Wine With Wanda

Travel Off the Beaten Palate to Canada with Emmy Winner Michael-Ann Rowe

What a pleasure to meet Emmy-winning "Off the Beaten Palate" host Michael-Ann Rowe.

Did you know that Canada produces 90% of the world's mustard? Or that the world's second largest country has a vibrant wine industry that grows & bottles everything from Chardonnay to Cabernet Franc? And, let's not forget about the Canadian cowboys that rustle up some of the tastiest meat on the planet and the passionate chefs and self-proclaimed "Beef Geeks" that cook it to perfection.

I learned these tasty tidbits, and many more, at a special screening of the Emmy-winning program Off the Beaten Palate. Created and hosted by food-loving journalist Michael-Ann Rowe, Off the Beaten Palate is a three-part documentary series showcasing the vibrant culinary culture in three Canadian provinces - Ontario, Alberta, and New Brunswick. The series aired in Canada and on PBS in Detroit but you can view video clips and snag unique recipes like Bison Benedict from the Off the Beaten Palate website.

Masala Moment: A Chat with Chef Suvir Saran

Suvir Saran is the charismatic and witty culinary guru behind the popular Devi Restaurant in New York City and American Masala in Jersey City. Formidable food critic Frank Bruni said that Devi is "perhaps the city's best Indian restaurant" and it has been awarded a 2-star rating by The New York Times and 1-star by the Michelin Guide. Saran has also written two widely acclaimed cookbooks - Indian Home Cooking and American Masala: 125 New Classics From My Home Kitchen.

I recently had the chance to chat with Chef Saran at the Authors & Inns Tour in Spring Lake, New Jersey. Watch the video to hear our spicy conversation about veggies, Indian spices and why you shouldn't feel guilty about cheating on your favorite foods with new flavors.

Sweet Talk with the Creators of Oprah's Favorite Brownies

As Mistress of Ceremonies for the Authors & Inns Tour in Spring Lake (New Jersey), I had a great time chatting with celebrity chefs and cookbook authors.

This video clip shows me sharing a bit of sweet talk with the owners of the wildly popular BAKED- Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito. You'll see why Oprah and Martha Stewart are crazy about treats from BAKED. If you live in NYC or Charleston, you can drop by BAKED or you can use their cookbook to create some sweet goodness at home.