Thinking “Down-Under” – the 2016 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, Voices from our 2008 visit to the Festival plus innovative new luggage to pack for the long journey: Natalie O’Brien, Executive Director, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au; Philippe Mouchel, Chef Extraordinaire, currently Dejavue, Melbourne, www.dejavue.com.au, and Neil Perry, Chef-Owner, Rockpool, Sydney & Melbourne, http://www.rockpool.com/rockpoolbarandgrillmelbourne; David Kao, Founder, Oregami Luggage, Portland OR, www.oregamiluggage.com.  

Three go-to books: Florence Fabricant, Food Writer, NY Times, City Harvest: 100 Recipes from Great NY Restaurants; Sara Foster, Foster’s Market, Durham NC, www.fostersmarket.com, Foster’s Market Favorites: 25th Anniversary Collection; Russell van Kraayenburg, Chasing Delicious, Houston TX, www.chasingdelicious.com; Making Dough: Recipes & Ratios for Perfect Pastries.

OTM explores unusual Beverage Stories:  Matthew Rowley, San Diego CA, www.whiskeyforge.com, Lost Recipes of Prohibition: Notes from a Bootlegger’s Manual; Kristina Richens, Minister of Commerce, Republic of Tea, Novato CA, www.republicoftea.com. Chamomile Honey Tea – a Charitable Partnership with the Xerces Society, www.xerces.org; Gary Eberle, from Pennsylvania College Football to California Winemaking, Paso Robles CA, www.eberlewinery.com, Deb Mortillaro, Partner, Dreadnought Wines, www.dreadnoughtwines.com, Pittsburgh.

OTM explores fermenting, cooking with Cannabis, and the elusive Paw Paw:  Charlotte Pike, Gillingham Dorset UK, www.charlotteskitchendiary.com, Fermented: a Beginners’s Guide to Making your own Sourdough, Yogurt, Sauerkraut, Kimchi & More; Melissa Parks, Boulder CO, http://www.thestonerscookbook.com/chef/melissa-parks, Herb: Mastering the Art of Cooking with Cannabis; Andy Moore, Pittsburgh PA, Paw Paw: America’s Forgotten Fruit.

A REALLY SWEET PROGRAM!!  Edd Kimber, PastryChef, TV Personality, London UK, http://www.theboywhobakes.co.uk/,  Patisserie Made Simple: From Macarons to Millefeuille & More; Bernard Laurance, Paris France, www.lacuisinedebernard.com, Baklava to Tarte Tartin: A World Tour in 110 Dessert Recipes; Amy Guittard, San Francisco, www.guittard.com, Guittard Chocolate Cookbook: Decadent Recipes from San Francisco’s Premium Bean to Bar Chocolate Company.

Exploring Truffle Products, Food Writing as Linguistics and Literature: Vittorio Giordano, Urbani Truffles NYC, www.urbani.com; Dan Jurafsky, Linguist, Stanford University, Palo Alto CA, The Language of Food: A Linguist Reads the Menu; Sandra Gilbert, Berkeley CA, Eating Words, A Norton Anthology of Food Writing.

Hello Graham Elliot, Co-Host, MasterChef, MasterChef Junior and “Craziest Restaurants in America”, Chicago IL, http://www.grahamelliot.com, Cooking like a Master Chef: 100 Recipes to make the Everyday Extraordinary; Cappy Lawton, Restaurateur, La Fonda on Main, et al, San Antonio TX, www.lafondaonmain.com/, Enchiladas: Aztec to Tex-Mex; Craig Prebie, Corporate Chef, Chicago IL, http://www.craigpriebe.com/home The United States of Pizza: Americas Favorite Pizzas, from Thin Crust to Deep Dish, Sourdough to Gluten-Free.

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.