The Four Top: Wine News and Culture

This episode is all about Cuba. As incoming travelers compete for the best “authentic” Cuban food Instagram shots, it’s worth remembering that many Cuban residents are going hungry. What does this juxtaposition of privation and prosperity mean? We then lighten the mood with a brief history—and taste—of Cuban rum.

Traveling with us this week are Patrick Simms, the author of two books on Cuba, and a journalist covering for Outside, The New York Times, Harper’s, and GQ; Robert Reid, a former travel writer and the current host of OETA’s Gallery America on PBS; and Jacob Grier, a prominent mixologist who is also a political writer for publications such as The Washington Post.

Should you juice cleanse? Or is this popular new year’s resolution counterproductive? How has the digital era altered the art of foraging? Finally, we look back 100 years to World War I, when dining decisions and patriotism were inextricably intertwined.

This episode we get caught up in conversation with Liz Crain, a culinary author, fermentation expert, and the co-organizer of the annual Portland Fermentation Festival; Heather Arndt Anderson, a culinary historian, botanist, and food writer; and Virginia Gewin, an award-winning journalist covering food security and agriculture for publications such as Nature, Popular Science, and Modern Farmer.

Are we burnt out on holiday meals? Or are we happy with our traditional fare? This week we wonder if we should mess with the green bean casserole, or let tradition prevail. We turn our festive eye to fake food holidays, and try to tackle the troubling class divide between foodies and those less fortunate.

Helping to unravel all of this is Megan Scott, editor, recipe developer, and project manager for The Joy of Cooking; Laura Russell, a cookbook author, food writer, and recipe developer; and Ivy Manning, a food educator, cookbook author, and contributor to publications such as Cooking Light and Fine Cooking.

It’s time to catch up on new food trends (with a lot of history behind them). We get the low down on poke, and swim through the watery world of sea vegetables.

Behind those panelist mics are Peter Meehan, an author and the former editorial director for Lucky Peach; Matthew Card, the food editor for Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street; and Ivy Manning, a food educator, cookbook author, and contributor to publications such as Cooking Light and Fine Cooking.

We uncover craft beer’s dirty little secret and examine the cult phenom that is the Yeti cooler company — but not before sipping Soylent, the embattled Silicon Valley food replacement.

We aren’t above fast food, and we aren’t above dishing on fast food secret menu items, like In-N-Out’s “animal style” burger. Next, we find out what Martha Stewart’s new meal-kit delivery service has to offer. And since no one would believe our menu hacks or Martha meals without picture evidence, we ask: What has Instagram done to our dining habits?

We turn to the sage wisdom of Laura Russell, a cookbook author, food writer, and recipe developer; Erin DeJesus, currently the lead editor at Eater.com; and Ivy Manning, a food educator, cookbook author, and contributor to publications such as Cooking Light and Fine Cooking.

Is the beer world calling a truce in the hops arms race? We discuss, then delve into the rise of “fast casual” dining. Finally, we navigate the minimum wage conversation vis-à-vis restaurant workers.

Our esteemed panelists are Erin DeJesus, currently the lead editor at Eater; Jeff Alworth, an award-winning writer and podcaster covering beer, cider, and occasionally, politics; and Lucy Burningham, Certified Cicerone, food and travel writer, and author of two books on beer.

What’s the deal with recipe theft? Why are chefs transitioning from bacon besties to health-food connoisseurs? And is tipping over? Or is the end of tipping over? We’re so confused. (And if you’re confused about what’s “tipping over,” we’re talking $$ tips.)

Chiming in this week are Ivy Manning, a food educator, cookbook author, and contributor to publications such as Cooking Light and Fine Cooking; Laura Russell, a cookbook author, food writer, and recipe developer; and Jeff Alworth, an award-winning writer and podcaster covering beer, cider, and occasionally, politics.

This week we dive deep into our words, our taste buds, and our oceans. Why are we so excited by B.S. food terminology, like “superfood?” Is flavor the new superfood? And what the heck is bycatch?

Our guests this week are Curt Ellis, the filmmaker behind the Peabody Award-winning documentary King Corn, and the cofounder and CEO of FoodCorps; Virginia Gewin, an award-winning journalist covering food security and agriculture for publications such as Nature, Popular Science, and Modern Farmer; and Ivy Manning, a food educator, cookbook author, and contributor to publications such as Cooking Light and Fine Cooking.

In our début episode we ask: What is up with America’s obsession with breakfast? We also talk trash about food waste and discuss how our phones are changing how we eat out.

Our inaugural guests are Erin DeJesus, currently lead editor at Eater; Laura Russell, cookbook author, food writer, and recipe developer; and Lucy Burningham, Certified Cicerone, travel writer, and author of two books on beer.