Chandra Ram
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Associate Editorial Director, Food @foodandwine. Food writer, cookbook author. Cheez-it enthusiast. Insta: @chandrasplate. She/Her/Hers
Articles by Chandra Ram
A Turtle Taught Millions of People to Cut Up Six-Pack Rings. Does It Still Matter? Original
Plastic six-pack rings can still entangle and harm wildlife, so cutting through every loop before disposal remains a worthwhile precaution. Six-pack rings account for less than 4% of ocean wildlife entanglement; abandoned, lost, or discarded commercial fishing gear is a much larger threat. Beverage makers are increasingly using alternatives such as recyclable plastic carriers, compostable rings, and cardboard packaging, though each comes with different environmental trade-offs.
A Turtle Taught Millions of People to Cut Up Six-Pack Rings. Does It Still Matter?
"At first, they are little more than bare surfaces in the ocean’s vast expanse.” Why do sunken ships make good artificial reefs? When a vessel is properly prepared for scuttling, it can find a new life on the seabed providing a home for countless creatures Humans have been …
A Turtle Taught Millions of People to Cut Up Six-Pack Rings. Does It Still Matter?
Plastic six-pack rings can still entangle and harm wildlife, so cutting through every loop before disposal remains a worthwhile precaution. • Six-pack rings account for less than 4% of ocean wildlife entanglement; abandoned, lost, or discarded commercial fishing gear is a much larger threat. • Beverage makers are increasingly using alternatives such as recyclable plastic carriers, compostable rings, and cardboard packaging, though each comes with different environmental trade-offs.
How to Spend a Food-Filled Weekend in Chicago
If you think that Chicago restaurants are all about hot dogs and pizzas, you’re probably overdue for a visit. It’s one of the world’s great dining cities with 21 Michelin-starred restaurants and dozens of award-winning chefs, and the longtime home to the James Beard Awards. This Midwestern hub is a worthwhile dining destination for every occasion, from casual lunches to fine-dining meals. Enjoy a weekend of nonstop eating and exploring the city’s food landscape.
Sheet Pan Month Lesson #2: Breakfast is better on a sheet pan.
đŹ September is Sheet Pan Month here at What Are We Having? Last week, we focused on the power of a good sauce to up-level a sheet pan dinner. This week, weâre exploring how sheet pans can make breakfast, brunch, and breakfast-for-dinner so much easier.
5 Sauce Secrets to Steal From Our Restaurant of the Year Original
Tom Rogers and Adam McFarland, co-chefs and -owners of John’s Food & Wine in Chicago, are known for their business model, which prioritizes paying employees a competitive wage. But just as important, of course, is their food. The dishes may sound simple listed on the menu board at the front, but each bite reveals complex, layered flavors that take seasonal ingredients to a new level. How does our 2026 Restaurant of the Year do it? The secret is in the sauce. “Everything needs a sauce,” says Rogers.
Limoncello-Ricotta Cheesecake
Impatient customer pressured a father-daughter duo to give up their seats at dinner — but he didn’t expect who took them instead After the repeated interruptions, they made sure to savor every last sip of wine and every bite of dessert at their own pace. Most people understand …
14 Restaurants That Prove Chicago Is a Serious Dining Destination
By Chandra Ram Published on June 9, 2026 When I moved to Chicago a few decades ago, the city was known for hot dogs, deep-dish pizza, and steakhouses. Charlie Trotter, Michael Carlson, and Grant Achatz were just kicking off a flurry of modernist tasting menus that attracted foodies and expense accounts.
6 Ways To Incorporate Cannabis Into Your Cooking
When you think of cooking with cannabis, the first thing that comes to mind might be brownies. However, with the help of cannabutter and cannabis-infused olive oil you can pull off plenty of other recipes, spanning breakfast to dinner and even teatime. Try your hand at cannabis-infused brioche French toast for a relaxing (and decadent) start to your morning or a soothing mug of cannabis-infused tea to wind down your day. For dinner, cannabis-infused pasta is a fun way to experiment in the kitchen.
