Timely insights about how to create wonders in a homemade kitchen, make world-class pies, understand how to use Maple Syrup, and Prepare a Sunday Dinner to die for:  Alana Chernila, W. Mass, www.eatingfromthegroundup.com. The Homemade Kitchen: Recipes for Cooking with Pleasure; Holly Ricciardi, Philadelphia PA, www.iluvmagpie.com, Magpie: Sweets & Savories from Philadelphia’s Favorite Pie Boutique; Kate Webster, in a Vermont Maple Wood, www.healthyseasonalrecipes.com, Maple: 100 Sweet & Savory Recipes Featuring Pure Maple Syrup; Bridgette Lacy, Raleigh NC, Sunday Dinner, a Savor the South Cookbook.

A Program dedicated to Exotic Ingredients, Exotic Recipes and Exotic Destinations:  Adnan Durrani, Founder, American Halal/Saffron Road, Stamford CT, wwwsaffronroadfood.com/; Natasha MacAller, London UK, www.dancingchef.net, Vanilla Table: the Essence of exquisite cooking from the World’s Best Chefs; Jessica Cole, Lonely Planet, London UK, http://www.lonelyplanet.com/, From the Source Cookbook Series, Italy & Thailand (more to follow in 2016 and beyond).

Jacques Pepin, celebrated Chef, Author, TV Personality, Madison CT, http://www.pbs.org/food/chefs/jacques-pepin/; Jacques Pepin Heart & Soul in the Kitchen; Andrea Chesman, Ripton VT, http://andreachesman.com/, The Backyard Homestead Book of Kitchen Know-how; Meredith Doherty, Marketing Director, The Grommet, Boston MA, https://www.thegrommet.com/.

More Highlights from Nashville and the Music City Food & Wine, interviews at Harvest Night and Grand Tasting.  And a Southern Beverage to End.  Jonathon Waxman, Adele’s - Nashville, Barbuto – NYC, www.barbutonyc.com, http://adelesnashville.com/; Mike Lata, The Ordinary, Charleston SC, http://eattheordinary.com/; Linton Hopkins, Restaurant Eugene, http://www.restauranteugene.com/; Marcus Samuelson, Red Rooster NYC, http://redroosterharlem.com/; Andrew Zimmern, http://andrewzimmern.com/; Chris Bianco, Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix AZ, http://www.pizzeriabianco.com; Aaron Sanchez & Chef Miles, Johnny Sanchez, NOLA, http://chefaaronsanchez.com/ & http://www.johnnysanchezrestaurant.com. Pit-Master Pat Martin, Martin’s BBQ Joint, Nashville & Morgantown WV, http://www.martinsbbqjoint.com/; Pano Karatassos, Kyma, Atlanta, https://www.buckheadrestaurants.com/kyma/chef/; Daniel Herget, Little Octopus, Nashvillle, http://www.popnashville.com/littleoctopus/; Cara Graham, Lockeland Table, Nashville, http://www.lockelandtable.com/; Jay Flatley, Tavern, Nashville, http://mstreetnashville.com/restaurants/tavern; And to End on a “High” Note, Fred Minnick, Bourbon Curious: a Simple Tasting Guide for the Savvy Drinker.

Highlights from Nashville and the Music City Food & Wine Festival – first of 2 programs: Trevor Moran, Executive Chef, Cat Bird Seat, https://thecatbirdseatrestaurant.com/; Alex Grainger, Executive Chef, & Clay Greenberg, Partner, SILO, http://www.silotn.com/; Matt Bolus, Executive Chef, & Travis Brazil, GM, 404 Kitchen, http://the404nashville.com/; Scott Conant, Chopped” Television series, plus numerous restaurants & cookbooks, http://scottconant.com/

Bread is the “Staff of Life”, Baking the Science of Making Bread – in today’s program three Exponents of Bread & Baking: Rick Easton, Owner-Baker-Chef, Bread & Salt, Pittsburgh PA; Alice Medrich, Berkeley CA, http://alicemedrich.com, Flavor Flours: a New Way to Bake with Teff, Buckwheat,  Sorghum, Other Whole & Ancient Grains; Jane Hornby, Oxford UK, www.janehornby.com, What to Bake & How to Bake it.

