Flavor HD

Flavor HD's Dane Neal sits down with Chicago Hall of Fame Restaurateur & Star of Fox's MasterChef...to share in the celebration as Chef Graham Elliot is announced as the 2012 enshrinee. Hear Graham talk about his history in, and his love for Chicago... humble appreciation and respect for mentors and his "unusual" path to culinary SUPERSTARDOM and beyond!

To celebrate our love of Fat Tuesday and the Mardi Gras culture - we're posting our Fat Tuesday podcasts and interviews.    

In Chicago, and other cities with a robust Polish population, it's hard to get through the Mardi Gras season without having a Punchki (and who would want to?). We spoke with Bill Leff about this tradition on WGN on Fat Tuesday.    

Flavor HD's Hannah Stanley and Dane Neal get the inside scoop on how SodaStream helps you save money and the planet by creating an EASY way to carbonate water and make delicious beverages, at home in reusable containers.  SodaStream Director of Marketing, Kristin Harp, talks to us about the way it works, the incredible depth of the product line, and how truly green this product is (and helps you be too!).    

To quote a texter to WGN:  “Wake up and gather around the radio kids!  It’s head cheese talk time!” The first in this series of three podcasts… treat yourself to what is sure to become a true WGN family classic!

To quote a texter to WGN:  “Wake up and gather around the radio kids!  It’s head cheese talk time!” The second in this series of three podcasts… treat yourself to what is sure to become a true WGN family classic!

To quote a texter to WGN:  “Wake up and gather around the radio kids!  It’s head cheese talk time!” The final in this series of three podcasts… treat yourself to what is sure to become a true WGN family classic!

Texas Swing Band, Asleep At The Wheel's founder and front man, Ray Benson sat with Flavor HD before their recent show in Naperville, IL.  Hannah Stanley and Dane Neal chatted with him about 40 years of food on the road, Texas barbeque, and coffee - yes...  coffee! To see Asleep At The Wheel in concert near you go to: www.AsleepAtTheWheel.com (http://www.AsleepAtTheWheel.com) www.RayBenson.com (http://www.RayBenson.com)    

LIVE from the set of Food Network's hit "Restaurant Impossible" Hannah and Dane of Flavor HD find themselves in the eye of the storm with just a few hours before the open...parking lot filled with chairs, Tom and the team sawing, painting and hammering their way to what seems truly impossible...a fully finished restaurant with great food and an inspired staff, ready for a fresh new start. In the middle of this organized chaos Food Network SuperChef Robert Irvine sits down with Flavor HD to show how it's really done each and every week...AND the great rewards of helping people through the show...PLUS his take on Next Iron Chef, family life and the behind the scenes scoop on his recent star studded wedding! You can watch Restaurant Impossible every Wednesday night at 9pm/8c on the Food Network. Follow Chef on Twitter: @RobertIrvine1      

David Manilow, the creator of Check Please! joined Hannah and Dane to discuss the show that has moved beyond it's Chicago routes and expanded into markets throughout the country. Additionally, he recently lent his creative genius to help evolve the Taste of Chicago by adding in Pop-Up restaurants to the five-day fest! The new, one day Pop-Up program was designed to provide restaurants with an opportunity to participate in the festival, without the cost and time commitment of staffing a booth for five days.  

Randy Bernstein...the Casting GURU for so many of our favorite TV shows including some of the biggest FOOD reality hits like Bravo's TOP CHEF and Fox's Master Chef checks in with Hannah and Dane at Flavor HD. Randy's got the next big Food television blockbuster on his hands with the new "ABC Cooking Show" starring Anthony Bourdain and Nigella Lawson. Learn about the stars, the excitement around the new show AND how YOU can be a part of it all! For more info go to ABCcookingshow.com (http://abccookingshow.com/)  

Both Hannah and Dane of Flavor HD are happy whenever a food fest is happening - but when a food fest BECOMES a happening...  well that is news worth sharing! The inaugural year of the TexMex Fest is less than a week away - and with the food, flavors, and music of this genre gathering together in Naperville, IL...  (yes, Naperville) we went straight to the source to get the full story on the what we can expect. Our interview with event organizer Scott Janess previews the event from the Rick Bayless cooking demo to the live music including Chris Isaak and Asleep at the Wheel, to the local restaurants who keep these flavors authentic, even this far north of the panhandle.    

Not long ago, we here at Flavor HD (Hannah and Dane) were lucky enough to get to step on, walk on, and stand on some Wellness Mats for ourselves.  We were particularly lucky to be able to conduct our entire Flavor HD interview with Julia Gillespie, Marketing Guru for Wellness Mats, on one. Not only are they magical, but, every bit of that magic is made in the US.  That's right - MADE IN THE USA! Magical? you say, Really?  YES! we say.  They are magical! If anything can make your knees and lower back feel as good as ours did while standing on them, after a day of walking a trade show - it MUST be magical. They are revolutionary anti-fatigue mats, ergonomically engineered and medically proven to provide you (and your feet) unsurpassed comfort, safety, relief and well-being. Just imagine how much of a difference they will make in your world too!    

Master distiller Johnny Schuler, joined Flavor HD to discuss the official spirit of Peru - Pisco! World-renowned as a Pisco ambassador, Johnny shared the history, flavor profile, and pairings for Pisco.  Hannah and Dane also learned Johnny's personal tips for making the ultimate Pisco Sour.  

Crystal Cook, one-half of the kitchy 50s inspired Casserole Queens joins Flavor HD to talk about their food, their business, & their new show on YouTube's Hungry Channel. With a new episode every Saturday - the Casearole Queens are likely to have you longing for comfort food - the kind that you make and bake. To check out their show go to:  www.youtube.com/hungry (http://www.youtube.com/hungry)