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They say the kitchen is the heart of the home, but how do we find ourselves there? Join host Liren Baker in the Kitchen Confidante podcast, a side dish to the recipe blog, Kitchen Confidante, as she explores the food journeys of passionate chefs, food writers, photographers, recipe developers, artisans, bloggers, and more! Learn how they got their starts and what fuels their taste and inspiration!
Subscribe on all podcasting apps, rate & review on iTunes and Apple Podcasts! Follow us on social media at @kitchconfidante
Subscribe on all podcasting apps, rate & review on iTunes and Apple Podcasts! Follow us on social media at @kitchconfidante
129 Episodes
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You may recognize Chef Henry Awayan from his appearance on the Food Network show Bakers vs. Fakers. Those in the San Francisco Bay Area may also know him as the talent behind the award-winning bakery Whisk Cake Creations in Alameda.
Chef Awayan's new book, The Ube Baking Book, celebrates his lifelong passion for baking alongside his Filipino heritage, showcasing a wide range of recipes that highlight the beloved Filipino ingredient ube in both traditional and fusion preparations.
In this episode, we chat about how he found his way into baking, what makes ube such a meaningful and versatile ingredient, and how he hopes this book helps readers better understand and appreciate the culture behind the flavors
Learn more about Chef Henry Awayan at whiskcakecreations.com and follow on Instagram @whiskcakecreations.
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/the-ube-baking-book-henry-awayan
Chef Pyet DeSpain made history as the first-ever winner of Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level Chef, where she showcased her Mexican lineage and her cultural heritage as a proud member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
Today, she continues to honor and preserve Indigenous foodways through her cooking and storytelling, including her PBS food-streaming series, Spirit Plate. Her debut cookbook, Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native and Mexican Cooking, reflects that same deep connection to land, culture, and community.
In this episode, we chat about how family and community shaped her approach to cooking, the importance of keeping Indigenous food traditions alive, foraging and seasonal cooking, and how food can spark meaningful conversation and connection at the table.
Learn more about Pyet at pyetsplate.com and follow her on Instagram @chefpyet.
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/rooted-in-fire-chef-pyet-despain
Rachel Riggs is a San Diego-based former specialty food shop owner who experienced a life-altering diagnosis, which forced her to overhaul her diet in favor of more nutrient-dense, allergen-aware recipes.
She has written for Bon Appétit and Camille Styles and has now published a new cookbook: In Good Health: Uncomplicated, Allergen-Aware Recipes for a Nourished Life.
In this episode, we chat about how chronic illness transformed her relationship with food, why nutrition matters more than ever in today's world, her love of dark chocolate, and more!
Learn more about Rachel at rachriggs.com and follow her on Instagram @the.rachel.riggs.
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/in-good-health-rachel-riggs
Calling all bakers! In this episode, I chat with the one and only Dorie Greenspan. Dorie is a five-time James Beard Award winner, two-time IACP Cookbook of the Year recipient, longtime New York Times bestselling author, and a beloved voice in home baking. Her most recent book, Dorie’s Anytime Cakes, features 100 recipes devoted to simple, comforting cakes and serves as a love letter to everyday baking.
In this episode, we chat about how cake can anchor memory and connection, why the simplest cakes are often the most meaningful, and how baking can bring love and joy to daily life.
Learn more about Dorie at doriegreenspan.com and follow her on Instagram @doriegreenspan.
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/anytime-cakes-dorie-greenspan
As a native New Yorker, Chef Tara Punzone brought her Italian American roots and love of vegan cooking to Los Angeles, where she opened Pura Vita in West Hollywood—the first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant in the country.
She has teamed up with acclaimed writer Gene Stone, whom you may know from Forks Over Knives, 72 Reasons to Be Vegan, How Not to Die, and many other bestselling books he has written or co-written. Together, they’ve created Vegana Italiana: Traditional Italian the Plant-Based Way, a celebration of Italian classics reimagined without meat or dairy, and without ever sacrificing flavor.
In this episode, we chat about how they joined forces to write the book, Chef Tara’s journey to vegan Italian cooking, and the process of turning instinct-driven recipes into something home cooks can follow with ease.
Learn more about Chef Tara at puravitalosangeles.com
Follow Chef Tara on Instagram: @cheftarapunzone
Learn more about Gene Stone at http://www.genestone.com/
Follow Gene on Instagram: @genestone2022
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/vegana-italiana-with-chef-tara-punzone-and-gene-stone
I recently welcomed back Gesine Bullock Prado to the podcast. You may remember our first conversation in Episode 66, where we explored her love of baking, life in Vermont with its six distinct seasons, and her journey as a pastry chef, baking instructor, author, and television personality.
