Chewing

Latest Episodes:

Episode 139: Salad Safety, Award Winners, and Office Farming Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

This week on Chewing, we talk salad safety, award winners, and office farming! First, Monica talks to James Beard Award winners including Roads & Kingdoms co-founder Nathan Thornburgh, Louisa's former colleague Ahmed Ali Akbar, Hailee Catalano, and Pati Jinich. Monica also chats with Russell Steinberg of Farm Zero who's farming in vacant office buildings in downtown Chicago! And finally, will Monica eat Colombian chicken chop suey on a patacon?

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Louisa Chu @louisachu1

Monica Eng @monicaengreporter

Links and References:

Chewing Episode 72 interview with Gus W. Rickette, Sr., founder of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken

Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond

Music:

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Segments:

"Mushroom Cloud" by Tempesst

"On The Road Again" by Willie Nelson

"Got a Thing on My Mind" by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

The Office (American Version) - "Main Theme" By Jay Ferguson

Episode 138: Lunar New Year Eats and Treats Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

This week on Chewing, we talk about Lunar New Year eats and treats. Monica goes to Crumbs.nd.Creams and talks to the co-owners of Chicago's home of Sylvanas, the Filipino frozen sandwich cookie. Then, Monica talks with founders of Every Body Eat, allergen free snacks and then dares Louisa and Iris to taste some of the so-called "clean crackers," but will they eat it?

Episode 137: Markets, Chaos and Scoby Snax Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

This week on Chewing, we talk about markets, chaos and scoby snax! Monica does a ride along with Blue Hill at Stone Barns chef Dan Barber to talk about his Row 7 Seed Company, and makes a trip to the farmers market. Ecologist Mark Easter tells us about his James Beard nominated book The Blue Plate: A Food Lover's Guide to Climate Chaos, along with more Beard nominees including chef and filmmaker Art Smith! Finally, Monica dares her family to try fungi cold cuts, and double dares Iris and Louisa to taste her homemade scoby snacks, but will they eat it?

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Insta

Louisa Chu @louisachu1

Monica Eng @monicaengreporter

Links:

Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond

Music:

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Segments:

"Flavor" by Maren Morris

"Sprout and the Bean" by Joanna Newsom

"La Costa Del Silencio" by Mägo de Oz

"Not That Simple" by Yann Tiersen

"Mycelium" by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

Episode 136: Babes, Pizza and Hot Stuff Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

This week on Chewing, we talk about babes, pizza, and hot stuff. First, Monica talks to My Pi pizza founder Larry Aronson about his last pizzeria closing in Chicago after 54 years. Then, Professor Steve Balkin talks about the death of Maxwell Street as he makes Monica some homemade matzo brie. Lastly, James Park talks about his cookbook "Chili Crisp: 50+ Recipes to Satisfy Your Spicy, Crunchy, Garlicky Cravings."

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Insta

Louisa Chu @louisachu1

Monica Eng @monicaengreporter

Links:

Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond

Music:

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Segments:

"Be Sweet" (Korean Version) by Japanese Breakfast feat. So!YoON!

"Heart of Gold" by Neil Young

"Look In My Eyes" by The Chantels

"Life is but a Dream" by The Harptones

"Hot Sauce" by NCT Dream

Episode 135: International Street Food Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

This week on Chewing, we talk about international street food. First, Monica talks to Faraz Sardharia about his new restaurant Rickshaw Pakistani & Indian Street Eats, which raises funds for unhoused people in Chicago. Monica also talks to women's rights advocate Rohini Dey about transforming her pioneering modern Indian restaurant Vermilion into a women-centric "cocktail den" called Sanctuary in River North. Then, Monica talks to Steven Marks, the American who co-founded the Mexican restaurant chain Guzman y Gomez in Australia that's now invading Chicago's suburbs. Finally, Louisa talks to India Jenkins, the owner of The Corned Beef Hideout and the creator of spicy jerk corned beef sandwich called That Jerk, but will they eat it?!

