In this live podcast recorded at the Cookbook Fest in Napa, California, Copper & Heat Radio host Katy chats with Bricia Lopez and Brandon Skier. The two authors share their backgrounds, discuss their newly published cookbooks, and reflect on their personal journeys in the food industry. They delve into the nuances of restaurant versus home cooking,…

In this episode, Chef Preeti Mistry talks with Chef Tu David Phu live on the podcast stage at the first-ever Cookbook Fest in Napa, California. Tu is the author of the forthcoming cookbook 'Memory of Taste,' that is a "tribute to the enduring spirit of my matriarchs, the rich heritage of Vietnamese cuisine, food insecurity, and the stories that foo…

This Episode brings you highlights from the Heart and Heat panel and the Writers without Borders panel from the Queer the Shelves festival at the end of June. Along with interviews with CJ DeBarra, Julie Cohen and Brey Willows. facebook: barebookspodcast Instagram: barebookspodcast twitter: barebookspod1 For general enquiries. To submit your flash …

This Episode brings you highlights from the Creative Crossroads panel and the Literary Chameleons panel from the Queer the Shelves festival at the end of June. Along with interviews with Chloe Keto, Thom Seddon and Nathan Burgoine. facebook: barebookspodcast Instagram: barebookspodcast twitter: barebookspod1 For general enquiries. To submit your fl…

This Episode brings you an introduction to Queer the Shelves with Nicci Robinson from Global Wordsmiths. Plus highlights from the Repping the Rainbow panel and the Weaving the Dark panel from the Queer the Shelves festival at the end of June. Along with interviews with E.V. Bancroft, Simon Smalley and Jourdyn Kelly. facebook: barebookspodcast Insta…

Welcome to our shortest season ever. Season 8 will be three amazing episodes dedicated solely to the Queer the Shelves festival that was hosted at Nottingham Central Library by Nicci and Victoria of Global Wordsmiths. facebook: barebookspodcast Instagram: barebookspodcast twitter: barebookspod1 For general enquiries. To submit your flash fiction st…

In the last year, Boise was featured in two vastly different pieces of food news. First Chef Kris Komori of KIN brought home the first Boise James Beard Award. This same year, In N Out opened its first of four locations in the Boise area. In this episode, Katy discusses the rapidly changing restaurant industry in Boise, Idaho, recorded live at the …

In this episode, Chef Preeti talks with Chef Debra VanTrece about her recipe for Baby Back Ribs with Sweet Tea BBQ Sauce. Chef Deborah shares her family's rich barbecue traditions and roots in Kansas City and how they influenced the development of her rib recipe (including the potentially controversial addition of sweet tea). Deborah recounts her p…

In this guest episode from Loading Dock Talks with Chef Preeti Mistry, Preeti talks with Chefs Norma Listman and Saqib Keval, the duo behind Masala y Maíz and Marigold in Mexico City. The chefs share their unique culinary backgrounds and the melding of their heritages — Mexican, South Asian, and East African — into their cuisine. They discuss the p…

In this episode, Preeti talks with Chefs Norma Listman and Saqib Keval, the duo behind Masala y Maíz and Marigold in Mexico City. The chefs share their unique culinary backgrounds and the melding of their heritages — Mexican, South Asian, and East African — into their cuisine. They discuss the process behind their lamb barbacoa recipe, a melding of…

Welcome to our bonus episode to round off season seven. We were invited along to Copper Cogs in Long Eaton to talk about what the podcast is about, and specifically about writing flash fiction. We had a fabulous evening. Massive thanks to everyone that came along and wrote flash fiction stories at a moments notice. And most of all for daring to sha…

In this episode, Preeti engages in a flavorful discussion with British Jamaican chef, food journalist, and friend, Jacqui Sinclair, also known as the Juicy Chef. They first discuss the recipe Jacqui shared with them, which is Lorna's Cottage Pie, originally made by Jacqui's mother. The recipe is a combination of Jamaican flavors with the British cl…

Geraldine has started not one, but two international controversies with her blog "The Everywhereist." A three-time guest on Copper & Heat, we first chatted with her 5 years ago about imposter syndrome after winning a James Beard Award for her blog post about Mario Batali's cinnamon rolls, and then again 2 years ago after her blog post about her dis…

In this episode, Preeti dives into the heart of food's nostalgic power with guest Telly Justice, chef and owner of HAGS in New York City. The conversation centers around Telly's family's old-fashioned cream pie recipe—a simple, yet emotionally charged dish that ties back to her German-American heritage and childhood memories. Telly's journey from a…

The last two flash fiction stories of season 7 were written with a Harris Burdick image in mind. And boy, we were not disappointed with the submissions for this prompt. We're sharing I Don't Want to Behave, written by Carolyn Ward-Daniels. And The Quest, written by Bob Sharp. Massive thanks to everyone that submitted flash fiction stories for this …

In this episode of Loading Dock Talks, Chef Preeti Mistry hosts Fernay McPherson, the chef-owner of Minnie Bell's Soul Movement, a fast, casual fried chicken restaurant in Emeryville, California, and soon to be in the Fillmore District of San Francisco. Fernay shares her journey starting Minnie Bell's in the historic Fillmore district, a place she …

For this episode, Jude Lennon. joins us for an enlightening conversation about her novel Kintsugi. A family saga that spans decades and shows us that our lives are every bit as fragile as the most delicate bone china. ~You can find this seasons indie authors on our social media, if you want to read along. You can also find the full list of all ten …

Two fluffy canine flash fiction stories for your listening pleasure this week, from the writing prompt, which was an image of a dog on a beach. Presenting; Coco, written and narrated by April Berry. Followed by Bad Boys, written by George Thomson, and narrated by Daizi Rae. Massive thanks to everyone that submitted flash fiction stories for this wr…

For this episode, we chatted about Even a Pandemic Can't Stop Love and Murder, a novel by A E S O'Neill. It took some time to warm up to this one, but it was worth the effort for one of us at least. A good cast of murkier than most characters, but it is mob related, so they weren't going to be sweethearts. ~ You can find this seasons indie authors …

In this episode Chef Preeti interviews Leah Scurto, owner of Pizza Leah in Sonoma County, who shares her journey growing up in restaurants and her love for the craft of pizza making. Leah shares her mother Viola's picadillo recipe that she grew up eating, and the stories behind the beloved family dish. The pair also discuss the importance of intent…

Three stories for your listening pleasure this week, from the writing prompt, which was an image, a piece called Leaving on a Jet Plane by Kevin O'Keeffe. Presenting; Flowers of the Field, written and narrated by Jacqui Jay. Followed by Poison was the Cure, written and narrated by Daizi Rae. And rounding off with The Journey, written and narrated b…

For this episode, we chatted about Last of the Old School, a novel by Richard John Thornton. A most interesting conversation. I can't remember the last time we disliked a character this much, but still read the book. ~ You can find this seasons indie authors on our social media, if you want to read along. You can also find the full list of all ten …

In this episode, Hetal tells Preeti about her family recipe for seero, a sweet semolina pudding made with ghee and toasted nuts. Through the recipe, how she grew up learning to cook and garden with her family while living in a house with a constant rotation of family members immigrating from Gujrat. Hetal also shares her opinions on authenticity in…

Three stories for your listening pleasure this week, from the writing prompt Betrayal. Dead Ringer for Love, written by Emily George, then Olivia, written by April Berry. And rounding off with Friends Like These, written by Daizi Rae. Massive thanks to everyone that submitted flash fiction stories for this writing prompt. We love your work. You can…

For this episode, we almost but not quite chatted with Onia Fox about their style of writing and their author journey. Onia is a very private person who uses a pen name and does not appear in public, so we used a guest voice we found in the attic to bring life to Onia's words. Onia's books don't stick to one genre, however, Jessica Taylor (Onia's m…

In this episode, Chef Rahanna Bisseret Martinez shares more about her family recipe for Shrimp & Grits, one that she made for 40 people at a staff meal while interning at the age of 16. The conversation dives into Rahanna's thoughts on the role of family recipes in her cooking and the transition from home cooking to fine dining. She also shares her…

A Pocket Full of Stars is this episodes writing prompt. It created quite the response from writers old and new, and for that we thank you. It made us so happy. It also prompted a slight change to this episode. But rest assured we would never take away (y)our beloved stories, so for your listening pleasure we chose today’s story from JJ Grafton. Mas…

For this episode, we chatted with Ivan Luiz Hernandez about his debut novel Isla Vulnerable: A Cuban Farm Boy Transforms Into a US Spy Based on a true story, Isla Vulnerable—an Amazon Bestseller, Biography, Espionage and Thriller—tells the story of how a poor farm boy named Victor Gomez transforms into a US spy, while falling for the very public Sa…

In this episode, Reem tells Preeti about Sayadiyah, a rice and fish dish packed with flavorful caramelized onions and spices. Through the story of how Reem developed her take on Sayadiyah for her books, Arabiyya, they discuss the connection between food and the Israeli occupation of Palestine, highlighting the impact of severing people from their l…

We have chosen two stories for your delight in this episode: Swipe Right, written by JJ Grafton. And, An Artful Persona, written by Danielle Woodgate. Two stories with well-developed characters, and nicely intriguing. Not a simple thing to do in so few words. Massive thanks to everyone that submitted flash fiction stories for this writing prompt. W…

The new season of Loading Dock Talks is coming on January 18th. This season, Chef Preeti asked some of their chef friends to send them a recipe, whether it was a family recipe or something they grew up eating. They wanted to see a recipe that meant something to the guests. Preeti cooked these recipes so that they could dig into the ingredients, tec…

For this episode, we chatted with J S Savage about his debut novel The Mystery of Treefall Manor: An Inspector Graves locked-room mystery. "A house full of suspects. Two dogged detectives. One impossible murder. When the owner of the Treefall Estate, Alexander Grimbourne, is murdered on the morning of his daughter’s wedding, the local police are st…

Happy New Year! We're bringing you a bumper crop of 5 flash fiction stories for your listening pleasure. 2 for the writing prompt - S/he made a poor job of - from George Thomson and Daizi. And 3 from the writing prompt - The Unseen Neighbour - from Sue Hayward, Daizi and April. You can find this seasons indie authors on our social media, if you wan…

For this episode, we chatted with Damien Linnane about his new memoir Raw: Raw chronicles a childhood marred by physical and sexual abuse, and a man’s subsequent search for identity in unhealthy places, such as violent gangs and the military. Childhood trauma reaches a climax when Damien tracks down and firebombs the home of a rapist. He subsequent…

For this episode, we chatted with Robyn Nyx about Dead Pretty: An FBI agent, a TV star, and a serial killer. Love hurts. (Dak Farrell: FBI Romantic Suspense Thrillers Book 1) “Special Agent Dak Farrell works cold cases, and she’s damn good at it. She’s always on the move and doesn’t care where the next case takes her. But when the Salt Lake City po…

In this episode, Katy talks with chefs Reem Assil of Reem’s California in San Francisco, and Carlo LaMagna of Magna Kusina in Portland, OR, and Magna Kubo in Beaverton. Reem is a Palestinian-Syrian chef and activist who was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation Best Chef West award in 2018 and ‘19 and a finalist for the Outstanding Chef awa…

The writing prompt for this episode of flash fiction stories was The Unreliable Mirror. Thank you so much as always for your overwhelming support and your fabulous submissions. Dysmorphia, written and narrated by Daizi Rae. For Better or Curse, written and narrated by Carolyn Ward-Daniels. Fireflies, written and narrated by April Berry. You can fin…

