Discover what makes high-quality Spanish EVOO stand out as Daniel and Ben from Titin share their family story, explain harvest timing and flavor differences, and offer simple ways to elevate your cooking with better olive oil. In this episode, I'm joined by Daniel Danes and Ben Aguilar from Titin EVOO, a Boston-based, family-owned company importing high-quality extra virgin olive oil from Spain's renowned Jaén region. Daniel shares the inspiring story behind the brand, rooted in three generations of women who started harvesting olive oil in southern Spain more than a century ago. We also explore what truly sets great olive oil apart — from harvest timing and terroir to traceability and polyphenol levels. Ben and Daniel walk us through the differences between early harvest and November harvest oils, how to decode olive oil labels, and why the Picual variety delivers such vibrant, peppery flavor. They also share simple ways to use both their Universal (everyday) and Finishing olive oils to elevate salads, pasta, roasted vegetables, fried eggs, desserts, and more. Whether you're a home cook or an olive oil enthusiast, this episode offers practical tips for choosing and using high-quality EVOO. Includes a tasting of Titin's oils and ideas for bringing more Mediterranean flavor into your home cooking.
Stephen Nasiatka of StephenUncorked shares about how wine brings people together, from creative pairings to curated events. This Cooking Chat episode also previews an upcoming nonprofit fundraiser featuring excellent wine paired with Cuban food. Cooking Chat host David Crowley talks with Stephen about how wine can spark meaningful connections, the origins of Stephen's wine journey, and the creative ways he curates tasting experiences for nonprofits, businesses, and community gatherings. Topics include: A unique Pinot Noir pairing with lobster mac & cheese. How Stephen turned a passion for wine into a community-building business. Tips for designing wine events that foster authentic networking. Preview of pairings to try with Cuban cuisine at an upcoming Social Capital Inc. fundraiser at Gustazo Waltham. Insights into Stephen's wine portfolio and philosophy of "drink less, drink better".
This Cooking Chat podcast episode features Celine Kimberly of Nouvelle Maison, a French fine-provisions café in Winchester, MA, to talk cheese, Old World–style wines, and effortless pairings. In this interview with host David Crowley from Cooking Chat, the episode covers: Childhood food memories from France that inspired her love of markets and seasonal ingredients Transitioning from a corporate career into running a specialty French food store What visitors will find inside Nouvelle Maison: cheeses, charcuterie, baked goods, wine, spirits, and more Focus on small-scale French and local producers, with direct ties to family businesses Community events like wine and cheese tastings and hands-on classes Insights into French food culture, quality sourcing, and resources for learning more Off-the-beaten-path travel ideas in France, from Brittany to the Basque region
Heidi Herman, author of The Hidden Vegetables Cookbook, joins David Crowley on the Cooking Chat podcast to share her journey from lifelong veggie-averse eater to creative veggie enthusiast. Discover the inspiration behind her cookbook, packed with 90 recipes for adults who want to eat healthier without sacrificing taste. Heidi reveals practical tips for prepping, storing, and freezing veggies, plus creative hacks to incorporate them into every meal—even desserts! Learn how to enjoy more vegetables, reduce kitchen waste, and make plant-based eating approachable for everyone. Whether you love or loathe veggies, this episode offers expert advice, surprising stats, and easy ideas to boost your nutrition and flavor.
Check out the Cooking Chat Food & Wine podcast for an engaging conversation with Aly Wente, a member of the fifth generation of the family stewarding Wente Family Vineyards—America's longest continuously family-owned and operated winery. With over 140 years of history rooted in California's Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards has made major contributions to the story of American wine from its German immigrant beginnings to its current focus on sustainability and innovation. Aly shares how her family pioneered California Chardonnay, including the origin of the famed Wente Clone, which now influences 75% of all Chardonnay grown in the state. She also reflects on her personal journey that brought her to be part of the next generation of the Wente family guiding the winery into the future. Discover what makes Livermore Valley an excellent spot for making wine, and why the region's winemakers have decided to lift up Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc as the region's signature. During this episode, host David Crowley tastes two examples of Wente's wines that highlight the promise of these grapes. If you're passionate about wine, inspired by family business legacies, or curious about under-the-radar wine regions, this episode blends tradition, innovation, and the future of American wine in one compelling story.
The recently rebranded Cooking Chat Food and Wine podcast features Martin Redmond, wine blogger and Treasurer of the Glancy Wine Education Foundation. Martin shares his journey from discovering wine and starting his ENOFYLZ blog, and discusses his passion for wine and food pairings. The conversation explores pairing tips for spring produce, including how cooking methods such as roasting or grilling asparagus impact wine matches. Martin also reflects on Lodi, California's wine scene and the evolving character of Zinfandel, offering listeners inspiration for enjoying local food and wine together.