Terrific Meat & Cheese, made in America, especially the USA:  Herb Eckhouse, La Quercia, celebrating 10 years of making “American” Prosciutto in Des Moines IA, www.laquercia.us; Griff Foxley, COO, Lone Mountain Wagyu, "Japanese Cow," breed of the famous Kobe Beef, but born & raised in Golden NM, www.lonemountainwagyu.com; Tom Kooiman, Past President, American Cheese Society, www.cheesesociety.org, discussing world-class.American Cheeses and the ACS' annual cheese competition.

Revisiting Sharelle Kraus, Dry Soda, Happy 10th Anniversary, Seattle WA, www.drysoda.com; Jim Beagle, Grapery--Great Grapes Table Grapes: Moon Drops, Cotton Candy, Witch’s Fingers, Schafter CA, www.grapery.biz; Food & Literature with Cara Nicoletti, Voracious: A Hungry Reader Cooks her way  through Great Books

Just in time for the High Holidays, Amelia Saltsman www.ameliasaltsman.com, The Seasonal Jewish Cookbook: A Fresh Take on Tradition; Pierre Thiam A Fascinating Exploration of Senegalese Food Traditions & Recipes; Senegal: Modern Senegalese Recipes From the Source to the Bowl; Monica Van Cleve, Van Cleve Seafood,  highlighting an Historic Recipe for Crab Pies, a favorite of Robert E. Lee’s Plantation Kitchen, Spotsylvania VA, http://vancleveseafood.com.

Nashville knows how to party!  Upcoming September 19-20 Music City Food & Wine Festival  is the 3rd version, and organizers promise it will be better than ever.  We talk to Tim Love, one of those who invented and now arrange the event.  Go to www.cheftimlove.com. & www.musiccityfoodandwinefestival.com/ for more details – and look for OTM there. OTM Loves Octopus, especially from Gullo Specialty Foods, Hicksville NY, www.gulloseafood.com. Then Everything You Need to Know about Home Beer Brewing, Randy Mosher, Home Brewing Expert., Chicago, www.radicalbrewing.com, Mastering Homebrew: The Complete Guide to Brewing Delicious Beer.

Marvelous Products from Three Great Ladies of Food: Jill Giacomini Basch, Co-Owner, Point Reyes Cheese, Point Reyes CA, www.pointreyescheese.com, sofi Gold Outstanding Cheese for Bay Blue; Natasha Case, Founder, Coolhaus Ice Cream sandwiches, pints & bars with an Architectural Inspiration (cool house), plus Scoop Shops & Trucks, Los Angeles CA www.eatcoolhaus.com; Caron Prochain, Founder, Simply Gum, all-natural, American-made Chewing Gum, NYC, www.simplygum.com.

Meet three remarkable Food & Drink Personalities: Randall Grahm, Winemaker Extraordinaire, Bonny Doon Vineyards, Santa Cruz CA, discussing "Crowd Funding" for his Wine Project, Popelouchum, in San Juan Batista CA,  http://www.beendoonsolong.com/2015/07/popelouchum-decisions-summer-2015/; Laurie Pauker, Founder, Laurie & Sons, marvelous not-too-sweet candies, including Dangerously Delicious Black Licorice Chocolate Toffee, Brooklyn NY, www.laurieandsons.com; Thomas Gosney, Former Personal Chef for Shaquille O’Neal, www.thomasgosney.com & www.organicnutrionalchef.com; Method of Procedure: The Guide and Techniques for Excellent Cuisine

Delectable Foods & Meals from Delightful People: Jin Jun, CEO (Chief Eating Officer),  Co-owner, SeaSnax, products made from Seaweed, Los Angeles, www.seasnax.com; Nicole Chaszar, Founder & Soup Captain, The Splendid Spoon, Brooklyn, www.thesplendidspoon.com; Lesley Tellez, Blogger & Author, NYC, http://www.lesleytellez.com/, Eat Mexico: Recipes from Mexico City’s Streets, Fonda & Markets; Sandra Guiterrez, http://sandraskitchenstudio.com/, Empanadas: The Handheld Pies of Latin America.