Gesine has now released her newest book, My Harvest Kitchen: 100+ Recipes to Savor the Seasons, a heartfelt guide to embracing the rhythm of the year through cooking, preserving, and stories from her Vermont homestead.
In this episode, we chat about the beauty and challenges of living seasonally, Gesine’s honest philosophy on “half-assed homesteading,” the inspiration behind My Harvest Kitchen, and her favorite ways to cook, grow, and preserve with joy rather than perfection.
Learn more about Gesine at gesine.com
Follow Gesine on Instagram: @gesinebp
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/my-harvest-kitchen-with-gesine-bullock-prado
Raised in a Lebanese-American family in Michigan, Maureen Abood’s passion for cooking, baking, and storytelling shines through her work—whether on her website, in her first cookbook Rose Water and Orange Blossoms (an IACP Award finalist), or in her New York Times features on Middle Eastern cuisine.
Now, she’s released her newest book, Lebanese Baking: More than 100 Recipes for Sweet and Savory Baked Goods. Her book is the first cookbook to fully explore the depth and breadth of Lebanon’s baking traditions, blending classic recipes with thoughtful American adaptations.
In this episode, we chat about her journey into food writing, how she worked to preserve and celebrate Lebanese baking in her new book, her memories of cooking within a tight-knit family community, and her best tips for home bakers.
Learn more about Maureen at maureenabood.com
Follow Maureen on Instagram @maureenabood
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/lebanese-baking-with-maureen-abood
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Auyon Mukharji, who is a musician, writer, and culinary historian. Together with his mother, Jyoti Mukharji, who is a chef, teacher, and retired physician, Auyon co-authored Heartland Masala: An Indian Cookbook from an American Kitchen.
From their home in Kansas City, Heartland Masala takes you on a culinary journey through regional Indian flavors with an American Midwestern twist. The result is a book that blends history, humor, and heart, inviting readers to explore Indian cooking through its deep cultural roots and modern evolutions.
In this episode, we chat about how Auyon and his mother collaborated to bring their family’s recipes and history to life, the ever-changing landscape of Indian cuisine, and how storytelling and scholarship shaped Heartland Masala.
Learn more about Heartland Masala at heartlandmasala.com
Follow Heartland Masala on Instagram: @heartlandmasala
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/heartland-masala-with-auyon-mukharji
Dana Pollack is the founder and creative force behind Dana’s Bakery. Trained in fine baking and pastry arts at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York, Dana transformed her love of baking into a thriving business known for its playful, colorful, and innovative treats. You may have seen her DIY macaron-making kits featured on QVC or discovered her first cookbook, Dana’s Bakery: 100 Decadent Recipes for Unique Desserts. A busy mom and entrepreneur, Dana was also honored with EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Emerging Business category.
Now, she’s back with her second book, Bake It Gluten Free: 100 Recipes for Classic Treats, featuring indulgent, approachable recipes that prove gluten-free baking is delicious and for everyone.
In this episode, we chat about Dana’s journey from photo editor to baker, how she built a pioneering online bakery, and her mission to make gluten-free desserts that everyone will love.
Learn more about Dana's Bakery at danasbakery.com
Follow Dana on Instagram at @itsdanapollack and @danasbakery.
Podcast Show Notes:
Along with her sisters, Steph Loaiza founded Six Sisters’ Stuff in 2011 as a way to stay connected and share cherished family recipes. What began as a simple family blog quickly evolved into a go-to resource for families everywhere seeking to simplify dinner while still bringing everyone together around the table.
Over the years, Steph and her sisters have co-authored ten bestselling cookbooks, and their newest, 30-Minute Meals: 100+ Quick and Easy Meals the Whole Family Will Love, is their most practical yet. This book is filled with pantry-to-plate recipes that busy families will appreciate.
In this episode, we chat about how Six Sisters’ Stuff began as a family connection project, what it takes to create reliable, family-friendly recipes, and why quick meals can still be meaningful moments shared around the table.
Learn more about Six Sisters Stuff at [www.sixsistersstuff.com](https://www.sixsistersstuff.com)
Follow Six Sisters Stuff on Instagram: [@sixsistersstuff](https://www.instagram.com/sixsistersstuff)
Podcast Show Notes: [www.kitchenconfidante.com/30-minute-meals-six-sisters-stuff](https://kitchenconfidante.com/30-minute-meals-six-sisters-stuff)
Recipe: [Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos](https://kitchenconfidante.com/mexican-street-corn-chicken-tacos)
Melissa Knific is a recipe developer, writer, magazine editor, and editorial food director with over 20 years of experience with some of America’s beloved food brands and media outlets, including New York Times Cooking, Allrecipes, TODAY Food, National Geographic, and more. With a background in journalism and a culinary degree from the French Culinary Institute, Melissa began her food media career as a Food Editor for Family Circle, has developed content for HelloFresh, and was recognized for her work as the Food Director of Rachel Ray in 2021 with an Eddie Award. . Throughout her work, she helps make cooking approachable and joyful for home cooks everywhere.
