The Splendid Table

This week we talk to journalist Dave Plotnikoff about his hike from the Mexican border to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail and the food that ended up being the touch point of the trip. He is the author of "Hungry Man" from the July 2007 issue of Saveur Magazine. Jane and Michael Stern are eating planked whitefish and ice cream "Thunderclouds" at Juilleret's in Harbor Springs, MI, and Russ Parsons, author of How to Pick a Peach explains the rules about produce and the refrigerator.
Broadcast dates for this episode:

• July 21, 2007 (originally aired)
• July 5, 2008 (rebroadcast)

This week we have the story of Mother Noella Marcellino who found her calling in a Benedictine abbey and the cheese caves of France. The Stern's are at Clanton's in Vinita, OK eating chicken fried steak. Wine wit Josh Wesson introduces us to the delicious and overlooked sparkling red wines of summer. Marian Burros of The New York Times recommends sources for grass fed beef, and attorney Cameron Stracher, author of Dinner with Dad: How I Found My Way Back to the Family Table, tells the tale of what happens when a working dad takes over dinner for a year.
Broadcast dates for this episode:

• June 17, 2007 (originally aired)
• June 14, 2008 (rebroadcast)

We are looking at the foods of the Philippine's this week with Amy Besa, author of Memories of Philippine Kitchens: Stories and Recipes from Far and Near, Jane and Michael Stern are at Prince's Hot Chicken Shack in Nashville, TN and Sally Schneider author of the award-winning The Improvisational Cook gives us a cooking lesson for spring.
Broadcast dates for this episode:

• May 26, 2007 (originally aired)
• May 10, 2008 (rebroadcast)

We're looking at the education of a wine rookie with Lettie Teague and her student, movie critic Peter Travers. Lettie is the author of Educating Peter, How I Taught a Famous Movie Critic the Difference Between Cabernet and Merlot or How Anybody Can Become and (Almost) Instant Wine Critic. Jane and Michael Stern are in the Mississippi Delta at Rhoda's Famous Hot Tamales and we look at the advent of a new dining trend, one-pot meals served in private homes.
Broadcast dates for this episode:

• April 28, 2007 (originally aired)
• May 3, 2008 (rebroadcast)

This week it's a special one-hour program recorded in Hawaii. Aloha! This week we're bringing you a special one-hour program recorded in Hawaii. It's a look at the food and culture of Honolulu and its island of Oahu that few tourists see. You won't want to miss this show. 
Famed chef Alan Wong gets us started with a short history lesson, laying out the role immigrants played in the origins of island foods. Then we're off on a whirlwind tour around the island of Oahu, sharing ideas for where to eat and where to shop along the way. We'll talk the local food revolution with farmer Dean Okimoto, visit the Honolulu Fish Auction, tour Chinatown with Joan Namkoong, author of Food Lover's Guide to Honolulu, and stop for shrimp and shave ice on Oahu's north shore.
Keona Mark tells how a native organization is taking taro beyond the infamous poi, and we'll eat from high to low. Along the way we gathered recipes to share, including Hamakua Springs Tomato, Beet and Avocado Salad from the legendary Alan Wong's Restaurant, and a Korean Marinade from Yummy Korean Barbecue in Honolulu's Makai Market.
Broadcast dates for this episode:

• February 17, 2007 (originally aired)
• April 19, 2008 (rebroadcast)

We're still celebrating! This week it's Part Two of our 10th anniversary special recorded in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. This is the region of Italy that Italians consider their culinary jewel, the land of prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Enjoy A Holiday Feast from Ferrara, a menu of recipes handpicked by Lynne for wonderful holiday celebrations.
Learn more about this beautiful country in Lynne's Go-To Guide to Emilia-Romagna and enjoy Lynne's memories and thoughts of Villa Gaidello. (See photos of Lynne in Italy in a slideshow as well.)
Join us for this very special broadcast of intimate armchair travel with one of Italy's greatest fans, Lynne Rossetto Kasper.
Broadcast dates for this episode:

• October 15, 2005 (originally aired)
• October 21, 2006 (rebroadcast)
• March 3, 2007 (rebroadcast)
• April 12, 2008 (rebroadcast)

