Family Tree Food Stories

Nancy May & Sylvia Lovely
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Family Tree, Food & Stories podcast is where your hosts, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, take you on a mouthwatering journey through generations of flavor! We're digging up and sharing the juiciest family secrets, hilarious dinner table disasters, and the heartwarming moments that make your favorite foods, meals, and relationships unforgettable. From Great-Grandma's legendary cheese crust apple pie to that questionable casserole your Uncle Bob swears by. With Family Tree, Food, and Stories, we're serving a feast of laughter, tears, and everything in between. So, are you ready to uncover and share those unforgettable stories behind every bite and create some new memories along the way? Join our growing family of food enthusiasts and storytellers as we Eat, laugh, relive the past, and learn how to create new memories together because. . . every recipe has a story, and every story is a feast.

  1. The Secret History of Mayonnaise: From Military Victory to Your Fridge

    6D AGO

    The Secret History of Mayonnaise: From Military Victory to Your Fridge

    What nobody told you about mayonnaise: the wartime origin, the brand rivalry, and the Hellmann's love story you've held in your hands, and never knew about.You've probably never thought twice about that jar of mayonnaise in your fridge. You open it, you use it, you put it back. But that jar has a story that you likely don’t know, one that starts with a military victory, and with a love story. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely take you inside the interesting stories and history of mayonnaise. From the French chef who accidentally created it after a battle, and the fancy European kitchens where it was once considered a “fine-dining must have”, to how it became a key staple in your home today. Nancy and Sylvia share the ribbon story behind the Hellmann’s brand, which will have you remembering that story the next time you open a jar to make a tuna or chicken salad. There are also some true confessions in this show, where Nancy gets personal and confesses her lifelong mayo addiction. Think of bread and mayo sandwiches! Or just cheese and mayo. For real! Sylvia believes that mayo has been the unsung hero of every church picnic, potato salad, and deviled egg platter your family has ever made. Then, there’s the great Mayo brand standoff, which has divided American households for generations. That key question is…. are you a #Duke's or #Hellmann's devotee? You'll also find out why the French have been eating their fries with mayo instead of ketchup this whole time (and why once you try it, just ask Bob, you're probably not going back). How homemade mayo takes just five minutes and three ingredients, and other intriguing stories that will have you looking at your fridge just a little differently, the next time you open the door. If you've ever stood in a grocery aisle and questioned your mayo choice, tune in to this episode and listen to why mayo is a brain teaser. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Your mayo has a military origin story you've never been told. The most widely accepted history traces mayonnaise to 1756, after a French military victory at the port of Mahón on the island of Menorca. A chef created the sauce from eggs and oil; it was refined in European courts, eventually brought to the US, and somehow landed in your fridge. Now you’ll know the rest of that story.The blue ribbon on your Hellmann's jar really is a love story. In the early 1900s, Richard Hellmann sold his wife's homemade mayo at his New York deli with a blue ribbon tied around every jar. Customers couldn't get enough. That ribbon is still on the label today! The next time you pick up a jar of Hellmann’s, take a good look at the label and share the story with someone who’s making a mayo selection and standing next to you.You're five minutes away from making your own mayo. Egg yolks. Oil. Vinegar, a little mustard, and lemon juice if you want, too. A slow drizzle of oil into a blender. That's it. Try using other oils for a different flavor. Once you've made your own, you'll understand why chefs still treat mayonnaise as a craft… It’s fun. Give it a try. And you'll wonder why you waited so long to try it.Your mayo brand says more about you than you think. Duke's or Hellmann's isn't a preference; it tells you where you're from, North vs. South. In some families, switching brands could mean expulsion from your next holiday gathering. If you know, you know! Next Steps: So here's our question: What’s your brand? Duke's? Hellmann's? Something your grandmother made that no one really knows the true recipe for? We want to hear it. Drop your story, your recipe, or your hottest mayo take in our Facebook Group: Family Tree Food & Stories. There’s a link in the notes below, too. And if this episode made you look at that jar a little differently, please do us a favor: hit subscribe and share this with the one person in your life who loves mayo too. Because every meal has a story, and every story is a feast. (TM) Additional Links ❤️ SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For YouBook: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on AmazonInstagram Story updates 📸Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemailYou can send us a DM on Facebook. About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles. If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge. "Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast (c) copyright 2026, all US and International Rights Reserved. @familytreefoodstories, #foodie #dukesmayonnaise #dukesmayo # houseoftwang #mayonanaiserecipes @dukesmayo #dukescountry #southernmayo #dukescountry #hellmannsmayonnaise @hellmanns #welcometohellmanns #hellmannsblueribbon #realmayonnaise #frenchmayonnaise #mayonnaisedressing #deviledeggs #chickensalad #podcastfinds #foodpodcast, #bestpodcast, #cookingculture, #foodstories, #foodhistory #familytraditions #keepfamilyreal

