392: What makes a well-made Mint Julep Cocktail much more complex than you expect? James Chatto reveals the secret

What makes a properly made mint julep much more complex than people expect? How did an Indian revolutionary leader end up creating one of Japan's most famous curry recipes? How did a recipe collected during a 1930s concert tour in Indonesia become the legendary Queen Mother's Cake, different from every other chocolate cake you've ever had? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with James Chatto, co-author of the terrific new book Acquired Tastes: The Lives and Recipes of Eight Culinary Ambassadors. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of James Chatto's new book, Acquired Tastes: The Lives and Recipes of Eight Culinary Ambassadors. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What makes the mint julep tradition at Oxford both fascinating and deeply complicated? Why did a simple rum drink discovered in Cuba become one of America's most iconic cocktails? What hidden history was uncovered behind the luxurious dish Lobster Newberg? How did a Bengali revolutionary leave a lasting mark on Japanese curry culture? What made Jan Smeterlin's chocolate cake unforgettable enough to become a royal favorite? Why does James believe food is such a powerful and lasting carrier of memory? Which story in the book seemed so improbable that James doubted it until the historical evidence confirmed it? What personal objects would James choose to display in a museum about his life?   About James Chatto James Chatto read English at New College, Oxford, before becoming an actor and musician; today, he is one of Canada's best-known writers on the subjects of food and drink. He has written seven books, including A Kitchen in Corfu, the best-selling A Matter of Taste (with Lucy Waverman) and two memoirs, The Man Who Ate Toronto and The Greek for Love. As a journalist, he spent decades as Toronto Life's restaurant columnist, Senior Editor of the LCBO's magazine, Food & Drink, and editor of harry magazine; his writing has appeared in dozens of publications in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A co-founder of the Canadian Culinary Championship, he is a Chevalier of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Taste Fromage de France, and a Freeman of Corfu Town. He is a puppetmaker.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/392.