Interviews and Profiles Archives

May 6, 2012July 28, 2024

Raquel Pelzel, Cookbook Author and Former Senior Food Editor for Tasting Table

Raquel Pelzel is an award-winning food writer and has written and collaborated on more than a dozen cookbooks. Her work has appeared in Saveur, The Wall Street Journal, Cook’s Illustrated, Fine Cooking, and many others. At the time of the inteview, she was senior food editor for Tasting Table. She writes the blog raqinthekitchen.com.

March 22, 2012July 28, 2024

Sofia Perez: What Constitutes Good Food Writing?

What constitutes good food writing? Sofia Perez, editor-at-large for Saveur, shares her thoughts and why it is important to broaden your definition of food writing.

January 31, 2012July 28, 2024

A Thirst for Tea Knowledge Leads to Asia

January 31, 2012 – PETE DULIN, Special to The Star. Two Kansas City tea entrepreneurs, Zehua Shang and Paula Winchester, travel to Asia to steep themselves in ways to grow, process and serve an ancient beverage.

April 18, 2011July 28, 2024

Candice Millard, Author of River of Doubt

Written by Candice Millard, The River of Doubt is the true story of Theodore Roosevelt’s daunting and deadly exploration of one of the most dangerous rivers on earth. The book recounts the last great physical challenge that Roosevelt posed for himself in the Amazon rain forest. Millard, a former writer and editor at National Geographic who resides in Kansas City, conducted field research in the Amazon to retrace portions of Roosevelt’s journey.

April 17, 2011July 28, 2024

Jim Chappell: A Good Sport and Great Scholar

Seated at a table, Jim Chappell of Chappell’s Restaurant and Sports Museum opens a book of poetry and begins to read in a deep baritone. His finger scans the lines like a narrow spotlight illuminating the page. His voice warms to the words and revels in the rhythm and alliteration. The periphery of the room melts away, the banter of voices and drone of a television fade, and Chappell’s table transforms into a stage.