In our first episode of the 4th season of the Dirty Spoon Radio Hour, Jon takes a look at what's causing the national labor shortage that is shaking up the restaurant industry. Dr. Michelle Lee highlights the work of NYC's Antwoin Gutierrez, aka Chef Fresh. And Christine Estel explores the down sides of being a mystery diner.

During our break before our 4th season, Jon put together a collection of some of his favorite stories from our first 3 seasons. Andy Winder learns about healthy masculinity by learning to cook for his friends. Annilee Newton explores the difficulty of relationships through hollandaise sauce. And award winning author Piper J. Daniels explores her lifelong relationship with disordered eating.

Kate Oczypok talks to World Central Kitchen CEO Nate Mook about the international aid organization's work during the pandemic. Klay Dyer takes a look at the story behind Monashee Spirits in British Columbia. Pat Tompkins explores the simple joys of picking fruit. And Mackenzie Filson explores her drinking habits as an essential worker in the middle of a global pandemic.

It's the Dirty Spoon Christmas Extravaganza! We visit our first Tamalada, learn about table manners, and take a trip to Granny's crowded kitchen counter.

Michele Clark explores her grandfather's legacy as a Jewish butcher in NYC. Gina Beach moves to Bristol England during lockdown, so she learns to forage. Ellen Levitt takes a look at how the pandemic is effecting college cafeteria workers. And Beth Copeland takes us back to the summer of 1970 for an epic showdown at a Shoney's.

NYC writer, director, and actor Amy Berryman explores Pandemic Etiquette in restaurants. LA's Nicole Horowitz takes a look at the cultural explosion of the Popeye's chicken sandwich. Writer Kim Freeman talks about race and veganism in Appalachian culture. And Catherine talks with Chef Jacob Sessoms about the cookbook that inspired his career.

Catherine learns what cookbooks inspired Charleston's Jill Mathias of Chez Nous. London's Adrienne Kennedy has a hatred of Jello that goes back to her battles with Crohn's disease growing up. Caroline Chirichella gathers us around her family table in Italy during the Covid lockdown. And Jon talks to David Arant Jr. whose Delta Blues Rice farm produces American grown rice.

Jon talks to Gypsy Queen Cuisine owner and Chef Suzy Phillips about the explosion that devastated her home town of Beirut, and what's being done to help. Plus, Suzy talks about what it's like to try to keep two restaurants running during a pandemic. To donate to the Beirut Blast Victims Relief Fund, visit gypsyqueencuisine.com

James Beard Award-winning Chef Greg Higgins (Higgins Restaurant, Portland) reads his essay, "The Grains of Optimism," while author and journalist Becky Garrison takes a look at how farmers and restaurants are innovating in the Pacific Northwest to stay afloat during the pandemic. Elisa Shoenberger digs into the indie chocolate scene in Chicago, and Micah Ling profiles L.A. sommelier Ryan Kraemer, as he works to make the wine world more accessible.

Stories of hope from the heart of the lockdown: Anna Nguyen bakes treats for her neighbors, Ted Clyde wanders the empty streets of Chicago to check in on an old friend, Elizabeth Helmich learns to make sourdough bread, and Michelle Tom figures out how to protect her mother-in-law from Coronavirus despite the oceans between them.