JOURNEY THROUGH TIME, ONE BITE AT A TIME

This Sunday night, August 3rd at 9pm Eastern, AM 970: The Answer invites listeners to tune in to Culinary Confidential for a journey through time — one plate at a time.

Joining host Christina Cates for an engaging conversation is Jay Reifel, known for exploring the intersections of flavor, culture, and storytelling.

A classically trained chef, author, and co-creator of one of the year’s most ambitious cookbooks, A History of the World in Ten Dinners, Reifel’s credentials stretch far beyond the confines of professional kitchens. With a foundation rooted in French technique, he has spent years both behind the stove and at the desk, uncovering how food has served as both sustenance and symbolism. His current work centers on reconstructing ancient and historical dishes using modern methods — without sacrificing the soul of the original flavors. His voice in food history and culinary anthropology is a rare blend of precision, curiosity, and reverence.

The conversation is guided by Christina Cates, whose voice has become synonymous with thoughtful, engaging radio that dives beneath the surface of culinary culture. As host of Culinary Confidential, Christina brings a unique blend of journalistic rigor and personal warmth to every episode. Her background as a seasoned hospitality professional allows her to analyze the historical significance of what’s on our plates while always keeping the human story front and center. She has interviewed everyone from celebrated chefs to emerging food scholars, drawing out insights that challenge, delight, and deepen our understanding of the role food plays in society.

Christina’s approach is inquisitive without being clinical, and her style — equal parts curiosity, humor, and reverence — makes for conversations that feel as intimate as they are expansive. Whether she’s probing the origins of a forgotten spice blend or unraveling the politics behind a famous feast, she encourages listeners to think of meals not just as events, but as cultural texts.

The book at the heart of this week’s episode, published by Rizzoli, is as rich in ideas as it is in imagery. It spans two millennia and features one hundred recipes, each linked to a distinct historical era. Ten themed dinners guide readers through time — from the lavish banquets of Ancient Rome to the bustling kitchens of 19th-century New York City. Among the chapters, listeners will encounter Baghdad during the Islamic Golden Age, the global flavors carried along the Silk Road, Tudor England’s elaborate royal feasts, and the fusion of cultures in Al-Andalus.

Each dinner serves as a portal into another world, with dishes like Trimalchio’s roasted sucking pig, cockentrice from the Tudor courts, and spice blends drawn from centuries of migration and trade. The book is at once a chronicle and a cookbook — designed for home cooks who want to do more than just make a meal. It’s an invitation to rediscover history through the lens of the kitchen, adapting recipes with scholarly care and creative spirit.

On Sunday, listeners will hear Jay Reifel dive into the inspiration behind the book, the research that shaped it, and the historical details that most surprised him. There’s something distinctly magical about tracing human experience through the dinner table, and Reifel’s storytelling brings that magic to life.

For anyone fascinated by global heritage, historical storytelling, or adventurous cooking, this episode of Culinary Confidential promises a compelling hour. Whether you're a devoted home cook, a history enthusiast, or someone simply curious about how cuisine connects civilizations, you’ll find insight and inspiration in every segment.

Mark your calendar for Sunday at 9pm, and settle in for a conversation that will feed your curiosity — and perhaps your next dinner party.

For additional information, or to stream the show online, visit: https://culinaryconfidentialchristina.com/

Because knowledge is more than power—it’s the secret ingredient to safe, joyful dining.

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