We dig into iconic New Orleans dishes –Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Étouffée // A look at food trends that actually panned out in 2025 - and what’s heating up for 2026 // Smart strategies for building a better pantry in the year ahead // Traci Williams brings us the charm of her Teanaway Country Store and the rise of functional beverages // A winter Paella that turns dinner into a celebration // Pastry Chef Brittany Bardeleben of Hot Cakes inspires us with sweet ideas for the new year // And of course, we’ll wrap up today’s show with Food for Thought: Tasty Trivia!

Citrus Season Begins - we kick things off with bright, peak‑season inspiration // Fermentation Deep Dive // Michelle and Jaimon Westing of Symbiotic Cultures share the craft behind living foods // New Year Flavor Moves for 2026 - resolutions for a smarter, more delicious year // Best Bites of 2025 - food and travel writer Leslie Kelly brings her standout tastes of the year // Tasting Panel: Potato Chips - the Hot Stove crew crunches through a salty lineup // Crunchy Red Fruit - Master Sommelier Jackson Rohrbaugh joins us to talk about his wine club and new Fall City shop // Food for Thought: Tasty Trivia - we wrap the show with a spirited round!

Pyet DeSpain joins us with her new book - Rooted in Fire: A Celebration of Native American and Mexican Cooking // Kirstin Vracko, Boss Lady of Cheeky & Dry, shares new non-alcoholic wines to ring in the new year // Japanese Okonomiyaki Pancakes - Chef Instructor Rasyidah Rosli walks us through this savory favorite // Mahogany Williams, Founder & CEO of The Pickled Chef, takes us on a deep dive into pickles // Rib Roasts – we delve into cuts, techniques, and holiday inspiration // Eric Tanaka, Managing Partner of TD & Co. shares restaurant-level tips for home cooks // Food for Thought: Tasty Trivia – a special New Year’s addition!