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: Grey Ghost co-founder John Vermiglio’s path from Chicago to Detroit
Chef John Vermiglio of Grey Ghost chronicles his career, including his time with influential Chicago chef Charlie Trotter.
Essential Cooking: Discover the food of the Italian islands with Katie Parla
Cookbook author and Emmy-nominated TV host Katie Parla joins Ann Delisi and James Rigato to talk about the uniqueness of Italian food from island to island.
Essential Cooking: Demystifying champagne with Paulina Schemanski
Paulina Schemanski talks everything champagne with Ann Delisi and James Rigato.
Essential Cooking: Baobob Fare co-owner, ‘Chopped’ winner Hamissi Mamba shares his culinary journey
Mamba talks to Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato about his inspiring life journey from Burundi to Detroit.
Essential Cooking: Planting a food forest with Samantha Stanisz
In this episode of Essential Cooking, Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato speak with Samantha Stanisz about how she transformed her grass lawn into a food forest, and how you can do the same.
Essential Cooking: Preparing the perfect vegan Thanksgiving
Ann Delisi talks with Chef James Rigato about cooking for the vegans at your Thanksgiving table.
Essential Cooking: Chef Javier Bardauil brings a wood-fired Argentinian culinary experience to Detroit
He sat down with Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato to talk about his restaurant, learning from world-renowned chef Francis Mallman and his culinary journey from Argentina to Detroit.
Essential Cooking: Chef Andrew Carmellini shares what’s wrong with food media
Distinguished Chef Andrew Carmellini joins Ann Delisi and Chef James Rigato to discuss how the rise in media attention surrounding chefs has changed the industry.
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.
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