Join Kitchen Chat host Margaret McSweeney as she celebrates the 100th anniversary of Gleneagles, located at the base of the Scottish Southern Highlands. After its grand opening in 1924, media proclaimed that Gleneagles was the “8th Wonder of the World” and called it “The Glorious Playground.”

Tee and Tea are hallmark experiences at this timeless resort. With three championship courses and a nine-hole course, golfers can test their skills amidst the lush landscape. In 1921 (before the hotel opened), Gleneagles hosted their first golf tournament between American and British players, which is considered to be the precursor to the Ryder Cup.

Enjoy Afternoon Tea in Glendevon at Glenagles for a taste of Scottish heritage with a legacy of impeccable service and refined elegance. Margaret especially enjoyed the Centenary Afternoon Tea offered during her stay with savories and pastries representing the culinary highlights during the 100 years, including the Truffled Egg Mayonnaise sandwich made famous in the 1930s in The Ritz.

Explore the verdant grounds and crunch along the paths of the Kitchen Garden, an oasis of produce and botanicals.

Expand your knowledge about Scottish Whisky through a tasting offered at Gleneagles.

Every episode of Kitchen Chat can be heard on all podcast platforms and is NOW available on The Great British Tea Party’s Facebook page.

What are your favorite memories and experiences in Scotland?

Savor the day!

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“Haste ye back” A Scottish saying

Welcome to a very special episode of Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History & Hospitality. Today, we’re traveling to a storybook setting in Scotland. Let’s visit Cromlix, the breathtaking Victorian mansion and five-star luxury country house hotel near Dunblane, owned by tennis legend, Sir Andy Murray and his wife, Kim. This majestic and historic mansion even includes a chapel. Hospitality is engrained in the Scottish culture, and Cromlix exemplifies the graciousness of Scotland. Don your “wellies” and explore the 34 acres of serene countryside including a kitchen garden and a tree swing that invites you back to your childhood.

Cromlix welcomes guests with both timeless Scottish heritage and contemporary luxury with resplendent interiors designed by renowned designer Suzanne Garuda. This is a place where every detail tells a story, from the grandeur of its architecture to the warmth of its welcome.

You can reserve an exquisite Afternoon Tea served daily in the Glass House dining area or if your dog accompanies you, the staff will accommodate Afternoon tea in the living room area.

Host Margaret McSweeney sits down with the gracious General Manager, Barry Makin, to discuss the spirit of this magnificent property and the perfected hospitality. “The style of luxury we want to deliver at Cromlix is a relaxed and understated luxury that makes people feel welcome. We want to welcome you into our home and not a hotel,” Makin says. From the tranquil beauty of its grounds to the exquisite dishes crafted with local ingredients, this episode is a masterclass in modern Scottish luxury. 

A poignant moment for Margaret was serendipitously meeting a Scottish bagpiper who was walking into Cromlix Chapel to practice before a wedding. As many of you know, Margaret launched Kitchen Chat as a way to honor her late father who was a gourmet home chef, world traveler and accomplished musician. Her dad even loved to play the bagpipes, and his favorite song to play was Amazing Grace. This kind bagpiper in Cromlix Chapel played Amazing Grace for Margaret.

“Haste ye back,” a Scottish phrase meaning “You are always welcome to return” reflects the depth of hospitality at Cromlix. I look forward to one day returning to this cherished place.

Remember, every episode of Kitchen Chat can be heard on all podcast platforms and NOW heard on The Great British Tea Party on Facebook.

Savor the day!

The post Cromlix: A Luxury Country House Hotel in Scotland appeared first on Kitchen Chat.

Welcome to a special edition of Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History, and Hospitality. Host Margaret McSweeney takes you to the heart of London’s Mayfair, a place synonymous with timeless elegance, to visit the incomparable Brown’s Hotel, a Rocco Forte Property.

Brown’s is more than just a hotel; it’s a living piece of history, where the past whispers from every corner. Founded in 1837, this is London’s very first hotel, and its legacy is rich with stories. It’s where Rudyard Kipling wrote The Jungle Book, and where Alexander Graham Bell made Britain’s first-ever telephone call. Today, this historic landmark has been impeccably reimagined, blending its iconic heritage with a modern culinary spirit.

Here’s a look at our video:

This episode will feature highlights from Margaret’s Kitchen Chat last summer with her friend, Chef Ross Sneddon, Regional Executive Pastry Chef for Rocco Forte (including The Balmoral and Brown’s Hotel). During her visit to London this summer, Margaret and May Wong visited with Chef Ross to sample the popular Mayfair Bun which is now available at Brown’s.

Inspired by centuries of British baking tradition yet entirely its own, the Mayfair Bun is a delicate
balance of indulgence and restraint. Baked in beeswax, draped in honey, and dusted with floral bee
pollen, it offers a subtle sweetness that lingers without overpowering. The honey used in the Mayfair Bun is sourced from the award-winning Rhug Estate in North Wales,
where bees forage freely among wildflowers in the Dee Valley. The result is a naturally floral honey
with subtle notes of citrus and heather.

This pastry is a tribute to the hotel’s address at 33 Albemarle Street in Mayfair. Each Mayfair bun features 33 delicate layers of pastry and only 33 of these buns are baked and sold each day, with £1 from each sale benefiting Bees for Development, a charity dedicated to beekeeping and biodiversity.

Get ready to experience the perfect blend of luxury, history, and hospitality as we celebrate a true London icon.

