Chewing

Latest Episodes:

Episode 129: Chef Geno Bahena, La Grande Boucherie, John's Food & Wine Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

This week, Monica and Louisa talk about mole, French food, and corned beef. First, Monica talks to veteran chef Geno Bahena who's now cooking at Manchamanteles. Then, Monica talks to Emil Stefkov, founder of La Grande Boucherie, which claims it's the biggest restaurant in Chicago. Finally, Louisa reveals details on the corned beef sandwich at John's Food & Wine, where they're paying their cooks $36 an hour!

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Louisa Chu: Insta @louisachu1, Threads @louisachu Monica Eng: Insta @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:

"Mexicana Hermosa" (Versión Mariachi) by Natalia Lafourcade ft. Carlos Rivera

"Logan's Loop" by Andrew Bird

"Pulaski At Night" by Andrew Bird

"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" by The Smiths

"Be Sweet" by Japanese Breakfast

Episode 128: Maxwells Trading, Feld, next gen chefs Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

This week, Monica and Louisa talk about the next gen of chefs and King Cake season. Monica interviews chef Erling Wu-Bower who just opened Maxwell Trading, plus chef and TikTok star Jacob Potashnick who's planning to open Feld in Chicago. Then, Louisa gives us the rundown on Roscas, and what she's hoping for King Cake season.

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Louisa Chu: Insta @louisachu1, Threads @louisachu Monica Eng: Insta @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: "Hey Good Lookin'" by Hank Williams

"I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash

Episode 127: Zooey Deschanel, Mike Sula, Malört Dec 25, 2023

Show notes

This week, Monica and Louisa talk about the holidays, health, and drinks! Monica interviews Zooey Deschanel about her health app. Monica attends the 90th anniversary party for Malört and talks to our pal and James Beard award winning writer and pop-up maestro Mike Sula about his secret homemade drink made with wormwood. Finally, Louisa shares her experience at CosMc's, the futuristic new concept from McDonald's.

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Louisa Chu: Insta @louisachu1, Threads @louisachu Monica Eng: Insta @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:

"Awake" by Mader (from the original soundtrack for Eat Drink Man Woman)

"Ridin' in My Car" by She & Him

Episode 126: Kevin Pang, Michele Norris, power foods Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

This week, Monica and Louisa catch up after getting stuffed at Thanksgiving. Monica talks to America's Test Kitchen's Kevin Pang about his new book co-written with his dad, "A Very Chinese Cookbook: 100 Recipes From China And Not China (But Still Really Chinese)." Then, Monica chats with Emmy and Peabody award-winning journalist Michele Norris about her new podcast "Your Mama's Kitchen." Lastly, nutritionist and doctor Michael Crupain tells Monica about his new book "The Power Five Essential Foods For Optimum Health."

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Louisa Chu: Insta @louisachu1, Threads @louisachu Monica Eng: Insta @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:

"LUNCH" by My Little Airport

"詩歌舞街" by My Little Airport

"Family Reunion" by Jill Scott

"Look At Them Beans" by Johnny Cash

Episode 125: Migrants, Immigrants and Spirits Nov 05, 2023

Show notes

This week, Monica and Louisa talk about migrants, immigrants, and spirits. Monica talks to Laura Tillman about her experience writing her latest book "The Migrant Chef: The Life and Times of Lalo García." Plus, Monica talks to award-winning author Grace Lin about her new bestselling book "Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods." Finally, Louisa dares us to taste "Flaming Flamers"...but will we eat it?

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Louisa Chu: Insta @louisachu1, Threads @louisachu Monica Eng: Insta @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:

"Piensa en mi" by Los Poetas de la Guitarra

"Your Dystopic Creation Doesn't Fear You" by Deerhoof (ft. Awkwafina)

Episode 124: Italian Village, Austin neighborhood, bone conduction lollipops Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

The ladies are back from summer break and ready for autumn! This week, Monica and Louisa share their Midwestern Adventures. Monica visits a South Side baseball chef, a Michigan jerky butcher, and a legendary Italian restaurant owner! Then, Louisa visits a West Side chef turned farmers market manager in the historic Austin neighborhood! The ladies finally test out the bone conduction lollipops from the Sweets and Snacks Expo, but will they eat it?

