Three TOTALLY BRILLIANT COOKBOOKS: Samin Nosrat, San Francisco, www.ciaosamin.com, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat; Katie & Giancarlo, Chef-Partners, Café Caldesi & La Cucina Caldesi London-Marylebone, Caldesi Campagna, Bray Berkshire, www.caldesi.com, Around the World in 120 Salads – Fresh, Healthy & Delicious;  John Whaite. Owner, John Whaite's Kitchen, TV Chef & Host, Wrightington, Lancashire, www.johnwhaiteskitchen.com, Perfect Plates in Five Ingredients: 100 Stunning Recipes from the Winner of the Great British Baking Show.

First of all OTM wishes a Happy 69th Birthday to our brother Paul!!  Then today's program focuses on some of Pittsburgh’s contributions to the Cocktail Scene: Sean Enright, GM, Spork, Pittsburgh, www.sporkpittsburgh.com, Founder, US Bartender’s Guild-Pittsburgh Chapter, https://www.facebook.com/groups/usbgpghcommunity/, Author Pittsburgh Drinks (with Cody McDevitt); Tim Russell, Founder, Maggies Farm Rum, http://maggiesfarmrum.com/, Pittsburgh. Also Scott Woolley, Co-Founder/Owner, Rock N Roll Tequila, Stockton CA, http://rocknrolltequila.com/. 

Back in the 1960s when true JET-engined Aicraft were being introduced in Australia the flight time between Sydney & Melbourne was reduced from 2 hours to 1.  A local comedian observed that if the Good Lord had intended the country’s two major cities to be only an hour apart, he would have made them closer together!  The rivalry between Australia’s two largest metros continues to this day, but we love them both, so OTM made a brief visit to Sydney on our return journey from Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and World’s 50 Best--a great decision since it brought us superb dining experiences. Ross Lusted and his wife Sunny helm The Bridge Room, a stone’s throw from Circular Quay and the Harbor Bridge (known to locals as the “Coathanger”).  Sublime is the best word we can use for the Lunch that Ross’ kitchen prepared for us.  Go there!  www.thebridgeroom.com.au.  Another couple, Josh & Julie Niland , operate Saint Peter (named for the Biblical Fisherman, not OTM’s Co-Host).  Located on the main street of the trendy Paddington neighborhood, SP is a Seafood Lover’s delight. Josh entertained us with his fascinating life story, while shareing methods he's perfected to ensure every morsel represents the wonderful Australian “catch” at its very best, www.saintpeter.com.au.

OTM brings you some of the EXCITEMENT at the 2017 James Beard Awards held in Chicago. May 1: Three new Members of Who’s Who of Food & Drink in America, Michel Nischan, Founder & President, Wholesome Wave, Bridgeport CT, http://www.wholesomewave.org/; Suzanne Goin, Chef-Owner, AOC, Luques, Tavern – all in LA, http://thelucquesgroup.com/; Evan Kleiman, Culinary Multitasker, Los Angeles, https://www.evankleiman.com/; Daniel Boulud talks about a new venture in NYC, http://www.danielboulud.com/restaurants/new-york-city; Kristina O’Neal, William Harris, Adam Farmerie, Greg Bardshaw, Principals, AvroKO, NYC, http://www.avroko.com/, Winner, Best Restaurant Design under 75 Seats, Single Thread, Healdsberg CA; Art Smith, private Chef (Clients have included Oprah Winfrey), Presenter & Previous Winner, Humanitarian of the Year Award, http://www.chefartsmith.net/chef_art_homepage/index.htm; Rebecca Wilcomb, Chef, Herbsaint NOLA, https://www.herbsaint.com/, Winner, Best Chef South; Hugo Ortega, Hugo’s Houston TX, http://www.hugosrestaurant.net/, Winner, Best Chef Southwest; Gabrielle Quinonez Denton & Greg Denton, Ox, Portland OR, http://oxpdx.com/, Winner, Best Chef Northwest; Finally OTM takes a Sweet Break at Sixteen, Chicago, Evan Sheridan, Executive Pastry Chef, http://sixteenchicago.com/.

