The Big Schmear Podcast

Beth Schenker, Host of The Big Schmear
  • 5.0 (10)
  • FOOD
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The Big Schmear Podcast

The Big Schmear is a new podcast about Jewish food. Each podcast will feature an interview with a chef, restaurateur, cookbook author or folks who love to cook and talk about Jewish food. We'll be talking with guests about the history and culture of Jewish food, holiday foods, Israeli food, Jewish food trends, nutrition, farming, and the politics of food. Each episode runs approximately 20 minutes and is distributed on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month. Upcoming guests include: world renowned cookbook writer, Joan Nathan, on her new cookbook, King Solomon’s Table, Stephanie Goldfarb of Seven Species in Chicago, and Tanya Rosen of Nutrition by Tanya in NYC.

  1. FEB 20

    Kantika

    Thanks for looking in on The Big Schmear. Our episode this month is with award-winning author, Elizabeth Graver. We will be talking about her most recent book, entitled Kantika. And, although we do spend some time talking about the story of Kantika - which I found incredibly engaging for a number of reasons: I loved the time and place of the story, I fell in love with the main character and along the way I learned about the life of a Jewish family from Turkey and her life's journey that brought her to the US. It was not a simple travel story. If I were to characterize the focus of our conversation, I would say we talked a great deal about the story behind the book; the story of how Elizabeth came to write this book, a novel, based on her grandmother's life. I hope you'll dip into the conversation so you can get a better sense of the author behind this beautiful book. And if you haven't read it yet - it's a great time to find a copy at your library or favorite local book shop. And if you have read this book, look up a few of Elizabeth Gravers' past works. She's a wonderful writer. Happy Listening, Everyone.

  2. JAN 26

    Recovered Voices

    I'm so glad to have you along for this episode of The Big Schmear. My guest today, Jeanne Golan, is not only a special friend but also a wonderful pianist. And it's because of her playing that I have invited her to be my guest. This episode is in commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and I knew that Jeanne's project, Recovered Voices, would be exactly the right focus. We talk quite a bit about her project; how it came to be, where it's taken her musically, and how she has been able to bring these compositions to life for all of us to hear when most certainly if not for her work these composers and their work would have been lost. We will focus on 3 specific composers from Recovered Voices, a bit about their personal story and their music. I decided to change the format a bit so you would have the opportunity to listen to three short works by each of the composers without interruption. I hope you enjoy the story of Recovered Voices, Jeanne's wonderful playing and of course, the music! Make a cup of tea or reach for a glass of your favorite wine and ... Happy Listening, Everyone.

    44 min

  3. 12/24/2024

    Jewish Flavours of Italy

    Happy Chanukah, Everyone! I'm happy to have you join me for this December's episode. You'll be meeting my guest, recent cookbook author, Silvia Nacamulli. Silvia begins our conversation by providing us with a window into the Jewish Culinary history of Italy. She also shares a good deal about her own family history while pointing out some of her favorite Italian Jewish foods, complete with mouthwatering descriptions. And if you write to me at beth@thebigschmear.com I'll send you a copy of her Chanukah recipe called Precipizi-Struffoli that she talks about during our conversation. And there's more! Silvia is available to come to the US via Zoom or in person to teach a cooking class or provide a talk and prepare a meal with your group. BTW, you may want to have some of your favorite Italian food choices nearby when you have a listen. I think you're gonna be hungry. ? Happy Listening, Everyone. https://thebigschmear.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LONDONTBSFINAL-1.mp3

    36 min

  4. 11/13/2024

    The Inside Story: Judaica at the MFA, Boston

    It’s still fall! New England is in that in-between time; beautiful sunny days with temps going back and forth between unseasonably warm and yikes, it really will be winter soon.It’s on the ‘gonna get colder’ days that I think about my recent times at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and how this is the perfect time to share with you my conversation with their curator, Simona Di Nepi. She will be talking about her unique position at the MFA and the new Judaica gallery.As you’ll soon find out, she is an extraordinary guide. Along with her expertise and passion about her work she manages to share a contagious enthusiasm for each and every piece in their collection. Before you know it, you'll be adding Boston and the MFA to the top of your 'where to visit next' list.BTW, you are also able to experience some of what the MFA has to offer right from your very own electronic devise. Be sure to catch the end of the podcast when Simona will share this information with you. Happy Listening, Everyone.

    32 min

  5. 10/25/2024

    Loaves of Torah: Exploring the Jewish Year through Challah

    Happy New Year! I hope your New Year celebration was meaningful and joyous. I'm looking forward to all the audio adventures we will be on together in 5785. I already have great guests on-board with stories to share that I know you'll enjoy. This brings me to our first episode of this New Year. We'll be talking about the road to the rabbinate for my guest, Rabbi Vanessa M. Harper, who found that her love of baking challah and studying Torah could bring new insight into her own Jewish experiences as a student and then as a rabbi. In our conversation she'll give you a taste of what you can find in her book, entitled, 'Loaves of Torah: Exploring the Jewish Year Through Challah' and what you can experience for yourself while baking that most celebrated of all breads. What better way to start the New Year. Happy Listening, Everyone.

    38 min

  6. 09/18/2024

    Exploring Israeli Cinema

    The Big Schmear is back and I'm happy to have you all here! I've had some time to think about the relevance of The Big Schmear while on a break and it's pretty clear to me that Jewish food continues to be a great connector for us all. And I plan to continue conversations about Jewish food, but, at the same time I couldn't help but wonder, why limit how we define Jewish culture? Why not expand our experience and explore additional topics like Jewish music, Jewish literature, Jewish dance, and everything in between? So with that in mind, I invite you to list to our first Big Schmear 2.0 episode. I'm in conversation with good friend and colleague Cindy Stern, the Executive Director of the Chicago Israeli Film Festival. I will be talking with her about her festival, specifically touching on Israeli film & TV. Cindy will give us a taste of what goes into festival planning and how she finds those amazing films! Who's ready for some popcorn?

    30 min

  7. 09/08/2022

    Yidstock 2022

    I'm on the campus of Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts. Through my conversation with Lisa Newman and Seth Rogovoy you'll learn about the Yiddish Book Center and Yidstock, The Festival of New Yiddish Music. I hope you enjoy this taste of Yiddish culture and contemplate a trip to The Book Center. It's a beauitiful spot anytime of year but it's spectacular in the fall!

    27 min

  8. 12/21/2020

    The Everything Spice for Everyone

    Guest: Chef Laura Frankel Need to spice up  your meals? Here's an easy fix that can be used as your new basic 'everything spice' to change up, well everything: fish, chicken, french toast...it's limitless and so easy. And we have some recipes to share too. Let's close out 2020 in the best way possible by continuing to share meals and the experience of cooking together in as many ways that we can - in person and via the internet. What matters is staying close. Thank you for listening. Happy Eating and Best Wishes for a healthy and fun filled 2021

    21 min
See All (76)

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The Big Schmear is a new podcast about Jewish food. Each podcast will feature an interview with a chef, restaurateur, cookbook author or folks who love to cook and talk about Jewish food. We'll be talking with guests about the history and culture of Jewish food, holiday foods, Israeli food, Jewish food trends, nutrition, farming, and the politics of food. Each episode runs approximately 20 minutes and is distributed on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month. Upcoming guests include: world renowned cookbook writer, Joan Nathan, on her new cookbook, King Solomon’s Table, Stephanie Goldfarb of Seven Species in Chicago, and Tanya Rosen of Nutrition by Tanya in NYC.

Information

  • Creator
    Beth Schenker, Host of The Big Schmear
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The Big Schmear Podcast

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