6 Ways To Incorporate Cannabis Into Your Cooking
When you think of cooking with cannabis, the first thing that comes to mind might be brownies. However, with the help of cannabutter and cannabis-infused olive oil you can pull off plenty of other recipes, spanning breakfast to dinner and even teatime. Try your hand at cannabis-infused brioche French toast for a relaxing (and decadent) start to your morning or a soothing mug of cannabis-infused tea to wind down your day. For dinner, cannabis-infused pasta is a fun way to experiment in the kitchen.
6 Ways To Incorporate Cannabis Into Your Cooking
Credit: Kitchen Toke / Paul Strabbing When you think of cooking with cannabis, the first thing that comes to mind might be brownies. However, with the help of cannabutter and cannabis-infused olive oil you can pull off plenty of other recipes, spanning breakfast to dinner and even teatime. Try your hand at cannabis-infused brioche French toast for a relaxing (and decadent) start to your morning or a soothing mug of cannabis-infused tea to wind down your day.
6 Ways To Incorporate Cannabis Into Your Cooking
Credit: Kitchen Toke / Paul Strabbing When you think of cooking with cannabis, the first thing that comes to mind might be brownies. However, with the help of cannabutter and cannabis-infused olive oil you can pull off plenty of other recipes, spanning breakfast to dinner and even teatime. Try your hand at cannabis-infused brioche French toast for a relaxing (and decadent) start to your morning or a soothing mug of cannabis-infused tea to wind down your day.
6 Ways To Incorporate Cannabis Into Your Cooking
When you think of cooking with cannabis, the first thing that comes to mind might be brownies. However, with the help of cannabutter and cannabis-infused olive oil you can pull off plenty of other recipes, spanning breakfast to dinner and even teatime. Try your hand at cannabis-infused brioche French toast for a relaxing (and decadent) start to your morning or a soothing mug of cannabis-infused tea to wind down your day. For dinner, cannabis-infused pasta is a fun way to experiment in the kitchen.
These Food-Focused Romance Novels Are the Sweetest Reads of the Summer Original
Beat the cream until it peaks. Spank the herbs to release their oils. Squeeze a ripe peach until it gives up its juice. Are we reading a sultry romance or a cookbook? Head to your local bookstore, and you’ll find a few new books that could be described as a hybrid of the two.
Lunchbreak: Transform leftover hummus into two delicious new dishes
Posted: May 11, 2026 / 12:35 PM CDT Updated: May 5, 2026 / 04:14 PM CDT Chandra Ram, food writer and cookbook author 1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold or new potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 tablespoon capers, plus a splash of brine from the jar A few sprigs of parsley, chopped Handful of chopped chives or scallions Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.
Do You Really Need to Add Oil to Pasta Cooking Water? Original
Credit: Photo by Chandra Ram Adding olive oil to pasta cooking water does not prevent the strands from sticking and may hinder your sauce from clinging to the pasta. Stirring pasta in salted, boiling water during the first few minutes of cooking is the most effective way to keep strands separate. For the best flavor, finish cooking pasta in your sauce with a splash of starchy pasta water to help the sauce adhere to the noodles. Before I went to college, I went to Italy.
34 Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes for a Special Start to the Day Original
Laying out a delicious homemade brunch spread for Mother's Day is a meaningful way to say thank you to the mothers and mother figures in your life. Skip the crowds and reservations in favor of something more personal: Treat them to crêpes, zingy spiced eggs, a rich breakfast pizza, or a sweet scone topped with whipped crème fraîche. However you build the menu, Mom is going to love it. Love these recipes?
28 Kentucky Derby Recipes for a Classic Race Day Spread Original
The Kentucky Derby race famously takes just two minutes, but the occasion — on the first Saturday in May — warrants an afternoon of food and drink. Kick things off with a Mint Julep (which boasts a more complex history than what you might expect) or a Vodka Rose Punch that's garnished with care for the Run for the Roses. Snack on spiced pecans, deviled eggs, and pimiento cheese until it's time for Southern fried chicken and a Kentucky-inspired mac and cheese mashup.
