An era ended in 2021 when acclaimed restaurant critic Phil Vettel retired from the Chicago Tribune. Behind the shadowy figure in his by-line, Vettel brought the tastes of a diverse and vibrant culinary landscape to thousands of loyal readers for 31 years. In this episode of Supper with Sylvia, Vettel details the modes operandi he used to keep his identity a secret to the hundreds of restaurants he visited during his storied tenure, and how the game changed with the explosion of social media. Phil Vettel is a true Chicago legend and we hope you enjoy this episode.

Show notes:
Phil Vettel is still working and his latest reviews can be found in Naperville Magazine.
https://napervillemagazine.com/

This podcast was produced by Jane Stephens
Music and audio engineering by Donnie Cutting

Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

Malort, for many the word alone brings a shiver through the spine or warm nostalgia for a cold night in a Chicago tavern. This gulp of bitterness harkens back to its Swedish roots of vodka and wormwood and has been described as just about the worst tasting liqueur on the bar room shelf. Like kale and Brussels sprouts, Malort has been around for decades, it's just recently that a whole new generation of Chicagoans and now Americans across the country have embraced it. Sales are booming. On this episode of Supper with Sylvia, Josh Noel, author and former Chicago Tribune travel and food writer, takes us on the journey of Malort and why this shot with notes of bitterness, loneliness, grapefruit and dirty rubber bands is all the rage.

The Show Notes:

Malort, The Redemption of a Revered Reviled Spirit by Josh Noel

joshnoel.com


This episode of Supper with Sylvia is produced by Jane Stephens
Music and audio engineering provided by Donnie Cutting

Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com

He's been a household name for decades and the guy millions of Americans wake up to every morning on NBC's Today Show. But Al Roker is more than the beloved weatherman, he's a prolific author of fiction, non fiction and cookbooks. His latest is a labor of love, a tasty collection of cherished family recipes meticulously tested and detailed with the passion and enthusiasm of his co author daughter Courtney Roker Laga. From pancakes to shrimp and grits, Al calls these Roker Family recipes easy memory making dishes for every occasion.

Supper with Sylvia is produced by Jane Stephens
Audio engineering and music by Donnie Cutting

Additional Music:
"Finding the Balance" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Check out SupperwithSylvia on Instagram.
Email us at SupperwithSylvia@gmail.com