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Louisa Chu: Insta @louisachu1, Twitter @louisachu Monica Eng: Insta @monicaengreporter, Twitter @monicaeng

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:

Cibo Matto - Beef Jerky

White Sox Fight Song: "Lets Go, Go Go White Sox"

Lou Monte - Che La Luna Mezzo Mare

Dean Martin - Sway

Nat King Cole - L-O-V-E (Italian Version)

Nina Simone - I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl

Episode 123: Beard drama, France mama, "The Bear" trauma Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

This week, we talk about the big drama behind the scenes of the James Beard awards, and if Monica won after SIX nominations this year! Then, she goes back to France to visit her football player son and brings back an encore madcap recap. Have you watched The Bear? We talk about whether or not we've watched the hit Chicago-based streaming series, and why. Finally, Louisa brings a haul from the Sweets & Snacks Expo, for "Will She Eat It" in this season finale episode. We'll be back around Labor Day. Have a great summer!

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Louisa Chu: Insta @louisachu1, Twitter @louisachu Monica Eng: Insta @monicaengreporter, Twitter @monicaeng

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: "La noyée" by Yann Tiersen, "Marseille" by Ahmad Jamal, feat. Abd Al Malik, "Via Chicago" by Wilco

Episode 122: Top chef Stephanie Izard, puppy chow cake, viral Costco casserole May 01, 2023

Show notes

This week, Monica tells us about her whirlwind trip to Europe. Back in Chicago, Monica and Louisa visit Stephanie Izard's new Little Goat Diner. Then, Monica learns about puppy chow cake from pastry chef Leigh Omilinsky at Daisies. Lastly, Louisa gets influenced to buy Chinese casseroles from Costco, but Will They Eat It?

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Louisa Chu: Insta @louisachu1, Twitter @louisachuMonica Eng: Insta @monicaengreporter, Twitter @monicaeng

Links

Pre-order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites

*Discount code S23UIP

Music

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Segments: "Chicago at Night" by Spoon, "This Year" by The Mountain Goats

Episode 121: Al's Beef Chicago cheesesteak, spring break food Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

This week, we talk spring break and Chicago cheesesteaks. Louisa talks to Al's Beef owner Chris Pacelli about Chicago cheesesteaks. Then, Monica shares her plans to visit her son in France, and our producer Iris shares her first trip to San Francisco's Chinatown. Finally, Monica dares Louisa and Iris to eat salmon skin and salted egg chips from Singapore, but Will They Eat It?

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Louisa Chu: Insta @louisachu1, Twitter @louisachu Monica Eng: Insta @monicaengreporter, Twitter @monicaeng

Links

Pre-order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites

*Discount code S23UIP

Music

Theme music: "Zhong Nan Hai" by Carsick Cars

Outro music: "15 Minutes Older" by Carsick Cars

Segments: "Baby What A Big Surprise" by Chicago, "Bag Lady" by Erykah Badu

Episode 120: American French food, Korean Chinese restaurants, expiration dates Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

This week, Monica and Louisa talk about Americans abroad! First, Monica has a conversation with her son about what he's eating in France. In contrast, she talks to restaurateur Kevin Boehm about bringing French food to Chicago. Then, Monica talks to video game and filmmaker Josh Tsui about Korean Chinese food in LA and Chicago. Finally, in what may now become a tradition, Louisa dares Monica and Iris to eat expired jam, but Will They Eat It?

chewing.xyz

chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast

facebook.com/chewingpodcast

Louisa Chu: Insta @louisachu1, Twitter @louisachu Monica Eng: Insta @monicaengreporter, Twitter @monicaeng

Links

Pre-order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites *Discount code S23UIP

Music

Theme music: Carsick Cars - Zhong Nan Hai

Outro music: Carsick Cars - 15 Minutes Older

Segments: "Cadeau" by Aya Nakamura ft. Tiakola, "Le Paradis Perdu" by Lucienne Delyle, "Gondry" by Hyukoh, "Ditto" by NewJeans, "Be Sweet" (Korean Version) by Japanese Breakfast feat. So!YoON!

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