Learn about all things mushrooms in this episode of the Cook Local Eat Local podcast! Host David Crowley from Cooking Chat talks with Elizabeth Almeida, Fat Moon Farm Owner and Farmer in the latest episode. This episode covers: An easy way to clean mushrooms. Delicious ways to prepare and serve mushrooms. Elizabeth's background and motivation for starting a mushroom farm. How Fat Moon Farm got its name. Inspiration to grow your own mushrooms. Tune in to learn more about growing and preparing mushrooms, and meet a passionate local food entrepreneur!
This episode features AnnaBelle from Seasonal Eats talking about how seasonal eating can help you enjoy healthy meals in 2025 and beyond. AnnaBelle's enthusiasm for seasonal eating is infectious, and she is full of practical tips! Give it a listen and lean into seasonality this year! Interviewed by David Crowley from Cooking Chat. This episode covers: AnnaBelle's early interest for cooking growing up in Minnesota. How learning about farmers markets and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) piqued AnnaBelle's interest in seasonal eating. Tips for how planning and using methods like freezing can help you eat seasonally year round even in cold climate areas like Minnesota and New England. The value of developing relationships with your local farmers. How seasonal eating boosts the nutritional value of your food and promotes sustainability. Resources for finding local food in your area.
As New Year's Eve approaches, this rewind episode revisits a conversation with Robert Russell from Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery. This local winery in Southeastern Massachusetts produces a wide range of wines suited to New England, and they are especially well known for their sparkling wine. The episode covers background on Westport Rivers and discusses how they approach growing grapes and producing wine as part of the broader agricultural system in the region.
Cook Local podcast episode featuring Jen Faigel, talking about the work of Commonwealth Kitchen to transform the food economy by supporting local food entrepreneurs and reshaping the food system. Hosted by David Crowley, from Cooking Chat. This episode covers: How you can support Commonwealth Kitchen (CWK) members by purchasing a special holiday gift box. Jen's background in real estate and community economic development. How CWK supports local food entrepreneurs by providing shared kitchen space and helping them develop their businesses. Why starting a business is a logical pathway for wealth creation for the demographic groups CWK serves. How CWK is transforming the food economy through partnerships with local institutions that give food entrepreneurs access to markets for their products. Strategies to reduce food waste by partnering with local farms to create products with produce that would otherwise be unused.
This episode features Annette Anthony, author of "Always Enough: A Global Food Memoir", in the latest episode of the Cook Local podcast. She talks with host David Crowley from Cooking Chat about her culinary journeys across three continents and shares ideas for what we can do with the final CSA vegetable pickup of the season. This episode covers: Annette's early food memories growing up in Philadelphia. Her embrace of local ingredients in West Africa, which enhanced her cooking skills. A tasty way to prepare carrot mash. Recipe ideas for beets and sweet potatoes. The recipes and stories you can find in her book, Always Enough. Listen to the episode for Annette's global perspective on local food!
Recipes for classic cooking with local veggies, featuring Angela Latimer from Bake It With Love, interviewed by David Crowley from Cooking Chat. On her website, Angela shares classic recipes, comfort food treats, hearty soups, rich and delicious desserts, and much more - all in easy-to-follow recipes that the whole family will love This episode covers: Angela's early cooking experiences influenced by her family, particularly her grandmothers and mother. Discussion about favorite recipes passed down through generations, including stroganoff and casseroles. How Angela and her husband enjoy cooking together as a couple. Why cooking at home is so cost-effective and often better than what you can get a restaurant. Angela shares her favorite method for cooking Brussels sprouts using bacon, butter, and beef broth in a cast iron skillet. Discussion on using an air fryer for crispy potatoes with minimal fat. Angela talks about freeze-drying onions and suggests a recipe for Tennessee onions, which involves thick-sliced onions baked with butter and cheese.
Angi Schneider talks about preserving fresh vegetables through a variety of methods. Angi has written two books on the topic! She also shares ideas for vegetables from our latest CSA pickup, including cherry tomatoes, leeks and kale. Hosted by David Crowley from Cooking Chat. This episode covers: Angi's approach to leading a simple life. How Angi's interest in cooking and simple living evolved. Strategies for preserving fresh food through drying, freezing and canning. Ways dried foods can be used to add nutrition to meals while avoiding food waste. Ideas for preparing cherry tomatoes, leeks and kale. Topics covered in Angi's books. Equipment and tips for those just beginning to preserve their food.
