Elise Thomas: Eat Dessert First

Michelle Mayfield, Beatrice Bakery, Beatrice, NE,  Best Known for sublime Fruit Cakes

OTM is already thinking ahead to the Summer Fancy Food Show at NYC Javits Center, June 23-25, coincident with Vin Expo.  So we thought to revisit our conversation with Leana Salamah about the Winter version recently held in Las Vegas.

To get in the right mood we suggest you explore a great new Cookbook, by Rowena Scherer that will take you around the world in 60 dishes from Asia to America and beyond, A Taste of the World: Celebrating Global Flavors

Ronda Brittian, Petulama CA-based, Ronda’s Fine Foods, offers Dips, Sauces and Spreads, including Romesco and the latest, Muhammara. Lisa Cheng Smith, Yun Hai, explores the Food Scene in Taiwan, bringing signature products—especially exceptional dried fruits--to her Brooklyn shop and on-line.

Diane Kochilas, host PBS-TV My Greek Table, The Ikaria Way: 100 Delicious Plant-based recipes and tips from her roots in Ikaria, Greece, the  Island of Longevity. Maria Victoria Finco, Monti Trentini, wonderful 4th genertaion Cheeses from the Italian Alps. We especially loved Grana Padano Asiago, Provolone and Aged Truffle-infused Caciotta.

In this episode, learn about sweet treats OTM enjoyed.  We think you will too!

• Ryan Jarahian, The Sweetery, Anderson SC, Wine Sticks, Beer and Bourbon Buddies
• Lee Hedgmon, The Barreled Bee, Spokane WA, BBQ Sauce & Ketchup, Cocktail Additions

Antonio Costello, Antonio Carlo Gourmet Sauces, the real thing aka his Italian family's Recipes. Jeff Kudrick. Five Star Foods, Montauk-inspired, created Glazing Butters, adding fabulous flavors to Seafood 

Michael Berro, Chipoys Savory Sticks. Linda Jodoin, Miss Hannahs Gourmet Popcorn.

Robert Schueller, Melissa's Produce, Vernon CA, sourcing fruits and Vegetables from around the country,and the world. Robert tells OTM about the latest products and trends in the business.

Sebastian Donoso, Winemaker at 1000 Stories Winery, explains how this Northern California got its name--it's a tribute to the history of wine making in the region. Also very special is the use of bourbon barrels for aging of the wines, a process introduced for Zinfandel in 2013. 

Robert Bradley shares his in-depth khowledge of the fascinating country of Peru in his recently published book Eating Peru: A Gastronomic Journey, based on 25 years exploring the country.  OTM enjoyed recalling our own Press Tour visit a few years ago.

Leana Salamah, Senior VP Marketing & Communcations, Speciality Food Association.  This year's Winter Fancy Food event takes place January 21-23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  The upcoming summer version to come NY City, Javits Center June 23-25, 2024.

In today's episode, OTM speaks with two wine professionals and enthusiasts from Lompoc, CA.  In this joint interview, OTM hosts are joined by Laura Hughes (Loubd), Winemaker, Sanford Winery, Santa Rita Wine Alliance, Lompoc Wine Region - California, as well as Ken Ostini, Explore Lompoc.  Other wine enthusiasts may recognize the area of Lompoc which was featured in the movie, Sideways, starring Thomas Hayden Church and Paul Giamatti among others.

To kick off 2024, OTM spoke with Rebecca Abbot and Jennifer West. They just published Air Fryer All Day: 120 Tried and True Recipes for Family-Friendly Comfort Food.  In addition to their new cookbook, Rebecca and Jennifer also maintain a blog dedicated to air fryers, Air Frying Foodie.

Michael Harold and Quinn Peeper are sure to be partnering on this very day, for they know plenty about what they call Shindigs. They know all about how to throw a party.  And they decided to write a book, their very first, Classical Shindig: Amateur Artistry from the Simple to the Sublime. Packed with photos and 60 Recipes, these beloved hosts and concert pianists will show listeners how their sense of style enlivens and graces their New Orleans home.

In today's episode, we discuss what is up ahead for the hospitality industry with show favorite, Andrew Freeman, Partner, 2024 Hospitality Trends Report, Carbonate Marketing Agency, San Francisco and Co-founder of AF&Co.

Lior Lev Sercarz, Chef/Owner of La Boite and spice guru, Midddle Eastern Pantry. Rose Wilde, a charismatic, self-appointed Grain Geek, Bread and Roses, with 200 Grain-Forward Recipes

Malek Amrami, Wine Maker, The Vice Napa Valley Wines, Newly appointed to Napa Valley Vinters Board of Directors. Nicholas Wooler, Founder, Pranzo Mediterranean Flavors, owned by W&S Foods Co, launched at 2023 Fancy Food Show.

Polish Vegan Food - Apteka

Su-Mari and Tim Hill, Inventors of The Tea Disk, Winners of Good Housekeeping 2023 Best Kitchen Gear-Coffee+Tea, Delta, BC, Canada

"Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes" is a popular old song, the lyrics of which are the poem "To Celia" by the English playwright Ben Jonson, first published in 1616. It came to mind as we produced this Episode.

Carey Jones and John McCarthy: Every Cocktail Has a Twist;

Nancy Wekselbaum, New Flavors from The Gracious Gourmet and her new venture Hot Squeeze

Sarah and Tyler Sample, Owners and Beekeepers, True Gold Honey, Lindsay CA; Georgeanne Brennan, Pistachios, a definitive book.

Invitation to a Banquet by Fuchsia Dunlop

Chinese Menu: the History, Myths and Legends behind Your Favorite Foods by Grace Lin

Award winning Food and Drink Writer Andre Darlington just published A Booze and Vinyl Christmas, just in time for you to enliven your seasonal entertaining. This colorful volume features 40 curated Christmas albums,and there are 2 inspired cocktails to match each drink. Andre writes, from Nutcracker to Kelly Clarkson. You will surely sing along as you sip Andre suggestions.

Mark Kurlansky has added to his prolific output with a book all about, the facsinating story of the Rarest Common Food, The Core of an Onion-.Peeling the Rarest Common Food.  More than 300 recipes and numerous savory stories enliven the subject and so do many pen and ink drawings.

Dedicated to gluten free,  the founders of Gluten Free Easy, Esther Anzaroot and Lily Mishaan, know when their products are truly free when their taste testers cannot tell the difference between their GF and non-GF doughs. Carolyn Haeler of Mightylicious, in NY, developed a whole family of allergen-free cookies.  She was driven to create cookies that were healthy and irresistibly delicious. OTM could not resist feasting on every one of the seven flavors. We bet you will not believe their gluten-free offerings.  Check out Mighty Monkey Bakery.

Michal Korkoszcan based in Warsaw can certainly claim to be the voice of Modern Polish Food, much of it Vegetarian, and his new Book underlines, Polish HD: Modern Vegetarian Cooking from Global Poland.

Theresa Halliburton took home 3 Gold Sofis from the most recent SFA trade show, and she told OTM about her obsession with unique applications of sugars and salts as culinary sprinkles and garnishes.  Her Flowerco flavor portfolio also includes artisinal cracker and cocktail cubes.

Natalie Daise is totally absorbed in Gulla Geechee, the present day representation of West African culture in the American South post Slavery.  Natalie just published Okra Stew: A Gullah Geechee Family Celebration, a picture Book that truly includes, history in every  bite and her very own recipe for the traditional stew. You'll be totally absorbed by how Natalie brings Gulla Geechee to life. 

Chef Ravinder Bhogal founded her Vegan/vegetarian Restaurant, Jikoni, in London, quickly winning awards.  Her third Book, just published, is sure to please; Comfort and Joy: Irresistible Pleasures from a Vegetarian Kitchen.