    35 min
  2. Why NASA Banned Bread (The Secret Life of Flour)

    APR 2

    Why NASA Banned Bread (The Secret Life of Flour)

    Flour History, Food Science, Kitchen Myths, Food Culture & The Hidden Story Behind Bread, Pasta, and Everyday IngredientsIn this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely start with a simple question, “what did you eat today?” Then dive into how little we know about even the simplest and most fundamental things in our pantry, which can turn into a fascinating science experiment as well as a lunch essential. We’re talking about flour! Did you know that flour isn’t just for baking stuff? It’s good to make muffins, for sure, but it’s also powerful enough to level buildings, important enough to shape entire cultures, can tell me where your great grandparents came from, and risky enough that NASA won’t allow it to go up in space! With all that, we still take the lowly bag of flour for granted. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy & Sylvia open up and share the stories of what flour really is, where it came from, and why it still matters more than we realize. You might take a second look at all the flour options when you’re walking down the baking aisle in your grocery store this week. Key Takeaways: The reason NASA banned bread (and what replaced it).How flour can be an adhesive that’s stronger than glue.The role flour played in building civilizations and even ending nomadic life.Your flour could tell me where your ancestors came from.What today’s flour labels really tell you, and what they don’t, including labels like organic, non-GMO, ancient grain, and more. If you’ve ever grabbed a bag of flour without thinking twice. You might want to tune in and pause to take a better look at that bag, or sack, of flour in your pantry. It tells a pretty interesting story. We promise that you won’t look at a slice of bread the same way again. Nancy and Sylvia are pretty sure this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories will make you look at your dinner plate differently. That’s a good thing too, because it’s exactly what Family Tree Food & Stories is designed to do. Here's what to do next: Subscribe to Family Tree Food & Stories so you never miss an episode. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen directly at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodandStories.com ⭐ Leave us a review: it takes 60 seconds and helps thousands of new listeners find us. (We read every single one, too! Promise) 📣 Share this episode with someone you love, a parent, a daughter, a friend going through a health journey. The food wisdom in this episode could genuinely change how they eat. 📋 Take our listener survey; there's a link in the show notes and at the top of our podcast page at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodStories.com. Tell us what you want to learn and hear about next. We make a show just FOR you. 📖 Pick up our book, My Family Tree, Food and Stories, on Amazon. Because: Every meal has a story and every story is a feast. Please remember, at the end of the day, the best thing you can do for the people you love, and even yourself, isn't a pill or a prescription. It's a plate of food shared with a good story. Episodes Mentioned and Shared: The Bone Broth showDon't miss Roadside TreasuresCookbooks that Built AmericaThe Sourdough Show Additional Links ❤️ SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For YouBook: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on AmazonInstagram Story updates 📸Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemailYou can send us a DM on Facebook. About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles. If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge. "Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast (c) copyright 2026, all US and International Rights Reserved. @familytreefoodstories, #foodie #bonebroth, #sourdough #flour, #NASA #spacelaunch #organicflour #nonGMOfood #roundup #grainmills #homemilling #allpurposeflour #breadflous #podcastfinds #foodpodcast, #bestpodcast, #cookingculture, #foodstories, #foodhistory