Meet Chicken Riggies — a Classic Upstate New York Pasta That Delivers Heat and Comfort
Pickled hot cherry peppers and their brine bring tangy heat that’s mellowed by the creamy tomato sauce. The short, hollow rigatoni pasta traps the sauce for a pop of flavor in every bite. Crushing the canned San Marzano tomatoes by hand gives the pasta sauce a rustic and hearty texture. A regional pasta dish from the Utica-Rome area of New York, chicken riggies combines rigatoni, mushrooms, and chicken breast pieces in a spicy tomato sauce.
Ramps Are So Back — Here’s How to Use Them While You Can
In late May, there is a small cluster of ramps behind Peoples Place, a community center in Leivasy, West Virginia. “You can smell them before you can see them,” says Dawna “DoDo” Griffith, leader of the nonprofit.
7 Savory Ways to Cook With Guinness for St. Patrick’s Day Original
Glaze a ham, or braise brisket, short ribs, and bison with Ireland's beloved stout beer. By Chandra Ram Published on March 13, 2026 NEW! Save as a collection on MyRecipes Credit: Food & Wine / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Josh Hoggle Guinness has been one of Ireland's most popular exports for more than 250 years.
This Is the Real Soda Bread of Ireland
Irish wholemeal flour gives this soda bread its signature nutty flavor and tender, slightly coarse crumb. Buttermilk, baking soda, and baking powder provide reliable lift without yeast, making this an easy quick bread that comes together in just 10 minutes of active time. Baked in under an hour, the loaf keeps well for three days at room temperature and can be frozen for up to one month, making it ideal for breakfast, tea, or serving alongside soup and cheese.
Timpano Is the Italian Pasta Bake That Goes All In
Credit: Carson Downing / Food Styling by Holly Dreesman / Prop Styling by Gabriel Greco Active Time: 1 hr 20 mins Total Time: 3 hrs 55 mins Servings: 12 This timpano recipe delivers a showstopping Italian centerpiece built from layers of pasta, sauce, veggies, eggs, and cheese baked inside a pasta shell. Assembling the components into a single baked dish allows them to build into a flavor richer than the sum of its parts.
Reverse Seared Steak Recipe
Active Time: 15 mins Total Time: 50 mins Servings: 2 Cooking the steak low and slow first creates an even internal doneness edge to edge, with fewer temperature surprises. Searing the steak over high heat at the end yields a deeply caramelized crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender interior. A simple pan sauce made from compound butter, red wine, and beef broth rounds out the steak with savory richness that complements — rather than competes with — the beef’s flavor.
Let’s Dress Things Up With a Little Liquid Gold
How much olive oil have I gone through lately? Between dinner parties, a small family reunion, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, and lots of casual drinks/snacks dates with friends, let’s just say that my kitchen has been especially well-lubricated these last few months. This is the point where I’m supposed to convince you to love olive oil, but I don’t think that’s necessary — right?
Lunchbreak: Steakhouse Leftovers Reimagined
Chandra Ram – award-winning writer, editor, cookbook author Turn your leftovers from a big steakhouse dinner — like creamed spinach, a baked potato, and cooked steak — into entirely new and tasty dishes, saving you money and reducing food waste. This feature is part of Chicago magazine’s steakhouse package in the November issue.
Meet the 2025 Food & Wine Best New Chefs
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This year, as the editors of F&W traveled the nation scouting restaurants in search of the 37th class of Food & Wine Best New Chefs, the word that kept coming up was “autobiographical.” At restaurants across the country, from Philadelphia to Phoenix and Oakland to Austin, stories were told on the plates, and menus read like memoirs. In this new generation, chefs and bakers are drawing from their backgrounds, their upbringing, and their hometowns as a source of inspiration.
By Raphael Brion Verified, Hunter Lewis Verified, Melanie Hansche Verified, Kat Kinsman Verified, Chandra Ram
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Food & Wine
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This Cleveland Chef Is Serving Nostalgia With a Side of Pickles and a Lot of Heart Original
Credit: Food & Wine / Alex Lau There’s a moment that hits you early in your meal at Cleveland’s Cordelia, when you reach across the table for a dollop of fried chicken rillettes to smear on a buttery fried saltine or drag your fork through a plate of Lamburger Helper. As you lean over the table, you are embracing a moment focused on the food and your friends at the table. If the chef and co-owner, Vinnie Cimino, is near your table, he might hug you right back.