In this episode, Katy talks with chefs Ana Castro of Lengua Madre in New Orleans, and “G” Benchawan Painter from Street to Kitchen and Th_Prsrv in Houston. Ana was one of the 2022 Food & Wine Best New Chefs and Lengua Madre was a Bon Appetit 50 Best New Restaurant. G won the 2023 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Texas. In this episode, Katy, Ana, a…

For this episode, we chatted with Paul McMurrough about Control (Powerless Earth Book 2). 'With the world still crippled by an unprecedented power cut, Lisa, Simon, and Derek find refuge at Lisa’s family home in Donegal .... an ageing relic of Ireland’s troubled past sees it as a patriotic duty to step in and take control, by any means necessary.' …

In this first episode, Katy talks with chef and co-owner Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó in Houston. Emmanuel was recognized as one of the 2023 Food & Wine Best New Chefs, and Tatemó was named a finalist for the 2023 James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant. In this episode, Katy and Emmanuel talk about his journey to quitting drinking, the r…

The first flash fiction episode of the new season and we are overwhelmed at the amount of listeners that jumped right in with story submissions. We love you guys, thank you so much. The first prompt was The Midnight Library, and we chose three terrific stories for your listening pleasure, Written by Sue Hayward, Sandy Biddles and Dean Wrigley You c…

In this last episode of our 5 Year Reflection miniseries, we catch up with Kiah Fuller, co-owner of Far Out Catering in the Bay Area. Plus, we ask the question of all three of our interviewees: what's your biggest takeaway from the last 5 years?By Copper & Heat

In this episode, we catch up with Courtney Moisant, former pastry chef of Manresa Restaurant, pastry consultant, and founder of soon-to-open Gelato Coco. When Manresa Restaurant closed for good at the end of 2022, she decided to leave fine dining for good to start her own thing, a trend that Katy & Rachel explore more in the later part of this epis…

It was our absolute pleasure to kick off the season with an interview with indie author Jo Fletcher about her debut novel, Here You Are. You can find this seasons indie authors on our social media, if you want to read along. You can also find the full list of all ten flash fiction writing prompts there, too. facebook: barebookspodcast Instagram: ba…

In this episode, we catch up with Edalyn Garcia. Of the 5 women we interviewed in Season 1, she is the only one still working full-time in restaurants and she's worked her way up to Executive Chef. Plus, Katy and Rachel get some updates on the stats of women working their way up the brigade in restaurants in the past 5 years. Last, we talk about wh…

It feels like we've waited an absolute age for season seven to arrive. A new reading list. More indie author interviews. Getting to know independent authors old and new.More flash fiction - to read, to write, to share. Life is good!You can find this seasons indie authors on our social media, if you want to read along. You can also find the full lis…

Absolutely no writing prompt for the last flash fiction episode of the season. These are the three stories you can listen to today: Ghost Hunter - written by Daizi Rae and narrated by April Berry. The ideas for this story came from Write Queer, hosted by Derbyshire LGBT. The Long Furlough - written and narrated by Carolyn Ward-Daniels. It doesn't d…

Today's episode is from our friends over at The Sporkful. Zahra Tabatabai’s parents grew up in an Iran that would be unrecognizable today. “The pictures I see of my family in Iran in the sixties and seventies, they're in bikinis at the beach, drinking beer,” she says. Now, after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women are legally required to wear hijabs…

The writing prompt Teamwork inspired the two stories we bring you today: Is Gary a Team Player? - written and narrated by Daizi Rae - I would definitely recommend being nicer to your coworkers. Teamwork - written by Sandy Biddles and narrated by April Berry - Animals are so much better at teamwork than us humans! You can find Bare Books Flash Ficti…

This episode brings you a review on the rougher side of candid, of A Natural History of Transition, written by Callum Angus. You can find Bare Books Flash Fiction Anthology [Volume l] here on Amazon. You can find Bare Books Flash Fiction Anthology [Volume ll] here on Amazon. Sales from this book are what will keep us promoting indie authors for FRE…