076 Tess Monks of Botany Hall Kitchen at Phipps Conservatory

(00:55) A state-of-the-art kitchen hidden beside a glasshouse, garden-fresh herbs clipped minutes before class, and a room wired like a studio so every chop and sauté is easy to follow—this week we head inside Phipps’ Botany Hall Teaching Kitchen with Culinary Programs Manager Tess Monks to see how Pittsburghers learn to cook together. (08:24) We dig into the secret sauce: produce from the Phipps gardens, botanical beverages that blend plant science with bar craft, and the bread-art phenomenon of botanical focaccia that sells out on sight. Tess has built the program from a blank slate in 2018, partnering with chefs who bring deep cultural roots and plant-forward imagination, and expanding into culinary medicine. (33:06) We also step outside the classroom. Chef Kate Romane shares her Monday refuge at Hey Babe in East Liberty—yes to the crispy eggplant and a dialed in wine list—while Thai cook and PBS Great American Recipe contestant Suwanee Lennon guides us through an approachable Thai Larb. If this speaks your language, subscribe, share with a friend who needs kitchen inspiration, and leave a quick review—what guest should we feature next?Support the show