This week we're celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Splendid Table® with the first of two shows recorded in Lynne's beloved Emilia-Romagna. This is the region of Italy that Italians consider their culinary jewel, the land of prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Lynne takes us behind the scenes as no one else can - into balsamic attics and kitchens of legendary country restaurants. She takes us to a town where people still set a place at table for the composer Verdi and his music spills out into the street.
Lynne's Go-To Guide to Emilia-Romagna takes us from a salumeria in Parma to a barrista in Bologna, stopping along the way for a pasta class and a visit with an eel fisherman. A Rustic Celebration Supper from the Hills of Parma and Piacenza features a menu and recipes for a casual celebration supper selected by Lynne.
Join us for this very special broadcast of intimate armchair travel with one of Italy's greatest fans, Lynne Rossetto Kasper.
Broadcast dates for this episode:

• October 8, 2005 (originally aired)
• October 14, 2006 (rebroadcast)
• April 5, 2008 (rebroadcast)

Thomas Jefferson was the first American to make a serious study of wine. He not only collected and drank it, he toured vineyards, learned first hand, and took copious notes. John Hailman, author of Jefferson on Wine, spent 30 years studying the writing of a man way ahead of his time. He joins us this week with the fascinating story.
The Sterns take a detour from road food to feast on old time San Francisco seafood at Sam's Grill in the financial district. Hide the Velveeta and dump that block of mozzarella. The always-opinionated Steve Jenkins is back with new finds that will get us out of a cheese rut.
We have a story of newlyweds that asks an interesting question: can true love overcome Spam? Christopher Kimball plays another round of Stump the Cook, and we'll talk eating and emotion (as in popcorn at the movies.) Lynne shares recipes for Easter Lamb with Red Wine and Black Olives and Soffritto of Tomato and Fresh Herbs with Penne and, as always, takes your calls.
Broadcast dates for this episode:

• February 24, 2007 (originally aired)
• March 29, 2008 (rebroadcast)

This week it's a story of growing up in Delhi, told by Indian food authority and actress Madhur Jaffrey. She came of age at a wrenching time in India's history, in a large family both privileged and conflicted. It's all evoked through Madhur's taste memories and chronicled in her new book, Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India. Her recipe for Everyday Cauliflower is from the book.
The Sterns are in upstate New York, noshing on Sauceburgers, "Michigans," and fries at McSweeney's in Plattsburgh. Food and Wine magazine's Senior Editor, Ray Isle, stops by to sort through the glut of American Pinot Noir on the market these days and picks the best buys.
Former home-cook-turned-chef at New York City's Prune, Gabrielle Hamilton, tells a story which begins, "It's All Fun and Games Until ..." excerpted from How I Learned to Cook: Culinary Educations from the World's Greatest Chefs. Tune in to find out what happens next. Judith Hoffberg, creator of the International Edible Books Festival, reveals how you can eat your own words and everyone else's, too, and Lynne takes your calls.
Broadcast dates for this episode:

• March 17, 2007 (originally aired)
• March 8, 2008 (rebroadcast)

This week it's a look at the life of a culinary innovator. Cecilia Chiang was a pioneer in bringing regional Chinese food to America with the opening of The Mandarin, her San Francisco restaurant. It became a culinary landmark and Cecilia became a leader in the city's food community. Her book, The Seventh Daughter: My Culinary Journey from Beijing to San Francisco tells her story. Cecilia's recipe for Lion's Head, a Shanghai specialty, is from the book.
It could be the ultimate corned beef sandwich for Jane and Michael Stern at Tucson's Feig's Kosher Foods. Baking authority Dorie Greenspan is back from "Chocolate University" and stops by with tips for a chocolate tasting. She leaves us her recipe for Gooey Chocolate Cakes from her fabulous book, Baking: From My Home to Yours.
Tea expert Bill Waddington joins Lynne for a tasting of new old teas—two varieties treasured in China but unknown here. Ethan Lowry has the scoop on Urban Spoon, a wonderfully innovative source for good eats in cities across the country. And, as always, the phone lines will be open for your calls.
Broadcast dates for this episode:

• February 9, 2008