Three of Melbourne’s top exponents of “Mod Oz” (Modern Australian) Cuisine (although one of them is really British):  Scott Pickett, Owner & Executive Chef, ESP (Estelle by Scott Pickett) & several other restaurants, https://www.estellebysp.com;  Peter Gunn, Chef-Owner, Ides, www.idesmelbourne.com; Ashley Palmer-Watts, Founding & Executive Chef, Dinner by Heston, http://www.dinnerbyheston.com.au/. .

OTM catches up with some old friends – and Great Chef-Restaurateurs in Melbourne: Kevin & Gail Donovan, Owners, www.donovanshouse.com.au; Philippe Mouchel, Chef-Owner, Philippe, www.philipperestaurant.com.au; Neil Perry, Partner, Rockpool Steak & Seafood & many other places, www.rockpooldininggroup.com.au/.

More Celebrity Chefs while “Down-under:”  Elena Arzak, Chef-Partner, Arzak, San Sebastian Spain, www.arzak.es; Dan Barber, Chef-Owner, Blue Hill, NYC, http://www.bluehillfarm.com/dine/new-york & Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, NY, https://www.bluehillfarm.com/dine/stone-barns; Virgilio Martinez, Chef-Partner, Central, Lima Peru & Lima, London; http://centralrestaurante.com.pe/, http://www.limalondongroup.com/fitzrovia; Yannick Alleno, Chef-Owner, Pavillon Ledoyen, Paris, www.yannick-alleno.com.

Conversations with Chefs while “Down-unde:r” David Thompson, Chef-Partner, Nahm, Bangkok, & Long Chim, Melbourne (and several other cities), https://www.longchimsydney.com/; Victor Liong, Chef-Owner, Lee Ho Fook, Melbourne, Australia, www.leehofook.com.au; Gaggan Anand, Chef-Owner, Gaggan, Bangkok, http://www.eatatgaggan.com/.

Looking forward to next Monday’s James Beard Foundation Awards, and looking back at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival + World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards. Two top Finalists for JBF Awards:  Michael Tusk, Quince, SF, www.quincerestaurant.com; Nina Compton, Compere Lapin, NOLA www.comperelapin.com.  From World’s 50 Best: # 1, Daniel Humm & Will Guidara, Eleven Madison Park,  www.elevenmadisonpark.com; One to Watch, Eduard Zatruc, Chef-Partner, Disfrutar, Barcelona, Spain, www.disfrutarbarcelona.com; Best Female Chef, Ana Ros, Chef-Partner, Hisa Franko, Slovenia, www.hisafranko.com; Gaston Acurio, Chef-Partner, Astrid, Lima Peru, www.astridygaston.com;  Lars Peder Hedberg, Owner, White Guide, Stockholm Sweden, www.whiteguide.com.

Condiments- Oils & Salt – how & where to source some of the Best: Clay Oliver, Oliver Farm, Artisan Cold-pressed, Unrefined Nut Oils, Pitts GA, www.oliverfarm.com; Natalia Cabrera, Founder, Khayyam LLC, NYC, www.khayyan.com; unmatched quality Vinegars, Olive Oils & Spices from Spain; Leslie Bilderback, The Culinary Masterclass, Pastry Chef, N/naka Culver City CA, Pastry Chef at N/naka in Culver City, http://culinarymasterclass.com/, Salt: The Essential Guide to Cooking with the Most Important ingredient in Your Kitchen. >

Unusual Wine Stories from Spain, Oregon & China!  Miguel Oliveros, Owner & Winemaker, Bodega Oliveros, Huelva, Spain,http://www.bodegasoliveros.com/en,/Producer of Crianza Sweet Vermouth; Christopher Czarnecki, Owner, Joel Palmer House, Dayton OR, www.joelpalmerhouse.com, a Restaurant deep in the Heart of Oregon’s Vineyard Country; Noel Shu, Sommelier & Managing Partner, Prodiguer Brands, www.prodiguerbrands.com; China Through a Glass of Wine.

