He's the godfather of New World Cuisine. Anthony Bourdain called him "the big dog of Florida cooking." He's chef Norman Van Aken, an American culinary legend, former hippie and genuinely nice person. I interviewed Norman for my podcast, discussing his humble beginnings as a short-order cook, the diverse influences of South Florida cuisine and that time he famously declined to cook for Trump at Mar-a-Largo.

Haven Toronto's executive director Lauro Monteiro is a man of steely determination. He has a strong desire to make things better for Toronto's vulnerable, homeless men ages 55+. I asked Lauro "What gives you hope?" as he works daily on the frontlines of the city's homeless crisis. His reply:



“I see the good in people every single day. I see tragedy. I see sad circumstances but, mixed in with that, are some incredible examples of the human spirit. That gives me hope that one day our systems, our politicians, our public policy makers will finally get this right and we will not live in a community where we have 10,000 people who are struggling every night just to have a place to sleep.”

In 2017, I interviewed indomitable chef Matty Matheson. This was shortly before his best-selling tome "Matty Matheson: A Cookbook" was released. Matty's new burger joint in Toronto's boho Queen West neighbourhood "Matty's Patty's Burger Club" serves his signature cheese-slathered burgers, originally made popular at the now closed Parts & Labour restaurant. These days, you can watch Matty's uncensored antics on his YouTube shows "Matty and Benny Eat Out America" and "Home Style Cookery with Matty Matheson." In my interview with Matty, we talk about his addiction and recovery from drugs and alcohol, his heart attack at age 29, his pithy opinions about Trump and his surprisingly delicious Cheeto-topped Mac & Cheese.

I had an instant, warm rapport with Nigella Lawson when I interviewed her in 2015, so much so that she deemed us "kitchen cousins." Nigella and I talked about the healing power of food and our shared impromptu style of cooking. Her new book (available in North America in Spring 2021) and BBC program with the same title "Cook, Eat, Repeat" beautifully reflect the comforting pleasure of cooking.

With cooler temperatures and holidays ahead comes the urge to bake! In my podcast interview with baker 'par excellence' Anna Olson we discuss how to treat over burns, pan dimensions, why unsalted butter is better and baking tips and tricks.

Funny and endearing, Food Network host John Catucci is a kindred adventurer and eater. His show “You Gotta Eat Here” is my morning meditation. His new show “Big Food Bucket List” highlights John’s favourite restaurant dishes. In our lively podcast chat, he talks about his beginnings as a performer, his dad's Bolognese sauce and his adventures in travel and eating.

John Ota and his wife don't like their kitchen in downtown Toronto. His search for the perfect kitchen took him across North America to 13 famous kitchens including Julia Child's, the Pilgrims', Elvis Presley's and Louis Armstrong's, among others. He describes them in his brilliant book "The Kitchen: A Journey Through History in Search of the Perfect Design."

This podcast is dear to my heart – it’s about my Toronto home: Kensington Market. As a podcaster, I notice what I call “good talkers” in my daily life. Carlos Pereira is a character and a good talker. I’ve known him for about 40 years – since I moved into my beloved downtown neighbourhood. Kensington Market is a unique, colourful mix of old houses and small shops where waves of immigrants have long shopped and made their homes. Carlos started working at House of Spice as a teenager in 1977; he bought it in 2012. I talked with Carlos at the famous and popular store in the heart of the market where things are changing. Please listen to the end of the podcast when he says nice things about life - and about me.

Haven is just that: it's a downtown drop-in open 365 days/year offering hot meals and a warm welcome to marginalized men ages 50+. Lauro Monteiro, Haven Toronto's Executive Director, has a steely determination and a compassionate heart. I visited Haven to chat with Lauro and discovered how he cultivates hope and humanity amid Toronto's cruel housing crisis. But first Scott, a panhandler briefly shares his story.