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Insta

Louisa Chu @louisachu1

Monica Eng @monicaengreporter

Links:

Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond

Music:

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Episode 134: Joe Yonan, Feld restaurant, canned krill Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

This week on Chewing, we talk about plants, Feld, and krill. First, Monica talks to Washington Post Food and Dining editor — and bestselling author — Joe Yonan about his new book, "Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking"! Then Louisa talks to the chef and owner of one of the most polarizing new restaurants in Chicago — and former guest of Chewing, Jake Potashnick of Feld. Monica talks to the owner of Fry the Coop about why he only uses beef fat when frying. Lastly, Monica dares Louisa and Iris to taste canned krill — best known as whale food — but will they eat it?!

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Insta

Louisa Chu @louisachu1

Monica Eng @monicaengreporter

Links:

Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond

Music:

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Segments:

"Garden (Say It like Dat)" by SZA

"Big Cheese" by Nirvana

"Spice Up Your Life" by Spice Girls

"Shake Hands With Beef" by Primus

Episode 133: Ruth Reichl, Hewn bread, Volition tea, cultivated meat Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

This week on Chewing, we talk about how sisters are doing it for sustainability! First, Monica talks to legendary author and editor Ruth Reichl about her new documentary film Food and Country. Then, we talked to Hewn Bread founder Ellen King and Volition Tea founder Annie Xiang about their big expansions. Finally, Monica talked to Upside Food COO Amy Chen who offered Monica a taste of their cultivated meat, but did she eat it? Lastly, a new bonus segment with a new jingle!

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Insta

Louisa Chu @louisachu1

Monica Eng @monicaengreporter

Links:

Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond

Music:

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Segments:

"A Better Future" by David Bowie

"Bread and Butter" by The Newbeats

"Tea For Two (with Choir and Orchestra)" by Doris Day

"Cup Of Tea" by Kacey Musgraves

"Cells" by They Might Be Giants

"Chicken" by Pixies

"Le Grand café" by Charles Trenet

Episode 132: George R.R. Martin workshop, Honey Ahmed, Curtis Chin Sep 16, 2024

Show notes

This week, Monica and Louisa talk Honey and Fun Guys. First, Monica went to the inaugural George R.R. Martin Summer Intensive Writing Workshop, where she made Malaysian rice balls with fellow fellow, Honey Ahmad. Monica also talked to author and filmmaker Curtis Chin about his book "Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant." Finally, Monica talks to Josh Noel about his new book on Malort and dares Louisa and Iris to try fungi yogurt, but will they eat it?

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Insta

Louisa Chu @louisachu1

Monica Eng @monicaengreporter

Links:

Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond

Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin

Malört: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit by Josh Noel

Music:

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Segments:

"Janji" by Aziz Harun

"Masing Masing" by Ernie Zakri, Ade Govinda

"Early in the Morning" by The Gories

"Detroit City Blues" by Fats Domino

"Crying at Airports" by Whale

Episode 131: Beards, Goats and Bear Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

This week on Chewing, Monica and Louisa report back from the James Beard Awards. Monica talks to Outstanding Chef winner Michael Rafidi, Best Chef: Great Lakes winner Hajime Sato, and Lifetime Achievement Award winner Ruth Reichl. Then, Monica chats with Capriole Goat Cheese founder Judy Schad and Prairie Grass Cafe chef and co-owner Sarah Stegner. Louisa talks about her story on The Bear and dares Monica and Iris to try a James Beard award-winning chef's cannabis chocolate. Last, Monica catches up with TikTok star Jake Potashnick on finally opening the doors to his new farm-to-table restaurant Feld.

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Insta

Louisa Chu @louisachu1

Monica Eng @monicaengreporter

Links:

Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites

Music:

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Segments:

"Working for the Knife" by Mitzki

"Fly Over States" by Jason Aldean

"The Midwest Can Be Alright" by The Gizmos

"Grass Canons" by Olivia Tremor Control

"A New Day Has Come" by Celine Dion

Episode 130: Fake fish, black jello, José André dog treats May 13, 2024

Show notes

This week on Chewing, Monica recaps her Chicago adventures in beef, beer, bowls, and baseball. Then, she tastes fake fish and talks to Aqua Cultured Foods co-founder and CGO Brittany Chibe! Lastly, Louisa dares Monica & Iris to eat black jello from Costco and dares our dogs to eat treats from José Andrés!

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Insta

Louisa Chu @louisachu1

Monica Eng @monicaengreporter

Links:

Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites

Music

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Segments: