Episodes
Three years of regular noshes and kibitzing have resulted in all the tasty episodes you see below.
Chef Zachary Engel Part 2 (#29)
Guest: Chef Zachary Engel Chef Zach joins me in Part 2 to talk about his new restaurant endeavor in Chicago - building Galit, his first restaurant from the bottom up. The goal: to bring fine dining, as in Israeli Cuisine to Chicago.
Hard Work + Focus + James Beard Award = New Restaurant Galit! (#28)
Guest: Chef Zachary Engel What's it like to be a young Chef with a dream to open your own restaurant? I thought it would be interesting to get inside the process and to hear first hand about what it takes to find yourself in a new city about to open your own place. I...
Kugel and Kitchens with Stacey Ballis! (#27)
Guest: Stacey Ballis I'm back with culinary writer Stacey Ballis. It's time to talk about Jewish food and for Stacey that means Kugel. Now you can choose to make your favorite family recipe OR you can try Stacey's favorite. She is kind enough to provide some...
Culinary Fiction & Food Talk with Stacey Ballis (#26)
Guest: Author, Stacey Ballis I'm in conversation with author Stacey Ballis of culinary literature fame. In this episode I learn about Stacey's most important food mentor and how she managed to publish her first novel seemingly with little effort. Who does this? And...
Happy Anniversary to The Big Schmear Part 2 (#25)
Guest: Surprise Guests The Big Schmear turned 1 this month! I'm celebrating by sharing some great moments from a year’s worth of fun episodes. Join me for a trip down memory lane…and thank you all for listening. It’s been a great year.
Happy Anniversary to The Big Schmear! (#24)
Guests: Be Surprised! August marks The Big Schmear's 1 Year Anniversary. Why not celebrate by sharing some great moments from a year's worth of fun episodes with all of you. Join me for a trip down memory lane...and thank you all for listening. I'll have more to share...
In a Jam? (#23)
Guest: Emily Paster Emily has been such a fun guest. In this next episode she talks with me in more detail about making preserves and then she shares the story of her other food projects -the food swap and her very excellent food blog. The photos above are from a...
Preserving Foods with Emily Paster Part 1 (#22)
Guest: Emily Paster I can't think of a better time to find out about preserving foods than summer when farmer's markets are teaming with beautiful produce. Emily Paster has so much enthusiasm and passion about canning you can't help but get caught up in her story. She...
Part 2 with Sonat Birnecker Hart on Koval Distillery (#21)
Guest: Sonat Birnecker Hart Sonat Birnecker Hart is back! We hear about the award winning labels on Koval spirits and we even give you an audio tour of the distillery! Taking your own tour is a must do when you are in the Chicago area. I had a super time talking with...
It’s 5 PM Someplace, Right? (#20)
Guest: Sonat Birnecker Hart I had a super time talking with President of Koval Distillery, Sonat Birnecker Hart. I've known about Koval Distillery and Sonat for probably close to 8 years and I've had fun watching the company grow. They have an amazing story and I...
Talking BBQ with Milt’s BBQ for the Perplexed (#19)
Guest: Milt's Owner Jeff Aeder and Chef Bryan Gryka It's MILT's and here I am in the very secret interview room along with Milt's owner Jeff Aeder (center) and Chef Bryan Gryka (right). We had a great time talking all about BBQ, Milt's, Extra Innings Deli and Jews in...
Passover with Chef Laura Frankel (#18)
Guest: Chef Laura Frankel We all start talking about and planning for Passover months before the holiday is even close. it's the most celebrated of all Jewish holidays and there are lots of plans that have to be made, not the least of which is planning the menu for...
The Knish Wars (#17)
Guest: Joanne Oppenheim It's my first ever interview with a children's book author. And not just any children's book author...she's the author of a children's book called: The Knish War on Rivington Street. How could I pass up the opportunity to talk about this? We...
Fun Times with Gil Hovav Part 2 (#16)
Guest: Gil Hovav Gil Hovav is back for Part 2. He's a guy who seems to have a never ending supply of energy and creative ideas. He writes cookbooks, but not your ordinary cookbooks. And he develops shows for television, sometimes about food but not your usual...
Fun Times with Gil Hovav Israeli Food Writer, Part 1 (#15)
Guest: Gil Hovav I've had a great time talking with Gil Hovav in this episode, learning about his family history, his experience as a food writer, as a TV star and all-around fun guy. His energy and cool ideas don't quit. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I...
Kosherfest!! (#14)
Guest: Exhibitors & Vendors It's Kosherfest! And what is that you ask? It's the worlds' biggest event for the business of Kosher foods held annually in November. I had the opportunity to attend this year where it was held in Secaucus, New Jersey. I'll do my best...
Jewish Food The Healthy Way (#13)
Guest: Nutritionist Tanya Rosen Meet Tanya Rosen - star nutritionist and overall health guru. Tanya heads up her own business helping with the care and feeding of your healthy body from workout tapes to nutrition counseling to preparing healthy foods. What better way...
Let’s Talk Chanukah! (#12)
Guest: Jamie Geller & Chef Laura Frankel Jamie Geller is BAAACK! and Chef Laura Frankel joins in for this episode. We talk about Israeli food and lots about Chanukah latkas and sufganiyot. I think you are going to be so ready for Chanukah and latkes by the time...
Jamie Geller: The Queen of Kosher (#11)
Guest: Jamie Geller I'm excited to talk with Jamie Geller of Joy of Kosher magazine in this episode. She's an amazing woman with tons of energy and it's all focused on preparing Jewish food. Join me for learning how Jamie went from American journalist to Jewish...
Stephanie Goldfarb: Chicago Cook Extraordinaire Part 2 (#10)
Guest: Stephanie Goldfarb It's Part 2 with Stephanie Goldfarb and we cover lots of ground. You'll hear about her day job working with amazing high school students, and lots more about food as we learn about Stephanie's must haves in the kitchen, what it's like to be...
Stephanie Goldfarb: Chicago Cook Extraordinaire Part 1 (#9)
Guest: Stephanie Goldfarb Stephanie Goldfarb is a real Renaissance woman finding a way to mesh her passion for food and living a Jewish life in the most extraordinary way. She shares her path to Jewish cooking with me and talks about her wonderful supper club in...
Liz Alpern of The Gefilteria talks Gefilte Fish and More! (#8)
Guest: Liz Alpern Beth meets up with Liz Alpern of The Gefilteria at a fantastic food demo in Detroit, Michigan. It's part of the 2nd Annual Michigan Jewish Food Festival. The conversation with Liz covers lots about food pivots, her path to becoming a foodie and...