Three Cookbooks with more than just recipes--interesting insights, and culinary creativity as well:  Joe Carroll, Restaurateur, Fettte Sau & St, Anselm, Brooklyn NY, http://www.fettesaubbq.com, Feeding the Fire: Recipes & Strategies for Better Barbecue & Grilling; Kevin Gillespie, Chef-Owner, www.redbeardrestaurants.com, including Gun Show, Atlanta, www.gunshowatl.com, Pure Pork Awesomeness; Marcella Kreibel, Author & Illustrator, Washington DC, http://marcellakriebel.com, Mi Comida Latina

A Mediterranian Miscellany: Maureen Abood, Blogger, Rose Water & Orange Blossoms, Harbor Springs MI, www.maureenabood.com, Rosewater & Orange Blossoms: Fresh & Classic Recipes from My Lebanese Kitchen; Vivianna Karamanis, Founder, Hellenic Farms, Importer of Artisanal & Gourmet Greek Food Products, Roselle NJ, www.hellenicfarms.com; John Hooper, European Correspondent, The Economist et al, Rome Italy, www.john-hooper.com, The Italians.>

Two stories of Families & Farming in the USA, and a Very Special Cookbook Project:  Chris Fischer, Farmer & Chef,  Beetlebung Farm, Chilmark MA, www.beetlebungfarm.com, The Beetlebung Farm Cookbook; Natasha Bowen, Founder, The Color of Food, Palm Beach FL, www.thecolorofood, The Color of Food; Kristen Miglore, Executive Editor, Food52, NYC, www.food52.com, Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes that will Change the Way you Cook.

Great Products, Fascinating Stories……………  Justin Rashid, Co-Founder, American Spoon, Petoskey MI, Hand-made Preserves made from locally grown fruits & vegetables, www.spoon.com; Antonella Rana, Head of US Operations, NYC, Giovanni Rana Pasta & Prepared Pasta Dishes, www.rana.it; Casey Elsass, Partner, Brooklyn, MixedMade, Bees Knees Spicy Honey & Trees Knees Spicy Syrup, www.mixedmade.com; Morgan Morano, Founder, Morano Gelato, Chestnut Hill MA, The Art of Making Gelato: 50 Flavors to Make at Home, www.moranogelato.com.>

What's new in the world of "booze"; Tony Abu-Ganim, Cocktail ""Guru" & Chief Judge, San Francisco World Spirits Competition, http://www.themodernmixologist.com.  Adam Ford, Founder, Atsby NewYork Vermouth, Long Island NY, http://atsbyvermouth.com/, Vermouth: The Revival of the Spirit that Created America’s Cocktail Culture. Jess Lebow, Beer Expert & Home Brewer, (also a successful author & game designer),  resides in China, http://www.jesslebow.com/, & gives us The United States of Beer; a Guide to the Best Craft Beers Across America.

All London, mostly Ethnic: Bruno Loubet establishes an exciting new incarnation for his space at The Zetter, Grain Store Unleashed, www.grainstoreunleashed.com; Gareth Rhodes, Head Chef, Coya, www.coyarestaurant.com; Ranjit Mathrani, Chairman & Founder, at the NEW Chutney Mary, www.realindianfood.com; Surit Packer & Itamar Srulovich, Chef-Owners, Honey & Co, www.honeyandco.co.uk

OTM brings you the excitement surrounding the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards, 14th anniversary version, at London’s Guildhall, June 1 – you’ll experience the thrills, and the sounds of an enthusiastic crowd of food & wine lovers from all parts of the globe.  Explaining the Concept of 50 Best, William Drew, Group Publisher, William Reed Business Media, Crawley UK, http://www.theworlds50best.com/; Two Top Honorees, from this year and last, Eneko Atxa, Chef Owner, Azurmendi jatetxea, nr. Bilbao Spain, 2014 Most Sustainable Restaurant, and rising to #19 in Top 50 2015, www.azurmendi.biz; Helene Darroze, Chef-Owner, Restaurant Helene Darroze, Paris, Helen Darozze at the Connaught, London, 2015 World’s Best Female Chef, http://www.helenedarroze.com/en/home.html; Then timely comments from: Thomas Keller, Per Se NYC, The French Laundry, Yountville CA, both Top 100, http://www.thomaskeller.com/; Eric Ripert, Le Bernadin NYC, www.le-bernadin.com; Grant Achatz, Alinea, Chicago, www.alinearestaurant.com; and a rising European Star, Tim Raue, Berlin, www.tim-raue.com; To complete the program, Chef Simon Rogan, Fera at Claridges London, etc, selected to cook the Chefs Feast, a dinner honoring the entire Top 100 – http://simonrogan.co.uk/.  OTM’s most outstanding meal this time in London was lunch with Simon at Fera – we name him an impact player for next year’s awards!!!

