Good Food

Joann Lo and Jose Oliva discuss their work with the Food Chain Workers Alliance, and Simran Sethi files a field report from Slow Food Nations in Denver. Nguyen Tran shares more “Adventures in Starry Kitchen,” and Matt Goulding travels to Spain with chef José Andrés, barnacle hunters and cider makers. Plus, summer squash at the market, and Jonathan Gold dines at Michael’s in Santa Monica.

We taste the latest vegan beef poseur on the market at Crossroads Kitchen, sample fancy salts with n/naka pastry chef Leslie Bilderback and learn about the history of butter-making from Elaine Khosrova. Plus: Jonathan Gold braves the lines at Pizzana in Brentwood, while Laura Avery shops for spirulina at the farmers market.

Whether you summer by the sea or indulge in a plate of sushi or ceviche now and then, we are far more dependent upon what lies beneath the ocean waves than we think. So we devote this week’s show to the complex ecosystems that live in the briny deep, inhabited by cod, branzino, oysters, mussels, sea vegetables and much more.

Gustavo Arellano takes a stand against the Santa Ana City Council proposal to regulate street vendors. Lesley Balla reports on the cherry pie, coffee and donuts in “Twin Peaks.” Cara Tannenbaum and Andrea Tutunjian talk up their favorite nuts and seeds. Bob Holmes discusses how taste and smell affect flavor. Plus: A beef pho recipe and what to eat at Mas’ Chinese Islamic Restaurant.

Bill Esparza reveals the inspiration behind “LA Mexicano,” and Simran Sethi sends us a report and Korean makjeok recipe from Camp Bacon. John T. Edge explores race, identity and class through the lens of Southern food in “The Potlikker Papers,” and Jonathan Gold waxes poetic about Hainan chicken rice at Side Chick. Plus: The significance of the US win at the Bocuse d’Or, and Laura Avery shops for Genoese basil at the market.

Charles Dedlow, of Roan Mills, talks bread-making with heritage grains. Tatler Editor John Haney explains how the British "sarnie" came to be, and No. 7 Chef Tyler Kord shares a spirited patty melt recipe. Plus: a pastrami sandwich crawl through Boyle Heights with Lara Rabinovitch, and Jonathan Gold stops in for a bite at the Everson Royce Bar. We first ran this show in October but believed it beared repeating.

Peggy Lowe explains why Trump’s pick for USDA Secretary is rattling rural America. Dario Cecchini talks future plans for Chianti ramen, and Richard Turner shares cuts from “PRIME: The Beef Cookbook.” Writer Matthew Sedacca looks at the controversy behind liquid smoke. Jonathan Gold tries Chengdu-style dishes, and Elisabeth Prueitt of Tartine fills us in on the latest. Plus, chef Michael Beckman shares a recipe for cactus confit.

Sarah Lohman talks about the murder and historic recipes that form the backbone of her new book, “Ohio 1910,” and Rachel Khong shares highlights from Lucky Peach’s last cookbook, “All About Eggs.” Michelle Mckenzie tells us how to cook oft-forgotten fruits, veggies and herbs, and Jonathan Gold reviews AR Cucina in Culver City. Plus: raspberries at the market and a special guest DJ set from Alton Brown.

Artist and community activist Ron Finley discusses how he’s changing South LA, one garden at a time. Chef Jeremiah Tower talks about starring in “The Last Magnificent,” a new documentary about his role as one of the defining figures in the early days of California cuisine. Plus: Laura Avery stuffs her “Good Food” tote full of green garlic, while Evan and The Sporkful’s Dan Pashman get into a heated dough-bate about donuts.

Jonathan Gold seeks out Yucatecan seafood at Holbox in the Mercado La Paloma. Raghavan Iyer gives us a tutorial on taters from his new book, “Smashed, Mashed, Boiled and Baked — and Fried Too!” Then Laura Avery talks to farmer Meredith Bell and Terra Cotta chef Danny Ye about spatchcocking free-range chickens. Plus: Phoebe Wood shares a recipe for her baked ricotta, orange blossom and date pie.

Chef Jeremy Fox turns vegetables into true expressions of seasonal flavors at Rustic Canyon, Julia Sherman documents artists making salads in “Salad for President,” and Deborah Madison shares meatless meal tips. Then Laura Avery shops for spring veggies at the market while we get a peek at Stacy Michelson’s design for KCRW’s “Good Food” tote bag. Plus: Jonathan Gold digs into the Redneck Platter at Manuela.

Esquire’s Jeff Gordinier weighs in on the pros and cons of tasting menus. Alec Lee of Ava Winery explains the science behind producing wine without a single grape. Food and travel writer Shane Mitchell shares stories from her new book, “Far Afield.” Plus: Jonathan Gold recommends Filipino dishes to try at Irenia, and Charlotte Druckman serves up a cast-iron skillet pistachio-cherry Danish recipe.

Frank Shyong explains how Cambodians got into LA’s fried chicken game. Clara Polito shares vegan baking tips from her new book, and Leena Saini says boost the flavor of your baby’s food with spices. Martha Rose Shulman talks up a nifty kitchen gadget that will take your produce for a spin, and Jonathan Gold does lamb barbacoa at Maestro in Pasadena. Plus, a closer look at how bees make honey and wasps pollinate figs.

Historian Andrew Coe explains how the Great Depression altered the 1930s food landscape, and contributor Sam Brasch witnesses a kosher slaughter. Artist Sofika Zielyk shows us how to decorate Ukrainian Easter eggs, Sandor Katz discusses his latest fermentation projects, and Dana Cree introduces her new book, “Hello, My Name is Ice Cream.” Plus: Laura Avery finds Swiss chard at the market, and Jonathan Gold dines at Kismet.

In honor of Passover, we follow author Joan Nathan on a culinary exploration of the Jewish diaspora and consider kosher wine options with Lou Amdur. An unlikely aficionado takes us on a chocolate chip cookie crawl, and we stop by the Santa Monica Farmers Market for celtuce and mustard greens with Zak Walters. Then journalist Lee van der Voo takes us on a deep dive into the dark waters of the commercial fishing industry.