Off The Menu

The Taste section of the Minneapolis Star Tribune is turning 50!  What are some of the highlights through the years?  Food editor Lee Svitak Dean lets us in on some.  Lucy Robb and Nathan Rostance stop in to discuss their new venture, Thr3 Jack.  Plus, Dara explains her top Winter squash recipes and sounds off on artificial turf.

Bread is much more than dough and yeast.  Author Daniel Leader describes his latest book ("Living Bread"), looking at this product from around the world.  Twin Cities restaurant owner Mike DeCamp tells us about his latest ventures, including the reopening of Borough.  Dara reveals her top applesauce recipes.

It's a show designed to have you thinking of Fall.  Sweetland Orchard co-owner Gretchen Perbix tells us about the versatility of this year's crop of apples.  Ferndale Farms owner John Peterson explains the latest in turkey news and previews the Flavors of the Falls event in Cannon Falls.  Plus, Dara tells us her favorite apple pie (and adjacent) recipes.

Dara broadcasts live from the annual Bacon Bash in River Falls.  Joining her on the program are: Sarah Karras, president of the River Falls FFA chapter Wisconsin state legislator and Belle Vinez Winery owner Shannon Zimmerman Past Wisconsin Pork Association president Bill Gnatzig John Lisowski of Security Financial Bank Upcoming River Falls Chamber of Commerce executive director Russ Korpela

She's an Internet sensation when it comes to baking.  Now, Gemma Stafford has her philosophy in print.  The author of "Bigger Bolder Baking" tells us about her journey from Ireland to Australia to the U.S., and all the yummy treats she's made along the way.  Plus, Dara gives you some recipes to spice up those tomatoes.

They're staples at the Minnesota State Fair, but their friendship goes back even further.  Pat Mancini and Tim "Giggles" Weiss join Dara at our Fair booth to talk about the rigors of running a business at this event, when they first met, and some of the items on their Fair menus.

Dara hosts a State Fair Beer show from the WCCO Fair booth.  MNBeer.com journalist Ryan Tuenge helps co-host.  Lauren Bennett McGinty (exec. dir., MN Craft Brewers Guild), Kevin P. Smith (U of M agronomy professor), and Mark Schiller (pres., MN Distillers Guild) join the show from the porch.

Twin Cities restaurant owner Mike Brown has been making waves for a while now.  Currently, Travail is getting a redesign.  What should we expect when that's done?  Brown updates that, as well as what's happening at some of his other ventures.  Then, Dara provides some top recipes regarding tomato sandwiches.

A name well-known to Twin Cities restaurant customers, Larry D'Amico comes by to talk about his career as an industry owner.  Plus, what's he up to at the Brooklyn Park-based golf club Edinburgh USA?  Dara lets us in on her favorite recipes for Door County cherries.

He's well known for his area businesses (Minneapolis' The Local) and business venture (Two Gingers Whiskey).  Now, Kieran Foillard is expanding the Food Building in NE Minneapolis.  He's in to discuss the new tenants.  Plus, Dara gives us her top soft cheese recipes.

The hops industry in Minnesota is definitely becoming a thing.  But where does it stand in respect to other growing regions around the world?  Mighty Axe Hops CEO Eric Sannerud explains the state's status with this burgeoning crop.  Dara explains some different ways to enjoy muskmelon/canteloupe.

He's basically the most influential restaurant owner in the Twin Cities today.  He's brought us Spoon & Stable and Bellecour, among others.  Gavin Kaysen comes in to discuss his latest offering, Demi, as well as his journey back to the Twin Cities.  And Dara provides her top raspberry recipes.

One food style that we don't see a lot of in the restaurant industry is that of Native/Indigenous peoples from North America.  The Sioux Chef, Sean Sherman, talks about his effort to open one such restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis.  Then, Dara offers an extended "Ask Me Anything" segment.

Is the "American Revolution" of cuisine dying out?  That's exactly what author Kevin Alexander looks at in his new book, "Burn the Ice".  He joins the show to talk about this trend.  Plus, Dara gives us her top fish taco recipes.

Twin Cities restauranteurs/owners Tim Niver and Greg Hoyt come in studio to discuss their respective ongoing and upcoming endeavors.  Plus, Dara shares her top recipes that you can bring to your Fourth of July potluck.

How does a supper club stay with the times, but keep that old-school feel?  Dara welcomes Jack Riebel (executive chef at The Lexington) to the State Fairgrounds to talk about that question during the Back to the 50s broadcast.

Rogue Chocolate owner Colin Gasko explains his reasoning for closing his business, as well as the state of chocolate making across the globe.  Taste of the NFL founder Wayne Kostroski discusses his latest philanthropic effort, which coincides with next month's 3M Open.  Plus, Dara shares her top rhubarb recipes.

With the recent warm-up, grilling season is really starting to kick into gear.  Looking for tips to help your char game?  Jamie Purviance, author and director of the culinary kitchen for Weber Grills, comes on the show to provide all kinds of tips for us amateur grill masters.  And Dara couldn't pass up this chance to share her top grilling recipes.

Today's shortened edition focuses on a tasty fungus.  Forest to Fork owner Mike Kempenich, Hyacinth chef Paul Baker, and ninetwentyfive chef Daniel Cataldo discuss mushrooms and how these earthy edibles are getting new life in the food world.

Let's be real.  Viking lore and culture are hot right now.  So, what better time for the American Swedish Institute to host a new exhibit on the culture?  Author Patrice Johnson joins the program to talk about the food that made the Vikings so unique.  Plus, Dara shares her top Ancient Viking recipes.