Dishing With Donna

Growing up in the south, BBQ is one of my all-time favorite foods to salivate over! Take a listen to the infamous Pitmaster, Myron Mixon, as he shares his story of growing up working the pits with his Dad and then later becoming a legendary competition Pitmaster seen all over television. Myron also gives us some professional tips on how to create insanely delicious BBQ at home for your friends and family. Take the time to learn, and your tastebuds will reap the reward!

When you dine out at a restaurant, what is the standard protocol for tipping your server and what specific expectations should you look for from your overall service? Join Donna and Dan Hott for another entertaining conversation about how to calculate 20% right off the top of your head without needing a calculator, and what to tip for carry out orders versus delivery versus buffets versus the new controversy of the restaurant industry adding an automatic gratuity into your final bill! It's all here in this episode. What to tip or not to tip, that is the question . . .

I was shocked to see that the apple I served to my son never ever turned brown. The left over apple slices left on the counter stayed white and fresh looking for over 24 hours! So of course I had to dive in and research what in the world happened to make my apple NOT turn colors. I learned why engineers are genetically modifying apple varieties now as a more common technique, and which apples naturally carry an enzyme to keep from browing, safely staying away from GMO's. I wanted to share this information with you! As well as quick easy tips on how to keep your yummy apple from turning colors after slicing, perfect for school lunches and the kiddos!

What is it like working in a restaurant that caters to celebrities? Find out as you join Donna in her candid conversation with successful restauranteur, Dan Hott, as they share comical and interesting and memorable stories about their experiences with many different celebrities while working in the restaurant industry. What is the proper protocol for a famous guest? Does it change for an athlete vs. an actor vs. a singer vs. a famous pastor? Find out when you enjoy this fun and entertaining episode!

It's hard to have a constructive conversation about anything to do in the foodie industry when your guest is your husband who is not only an Executive Chef but also the world's most hilariously snarky human being who has something sarcastic to say about everything! So as we recall the times when we used to judge burger competitions amongst restaurants, we also "attempt" to discuss the current popularity between veggie burgers, vegan, the Impossible burger, turkey, black bean, bison, and finally the all American classic hamburger making a comeback!

"Ask and ye shall receive"! As a radio personality who has a food podcast, I am approached ALL THE TIME with questions about cooking or recommendations. I thought it would be fun to answer some of the random questions I've been asked just recently, including; What do I do with a ham bone? How can I eat pasta every day and still lose weight? What's wrong with store-bought broth? What else is quick and easy to make when my family is bored of meals with rice, but I'm not a good cook?? . . . Well let me shed some light on these answers for you, my pleasure!

Do you have a picky kid when it comes to eating? I do! It is a struggle trying to get my son to try or taste any food that isn't pizza or chicken nuggets or waffles. Outside of his tiny little box of things he WILL eat ... I want to pull my hair out finding ways to get him interested in the things he WON'T eat. So! Here are some of my own helpful ideas, tips and new yummy dishes I have learned by experimenting that have gotten my son to surprise even himself. As parents, it's our job to change these picky palates! ;-)

Taking on some new resolutions this year, Donna is ready to learn some new cooking techniques, new recipes to attempt, and wants to put the phone down and use classic cookbooks instead! Just like the scene in Schitt's Creek where they try to figure out what it means to "fold in the cheese", Donna is going to lean on trial and error to figure out what it means to expand her own comfort zone in the kitchen and add some new experimental dishes to her repertoire.

Its time to "fall" into the new season of everybody's favorite Fall foods, where we look forward to sugar and spice and everything nice! Are you someone who loves pumpkin spice everything?? Or do you dread the pumpkin spice obsession every year? Either way, this episode is for anyone and everyone who embraces the new chill in the air with new warm aromas coming from the kitchen. Learn some tips for creating the perfect spiced cocktail as well as the coziest of dinners.

School is back in session!  What are your kids eating?  What are they bringing in to eat?  What is the school actually giving them?  How do teachers really feel about what's going on with school lunches and the kids?  What's important to know?  .... Join Donna and her guest, Mrs. Giselle Matthews who is a longtime elementary school teacher with young kids of her own, as they analyze how far school lunches have actually come and what foods help your child stay focused and energized.  School lunches can rock when you realize it all starts from .... HOME.

