How to sharpen your knives, what drinks to serve, where your seafood comes from – WDET’s Ann Delisi and James Beard-nominated Chef James Rigato are here to empower you in the kitchen and have some fun along the way. Through interviews with chefs and industry experts, the Essential Cooking Podcast is a key ingredient in your culinary journey.
Hosted By: Ann Delisi, James Rigato
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Essential Cooking: Accessing Michigan’s agricultural diversity with Abby Olitzky
Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato talk with Abby Olitzky, operator of Spencer in Ann Arbor, about engaging with the farming communities in Michigan, sourcing fresh produce year-round and more.
Essential Cooking: Chef Phil Jones on doing good with healthy food
Chef Phil Jones talks with Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato about how he is using plant-based food to address food insecurity in the city of Detroit.
Essential Cooking: Chef James Rigato recaps his recent trip to Japan
Mabel Gray owner/executive chef James Rigato tells Ann Delisi why he is so inspired by Japanese culture.
Essential Cooking: State Sen. Mallory McMorrow on the restaurant industry and pandemic shutdowns
In this episode of Essential Cooking, State Sen. Mallory McMorrow joins Ann Delisi and James Rigato to talk about how COVID-19 forced the state government and restaurant industry to work together.
Essential Cooking: Third culture is a creative superpower for Jon Kung
Jon Kung, a Detroit chef, has exploded in popularity with their TikTok cooking lessons. Kung joins Ann Delisi to talk about third culture cuisine and the success he’s found in recent years.
Essential Cooking: Anais Martinez, aka The Curious Mexican, showcases Mexico City’s culinary treasures
Food writer and tour guide Anais Martinez talks about the culinary gems that travelers can look forward to when visiting Mexico City, which she also writes about in her blog, The Curious Mexican.
Essential Cooking: The most demanding culinary job in Detroit with Certified Master Chef Shawn Loving
Master Chef Shawn Loving talks with Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato about running Detroit’s most challenging kitchen and how LeBron James got him started cooking for professional athletes and celebrities.
Essential Cooking: Traditional Japanese cuisine with Ken Nagao of Sharaku
Ann Delisi and James Rigato talk with Ken Nagao, managing partner at Sharaku, an acclaimed Japanese restaurant in West Bloomfield celebrating 25 years in business.
Essential Cooking: James goes to Baja
Chef James Rigato reports back from his trip to the Valle de Guadalupe in the Baja Peninsula where he talks about regional differences in tacos, and what makes the wine in Baja so special.
Essential Cooking: Not all Detroit pizza is square
In this episode of the Essential Cooking podcast, Val Markel of Val’s Pizza talks about Detroit-style pizza and how she has found her niche by embracing a traditional pizza that is a world apart from Detroit square – Neapolitan.
Essential Cooking: Fine wine and fresh seafood with Antoine Przekop
Antoine Przekop is a sommelier who has worked in the food and wine business for a long time. Przekop joins Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato to talk wine and sourcing fresh seafood.
Essential Cooking: Satellite owner Brennan Calnin on the benefits of owning a food truck
Brennan Calnin of Satellite Food Truck talks about supply chain headaches, the rising popularity of vegan food, and the pros and cons of owning a food truck.
Detroit Kitchen Terminal Supports Food Workers in Detroit
Desiré Vincent Levy talks about supporting food workers in Detroit during the pandemic and facilitating training and job placements with Detroit Kitchen Terminal.
Deeply Rooted Produce Works to Transform Detroit’s Food System with Hyperlocal Produce Delivery
In this episode of the Essential Cooking podcast, Dazmonique Carr of Deeply Rooted Produce joins Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato to talk about delivering locally grown produce to Detroiters.
Michigan Wines Gaining in Popularity, But Climate Change Could Threaten That Growth
In this episode of the Essential Cooking podcast, Sean O’Keefe of Mari Vineyards talks about what makes Michigan-made wine so unique, and how climate change is affecting the delicate environmental balance necessary for growing grapes in Michigan.
The Never-ending Pursuit of Flavor, with Ryan Burk of Angry Orchard
In this episode of the Essential Cooking Podcast, Ryan Burk of Angry Orchard talks about the apple’s journey from Kazakhstan to North America, and the myriad varieties that make well-balanced hard cider.
Family-Run Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill Thriving After 75 Years, Despite Challenges
In this episode of the Essential Cooking podcast, Andrew Blake from Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill joins Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato to talk about adapting to changing times and weather for the family business.
Starting a Successful Food Business Isn’t Easy, But Detroit Kitchen Connect Is Here To Help
In this episode of the Essential Cooking podcast, Chef Laura Romito of Detroit Kitchen Connect joins Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato to talk food entrepreneurship in Detroit’s Eastern Market.
Extend Your Growing Season With a Hoop House
In this episode of the Essential Cooking podcast, Tomm Becker of Nifty Hoops and Sunseed Farm joins Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato to talk about the benefits of hoop houses for home food growers.
Mark Kurlyandchik Honors Detroit Food Fighters in His Last Piece for the Detroit Free Press
In this episode of the Essential Cooking podcast, food writer Mark Kurlyandchik joins Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato to talk about the Detroit Free Press 2020 Food Fighters honorees.
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