The Kitchen: Andy Alander

The Kitchen: The Host (Season Wrap-Up)

This is the final episode of Season 1 of home. A quick thanks and wrap-up, a return to the start with an itty bitty short episode. Thanks for being here.

The Kitchen: Andy Alander

Welcome to Episode 10 of home! This week’s guest is Andy Alander, Executive Chef of Residential Dining Services at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Thank you, Andy, for joining me. Andy Alander's bio is here [https://dining-services.d.umn.edu/andy-alander].   Takeaways: Believe in yourself in the kitchen. Try something new. Bring curiosity to what you eat. Take on a big culinary challenge and watch with bated breath as things improbably fall into place, or erupt in chaos.  Suggested pairings: Mom’s lasagna and red sauce (use cottage cheese and bell peppers), for 100 Grandparents’ giant onion rings, 75 count Grandma’s fried chicken, 150 pieces A copy of the 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership Black chef’s apron The song Stand up and Shout by Dio  --- The dog in the photo is named Champ. Champ is the University of Minnesota Duluth mascot. The sculpture was made by Nick Legeros [https://nicklegeros.com/]. Photo by B. Greenfield.

The Kitchen: Cody Cook-Parrott

It is spring in Minnesota! For Episode 9 (recorded 4/16/26), I crawled into my closet for better sound quality at the suggestion of UMD’s Jennifer Moore. I was happy and nervous to have Cody Cook-Parrott, writer, quilter, podcaster, teacher, dancer, and also avid eater of french toast join us. They discussed kitchens, sustenance, and:  * The rituals of returning * A daily commitment to tend to your body * Finding the right dose of pleasure in food and celebrating that you care for yourself in this way * Delight in seasonality * Gathering, talking, plantain chips * Prioritizing serenity, simplicity, and chillness in the kitchen and in life Dear Cody: Thank you for being my guest. Dear listeners: Hope you have the chance to experiment with all or some of the above.   --- Suggested podcast pairings: Baked french toast with sliced strawberries in sauce, toasted cornflakes, whipped cream, syrup, and butter. Maybe saffron, maybe cinnamon, maybe not.  A side of bacon Coffee with half and half The song Return by Javi Lobe The light fragrance of purple crocuses --- If you’d like to connect more with Cody, visit their website [https://www.codycookparrott.com/], pick up a copy of their new book [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-practice-of-attention-cultivating-presence-in-a-distracted-world-cody-cook-parrott/a90f7db40fef836e?ean=9781649634146&next=t&next=t&affiliate=5140], The Practice of Attention, or subscribe to their newsletter [https://www.codycookparrott.com/newsletter], Monday Monday.  Episode artwork by Nico Sakiki. You can subscribe to their Substack “Unfinished Alchemy” here [https://nicosakaki.substack.com/].

The Kitchen: Laura Lee

This episode was recorded around the time of the pink full moon. Laura Lee [https://www.northernnewsnow.com/authors/LauraLee/], local evening news anchor and co executive producer, talks about her home kitchen and weaves a story of the love, intuition, and excellence that have guided the cooks in her family across generations. Her interview also touches on how you can care for children with food. We met in my kitchen; Laura was a wonderful guest. Keep an eye out for her upcoming show, Cooking with Laura Lee, on Northern News Now [https://www.northernnewsnow.com/].  I sometimes will set a 15-minute kitchen timer and do dishes for that long. For our interview, we set the kitchen timer for 12 minutes and did an AMQAP (as many questions as possible). We go over time jussst a bit.  Bonus at the start of this episode is a tribute/ad for The Blue Heron Trading Company [https://www.theblueherontradingcompany.com/], a place that is a kitchen store, but so much more. Thanks, Sam Connolly, for this contribution. The Blue Heron is best visited in person at 394 S Lake Ave. Suggested podcast pairings: Rice Boiled rack of spare ribs  Fresh turnip greens Hibiscus gingerade (Chef Lachelle Cunningham [https://lachellecunningham.com/]’s recipe) The song Tourniquet by Zach Bryan  Hope you can create love in the spaces where you find yourself. 💚 -------- Episode cover art "Tenacidad" by Gubits.Art from Oaxaca, Mexico. Visit @galeriacopal [https://www.instagram.com/galeriacopal] or @gubitsart [https://www.instagram.com/gubitsart/] for more. Also @gabrielo.gr [https://www.instagram.com/gabrielo.gr].

The Kitchen: The Host (Interlude 2)

This episode is a recap, grounding, and look forward while recognizing the change that has been a fruit of this podcasting process. In this episode, the host (that’s me) speaks.  I am still scared to share my thoughts in this public venue! Here, I do so anyway. I can hear the anxiety in my voice a bit. Ina Garten says: “I think people stand at the edge of the pond talking about the pond. Is it hot? Is it cold? Is it deep? Are there murky things in there? I think you have to jump in.” Vanity Fair, 2017 ———- Episode artwork by Lex MB Studio [https://leximire.com/]. Order a Trust the Process sticker (this week’s cover art) from her website or join her Patreon for yet-to-be-released stickers! You won’t regret it.  ———- Recommended podcast pairings: Hard boiled egg Toasted multi-grain bagel with Philadelphia whipped mixed berry cream cheese A large strawberry Aged earl grey tea A glass of cold water RIDIN - Jessie Reyez feat Lil Wayne (explicit) Jasmine essential oil ———-