Carnivores versus Vegans versus Pescatarians .... what do you do when your own family members eat differently?   Well welcome to my family.  We have at least one of each.  This puts my husband's Chef skills to the test!  He and I have learned how to cater to the vegan in our family while still enjoying the meals and dishes ourselves.  Here is a quick snapshot of how we make that happen, with a quick surprise pop-in from our 5 year old pizza lover and his opinion too!  Eating vegan dishes can still be delicious and hearty when you choose to get creative in the kitchen, even for a carnivore like me.

We are all so tired of dealing with Covid. Ugh!! Did you know what you eat can directly affect your experience with Covid-19? Join Donna as she has done the homework for you in discovering what foods act as a shield against this stubborn virus and can protect you from contracting it, and which foods can cut the duration of time and/or strength of the virus within you. Food can alter your immune system! Food is power. This is a fantastic episode to share with your friends and loved ones, as we are all in this together.

Get ready to salivate because Donna's hubby is an Executive Chef and he joins her in-studio to talk about his absolute favorite food ... steak!  This mouthwatering conversation will get you hungry as you learn about which cuts of meat work best for a grill versus which types of steak cook best on a pan or in the oven.  Chef Herb offers some tips on how to cook more efficiently while getting more creative on your basic steak-n-potatoes.  The hilarious energy between these two lovebird personalities will have you laughing from start to finish!  