    39 min
  3. The Family Table That Built Strong Bones Using Real Food and Traditions

    MAR 26

    The Family Table That Built Strong Bones Using Real Food and Traditions

    Bone Deep: Your Grandmother and Mom Really Did Know How to Use Their Kitchen Like a Pharmacy.What does a simple pot of beans simmering on the stove have in common with cutting-edge nutritional science? More than you'd ever expect. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely share how our moms and grandmas instinctively know how to keep our bodies strong enough to handle a heavy workload. In this episode, Sylvia opens up about her own very personal bone health journey as she’s been undergoing cancer treatment, and a medication she takes suppresses a hormone critical for keeping bones strong. Her very real concern was the launchpad for this episode’s conversation and dive into the foods, traditions, and ancient wisdom that have helped many generations build strong bodies, long before drugstore supplements were available. Food Wisdom From Our Parents and Ancestors: Nancy and Sylvia dig into their shared experiences in their own family kitchens. Nancy with her mom in Central Long Island, and Sylvia’s grandmother, who was an Eastern Kentucky mountain girl. You might be surprised to learn how much we’ve discovered about how best to manage our own bone health over the years through archaeological dig sites, Parisian bistros, Japanese candy counters, and the calcium aisle at your local friendly pharmacist. Maybe our great-grandmothers really did know the best recipes for building strong bodies 12 ways. Listen in as we connect the Family Tree Food & Stories dots, and dishes between what we used to eat, what we stopped eating, and why we might want to eat what Mom put on our plates after all. This is a show for foodies, family storytellers, home cooks, and anyone who's ever stood in a pharmacy staring at a wall of calcium supplements and thought, "Wait, does any of this actually work?" Key learning points: Calcium Is Just the Beginning; Your Bones Need More: Most of us grew up hearing "drink your milk." But calcium alone is only one piece of a much larger puzzle.The Peasant Bone Diet: The Science of Simple Food: Anthropologists studying ancient skeletons are repeatedly surprised by how strong people were, and why."Pot Liquor" Is Liquid Gold, Don't You Dare Pour It Down the Drain! This is one of the most mind-bending food science moments: nixtamalizationBone Broth: The Comeback Kid of the Kitchen: And for a good reason! Nancy and Sylvia are pretty sure this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories will make you look at your dinner plate differently. That’s a good thing too, because it’s exactly what Family Tree Food & Stories is designed to do. Here's what to do next: Subscribe to Family Tree Food & Stories so you never miss an episode. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen directly at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodandStories.com ⭐ Leave us a review: it takes 60 seconds and helps thousands of new listeners find us. (We read every single one, too! Promise) 📣 Share this episode with someone you love, a parent, a daughter, a friend going through a health journey. The food wisdom in this episode could genuinely change how they eat. 📋 Take our listener survey; there's a link in the show notes and at the top of our podcast page at Podcast.FamilyTreeFoodStories.com. Tell us what you want to learn and hear about next. We make a show just FOR you. 📖 Pick up our book, My Family Tree, Food and Stories, on Amazon. Because: Every meal has a story and every story is a feast. Please remember, at the end of the day, the best thing you can do for the people you love, and even yourself, isn't a pill or a prescription. It's a plate of food shared with a good story. Every meal is a story. Every story is a feast.™ Additional Links ❤️ SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For YouBook: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on AmazonInstagram Story updates 📸Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemailYou can send us a DM on Facebook. About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles. If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge. "Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast (c) copyright 2026, all US and International Rights Reserved. @familytreefoodstories, #foodie, #BoneHealth, #bonehealthawarness, #foodAsMedicine, #GutHealth, #boneBroth #familycooking #healthyeating #BreastCancer...

