796: Soup Season with Mariana Velásquez, Gregory Gourdet, and Jing Gao

This week, we welcome the cold with delicious soup! Food Stylist Mariana Velásquez Villegas, author of Colombiana: A Rediscovery of Recipes and Rituals from the Soul of Colombia talks us through Colombia's biodiversity and regional identity and the unique foods it inspires like Sancocho . This hearty stew brings people together in a communal dining experience. Be sure to listen to her playlist while preparing it! Then, we talk about Haitian cuisine with award-winning chef Gregory Gourdet as he shares his childhood memories of growing up, commemorating Haitian Independence Day with Soup Joumou , a hearty squash-based soup typically served on New Year's Day. Gregory Gourdet is the chef-owner of Kann in Portland, Oregon, and the author of Everyone's Table . Then, chili sauce entrepreneur Jing Gao, author of The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp , talks about Hot Pot , a zingy broth served in a large metal pot that gets tastier as you feast. Broadcast dates for this episode: January 26, 2024 (originally aired) January 17, 2025 (rebroadcast) November 28, 2025 (rebroadcast) Subscribe to @TheSplendidTable on YouTube for full podcast episodes and full-length video interviews! Our annual cookbook giveaway is live! To enter for free, visit splendidtable.org/cookbook Celebrate kitchen companionship with a gift to The Splendid Table today.