Remember, every episode of Kitchen Chat can be heard on all podcast platforms and NOW heard on The Great British Tea Party on Facebook.—-

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“I like to think that whatever you cook indoors. you can cook it even better outdoors” Meathead

On this special episode of Kitchen Chat, host Margaret McSweeney visits the living legend of grilling in his kitchen for an insightful conversation and a Masterclass on one of America’s most revered traditions. She is joined by the celebrated pitmaster, culinary scientist, and seminal voice in outdoor cooking, Meathead, author of the landmark book, “The Meathead Method: A BBQ Hall of Famer’s Secrets and Science on BBQ, Grilling, and Outdoor Cooking with 114 Recipes.”

This episode presents an inspiring approach to the craft, intricate science and storied history of American barbecue. In a conversation that brings the experience of cooking outdoors to life, Margaret and Meathead delve into the rich History and cultural significance of this culinary art form, examine its central role in American Hospitality, and dissect the scientific principles that create an irresistible, craveworthy Taste experience. It’s a discussion that defines the true Luxury of culinary mastery—where technique, precision, and passion converge to inspire and elevate a beloved tradition.

Join us for a compelling exploration of the art, soul, and science of outdoor Summer cooking.

Remember, every episode of Kitchen Chat can now be heard on all podcast platforms and NOW heard on The Great British Tea Party on Facebook. And of course, Meathead talks about flavoring smoke on the grill with tea.

Savor the day!

The post The Meathead Method: The Art, Soul and Science of Outdoor Cooking appeared first on Kitchen Chat.

On a truly ‘fashionable” episode of Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality, host Margaret McSweeney brings us to the runway of a philanthropic fashion show in Chicago to benefit WINGS Program Inc, whose mission is to provide housing, integrated services, education and advocacy to end domestic violence. Margaret serves on the Leadership Advisory Board for this impactful non-profit.

Joining Margaret is a special guest whose name is synonymous with fashion, vision and style and now delicious cocktails: world-renowned fashion photographer and television personality, Nigel Barker. Margaret was especially delighted to meet Nigel as both she and his wife grew up in Alabama.

Check out our video chat here!

Nigel shares the story behind the launch of his latest creation, The Barker Company Espresso Martini. Nigel and his business partner, Philippe Roederer have launched this product in the United States (check website for locations) with plans to expand internationally. Philippe has successfully introduced Veuve Cliquot and Voss to the U.S. market in his past roles. This summer, Margaret had the delightful honor of meeting Philippe Roederer at the Chicago launch party at The Gwen for The Barker Company Espresso Martini.

Almost two years in the making, this meticulously crafted beverage is designed to be an unprecedented and elevated experience. Nigel reveals the passion and precision required to develop what is being called the “Most Fashionable cocktail” in the world—and the #2 most popular cocktail ordered today.

This conversation is a perfect blend of worlds: the Luxury of high fashion and premium spirits, the History behind a carefully built brand, and the profound Hospitality of giving back to the community. Tune in to hear how a master of the visual arts applied his discerning eye to create a taste sensation. Join us for a conversation where glamour meets giving, and style is served in a glass.

Remember, every episode of Kitchen Chat can now be heard on all podcast platforms and NOW heard on The Great British Tea Party on Facebook. Speaking of tea, I think the next product that Nigel and The Barker Company should launch is a Matcha Martini!

Savor the Day and Savor the Sip!

(Please remember to drink responsibly and only if age 21 or over).

The post Fashion Icon Nigel Barker Launches an Espresso Martini appeared first on Kitchen Chat.

On this very special episode of Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality, host Margaret McSweeney takes us on a sweet, very personal journey home. Broadcasting from the vibrant culinary heart of her beloved hometown, Birmingham, Alabama, Margaret has a Kitchen Chat with Leigh Sloss-Corra, the dynamic Executive Director of The Market at Pepper Place. Margaret and Leigh are both members of Les Dames d’Escoffier and first met during the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) conference in Birmingham. Margaret serves on the board for IACP.

Here’s a look at our video chat:

The Market at Pepper Place is celebrating its 25th anniversary and is a thriving farmer’s market place which serves as the city’s epicurean epicenter. The Market at Pepper Place is a brilliant example of striking the perfect balance between urban renewal and a testament to the power of local Southern food roots and artisans Birmingham is world renowned for. Leigh’s sister, Cathy Sloss Jones was an integral part of launching this farmers’ market along with Chef Frank Stitt and Chef Franklin Biggs who realized that something needed to be done to ensure the ongoing viability of Alabama farmers and locally sourced food. Each weekend, guests can enjoy a cooking demo. Margaret was quite impressed with the international flavors at this market. A native of Nepal, Prarthana Pandey, owner of Dalle Momo cooked dumplings and flavorful dipping sauces to sample.

Margaret and her childhood friend, Melanie sipped refreshing Thai Tea and Butterfly Pea Tea from Tay’s Tea.

In a conversation that beautifully encapsulates the show’s pillars, Margaret and Leigh explore the rich History of the Pepper Place district, its transformation from an industrial hub to a culinary focused cultural landmark.

Many thanks to Great British Tea Party for sharing this post. Something that the GBTP community will love is that the Birmingham Museum of Art owns the largest collection of Wedgewood outside of England. Definitely a great place to visit on a trip to Alabama.

What is your favorite feature at your favorite farmers’ market?

Savor the day!

The post The Market at Pepper Place: A Culinary Renaissance appeared first on Kitchen Chat.