From its beginning as a wild seedling to the tragic death of its first-generation tree, Canada's own McIntosh apple has a dramatic history of success and near ruin. Listen to my podcast in which I visit Dundela, Ontario – the birthplace of the McIntosh apple - and sleuth the colourful story of our nation's favourite apple.Try my recipe for Apple Crumble: https://www.marionkane.com/recipe-2/apples-of-my-eye/

Sittin' in the Kitchen

Getting to the Core of the McIntosh Apple Story (Rerun)

The Gefilte Manifesto' authors Liz Alpern and Jeffery Yoskowitz have done much to redeem the maligned reputation of gefilte fish. In honour of next Monday night’s Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year – I'm revisiting my 2017 podcast when we talked about our love of this Jewish food delicacy.

Brooklyn Duo Champions Gefilte Fish (Rerun)

Every June, right around Father's Day, thousands of people descend on the small town of Midland, Ontario, to eat thousands of butter tarts. The oldest documented butter tart recipe comes from the Barrie Royal Victoria Hospital Cookbook published in 1900. There is a hot debate about the butter tart’s origins but this much is clear - butter tarts are a truly Canadian confection. Covid has deferred Midland's next butter tart festival until June 11, 2022. Meanwhile, please listen to my podcast from the very first Midland butter tart festival in 2013. It was a rollicking event where I sleuthed out the secrets to baking the best butter tarts. I interviewed contestants, organizers, the town's mayor, artist and butter tart judge Charles Pachter and the festival's ambassador – a drag queen who was dubbed "Queen of Tarts."

Midland's First Annual Butter Tart Festival: A Tribute to Canada's Iconic Dessert (Rerun)

This week, I'm taking a look back to my first ever podcast (recorded in 2011) when I sleuthed the incredible legacy of food scientist Dr. Robert C. Baker.Dr. Baker completely transformed how people consume chicken. Prior to his work, Americans largely farmed chickens for egg production and ate an average of just 15 lb of chicken per year. After his work at Cornell University developing 40+ poultry innovations, American chicken consumption skyrocketed to 90 lb/year! It was Dr. Baker, not McDonald's, who is credited with the invention of the chicken nugget nor did he profit from or seek accolades for his innovation.One of Dr. Baker's proudest achievements was inventing the recipe for barbecued Cornell Chicken. This tasty dish was served at the New York State Fair's Chicken Coop run by the Baker family for 70 years. Sadly, The Chicken Coop recently closed for good, marking the end of an era.

The Nugget Man: Dr. Robert Baker (Rerun)

I interview Judith Jones, Julia Child's longtime editor and good friend, at her Upper East Side apartment in 2012.

Judith Jones, Julia Child's Editor, Talks About her Dear Friend (Rerun)

Chef Martin Picard is famous for his nose-to-tail restaurant Au Pied de Cochon. Since 2009, he has divided his time between that Montreal eatery and his equally popular sugar shack 50 km away in the lush countryside. When I visited, he generously shared his thoughts on traditional Quebec cuisine, foie gras, maple syrup, cooking with leftovers and his 'last supper'.

Quebec Chef Martin Picard on Food, Foie Gras, Fun (Rerun)

I chat with Susan Wisniewski whose family has owned and operated the glorious, vintage Harbord Bakery in downtown Toronto for 70 years.

Toronto Landmark 'Harbord Bakery' Celebrates 70th Anniversary (Rerun)

Activist chef Joshna Maharaj uses her creativity, spirituality and passion for fresh, vibrant local food to overhaul institutional kitchens. In her important book "Take Back the Tray," Joshna shares her disdain for bland, processed food believing that it sends the message "I don't care about you" when served to hospital patients, students on campus and other captive consumers.

Joshna Maharaj Creates an Institutional Food Revolution (Rerun)

I'm looking forward to watch award-winning pastry chef Bruno Feldeisen and judge on Season 4 of CBC's Great Canadian Baking Show premiering February 14th. Bruno feels that being a chef is an emotional journey. His personal history has been marked by a difficult childhood and struggles with anxiety. In my podcast conversation with Bruno, you'll hear him speak honestly and courageously about his trials, trauma and triumphs.

Bruno Feldeisen (Rerun)

He's the godfather of New World Cuisine. Anthony Bourdain called him "the big dog of Florida cooking." He's chef Norman Van Aken, an American culinary legend, former hippie and genuinely nice person. I interviewed Norman for my podcast, discussing his humble beginnings as a short-order cook, the diverse influences of South Florida cuisine and that time he famously declined to cook for Trump at Mar-a-Largo.

Norman Van Aken: The Big Dog of Florida Cooking (Rerun)

Haven Toronto's executive director Lauro Monteiro is a man of steely determination. He has a strong desire to make things better for Toronto's vulnerable, homeless men ages 55+. I asked Lauro "What gives you hope?" as he works daily on the frontlines of the city's homeless crisis. His reply: “I see the good in people every single day. I see tragedy. I see sad circumstances but, mixed in with that, are some incredible examples of the human spirit. That gives me hope that one day our systems, our politicians, our public policy makers will finally get this right and we will not live in a community where we have 10,000 people who are struggling every night just to have a place to sleep.”

Haven Toronto Serves up Hot Meals and a Warm Welcome (Rerun)

In 2017, I interviewed indomitable chef Matty Matheson. This was shortly before his best-selling tome "Matty Matheson: A Cookbook" was released. Matty's new burger joint in Toronto's boho Queen West neighbourhood "Matty's Patty's Burger Club" serves his signature cheese-slathered burgers, originally made popular at the now closed Parts & Labour restaurant. These days, you can watch Matty's uncensored antics on his YouTube shows "Matty and Benny Eat Out America" and "Home Style Cookery with Matty Matheson." In my interview with Matty, we talk about his addiction and recovery from drugs and alcohol, his heart attack at age 29, his pithy opinions about Trump and his surprisingly delicious Cheeto-topped Mac & Cheese.

Chef Matty Matheson on Addiction, Politics and Pancakes (Rerun)

I had an instant, warm rapport with Nigella Lawson when I interviewed her in 2015, so much so that she deemed us "kitchen cousins." Nigella and I talked about the healing power of food and our shared impromptu style of cooking. Her new book (available in North America in Spring 2021) and BBC program with the same title "Cook, Eat, Repeat" beautifully reflect the comforting pleasure of cooking.

A Chat with Nigella, my Kitchen Cousin (Rerun)

With cooler temperatures and holidays ahead comes the urge to bake! In my podcast interview with baker 'par excellence' Anna Olson we discuss how to treat over burns, pan dimensions, why unsalted butter is better and baking tips and tricks.

Baking Maven and Food Network Star Anna Olson Shares Tricks of the Trade (Rerun)

Funny and endearing, Food Network host John Catucci is a kindred adventurer and eater. His show “You Gotta Eat Here” is my morning meditation. His new show “Big Food Bucket List” highlights John’s favourite restaurant dishes. In our lively podcast chat, he talks about his beginnings as a performer, his dad's Bolognese sauce and his adventures in travel and eating.

You Gotta Eat Here: Sittin' in the Kitchen with John Catucci (Rerun)

The best conversations seem to happen in the kitchen. The kitchen is the hub of the home - a place for lively chats over coffee, tea, lunch or even dinner. Join Marion Kane: Food Sleuth as she speaks with fellow foodies, chefs and just ordinary folk who relish the chance to share recipes, ideas, tips - and most of all - a consuming passion for food and cooking. Please subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

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Sittin' in the Kitchen

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