In this episode, host David Crowley from Cooking Chat talks with Chef Paul Arangorin, about the cuisine served at Halter Ranch to accompany their organic Paso Robles wines. Chef Paul also serves some delicious ideas featuring the ingredients from our local CSA pickup, paired with Halter Ranch wines. This episode covers: How cooking with his father growing up influenced Chef Paul to get into cooking. The exciting opportunity and challenge of creating a food program to accompany their outstanding wines. Chef Paul's approach to sourcing ingredients from the organic Chef's garden and other nearby farms. Adjusting the menu regularly to follow the microseasons and utilize what is available locally. A tasty idea for preparing cantelope and serving it with fish. Considerations for creating dishes that pair well with wine.
In this episode, host David Crowley from Cooking Chat talks with the senior winemaker at Sonoma-Cutrer, Zidanelia Arcidiácono. She discusses Sonoma-Cutrer wines and shares some tasty ideas for pairing them with fresh local produce coming in through our CSA and farmers markets. This episode covers: How Zidanelia developed an interest in wine while growing up in Argentina. Why she was drawn to the opportunity to make wine at Sonoma-Cutrer. Sonoma-Cutrer's Chardonnay that has won many fans for the winery. Ways to prepare fresh corn and enjoy it with Chardonnay. Preparing shiitake mushrooms to serve with Pinot Noir. Sonoma-Cutrer's vineyards and their commitment to sustainability.
This episode features sustainable food ideas with Kelly Jensen from The Herbeevore, interviewed by host David Crowley from Cooking Chat. Kelly shares suggestions for some of the vegetables in our latest CSA - carrots, mixed salad greens, and zucchini. This episode covers: How Kelly's family roots in food contributed to her interest in cooking. The story of how Kelly's interest in cooking evolved into her family homesteading in Southeastern Massachusetts. Recipes and ideas for zucchini, carrots and salad. Tips for reducing food waste - including ways to use carrot tops! The three websites Kelly maintains, each with a unique niche focus. Why Kelly got interested in beekeeping.
In this episode, host David Crowley from Cooking Chat discuss ideas for the first 2024 CSA share with Chef Joe Gatto, star of the show From Scratch. We also get some great cooking tips for Chef Joe! In this episode, we cover: Chef Joe's lifelong passion for cooking. Learning about green garlic and how to make a delicious green garlic pesto with it. Some great tips for making homemade pizza! How to make a delicious avocado chimichurri with fresh local cilantro. The power of pickling for preserving fresh local produce. Some of the tips Chef Joe teaches in his cooking classes. The local food adventures you can follow by watching From Scratch.
As Farmers Market season is upon us, host David Crowley speaks with Fred Yen, the Founder and Executive Director of the Winchester Farmer's Market. This conversation originally aired on the SCI Cultivating Connections podcast. In this episode, we cover: Fred's initial inspiration for starting the market. How the Winchester Farmer's Market seeks to support local farmers, protect the environment, and serve as an incubator for small businesses and entrepreneurs. The market's impact on community connections and its support for various initiatives, including food security programs like Gardens for Good. How the farmers market builds a sense of community.
In this episode, host David Crowley from Cooking Chat talks with local entrepreneur, Joshua Reed-Diawuoh, about his business that focuses on importing cashews from small, sustainable producers in West Africa. He then prepares them to sell as tasty, healthy snacks. In this episode, we cover: How Josh's visits to West Africa inspired the creation of GRIA Food Co. Why the typical business model of large food importers don't lead to a sustainable living for local farmers in Africa. Josh's approach to identifying small producers of cashews in West Africa that use sustainable practices. The variety of cashew snack flavors that GRIA Food Co. offers. Nutritional benefits of snacking on cashews. Where you can purchase GRIA Food Co. snacks in the Boston area and online. How Commonwealth Kitchen supports local food entrepreneurs like Josh, as part of their mission to promote equity and inclusive entrepreneurship. Information on the Fairtrade standard. While the cashews come from Africa, far away from us here in Boston, this episode picks up on themes we cover on Cooking Chat such as sustainability and supporting small farmers and food entrepreneurs.
In this episode, host David Crowley from Cooking Chat talks with Alessandra Macaluso from Live for the Season about her tips for winter seasonal cooking and other ways lean into seasonality. How growing up in a large Italian family contributed to Alessandra's early interest in cooking. Alessandra's passion for seasonal cooking and her overall focus on seasonality. Background behind the blog, "Live for the Season," which emphasizez the importance of living in tune with each season and embracing seasonal ingredients. How Alessandra's interest in seasonal cooking deepened after having children, leading her to research and create a cookbook titled "What a Good Eater". Ways that her cooking in winter draws upon Chinese medicine principles, and ingredients she suggests using based on these ideas. Ideas for keeping fresh local produce in the mix during winter, including growing a tower garden in your home. Information about the Healthy Holiday Challenge that Alessandra is running.