Behind the Scenes of “Top Chef” with Kristen Kish
5/1/202651 min
We get real with “Top Chef” host Kristen Kish. She talks about her career, her show and what bugs her most about restaurant goers. Also on the show—we chat with Reya Hart about eating and traveling on tour with her father, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart; Kim Severson explains why meat is on the rise again; we make Puff Pastry Khachapuri; and Chris Kimball and Sara Moulton answer listener calls. (Originally aired May 2, 2025.)
Get the recipe for Puff Pastry Khachapuri here.
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First 90 secondsChristopher Kimball· Host0:00
I founded Cook's Magazine back in 1980, and the last, well, 45 [laughs] years, I've never had the chance to speak openly and frankly about the food world, recipes, travel, and food celebrities. That is until now. My new Substack allows me to speak directly to you, to home cooks, including my own personal recipes, cooking, food science, Vermont, as well as what I'm watching and reading. Plus, I will be interviewing culinary stars to find out what they are really like. Paid subscribers get exclusive recipes, some from my travels, others from my own personal repertoire. Founding members get those recipes, plus direct access to me personally, plus a tote bag and a signed copy of The Milk Street Cookbook. So go subscribe at christopherkimball.substack.com. One more time, christopherkimball.substack.com. [upbeat music] This is Milk Street Radio from PRX. I'm your host, Christopher Kimball. Today's my interview with Top Chef host Kristen Kish. She reveals what she really thinks about diners who behave badly.
Kristen Kish· Guest1:08
Don't stack the plates. Just don't stack the plates. I just, I hate it so much.
Christopher Kimball· Host1:12
Wait, diners stack the plates?
Kristen Kish· Guest1:14
Diners stack the plates 'cause they think they're being helpful, and they kind of push it- What? ... off to the side 'cause they're like, "Ugh, we don't want these dirty dishes in front of us anymore."
Christopher Kimball· Host1:21
Plus, she shares stories from Top Chef, including her winning mushrooms.
Kristen Kish· Guest1:25
I sweat down some aromatics, garlic, shallots, thyme, deglaze with a