Chewing

About Chewing

Food and health podcast by Chicago Tribune food critic Louisa Chu and Axios Chicago reporter Monica Eng.

Publisher

Chicago Tribune's Louisa Chu and Axios Chicago's Monica Eng

Category

arts · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Oct 2017

Latest episode

7 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 111 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   7 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Episode 139: Salad Safety, Award Winners, and Office Farming

   Host Monica Eng interviews James Beard Award winners and Russell Steinberg of Farm Zero about office farming, exploring culinary achievements and innovative urban agriculture.

2. 

   9 Feb 2026

   Episode 138: Lunar New Year Eats and Treats

   This week on Chewing, we talk about Lunar New Year eats and treats. Monica goes to Crumbs.nd.Creams and talks to the co-owners of Chicago's home of Sylvanas, the Filipino frozen sandwich cookie. Then, Monica talks with founders of Every Body Eat, allergen free snacks and then dares Louisa and Iris to taste some of the so-called "clean crackers," but will they eat it?

3. 

   15 Sept 2025

   Episode 137: Markets, Chaos and Scoby Snax

   This week on Chewing, we talk about markets, chaos and scoby snax! Monica does a ride along with Blue Hill at Stone Barns chef Dan Barber to talk about his Row 7 Seed Company, and makes a trip to the farmers market. Ecologist Mark Easter tells us about his James Beard nominated book The Blue Plate: A Food Lover's Guide to Climate Chaos, along with more Beard nominees including chef and filmmaker Art Smith! Finally, Monica dares her family to try fungi cold cuts, and double dares Iris and Louisa to taste her homemade scoby snacks, but will they eat it? chewing.xyz (http://chewing.xyz) chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast (http://chicagotribune.com/chewingpodcast) facebook.com/chewingpodcast (http://facebook.com/chewingpodcast) Insta Louisa Chu @louisachu1 Monica Eng @monicaengreporter Links: Order Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites by Monica Eng and David Hammond Music: Theme music: “Zhong Nan Hai” by Carsick Cars Outro music: “15 Minutes Older” by Carsick Cars Segments: “Flavor” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JHytU0ukIg) by Maren Morris “Sprout and the Bean” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47yuiPK01kg) by Joanna Newsom “La Costa Del Silencio” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0phlktmU6eo) by Mägo de Oz “Not That Simple” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XATEKqPw5Kc) by Yann Tiersen “Mycelium” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2akBAjCNVY) by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard

Inside a recent episode

Episode 139: Salad Safety, Award Winners, and Office Farming

Published 7 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Now this building is being redeveloped. I meet Farm Zero CEO Russell Steinberg. And we're currently standing on the top floor of what will be the residential as part of the affordable housing program as part of the redevelopment of this building. He tells me this all started in 2023 when Deloitte consultants did some pro bono work looking at the business plan he might have to create affordable, sustainable, healthy food in some of the empty office buildings downtown. And what they found is there might just be an actual sustainable and profitable business in this. Deloitte said, okay, you have the green light to move forward, figure out where your concept farm is going to be. […]

Who has been a guest on Chewing

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Nathan Thornburgh
• Ahmed Ali Akbar
• Hailee Catalano
• Pati Jinich
• Russell Steinberg

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

76 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 74 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

92

Social presence

97

YouTube

0

Engagement

92

Contact Chewing

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Shows with a similar audience

• 

  Curious City

• 

  Joiners

• 

  City Cast Chicago

• 

  The Sporkful

• 

  Good Food

• 

  The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters

Questions about Chewing