Melissa and coauthor Nina Elder have written the upcoming National Geographic National Parks Cookbook: Dishes Inspired by America’s Great Outdoors, which will be released in February of 2026. In this episode, we chat about how she creates recipes her audience will love, how she finds cooking inspiration for her own family, and how she and Nina Elder researched and developed recipes for their upcoming book.
Learn more about Melissa at https://www.melissaknific.com/
Follow Melissa on Instagram: @melissaknific
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/cooking-with-melissa-knific
Phillip Ashley Rix is the master chocolatier, culinary artist and founder of Phillip Ashley Chocolates. A James Beard nominee and nicknamed the real life-Willy Wonka, Phillip infuses his chocolates with bold flavor pairing inspired by his rich Southern heritage, culinary storytelling, and comforting flavor profiles. His book, For the Love of Chocolate: 80 At-Home Recipes from a Master Chocolatier's Imagination guides beginner and experienced bakers alike through a collection of desserts, confections, and more. In this episode, we chat about his career shift from chemistry to chocolate, tips for home chocolate makers, the flavor adventures he creates in each piece of chocolate (like barbecue chocolate!), and more.
Learn more about Phillip Ashley Chocolates at https://phillipashley.com
Follow Phillip Ashley Chocolate on Instagram: @phillipashleychocolates
Follow Phillip on Instagram: @phillipashley
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/for-the-love-of-chocolate-with-phillip-ashley-rix
Phillip's Recipe for Dark Chocolate Orange Cookies: https://kitchenconfidante.com/dark-chocolate-orange-cookies
Mary Bryant Shrader created the immensely popular YouTube channel, Mary’s Nest, where she shares with over a million subscribers how to be a modern pioneer, no matter where they live. With her approachable style, Mary shares traditional recipes such as bone broth, sourdough, and other nutrient-dense foods that connect us back to the kitchen skills of earlier generations.
Her passion for preserving and nourishing has led to two bestselling books: The Modern Pioneer Cookbook and her newly released The Modern Pioneer Pantry: The Complete Guide to Preserving Food, a must-have manual for stocking your pantry with confidence.
In this episode, we talk about Mary’s traditional cooking journey, the Four Corners Pantry system, and why building a nourishing kitchen is a journey you can take one step at a time.
Learn more about Mary at marysnest.com
Follow Mary on Instagram: @marysnest
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/the-modern-pioneer-pantry-with-mary-bryant-shrader
Cody Rigsby became a household name as a Peloton cycling instructor, dancer (you may have cheered him on in Dancing with the Stars), and New York Times best-selling author of his memoir, XOXO, Cody: An Opinionated Homosexual's Guide to Self-Love, Relationships, and Tactful Pettiness. In this episode, we chat about the importance of balance in our lives, whether that is eating a wholesome, protein packed breakfast, practicing mindfulness, ordering UberEats, exercising your butt off, or indulging in a Halloween Oreo!
Follow Cody on Instagram: @codyrigsby
Listen to Cody’s Podcast, Tactful Pettiness @tactfulpettiness
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/finding-fitness-and-balance-with-cody-rigsby
Chocolate lovers, you're going to love this conversation with Nicole Patel, the chef owner and chocolatier of Delysia Chocolatier. With a background in engineering, Nicole embraced her passion for making chocolate truffles and launched her business in 2008, and quickly rose to become a master chocolatier. In 2025, Nicole was honored as a Six Star Award: Grand Master Best Chocolatier in America by the International Chocolate Salon Awards, a distinction she has held for over 10 years. But this is just the tip of the iceberg - Nicole has amassed multiple awards, including for her mastery in chocolate categories. Her creativity with flavors is represented in her truffle collections - spanning standard favorites to flavors inspired by collaborations with other Texas tastemakers, including Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Salt Lick BBQ, and more. In this episode, we chat about how her training in engineering and chocolate overlap, how she develops Delysia's unique chocolate flavors and tastings, how to taste chocolate, and more!
