Cooking Chat Food and Wine

In this episode, I talk with Ryan McGuinness, Beverage Director at Shipwright's Daughter in Mystic, Connecticut, about pairing wine with sustainable, seafood-focused cuisine. We explore why red wine can work with seafood, how preparation shapes pairing decisions, and share practical wine pairing tips listeners can use at home, along with guidance on how diners can feel more confident asking for help with wine.
Shipwright's Daughter, a James Beard Award–winning restaurant, is known for its deep commitment to sustainability and its seafood-driven approach to modern New England cuisine. Ryan brings experience from top restaurants in Dublin and New York City to a wine program built around local sourcing, thoughtful hospitality, and food-first pairing decisions.
In our conversation, we discuss:
• Rethinking the "white wine with fish" rule
• Pairing red wine with seafood, including Northern Rhône styles
• How preparation, texture, and seasoning influence wine choices
• Helping diners feel comfortable asking for pairing guidance
• Practical wine pairing advice for home cooks
• A surprising food and wine pairing to try at home
This episode highlights how thoughtful wine pairing enhances both the dish and the dining experience — whether you're eating out or cooking at home.

Discover what makes high-quality Spanish EVOO stand out as Daniel and Ben from Titin share their family story, explain harvest timing and flavor differences, and offer simple ways to elevate your cooking with better olive oil.
 
In this episode, I'm joined by Daniel Danes and Ben Aguilar from Titin EVOO, a Boston-based, family-owned company importing high-quality extra virgin olive oil from Spain's renowned Jaén region. Daniel shares the inspiring story behind the brand, rooted in three generations of women who started harvesting olive oil in southern Spain more than a century ago. We also explore what truly sets great olive oil apart — from harvest timing and terroir to traceability and polyphenol levels.
Ben and Daniel walk us through the differences between early harvest and November harvest oils, how to decode olive oil labels, and why the Picual variety delivers such vibrant, peppery flavor. They also share simple ways to use both their Universal (everyday) and Finishing olive oils to elevate salads, pasta, roasted vegetables, fried eggs, desserts, and more. Whether you're a home cook or an olive oil enthusiast, this episode offers practical tips for choosing and using high-quality EVOO.
Includes a tasting of Titin's oils and ideas for bringing more Mediterranean flavor into your home cooking.

Stephen Nasiatka of StephenUncorked shares about how wine brings people together, from creative pairings to curated events. This Cooking Chat episode also previews an upcoming nonprofit fundraiser featuring excellent wine paired with Cuban food.
Cooking Chat host David Crowley talks with Stephen about how wine can spark meaningful connections, the origins of Stephen's wine journey, and the creative ways he curates tasting experiences for nonprofits, businesses, and community gatherings.
Topics include:
A unique Pinot Noir pairing with lobster mac & cheese.

How Stephen turned a passion for wine into a community-building business.

Tips for designing wine events that foster authentic networking.

Preview of pairings to try with Cuban cuisine at an upcoming Social Capital Inc. fundraiser at Gustazo Waltham.

Insights into Stephen's wine portfolio and philosophy of "drink less, drink better".

This Cooking Chat podcast episode features Celine Kimberly of Nouvelle Maison, a French fine-provisions café in Winchester, MA, to talk cheese, Old World–style wines, and effortless pairings.
In this interview with host David Crowley from Cooking Chat, the episode covers:
Childhood food memories from France that inspired her love of markets and seasonal ingredients

Transitioning from a corporate career into running a specialty French food store

What visitors will find inside Nouvelle Maison: cheeses, charcuterie, baked goods, wine, spirits, and more

Focus on small-scale French and local producers, with direct ties to family businesses

Community events like wine and cheese tastings and hands-on classes

Insights into French food culture, quality sourcing, and resources for learning more

Off-the-beaten-path travel ideas in France, from Brittany to the Basque region

Heidi Herman, author of The Hidden Vegetables Cookbook, joins David Crowley on the Cooking Chat podcast to share her journey from lifelong veggie-averse eater to creative veggie enthusiast. Discover the inspiration behind her cookbook, packed with 90 recipes for adults who want to eat healthier without sacrificing taste. Heidi reveals practical tips for prepping, storing, and freezing veggies, plus creative hacks to incorporate them into every meal—even desserts! Learn how to enjoy more vegetables, reduce kitchen waste, and make plant-based eating approachable for everyone. Whether you love or loathe veggies, this episode offers expert advice, surprising stats, and easy ideas to boost your nutrition and flavor.