Two Grilling Experts give recipes, tips, to increase your mastery of BBQ, followed by an important book about flavor essentials & secrets: David Guas, Owner, Bayou Bakery, Washington DC & Arlington VA, http://www.bayoubakerydc.com/, Grill Nation: 200 Surefire Recipes, Tips & Techniques to Grill like a Pro; Cheryl Jamison, Santa Fe NM, www.cookingwiththejamisons.com, The Barbecue Lover’s Big Book of BBQ Sauces; Mark Schatzker, Radio & Print Journalist, Toronto, Canada, The Dorito Effect: The Surprising New Truth about Food & Flavor.

Three versions of Bakery-Pastry "Asian Style".  Joanne Chang, Owner, Flour Bakeries, Boston MA. www.flourbakery.com, Baking with Less Sugar; Nicole Bermensolo, Partner, Hana Kitchens, Brooklyn & LA, www.hanakitchens.com, Kyotofu: Uniquely Delicious Japanese Desserts; Grace Park, Owner, Crazy Korean Cooking & Crazy Korean Shopping, NYC, www.crazykoreancooking.com, http://www.crazykoreanshopping.com

More on OTM’s visit to Chicago, and just some of the activities Chicagoans offered for JBF Awards visitors.  The Chicago Greenmarket, season opening on May 2nd, OTM chats , with Greenmarket Board Members who just happen to be celebrated Chef-Restaurateurs, Sarah Stegner, Prairie Grass Café, www.prairiegrasscafe.com, Bruce Sherman, North Pond, www.northpondrestaurant.com/, Carrie Nahabedian, Naha & Brindille, www.brindille-chicago.com, and Pat Sondgeroth, Heartland Meats, www.heartlandmeats.com/ . Next up: The story of “The World’s Best Rose” and Fine Food to match at the Park Hyatt, Paul Chevalier, National Fine Wine Director, Shaw Ross, www.shaw-ross.com & Satoru Takeuchi,Hyatt Executive Chef, www.parkchicago.hyatt.com. Then Hassan El Neklawy, GM, & Daniel Perez, Executive Chef, Renaissance Chicago Downtown, www.renhotels.com/chicagodowntown. Finally Lynette Velez, Director of Sales, Gibson Group, The Montgomery Club,  www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/private-dining-pages-326.php.

Amid the hubbub & excitement of the 25th Annual James Beard Foundation Awards at Chicago’s Lyric Opera (first time ever this event has been held outside of NYC),  OTM talked to awardees & attendees:  Michel Nischan, Humanitarian of the Year, Founder & President, Wholesome Wave. Fairfield CT, www.wholesomewave.org; R J Melman, representing his father Richard Melman, Lifetime Achievement, Lettuce Entertain You, Chicago IL, http://www.leye.com/; Barbara Lazaroff, Partner, Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, www.barbaralazaroff.com; Gale Gand, Chef & Restaurateur, Chicago IL, www.galegand.com; Jessica Largey, Rising Star Chef, Manresa. Los Gatos CA, www.manresarestaurant.com; Marcus Glocker, Chef, Best New Restaurant, Batard, NYC, www.batardtribeca.com; Sam Bell, Outstanding Service, Owner, Blackberry Farm, Walland TN, www.blackberryfarm.com; Aaron Franklin, Best Chef SW, Franklin’s BBQ, Austin TX, https://franklinbarbecue.com; Jonathon Sawyer, Best Chef Great Lakes, Greenhouse Tavern, Cleveland OH, http://www.thegreenhousetavern.com; Jason Stanhope, Best Chef SE with Owner Mike Lata, FIG, Charleston SC, http://www.eatatfig.com; Barry Maiden, Best Chef NE, Hungry Mother, Cambridge MA, http://www.hungrymothercambridge.com; Gerard Craft, Best Chef Mid-west, Niche, Clayton MO, http://nichestlouis.com; America’s Classics, Lopez Family, Guelaguetza, Los Angeles CA, http://ilovemole.com; Sally Bell’s Kitchen, Richmond VA, https://sallybellskitchen.com.

Two IMPORTANT Books and a fascinating story of a Chef’s journey in search of Tradition:  Barry Estabrook, Pig Tales; http://politicsoftheplate.com/; Steven Satterfield, Chef Miller Union, Atlanta GA, http://www.millerunion.com/site/, Root to Leaf; Trevett Hooper, Chef-Owner, Legume, Pittsburgh PA, www.legumebistro.com, in search of traditional Eastern European foods.