Chewing

Chewing podcast co-hosts Louisa Chu and Monica Eng talk to Jimmy Buona about the new Italian Beefless sandwich, City Cast Chicago host Jacoby Cochran about South Side vegan food, author Barry Estabrook about his new book “Just Eat: One Reporter's Quest for a Weight-Loss Regimen that Works,” and Big Fork founder Lance Avery about his new Chicago Sauce that blends all the toppings of a Chicago-style hot dog into one bottle.

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng talks to Tomato Bliss. Then from the Chewing Twitch Monica and co-host Louisa Chu talk hot dogs with Chicago Tribune food reporter Nick Kindelsperger and author / Coney dog expert T.M. Goeglein. And Monica dares Louisa to taste beef heart hot dog Coney sauces, but Will She Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Louisa Chu talks to Anthony Bourdain’s co-author Laurie Woolever about their new book “World Travel: An Irreverent Guide.” Then co-host Monica Eng talks tahini and tahina with Soom Foods co-founder Amy Titleman. And from the Chewing Twitch stream Yvonne Maffei of My Halal Kitchen about Ramadan recipes and Dr. Brenda Rivera Garcia of Americares about a TikTok mask dance campaign.

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng talks to Crate Free USA founder Jessica Chipkin about reducing the suffering of animals on factory farms. Then Monica talks to Maui Nui Venison founder Jake Muise about wild Hawaiian deer. And she and co-host Louisa Chu talk to Brown Sugar Bakery founder Stephanie Hart about Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to her shop in Chicago and the border controversy that followed.

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng talks to chef Roxana Jullapat, owner of Friends & Family bakery in Los Angeles, about her new book “Mother Grains: Recipes for the Grain Revolution.” Then Monica talks to chef Lizz Wright and owner Monica Haslip of Carver 47 food and wellness market on the South Side of Chicago. Then Louisa Chu dares her podcast co-host to try CBD “Chilli Crisp” by Co-op Sauce, but Will She Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng talks to author Emily Nunn about her Substack newsletter The Department of Salad. Then Monica talks to food writer Dennis Lee about his Substack newsletter Food is Stupid. Plus Monica dares co-host Louisa Chu to taste an Oreo Spam burger, but Will She Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Louisa Chu talks with MacArthur's cafeteria owner Mac Alexander for her Chicago Tribune 8-part series on Black-owned restaurants after a year of pandemic, protests, and politics. Then Louisa and co-host Monica Eng critique the role of restaurant critic in Chicago. Plus Monica debuts a new game (with Big Drop alcohol-free IPA beer) that she calls Can You Guess? Finally she dares Louisa to try a grilled Korean macaroni pumpkin snack, but Will She Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Louisa Chu talks with chef Zoe Schor about why she has not reopened for indoor or outdoor dining yet in Chicago. Co-host Monica Eng talks with Top Chef Beverly Kim and Asian American restaurateurs Rohini Dey, Mary Nguyen Aregoni, and Geri Guidote Hernandez about how to cope during COVID. Monica dares Louisa with Flamin’ Hot mac and cheese, but Will She Eat it?

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng talks to Mareya Ibrahim, author of “Eat Like You Give a Fork: The Real Dish on Eating to Thrive.” Plus Monica checks in with filmmaker / grocer Matt Wechsler of Village Farmstand in Evanston near Chicago. Then co-host Louisa Chu dares her to drink hot water, the Chinese go-to beverage, but Will She Drink It?

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng talks to CBD Tulip Tree Gardens founders Rachael and Jesse Smedberg and tries their CBN oil in her quest for a peaceful pandemic night's sleep. Then Monica consults to sleep doctors at the Northwestern Medicine Center for Circadian & Sleep Medicine. Plus she asks chef and author Hank Shaw about how to get her goose cooked. Finally Monica dares co-host Louisa Chu and producer Iris Lin to taste CBD ice cream from Ida's Artisan Ice Cream, but Will They Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng tries home grain mill Mockmill. Then Monica talks to Man in the Kitchen founder Steve Katz. And she dares co-host Louisa Chu to taste self-described "nutritious" Vite Ramen, but Will She Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng visits to gardening activist Nicole Virgil. Then Monica talks to James Beard grant winning chef Jasmine Sheth about her project Tasting India. Plus co-host Louisa Chu dares Monica to do shots of baiju for a very special wedding toast to producer Iris Lin, but Will They Drink It?

Chewing co-host Monica Eng shares her story about leptospirosis on the food and health podcast, the deadly disease that killed Louisa Chu's beloved dog Kiba. Then Monica explains why her favorite pizza was a New York style slice, and Louisa digs deep on Chicago style. Plus Louisa dares Monica and producer Iris Lin to taste duck neck and White Rabbit flavored potato chips, but Will They Eat It?

In between seasons we're releasing a few bonus interviews. This one deals with Monica's search for a good night sleep. She hopes to find it in the new Kitchen Toke CBD honey and talks to Joline Rivera about it. 

Chewing podcast co-hosts Louisa Chu and Monica Eng talk about the importance of Harold's Chicken Shack and mild sauce, then Louisa talks to Harold's #55 owner Percy Billings

Chef Rick Bayless shares how he and his teams are doing during the coronavirus pandemic with some heartbreaking details. Then Chewing co-host Monica Eng talks about the Goya Foods controversy with Chicago Cultural Alliance director Peter Vega. Plus she talks to the filmmakers behind “Seasons of Change on Henry's Farm.” Finally co-host Louisa Chu dares Monica and their podcast producer Iris Lin to taste a seasonal Japanese corn doughnut and CBD coffee, but Will They Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Louisa Chu visits an influential Chinatown basement food court during the pandemic. Co-host Monica Eng uncovers the origin story of the iconic Chicago-invented pizza puff. Then Louisa dares Monica to taste a rancid lardo flavored egg, but Will She Eat It?

Chewing podcast co-host Monica Eng details a lost interview with broccoli scientist Elizabeth Jeffery. Then Monica talks with fellow watchdog journalist Paul D. Thacker. Plus she visits Tortello pasta shop in Chicago during the before times. Finally co-host Louisa Chu dares her to eat Midwestern mostaccioli at a camp in Wisconsin, but Will She Eat It? 

Chewing podcast co-host Louisa Chu talks to chef and Nobel Peace Prize nominee José Andrés during his visit to Chicago about feeding people worldwide during disasters, the pandemic included. Co-host Monica Eng talks to doctors about safer ways to dine outdoors. Sun Wah BBQ restaurant co-owner Kelly Cheng shares what she'll require any diner to sign before they sit down during COVID. Then Louisa dares Monica and producer Iris Lin to try Japanese delicious sticks, but Will They Eat It?