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The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters — Arts
The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

If you love to eat, cook and travel, The Splendid Table is your weekly go-to source. Our public radio program has been connecting people through the common language of food for over three decades. Hosted by award-winning food journalist Francis Lam, each week we bring you fresh voices and surprising conversations at the intersection of cooking, people and culture. We cover all things food – from recipes and restaurants to history and science, farmer’s markets and of course, the Thanksgiving feast. Our wide-ranging, freewheeling guest list includes both world-class and rookie chefs, bestselling authors, scientists, poets, musicians, and even an astronaut in orbit!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weeknight Kitchen, to receive practical, delicious weeknight-ready recipes. Once a month, we also share a sweet treat or baking recipe. Sign up at Splendidtable.org/newsletter

Produced by American Public Media. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network

Copyright: © Copyright 2026 Minnesota Public Radio

Latest Episodes:

Meeting Hoppin' John Sep 01, 2017

Show notes

Host Francis Lam chats with Osayi Endolyn about her introduction to Hoppin' John, and how it led her to explore both her personal background and the influence of African cuisine on the American South. Later, he discusses the intricacies of preparing chicken with Chef Jacques Pépin and building the Impossible Burger with Kurt Soller from Bon Appétit. Also, Melissa Clark talks with the Sporkful's Dan Pashman about his interview with the Greensboro Four's Joseph McNeil. And for dessert, Tucker Shaw from Cook's Country has the sweet secret to perfecting New Jersey Crumb Buns.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

September 2, 2016 (originally aired)
February 17, 2017 (rebroadcast)
September 1, 2017 (rebroadcast)

Mortar & Pestle Aug 18, 2017

Show notes

Zhug, a Yemenite hot sauce, might be the next Sriracha. J. Kenji Lopez-Alt tells Lynne Rossetto Kasper all about it and the simple tools you need to make it. Anya Fernald swears by those same tools in her kitchen, and she chats with Russ Parsons about them and her rules for hosting a good party. In addition, Molly Birnbaum from America's Test Kitchen goes to college for frozen yogurt, Robin Ha draws a Korean cookbook, and Taste of Home's Mark Hagen has some ideas on what you can do with all that zucchini. Plus, artist Kiko Denzer shows Lynne how to carve a spoon.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 19, 2016 (originally aired)
August 18, 2017 (rebroadcast)

Fresh Water Aug 04, 2017

Show notes

Polar explorer and adventurer Ann Bancroft's latest journey took her to the Ganges River in search of fresh water. She tells Lynne Rossetto Kasper all about it. Plus, Sabrina Ghayour chats with Russ Parsons about simplifying Persian and Middle Eastern cooking traditions, Holly De Ruyter shares the history of Wisconsin supper clubs with Shauna Sever, and No. 7 Sub's Tyler Kord stands up for vegetables in sandwiches. In addition, Jekka McVicar gives us the lowdown on celery leaf, and America's Test Kitchen reviews portion scoops (they're for more than just ice cream).

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 5, 2016 (originally aired)
August 4, 2017 (rebroadcast)

The Roots of Zoe's Ghana Kitchen Aug 01, 2017

Show notes

In an extended interview with host Francis Lam, chef Zoe Adjonyoh recalls her childhood fascination with the food from her father's home country - Ghana. She and Francis also discuss her personal travels to the West African nation in search of more experience with the methods and unique ingredients used in Ghanaian cuisine, and how it all comes together in her debut cookbook Zoe's Ghana Kitchen. Hear more from their interview at our story page for "Aromatic, wholesome African cuisine inside Zoe's Ghana kitchen." Try Zoe's recipes for Shito (Hot Pepper Sauce), Chalé Sauce, Peanut Sauce, and Yam & Plantain Peanut Curry.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

August 1, 2017

Nordic Fare Jul 28, 2017

Show notes

Magnus Nilsson wrote what may be the definitive book on Nordic cooking, and he tells guest host Melissa Clark that there's more to it than pickled herring. Melissa also talks with John Wurdeman about preserving an 8,000-year-old Georgian wine tradition. Tucker Shaw, from America's Test Kitchen, gives the recipe for making perfect steak frites at home. And managing producer Sally Swift gets the lowdown on tahini from Adeena Sussman.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

July 22, 2016 (originally aired)
July 28, 2017 (rebroadcast)

Slow Change Jul 14, 2017

Show notes

Krishnendu Ray talks with Von Diaz about the history of immigrant foods and their (eventual) acceptance in America. In addition, Molly Birnbaum from America's Test Kitchen examines the challenges of eggs, Steve Sando tells Lynne Rossetto Kasper about what it's like being an heirloom bean entrepreneur, and Marisa Huff explains northern Italy's "aperitivo" time to Shauna Sever. Plus, "Queen of Herbs" Jekka McVicar's ode to rosemary.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

July 15, 2016 (originally aired)
July 14, 2017 (rebroadcast)

Twenty Jun 30, 2017

Show notes

This week it’s a celebration of the Fourth of July with a collection of classic interviews. We listen to an interview with Julia Child from our first national broadcast 20 years ago, Mario Batali shares the Italian way with vegetables and Sally Schneider of Improvised Life joins us with a primer in cooking with fresh cherries. Mediterranean food scholar Claudia Roden brings us ideas for exceptional grilling from the Middle East, wine expert Joshua Wesson pairs wine with sweet corn and TeaSource’s Bill Waddington explains how to make iced tea using the cold-brew method. When it comes to barbecue sauce, Kansas City-style sauces have become the national norm. America’s Test Kitchen reveals the results of a bottled sauce taste test and shares off-kilter, but surprisingly delicious, uses for barbecue sauce at your next party.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

July 3, 2015 (originally aired)
June 30, 2017 (rebroadcast)

Silk Road Food Jun 23, 2017

Show notes

Lynne Rossetto Kasper chats with Caroline Eden and Eleanor Ford about their new book, Samarkand, a collection of essays, photos, and recipes from central Asia. Culinary historian Michael Twitty tells Joe Yonan about his deeply personal look at the African-American/Southern food tradition in The Cooking Gene, and Molly Birnbaum from America's Test Kitchen checks in with Sally Swift about the very best part of Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

June 24, 2016 (originally aired)
June 23, 2017 (rebroadcast)

Colonel Sanders, Mahalia Jackson and the South’s Influence on Fast Food Jun 20, 2017

Show notes

In an extended conversation with host Francis Lam, Southern food historian John T. Edge (The Potlikker Papers) discusses the different influences that two southern icons, Colonel Harland Sanders and Mahalia Jackson, had on the popular fast food of the region – fried chicken. Read more about Mahalia Jackson’s fried chicken legacy at Southern Foodways Alliance website.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

June 20, 2017

The Secrets of Service Jun 09, 2017

Show notes

Host Francis Lam talks to Will Guidara about what defines great service, Joe Yonan finds meatless smoking options with Project Smoke author Steve Raichlen, and Corey Lee tells Francis about his new "covers" restaurant. Plus, Melissa Clark gets a refresher on low-alcohol summer drinks from Spritz co-author Talia Baiocchi. And Lisa McManus from America's Test Kitchen talks about their recent review of espresso machines; she tells us about the winners and gives some advice for marking the perfect espresso drink at home.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

May 27, 2016 (originally aired)
June 9, 2017 (rebroadcast)

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