It is the National Day of the Mushroom!  Chef Megan and Donna believe there is definitely something to 'shroom about!  As an underrated superfood, the mushroom has earned its new and rightful place as the "celebrity" of the produce aisle these days.  Whether you prefer delicate and subtle or meaty and savory, there are countless ways to cook these superstars of fungi!  They certainly pack a punch of antioxidants and nutrients into your everyday diet as well as a good alternative for those who follow a plant-forward lifestyle!  Check it out now, because who knew mushrooms could be so much fun to talk about!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join this week's food conversation with radio diva Donna and Chef Megan as this dynamic duo starts "springing into season" with fresh ideas from Mother Nature.  Discover how easy meal prep can be when using the fresh produce that springtime has to offer!  Find out what is in season and what kinds of delicious dishes you can make to keep it light and springy all season long!    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring is emerging and we are getting excited about this upcoming grilling season!  Join Donna and Chef Megan as they spill about their favorite recipes for grilling up some fun for the season!   Donna brings some of her hubby's Island Wings from the cookout and Megan dives right in!  Don't forget about your fruit and veggie options for really great grilling while keeping your veg-head family and friends happy for those meals from the grill. There's no mistaking those flavors off the grill!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the perfect recipe for combining food culture and entertainment?  Movies, of course!  Join Chef Megan and Donna as they share their favorite films about the love of food and the art of cooking in a fun conversation that is entertaining in itself.  Do you recognize these movie quotes;  "I'm in love. I'm having a relationship with my pizza"  or  "Julia, you are the butter to my bread and the breath to my life"?  Find out which movies inspire both Chef Megan and Donna, and why Megan says that movies about food are the "perfect combo!"   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Snacking is an essential part of our everyday life!  Sometimes it is good and sometimes it is not so good.  With so many people working from home and kids at home with online school, 'snack attacks' and 'snaccidents' are something we may also experience on a regular basis.  Listen in as Chef Megan and Donna share their easy snacking ideas along with their quick-witted humor as they highlight the importance of mindful snacking; being aware of what we choose, why we choose it, and how it makes us feel. What you have on hand can change the course of your snacking to a positively delicious experience!  Also, a great throwback tip from Audrey Hepburn! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do canned foods still deliver the goods?  Find out for yourself when Chef Megan and Donna uncover the best reasons to stock your pantry with these easily accessible, long-term shelf life foods.  Which canned foods are the most useful to have on hand?  Which dishes can you whip up on the fly when you've got certain canned foods in your pantry?  And lastly, why is Napoleon Bonaparte an important role in National Canned Food Month? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Heart Healthy Month and we are ready to feed our hearts with knowledge as to what foods will make our hearts the strongest and healthiest!  We taste a few heart-healthy recipes too!  Join Chef Megan and Donna in this lively and always delicious food conversation as we go on about all those things we can do to help keep our hearts happy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Valentines Day!  It's a day to celebrate LOVE, loving your significant other, loving your family and friends, and even loving yourself!  What is one of the most popular things to do on Valentines Day?  It's to enjoy a special dinner together.  So join Chef Megan and Donna as they walk you through the steps of 2 fabulous and simple dinner ideas you can make for your special someone.   Come fall in love with cooking, and laugh along with these two lovable ladies.  Heads up, this episode comes with a warning ... you WILL get hungry! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year the food industry professionals predict what fabulous new trends we will see, taste, and experience in our food culture.  What are some of these changes and how will they affect your lifestyle this year?  Join Chef Megan and Donna as they take you along their edible journey in this fun, unique food conversation.  They are certainly enjoying what the future holds in this trending food world with their light and uplifting banter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time to play in the kitchen!  Do you want to get out of your comfort zone and discover new simple ways to cook some of your favorite foods?  This episode can do just that!  Join Donna and Chef Megan as they actually taste each other's favorite ways to prepare Brussels Sprouts and share simple techniques for cooking them in creative and yummy new ways that even a picky doubter can learn to like.  We also dish on salmon and the many delicious ways you can enjoy it at home!  Then there's chocolate, with a big green surprise twist …need we say more?  If Donna can learn to like vegetables...then anyone can!  From the world's pickiest eater to now official taste tester, this radio host has leaned on Chef Megan to help open her eyes and taste buds to new ways of cooking and the enjoyment of experimenting in the kitchen!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hallelujah, it's a new year!   And what's the first thing you usually think of when January hits?  RESOLUTIONS, baby.  Join Chef Megan and Donna as they tackle some of the most common resolutions versus a new wave of thinking outside the box in terms of creating new resolutions for 2021.  Need to read a book?  Grow a plant?  Organize your life?  Well Megan and Donna can talk you through it, as well as promote healthy lifestyle changes which can simply make you HAPPIER from the inside out.  After surviving 2020 ..... let's all resolve to bring more happiness into our 2021.  What's the easiest way to kickstart that resolution???  ... By listening to this podcast every week of course!!  ;-) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are saying ADIOS, SAYONARA, ARRIVEDERCI, AU REVOIR, and BUH BYE  to one of the strangest years ever, as Chef Megan and Donna recap so many of the changes in 2020 which turned into the "new normal" for us all.   Share in the conversation which highlights everything from the boom of zoom, to curbside pickup, to refocusing on family time and family meals, learning to cook, restaurant protocol, and much more!   It's never a dull moment with these two culinary hosts ready to make you laugh your way outta 2020 . . . . while still finding the silver linings to embrace. Cheers!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Christmas week!   Time to eat, drink, and be merry!  Join Donna and Chef Megan as they entertain you with their thoughts and experiences with not-so-yummy Christmas classics, walk you through some fabulous festive party platter ideas for the kiddos, as well as laugh through another surprise Live tasting experience, and of course - share valuable food knowledge as always.  2020 has been a Grinch ... So don't be on the naughty list, let's bring on the holiday cheer!     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Tis the Taste of the Season Episode!  Dishing with Donna and Chef Megan are bringing some favorite foods of the season into the studio!   They taste and share some homemade delicious hearty dishes, perfect for warming you up this holiday season.  They also share and discuss the famous holiday nog choices, as well as some new apple varietals to create healthy snacks in between the indulgent holiday meals.  This food conversation is pure food entertainment.  Cheers! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holidays are supposed to be a time for cheer, happiness, and love.  So here is an episode for those who actually fight anxiety this time of year, especially thanks to the roller coaster of 2020.  We talk about foods to uplift your mood!  Take control of your own stress levels by learning what foods naturally put a little pep in your step and bring a smile to your face.  Don't let the holiday season, or 2020 for that matter, get you down when there are common food choices that can help alleviate your stress!  Chef Megan and Donna deliver your recipe for happiness & wellness by arming you with a little extra food knowledge to win the day when those pesky "holiday blues" strike.  'Tis the season to be JOLLY so fa lalalala along!   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Come laugh with Donna & Chef Megan as they recap highlights from their unique Thanksgiving experiences, plus offer tips for surviving the month of December as we ALL navigate through the end of 2020 together, hoping to bring good spirits and good food and good vibes to kick off the Christmas season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to our first episode!!  Dishing with Donna featuring Chef Megan is your entertainment connection to food, fun, and lively conversation with these two long-time culinary & hospitality industry professionals!  Life can be THIS fun when there is food involved!  Our Thanksgiving episode is for kicking things off on a food-filled holiday!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.