The American South, and Texas is a big part of it: Vivian Howard, Chef-Owner, Chef & the Farmer, Kinston NC, http://www.vivianhoward.com/,   Co-Creator & Star, “A Chef’s Life” on PBS, Deep Run Roots: Stories & Recipes from My Corner of the South; Terry Thompson-Anderson, Rockport TX, Breakfast in Texas: Recipes for Elegant Brunches, Down-Home Classics & Local Favorites; Matt Moore, Matt Moore Music, Nashville TN, https://www.mattmooremusic.com/, The South’s Best Butts: Pitmaster Secrets for Southern BBQ Perfection

How sweet it is!  Variations on this theme.  Dana Cree, Executive Pastry Chef, The Publican Restaurants, Chicago, www.helloicecreamchicago.com, Hello, my name is Ice Cream; Todd Masonis, Founder, Dandelion Chocolate, San Francisco, www.dandelionchocolate.com; Susan Jane White, Food Writer & Blogger, Dublin Ireland, http://susanjanewhite.com/, The Virtuous Tart: Sinful but Saintly Recipes for Sweets, Treats & Snacks. 

The cuisine of neighboring countries Iran (Persia) & Turkey, plus a Special Treat from Israel: Naomi Duguid, Taste of Persia; Amy Zitelman, Soom Foods Tahini, Philadelphia (the Tahini is made in Israel), www.soomfoods.com; John Gregory-Smith, London, www.eattravellive.com, Iran, Turkey and Israel, Turkish Delights: Stunnung Regional Recipes from the Bosphorus to the Black Sea 

Note the USA time change, which is different from most countries. Today’s program starts with an analysis of how to use spices in a healthy diet, then covers Cooking of the Union of South Africa: .Natasha “Tash” MacAller, Dancing Chef (not to be confused with The Dancing Chef), NZ, LA & London, www.dancingchef.net, Spice Health Heroes; Cariema Isaacs, Dubai, formerly of Capetown, South Africa, My Cape Malay Kitchen; Melinda Roodt, Senior Pastor, Delta Community Church, Vereeniging South Africa & Owner, Mel’s Kitchen – Rusks & Biscuits, The Classic South African Cookbook.

A VERY TASTY program, special things to eat & drink.  Kristina Richens, Minister of Communications,  Celebrating 25 years, The Republic of Tea, Novato CA, www.republicoftea.com; Ricky Mandle & Monica Navarro, Owners, Delicious & Sons, Mediterranean style Pastes & Sauces, Barcelona Spain, www.deliciousandsons.com; Gail Balderson, Director of Marketing, Muuna, new-style Cottage Cheese - with & without Fruit in the bottom, NYC, www.muuna.com. 

All Ladies, All Irish. An American Chef with Irish Roots, a Native Irishwoman, and a Tribute to Irish Chefs:  Barbara Lynch, Chef-Owner, BLGruppo, (7 Restaurants including No. 9 Park, Sportello & Menton), Boston MA, www.blgruppo.com, Out of Line: A Life of Playing with Fire; Kathryn Bruton, London, www.kathrynbruton.com, Skinny Soups: 80 Flavor-packed Recipes of less than 100 Calories; Leslie Conron Carola, Owner & Director, Arena Books, Westport CT, The New Irish Table: Recipes from Ireland’s Top Chefs.

William Drew, Group Editor of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, talks about 50 Best in Melbourne, and the entire 50Best Program; Justin Chapple, Food & Wine Test Kitchen, www.foodandwine.com/video/mad-genius-cooking-tips, Mad Genius Tips: Over 90 Expert Hacks & 100 Delicious Recipes; Raghavan Iyer, Minneapolis, www.raghavaniyer.com, Smashed, Mashed, Boiled, And Baked—And Fried Too.

