Hidden Kitchens World—With Host Frances McDormand

About this episode

Frances McDormand explores a rich collection of international stories centered around food, community, and culture.

Host Frances McDormand leads us through this rich international story collection of land, community and food. From the organic olive groves and vineyards being grown on confiscated Mafia land in Sicily, to secret night clubs embedded in Soviet dissident kitchens. From tales of "cooking dogs" in Medieval England, to the little-known tale of agricultural explorers — the "Indiana Joneses of the plant world" — who introduced exotic dates from the Middle East to the Coachella Valley. We also go underground into the world of wine, war, and counterfeiting. Plus, actor Gael Garcia Bernal takes us to his grandmother's Sinaloa kitchen in Mexico, Salman Rushdie takes us to Chocolate Town, Werner Herzog eats his shoe, and poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti gives us his recipe for happiness. Hidden Kitchens World was produced by The Kitchen Sisters (Davia Nelson & Nikki Silva) in collaboration with Nathan Dalton and Brandi Howell, along with listeners around the world. Mixed by Jim McKee.

People in this episode

Host: Frances McDormand

Guests: Gael Garcia Bernal, Salman Rushdie, Werner Herzog, Lawrence Ferlinghetti

Topics covered

• food
• community
• cultural stories
• agriculture
• international cuisine
• kitchen culture

Keywords

• kitchens
• food stories
• cultural exploration
• agricultural explorers
• Mafia land
• Soviet kitchens
• exotic dates
• wine counterfeiting

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Kitchen Sisters, Radiotopia

Places: Sicily, Coachella Valley, Sinaloa, Chocolate Town, Medieval England

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