Vinnie Cimino
CORDELIA Cleveland THERE’S A MOMENT THAT HITS YOU early in your meal at Cleveland’s Cordelia, when you reach across the table for a dollop of fried chicken rillettes to smear on a buttery fried saltine or drag your fork through a plate of Lamburger Helper. As you lean over the table, you are embracing a moment focused on both the food and the friends you have there with you. If Vinnie Cimino, the chef and co-owner of Cordelia, is near your table, he might hug you right back.
Best New Chefs 2025
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Mariela Camacho COMADRE PANADERÍA, AUSTIN Vinnie Cimino CORDELIA, CLEVELAND Telly Justice HAGS, NEW YORK CITY Jordan Rubin MR.
By Raphael Brion Verified, Melanie Hansche Verified, Kat Kinsman Verified, Hunter Lewis Verified, Chandra Ram
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Food & Wine
Verified
Grill a Whole Fish
WHEN SUMMER ARRIVES and the air has finally thawed, my life and meals move outside. The stove cedes control to the grill on our deck, where my husband and I cook and eat almost every night, surrounded by plants and candles. Sometimes it’s as simple as a few chicken thighs destined to top a grain bowl; other nights it’s more elaborate, like a giant pan of paella nestled in the coals.
The World Is Scary Right Now - Here's Why You Should Go Out to Eat Original
Photo: gregory_lee / Getty Images I've been especially in love with restaurants in the last few months because, I’ll be honest, I don’t know anyone who feels all that great these days. Between the onslaught of political news, wars, wildfires, grocery bills, storms, the loss of a few culinary icons, and the struggles friends are having, 2025 already feels like a rough one. The best way I've found to keep my head up is by focusing on small, positive moments.
5 Ways to Cook With Guinness For St. Patrick’s Day Original
Photo: Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen Guinness has been one of Ireland's most popular exports for more than 250 years. While we love sitting at our local pub and sipping the famously creamy foam-topped stout, its slightly tangy flavor makes it ideal for cooking. The sweet-bitter flavors in Guinness come from the multiple types of barley used to make it.
This One-Pot Coconut Curried Lentil Soup Tastes Even Better on Day 2
Photo: Food & Wine / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Julia Bayless Active Time: 15 mins Total Time: 45 mins Servings: 8 Yield: about 8 cups This simple, one-pot curried lentil soup comes together quickly thanks to pantry ingredients like coconut milk, canned tomatoes, spices, and broth. Opting for coconut or vegetable oil and vegetable broth makes this soup vegan, though you can also use butter and chicken broth if you prefer additional savory flavor.
This Restorative Carrot Ginger Soup Is Ready Before the Flu Hits
Photo: Food & Wine / Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Keoshia McGhee Active Time: 20 mins Total Time: 45 mins Servings: 4 This elegant, creamy vegan soup is packed with flavor from the ginger, cumin, and chiles simmered with the carrots, and creamy from the coconut milk blended with it at the end.
This Traditional Irish Soda Bread Is Ready in Less Than an Hour
Photo: Sarah Crowder Prep Time: 20 mins Total Time: 55 mins Servings: 6 to 8 Irish soda bread is a lightly tangy bread traditionally served with late afternoon tea. It is a quick bread that uses baking soda as a leavener. Buttermilk is essential to this recipe; it activates the baking soda so the bread rises, and gives the bread a tender texture. Does Irish Soda Bread contain raisins? Traditional Irish Soda Bread does not have any raisins; when raisins are included, the bread is called Spotted Dog.
Beer Cheese Fondue Original
Photo: Food & Wine / Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Keoshia McGhee Active Time: 15 mins Total Time: 15 mins Yield: 3 cups Is anything better than melted cheese? Not much. Whether it’s a classic Swiss cheese fondue, or a fancy version served in an acorn squash, fondue brings people together over a steaming pot of gooey cheese. This version of fondue is inspired by Kentucky-style beer cheese, and is perfect as a game day snack.