Learn more about Nicole and Delysia Chocolatier at delysia.com
Follow Delysia Chocolatier on Instagram: @delysia_choc
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/engineering-chocolate-with-nicole-patel
If you're craving a taste of Miami, you will enjoy this conversation with award-winning author, vegan chef, and Miami native Ellen Kanner. Her writing on food, culture, wellness, and community has appeared in The Miami Herald, Saveur, HuffPost, VegNew_s, and more.
Her latest book, _Miami Vegan: Plant-Based Recipes from the Tropics to Your Table, features over 80 vibrant, flavorful recipes that channel the spirit of Miami’s diverse food culture—all with a plant-based twist. Best of all, her dishes are approachable and adaptable, offering big, sunny flavors no matter where you live!
In this episode, we talk about Ellen’s journey into veganism, the storytelling power of food, and how Miami Vegan captures the color, rhythm, and soul of Miami, one bite at a time.
Learn more about Ellen at https://soulfulvegan.com
Follow Ellen on Instagram: @ellenkanner
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/soulful-vegan-with-ellen-kanner
Are you ready for grilling season? This episode with Meathead is for you. Known as the BBQ Whisperer, Meathead is the founder of AmazingRibs.com, a go-to destination for grilling and barbecue enthusiasts since 2005. He’s also the New York Times bestselling author of Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling.
Now, he’s back with a new book: The Meathead Method: A BBQ Hall of Fame Secrets and Science on BBQ, Grilling, and Outdoor Cooking with 114 recipes, featuring mouthwatering recipes and a deep dive into the science behind great outdoor cooking.
In this episode, we talk about the origins of his name, the myths and science behind perfect grilling, and why understanding heat, flavor, and chemistry can transform the way you cook.
Learn more about Meathead at AmazingRibs.com
Follow Meathead on Instagram: @amazingribs
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/the-meathead-method-with-meathead
If you are an avid food blog reader, then you will surely know about Jessica Merchant’s site, How Sweet Eats. Since launching her site in 2009, Jessica has built a loyal following with her approachable, flavorful recipes and down-to-earth writing style. She's the author of several best-selling cookbooks, including Seriously Delish, The Pretty Dish, and Everyday Dinners. Her newest release, Easy Everyday: 100 Recipes and Meal Prep Ideas for Effortless Eats, is another must-have—I’ve already cooked from it and can confirm it’s full of weeknight gems.
In this episode, we talk about the secret to her long-running consistency, how she balances real life with recipe development, and the inspiration behind her newest cookbook.
Learn more about Jessica at How Sweet Eats.
Follow Jessica on Instagram: @HowSweetEats
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/easy-everyday-eats-with-jessica-merchant
There’s no better way to kick off summer than with a scoop of ice cream! Go grab a cone and get inspired by Tyler Malek, co-founder and head ice cream maker at Salt & Straw. Alongside his cousin Kim Malek, Tyler helped grow Salt & Straw from a humble pushcart in Portland, Oregon (despite neither having made ice cream before) into one of the country's most beloved and inventive ice cream brands.
Known for joyfully unexpected flavors and a rotating monthly series that keeps fans coming back for more, Salt & Straw is a celebration of creativity, community, and craftsmanship. With over 13 years of ice cream-making experience, Tyler recently released a new cookbook, Salt & Straw: America’s Most Iconic Ice Cream, to bring that same spirit into our home kitchens.
In this episode, we talk about the science behind flavor creation, tips for making ice cream at home, and how ice cream can spark conversation, connection, and creativity.
Learn more about Salt & Straw at https://saltandstraw.com/
Follow Salt & Straw on Instagram: @saltandstraw
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/tyler-malek-of-salt-and-straw
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In this episode, we chat with Mamrie Hart—comedian, actress, host, and New York Times bestselling author. You might know Mamrie from her hilarious YouTube channel, You Deserve a Drink, her appearances on the Food Network’s Tiny Food Fight, or her podcast This Might Get Weird.
You might not know that Mamrie has been a longtime vegetarian—and now she’s sharing her love of plant-based food in her debut cookbook, All I Think About Is Food. Packed with party-ready themes and playfully named dishes, this book brings her signature humor and creativity to the kitchen. It’s a fresh, fun take on vegetarian cooking designed to inspire your next gathering.
In this episode, we chat about Mamrie’s laid-back approach to meatless meals, her tips for hosting unforgettable dinner parties, and the stories behind her most outrageous recipe names.
Find Mamrie on her YouTube channel, You Deserve a Drink and the podcast This Might Get Weird.
Follow GUEST on Instagram: @mametown
Podcast Show Notes: https://kitchenconfidante.com/all-i-think-about-is-food-with-mamrie-har
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