Focus on Asia: Monisha Bharadwaj, Owner, Cooking with Monisha Cooking School, London, www.cookingwithmonisha.com, The Indian Cooking Course: Techniques, Masterclasses, Ingredients & Traditional Recipes; Vacharian Blumichitr, Thai Restaurateur, Ko Samui & Chiang Mail Resorts, Thailand, http://www.vatchthailand.com/, 50 Great Curries of Thailand – we apologize for the poor sound quality of this interview, which is due to sub-standard cellular phone connection is rural Thailand; Emily Jonzen, London UK, www.emilyjonzen.com, The Goodness of Coconut.

What’s all the excitement in Melbourne, Australia, this Spring (Autumn there), plus two books of new/old recipes: Natalie O’Brien, CEO, 25th Annual Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, and World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards, March 31-April 9, http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/; Georgeanne Brennan, Founder, La Vie Rustic, www.lavierustic.com, My Culinary Journey: Food & Fetes of Provence; Rachel Hollis, Founder, The Chic Site, Los Angeles, www.thechicsite.com, Upscale Downhome: Family Recipes, All Gussied Up.

A Pittsburgh “Classic” keeps on growing. Founded 80 years ago, named an “American Classic” by the James Beard Foundation, Primanti Brothers adds restaurant # 30 to its "family."  Then some Seasoning Tips – Infusions  & How to Cook with Cannabis: David Head, CEO, Primanti Brothers, Pittsburgh, www.primantibros,com; Erin Coopey, Seattle, http://chefshop.com/Chef-Erin-Coopey-The-GlorifiedHomeChef-C647.aspx, Infusing Flavors; Laurie Wolf, Portland OR, http://www.laurieandmaryjane.com,  Cooking with Cannabis.

A really sweet spot in London, and a newly emerging Pittsburgh Restaurant “Family:”  Rachel Wicking, Deputy GM & Ryan Thompson, Executive Chef, Dominique Ansel Bakery, Belgravia London, http://dominiqueansellondon.com; Rick DeShantz, Chef/Owner, Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group, Cecil Usher, Beverage Director & Head Bartender, Butcher & the Rye, http://butcherandtherye.com/, Keith Fuller, Executive Chef, Pork & Beans, http://www.porkandbeanspgh.com/, also part of the Group, http://meatandpotatoespgh.com/, http://takopgh.com/. Plus more new restaurants opening soon.

OTM meets Old & New friends in London during our recent Visit – 2nd of 2 programs:  Claudio Cardoso, Executive Chef, Sushisamba; Dan Doherty, Chef-Director, Duck & Waffle, both in Heron Tower, Bishopsgate;  www.sushisamba.com, www.duckandwaffle.com; Dan's latest book, Toast Hash Roast Mash: Real Food for Every Time of Day; Greg Taylor, Sous Chef, Yosma, Fitzrovia, www.yosma.london.

OTM meets Old & New friends in London during our recent Visit – 1st of 2 programs: Anthony Demetre, Chef-Owner, Wild Honey. Mayfair, www.wildhoneyrestaurant.co,uk, Chris Cavaille, GM-Sommelier, Wild Honey; James Lowe, Head Chef, Lyle's, Shoreditch, www.lyleslondon.com.  More next week.

An Introduction to some of London's great Art Museums--Tate Modern, http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/ , Barbican, http://www.barbican.org.uk/,  National Portrait Gallery, http://www.npg.org.uk/,  National Gallery, http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/ --and their current special Exhibitions. Then, to stimulate your interest in Modern British Food:  Aleksandra Crapanzano, Brooklyn NY, The London Cookbook; Coleman Andrews, CT, www.thedailymeal.com, The British Table: A New Look at the Traditional Cooking of England Scotland & Wales.  Note: OTM's recent coverage of London Restaurants begins next week.  AND,especially, WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2017!!