    41 min
  4. Why the Best Meals Happen Off the Beaten Path: Roadside Diners, Drive-Ins, and Hidden Treasures

    MAR 19

    Why the Best Meals Happen Off the Beaten Path: Roadside Diners, Drive-Ins, and Hidden Treasures

    What if the best meal you’ve ever had… was hiding on the side of the road?And why do the places with no signs, no marketing, and no polish often serve the most unforgettable food? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely explore some of the best meals they've found in diners, drive-ins, and roadside food and snack treasures, where food, family traditions, and personal stories intersect in the most unique places. From small-town stands to grungy stops, these out-of-the-way places aren’t just a place to get a quick burger; they’re places that shaped small-town identity, neighborly connection, and stories that you'll never forget. Because here’s the truth: the best food you'll ever have isn’t always found in a five-star restaurant. It’s more likely found where the gas station guy, local teachers, and little league team show up hungry, and keep coming back week after week. Oh, and they all leave a local story at the counter, along with a tip. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy and Sylvia dig into the history behind places like the Kum & Go, Buc-ees, The Sycamore Diner, and Redding, Connecticut Pancake Place. Each, and others shared, and the ones that you likely know and love, reflect something deeper about our own hometown food culture, entrepreneurship, and even our childhood. And somewhere along those back roads, you start to realize that you’re not just looking for a breakfast or lunch spot. Instead, what you're really hungry for is a place you feel welcome, and that feels like home every time you walk in the door. So why do people care? Because these roadside food stops tap into something more universal: a longing for what was, the thrill of surprise, and the connection with friends and family. The surprising truth is: That some of the most meaningful foodie experiences don’t come from fancy restaurants, but from place, people, and timing, and even from bathrooms that might not be that clean. What will you learn? How roadside food culture shaped American and North American identity, why these hidden spots matter, and how to find and recognize a great place, and create a few new memories that you'll talk about for years. Key TakeawaysThe best meals aren’t planned, they’re discovered. Learn to chill out a bit. Some of the most memorable food experiences don't require reservations.Roadside food has as much dirt as local identity. Some have become beloved regional traditions that turned into local landmark treasures.Simplicity often beats sophistication. Food memories are sometimes simply a connection to taste. Think belly clams! What you remember most isn’t always what you ate, but where you were and who you were with. What to do next: Next time you pass a place that doesn’t look like much, but you can smell it from 3 blocks away, slow down and stop. Listen to what's being said at the counter or next booth and enjoy the moment, and the burger too. Question: What’s the best unexpected meal you’ve ever had at a local hole-in-the-wall? Additional Links ❤️ Please don't forget to take our survey so we dish up even more for you: Click for Survey Here SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For YouBook: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on AmazonInstagram Story updates 📸Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemailYou can send us a DM on Facebook.🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story. If you enjoy food and stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then Follow Us at Family Tree Food & Stories. Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently. About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles. If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge. "Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast (c) copyright 2026, all US and International Rights Reserved. @familytreefoodstoriespodcast #podcastfoodie #foodblogger #podcastdiscovery #podcastrecommendations #listentothispodcast #foodhistory #foodie #foodstories #roadsidedives #travelfood #foodfun #bucees #kum&go #crackerbarrel...

    36 min
  5. Why Corned Beef & Cabbage Isn't Actually Irish; The Truth Behind the World's Favorite St. Paddy's Day Meal"

    MAR 12

    Why Corned Beef & Cabbage Isn't Actually Irish; The Truth Behind the World's Favorite St. Paddy's Day Meal"

    Why do we eat corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, when it isn't even Irish? And what do Irish soda bread, cozy village pubs, and the potato famine have to do with the foods we celebrate today? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dig into the history of St. Patrick’s Day food traditions from authentic Irish village cooking to the Irish-American dishes created through immigration and rich cultural exchange. Why do we associate certain foods and stories with Ireland? Think Irish soda bread, cabbage, potatoes, hearty stews, and even corned beef; some have deeper stories of survival, resilience, and community, while others have no real connection at all. But what’s interesting is that true Irish food was never meant to impress anyone. It has a purpose: to feed families, bring neighbors together, and, just as important, to keep stories alive. Nancy and Sylvia share the history behind many of the foods we think are “traditional Irish,” but aren’t. Some of the facts might surprise you about Irish food history, St. Patrick’s Day traditions, cultural folklore, immigration stories, and community cooking that have turned into American and St. Pat’s Day traditions here in the States and elsewhere. Cool Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: (and more) 1. Why Corned Beef and Cabbage Became a St. Patrick’s Day Classic and the food that connected Irish immigrants with their Jewish neighbors. 2. How Irish Soda Bread Became a Symbol of Survival, sparked by government intervention. 3. Why Irish Pubs Became Cultural Story Centers: and more! Listen now to discover the surprising stories behind the foods we celebrate every March 17th. And if this episode reminds you of a family recipe, a favorite pub, or a St. Patrick’s Day tradition…please share it with someone who should hear it too. Additional Links ❤️ Please don't forget to take our survey so we dish up even more for you: Click for Survey Here SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For YouBook: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on AmazonInstagram Story updates 📸Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemailYou can send us a DM on Facebook.🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story. If you enjoy food and stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then Follow Us at Family Tree Food & Stories. Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently. About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles. If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge. "Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast (c) copyright 2026, all US and International Rights Reserved. @familytreefoodstoriespodcast #podcastfoodie #foodblogger #stpatrick'sDay #cornbeefandcabbage #irishsodabread #irishfoodhistory #Irishfoodtradition #foodhistorypodcast #foodculutre #fooddpodcast #podcastrecommendations #bestfoodpodcast #awardwinningpodcast #podcastDiscovery #PodcastofTheDay #listentothispodcast #foodstories #storybehindthefood

    28 min
  6. Cookbooks That Built America And Why We Still Love Them Today!

    MAR 5

    Cookbooks That Built America And Why We Still Love Them Today!

    From Monasteries to The Joy of Cooking and Martha Stewart: Why We’re Obsessed with Collecting and Keeping ThemHow many cookbooks do you own? And here’s the real question… do you actually cook from them? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely trace and share the fascinating history, evolution, and survival of cookbooks in America. You’ll learn why these books have survived wars, depressions, church basements, and even now, the internet. Cookbooks didn’t begin as cozy kitchen companions. The earliest versions weren’t even written for home cooks — they were records for palace kitchens and monasteries. Instructions were vague. “Cook until done.” You were expected to already know. Then “mom” entered the picture. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy and Sylvia dig deeper into how Amelia Simmons’ American Cookery helped define a uniquely American food identity using local ingredients like cornmeal. How Fannie Farmer and the Boston Cooking School Cookbook introduced scientific precision and standardized measurements. And how Irma Rombauer self-published The Joy of Cooking during the Great Depression, creating a cookbook to save her own family from starvation, which has become one of the most influential cookbooks of all time. Key Takeaways: Wartime rationing cookbooks that reshaped American cookingChurch and Junior League cookbooks, as fundraisers, were among the earliest places where women’s voices appeared in print without a man’s approval.How celebrity cookbooks from chefs like Jacques Pépin have become storytelling time capsules Cookbooks are not just instruction manuals; they’ve become: Cultural records.Family archives.Story books. This episode blends cookbook history, American food culture, women’s publishing history, Depression-era resilience, wartime cooking, and family recipe traditions into one simple idea: Cookbooks create more than meals; they build family, communities, and connection across their pages. Additional Links ❤️ Please don't forget to take our survey so we dish up even more for you: Click for Survey Here SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For YouBook: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on AmazonInstagram Story updates 📸Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemailYou can send us a DM on Facebook.🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story. If you enjoy food and stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then Follow Us at Family Tree Food & Stories. Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. And share this one with someone you love to share your table with. Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently. About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles. If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge. "Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast (c) copyright 2026, all US and International Rights Reserved. @familytreefoodstoriespodcast #podcastfoodie #foodblogger #cookbooks #bestcookbooks #juliachild #jacquespepin #smashburger #artoffrenccooking #joyofcooking #cookingathome #learntocook #lovetocook #cookbookwriters

    31 min
  7. Is Your Nona's Italian American Sauce "REAL" Italian? Maybe Not!

    FEB 26

    Is Your Nona's Italian American Sauce "REAL" Italian? Maybe Not!

    Italian Food in America: The Truth About Authenticity, Nonas, and Sunday Sauce.When you're planning which restaurant to go to, you typically don't ask, “Do you want American food?” No, you ask... "How about Italian?” But here’s the twist… much of what we call authentic Italian food isn’t actually from Italy. It's kind of a made-up Italian, American style! In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely unpack the real story behind Italian-American cuisine, how it's more of a blending of what we had here, and how adaptation shaped everything from lasagna and chicken parm to pasta and even the right San Marzano tomatoes. If you’ve ever debated your Mom's marinara vs. Nona's Sunday sauce—or wondered why meatballs are bigger here than in Italy, you'll want to tune in to learn more. Interestingly enough, Italy wasn’t even a unified nation until the 1800s. Its food traditions were regional, hyper-local, shaped by geography, and published cookbooks. Families in the mountain villages cooked differently than those in small coastal towns. Meat was scarce. Recipes were instinctual. Nonas didn’t measure. They remembered and passed on the feeling of what to do to their daughters and sons. But then immigration changed when families went to find a new homeland. In America, meat became affordable. Flour was abundant. Tomatoes were more often than not canned. Portions grew - Maria said, "What's the matter, you don't like my food," when you couldn't finish your dinner. Layers stacked. And what emerged wasn’t a copy of what we thought was Italian. It was really instead, something new: Italian-American food, a cuisine built on resilience, memory, and opportunity. Key Takeaways: How immigration transformed Italian food in AmericaThe difference between tomato sauce, marinara, and real Sunday gravyWhy semolina flour and wheat quality matter in your pastaAnd why Italian food feels like family, even if your grandmother wasn’t a Nona This episode of Family Tree Food & Stories blends food history, real storytelling, and a little kitchen humor, because Italian food isn’t just about pasta, it's about using all your senses and a little dash of garlic and memory. It also helps to pour a lot of wine into that sauce (and the glass), and a chance to stay at the table long after the plates are cleared. Additional Links ❤️ Please don't forget to take our survey so we dish up even more for you: Click for Survey Here SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For YouThe Nona's Movie on NetflixThe Restaurant: Nona's Enoteca Maria and the Nonnas Of The World Community NFPBook: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on AmazonInstagram Story updates 📸Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemailYou can send us a DM on Facebook.🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story. If you enjoy food and stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then Follow Us at Family Tree Food & Stories. Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. And share this one with someone you love to share your table with. Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently. About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles. If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge. "Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts. @familytreefoodstories @AzurRestaurantandPatio #italianfood #nonas #sundaysauce #bestfoodpodcast #foodiepodcast #foodblooger #spaghetti #realposta #italianamerican #pizza #pasta #sauce

    27 min
  8. Aprons: The Most Powerful Object in the Kitchen You’ve Never Been Taught to Understand. Here's Why.

    FEB 19

    Aprons: The Most Powerful Object in the Kitchen You’ve Never Been Taught to Understand. Here's Why.

    How a Simple Apron Quietly Shaped Food, Family Power, and Why They Matter More Than Your Grandma's Cookbook.Most people think an apron is just something you tie on before cooking. They’re wrong. In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely dig into the why of the apron, which may be the most powerful and misunderstood object in the kitchen—and why its disappearance signals the loss of something far more important than chintz fabric. Long before it became a Halloween costume or a fashion statement in WWD, the apron was a tool of survival. It protected bodies from fire and labor. It carried food, tools, and children. They were worn by women and men alike. And the apron quietly set the stage for "who's in charge" by signaling authority, responsibility, and identity within the home—especially in the kitchen. But here's the problem: almost no one was taught to see or respect the apron this way. As kitchens modernized, aprons were dismissed as old-fashioned. What disappeared with them were unrecorded family stories, food traditions, and the invisible labor that shaped generations. That history didn’t make it into recipe cards or photo albums—and once the apron is gone, that story is usually gone for good. But today, the apron is making a tiny comeback as a status symbol and fashion statement. Even on the haute couture runways of New York's Fashion Week. Key Takeaways: Why aprons mattered more than cookbooksHow they've helped preserve family memories and power plays in the kitchenWhy do so many people regret throwing their mom's away?And what one “orphan apron” reveals about what we’ve lost This is not an episode about fashion. It’s about food history, family legacy, kitchen culture, even high fashion, and the everyday object that holds more meaning than you might realize—until it's too late. If food has ever connected you to someone you loved… If a kitchen table ever felt like home… We hope this episode changes how you look at your next meal, or memories of those past with friends, family, and those you love and care about. Additional Links ❤️ Please don't forget to take our survey so we dish up even more for you: Click for Survey Here SURVEY: Please Help Us Learn How To Do More For YouBook: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on AmazonInstagram Story updates 📸Facebook Family Tree Food Stories GROUP👍TikTok: Family Tree Food Stories👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemailYou can send us a DM on Facebook.🎧 Subscribe now and never miss a bite or a good story. Thank you to Catch 22 Music for this episode's introduction and outgoing music. 🎧If you enjoy stories that make you smarter, more curious, and just a little dangerous at the dinner table… then YES, this is your show! Follow Us at: Family Tree Food & Stories. Subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. And share this one with someone who still thinks ketchup is, well, “just ketchup.” Because once you understand the story behind food, you start seeing everything differently. Yes? Good. Pull up a chair, and enjoy the show! About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles. If you missed the first time around... now's your time to listen to Family Tree Food & Stories and get inspired to make better use of what’s already in your kitchen. Then visit our page to share how you're using your leftovers this year. Waste less. Cook smarter. Tell the story behind your fridge. "Every Meal Has a Story, and Every Story is a Feast." (tm) is a trademark of Family Tree Food & Stories podcast and the hosts. @familytreefoodstories #foodpodcast #podcast #ApplePodcast #PodcastDiscovery #ListenNow #NewPodcastEpisode #TopPodcasts #awardwinningpodcast, #foodstories, #FoodAnthroplogy #FoodStoriesPodcast #psychologyofeverydaylife #persuasionpsychology #behaviorialscience #humanbehavior #trustandauthority #kitchenauthority #foodculture #kitchenstories #foodandmemory #culturehistory #storytellingfood #heritage #traditoinmatters #careandconnection

    34 min
See All (80)

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Family Tree, Food & Stories podcast is where your hosts, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, take you on a mouthwatering journey through generations of flavor! We're digging up and sharing the juiciest family secrets, hilarious dinner table disasters, and the heartwarming moments that make your favorite foods, meals, and relationships unforgettable. From Great-Grandma's legendary cheese crust apple pie to that questionable casserole your Uncle Bob swears by. With Family Tree, Food, and Stories, we're serving a feast of laughter, tears, and everything in between. So, are you ready to uncover and share those unforgettable stories behind every bite and create some new memories along the way? Join our growing family of food enthusiasts and storytellers as we Eat, laugh, relive the past, and learn how to create new memories together because. . . every recipe has a story, and every story is a feast.

Information

  • Creator
    Nancy May & Sylvia Lovely
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Nancy May & Sylvia Lovely
  • Show Website
    Family Tree Food Stories

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