Category Archives: WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

The History of Greektown’s Parthenon

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Presented by
Yanna Liakouras, partner, The Parthenon restaurant, and
Camille Stagg, author, “The Parthenon Cookbook”

“Long may its fine traditions flourish, and long may its saganaki flame to the ebullient cries of ‘Oooppa!’”–Harry Mark Petrakis

Podcast courtesy of WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

Don’t try this at home,” cautions Yanna Liakouras as she ignites a platter of Saganaki, traditionally melted cheese over which she has poured Metaxa. “The flaming doesn’t affect the taste of the cheese–it’s just for show” she says of the searing tradition started by her father, Chris, who co-founded the beloved Parthenon in 1968.  Continue reading →

Grain-fed VS. Grass-fed: What’s the Beef?

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Presented by
Bill Kurtis
Documentary host, producer, conservationist, cattle rancher
and author, “The Prairie Table Cookbook”

Podcast recorded by WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

For the last 60 years Americans have been dining divinely on succulent, juicy, well-marbled grain-fed beef. But not only has the grain-fed diet been unhealthy for the cattle, it’s had a bad impact on the herd known as the human race, according to Bill Kurtis. Continue reading →

Chef Louis Szathmáry and “The Bakery” Restaurant

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Presented by
Barbara Kuck

Podcast courtesy of WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

Hungarian immigrant Lajos Istvan Szathmáry II Ph.D., better known to gourmets the world over as “Chef Louis” immigrated to the United States with $1.10 cents and five words of English. Educated as a journalist and psychologist in his native Hungary in a much-traveled life, he was an actor, newspaperman, soldier, marriage counselor, spy, prisoner of war, lecturer, author, TV & radio personality, adventurer and chef. Continue reading →

BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF FOOD TELEVISION

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Presented by
Louisa Chu

Podcast courtesy of WBEZ’s Chicago Amplified

What’s it like to be suddenly thrust on camera with Anthony Bourdain? Where was the eeriest location to sip pre-ban absinthe? How does the food actually taste on Iron Chef America? Louisa Chu, chef and food journalist, will answer these questions and more with first-hand reports from behind the scenes of food television. Continue reading →