New Orleans Legend Pableaux Johnson Created Community With Each Bowl of Red Beans and Rice Original
Photo: Food & Wine / Kat Kinsman New Orleans photographer, writer, and maker of red beans and rice Pableaux Johnson died following a heart attack January 26 at age 59. Johnson worked primarily as a photographer, but used his camera and cooking skills to forge connections with people across the country.
Mushrooms and Miso Are the Perfect Match in This Creamy Comfort Pasta
Photo: Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Active Time: 30 mins Total Time: 40 mins Servings: 4 to 6 The mildly sweet and subtle umami notes of white miso, a savory Japanese paste, make this pasta dish an instant comfort food. The miso melts and mingles with garlic butter for a satisfyingly, lightly rich pasta. A touch of Dijon mustard adds a sharpness and hint of acidity to balance out the dish’s umami.
These Are Our 25 Most Popular Recipes of 2024
Photo: Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen Who can say no to a creamy pie, hearty stew, decadent breakfast, or easy weeknight meal packed with flavor? Not us, or our readers. Food & Wine's top 25 recipes of 2024 are ones you'll want to make again and again. They're full of flavor and perfect for entertaining, or for an easy Tuesday night dinner that comes together in minutes and tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant.
Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Tetrazzini Original
From the editors and writers of Food & Wine Magazine. Make this baked pasta dish when you want to use up some of your Thanksgiving leftovers, or any time you want a comforting, cozy meal. Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Tetrazzini By Chandra Ram Active Time: 30 mins. Total Time: 1 hr.
Barefoot in France
YOU CAN’T HELP BUT FEEL a bit romanced by the picture of a young couple driving around France, searching for adventure. And the story behind how that trip happened for Ina and Jeffrey Garten, featured in Garten’s new memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, is fully as idyllic as that image.
The Best Cookbooks of 2024, According to Food & Wine Editors
Photo: Food & Wine / Penguin Random House / Phaidon / Chronicle Books / Hachette Book Group This was a banner year for cookbooks, with exciting releases in spring, summer, and fall. Our best books of the year are just what you need whether you are looking for a chef's industry tips, want to peek into the kitchen of your favorite Instagram cooking star, or are seeking out a book that lets you travel the world as you flip through its pages.
Turn to These Easy Weeknight Dinners Any Night of the Week
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Turn to These Easy Weeknight Dinners Any Night of the Week Original
“What’s for dinner?” Is there another question you hear — or ask — on a daily basis that creates as much anxiety? Whether it’s a meal for multiple generations in the family, the soccer team after practice, or dinner for one or two, getting to the answer takes some work.
Ina Garten Shares a Taste of Her New Memoir — and a Life-Changing Coq au Vin Recipe Original
Photo: Courtesy of Ina Garten You can’t help but feel a bit romanced by the picture of a young couple driving around France, searching for adventure. And the story behind how that trip happened for Ina and Jeffrey Garten, featured in Garten’s new memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens, is fully as idyllic as that image.
Our Favorite Lowcountry Recipes From the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston
Is there such a thing as a bad meal in Charleston? If so, I have yet to experience it. We always eat well at Charleston restaurants, whether it’s a pimento cheese biscuit at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit, a platter of oysters at The Ordinary, or a heaping plate of thiéboudienne at Bintü Atelier.
Air Fryer Sweet Potato
Photo: Food & Wine / Photo by Brie Goldman / Food Styling by Lauren McAnelly / Prop Stylisng by Gabriel Greco Active Time: 5 mins Total Time: 45 mins Servings: 2 When you need a quick and healthy side dish or the basis for lunch, it’s impossible to go wrong with a baked sweet potato. But if you’re only making one or two, we prefer to skip heating up our oven and turn to the air fryer.
Al Roker Shares Family Recipes in His New Cookbook Original
Photo: Courtesy of Amy Roth Al Roker says “I love you” with pancakes and a perfect roast chicken. With his latest cookbook, written with his oldest daughter, Courtney Roker Laga, the TODAY show star shares the personal side of his cooking life with his family. The book, Al Roker’s Recipes to Live By: Easy, Memory-Making Family Dishes for Every Occasion, includes more than 100 recipes and comes out October 15.
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