Food Culture

WBUR stories focused on food and how it shapes our lives.

Newly made dumplings roll off the dumpling machine at Mei Mei in Boston. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Take a peek inside James Beard Award-winner Irene Li's new dumpling factory and cafe

When Li and her team started strategizing for the new 4,000-square-foot space, they ran with a novel question: "Wouldn't it be cool if people could see inside a dumpling factory?"

A carbon dioxide shortage is impacting Massachusetts craft beer production

Earlier this week, Night Shift Brewing in Everett announced it would be moving all its production to outside contracts. Breweries across the state have voiced concern about the shortage.

A Roslindale food stylist crafted every dish we see in HBO's new Julia Child series

“Julia” was filmed in Massachusetts, and a local food stylist orchestrated every one of the dishes we see on screen. For Christine Tobin the job was a lifelong dream come...

Boston chef and restaurant owner Irene Li wins James Beard Award for leadership

Mei Mei chef and owner Irene Li said the award comes after two years that have been "the most challenging and rewarding of my career."

Boston's first sake bar has deeply personal roots

The Koji Club, named after one of four ingredients in sake, opened in Brighton's newly revamped Charles River Speedway in February.

For Valentine's Day: a taste of hot chocolate, sex and sin in colonial New England

Hot chocolate was an exotic and trendy import beginning in the 1600s, but what made this beverage an aphrodisiac wasn't the cacao.

Nonalcoholic beer's bad reputation shifts as craft brewers join a booming trend

Until recently it's been particularly challenging for avid beer geeks to find nonalcoholic alternatives that satisfy their quest for interesting flavors. But more craft brewers — many who've been skeptics...

Arts & Culture

04:11Jan 21, 2022

Collin Knight interviews White Lion Brewing co-owner Ray Berry. (Courtesy Massachusetts Brewers Guild)

'Black Brew Dialogues' confronts the lack of diversity in Massachusetts' craft beer industry

Collin Knights hosts a new travelogue series to spark conversations about why so many people don't feel welcome to either work or drink at local beer companies.

Arts & Culture

Oct 27, 2021

Comfort Kitchen managing partner Biplaw Rai outside Little Dipper in Jamaica Plain. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Restaurateur Biplaw Rai Creates Community Through Food

Managing partner of Comfort Kitchen, Rai is on a mission to uplift the voices of the community. “I create spaces," he says. “I bring people together, especially through food.”

Arts & Culture

04:12Sep 20, 2021

Russo's has announced it will close its doors permanently this fall. (Magdiela Matta/WBUR)

After A Century In Business, Russo's In Watertown Will Close

Local shoppers are in disbelief after learning that Watertown's beloved market, Russo’s, will be closing permanently this fall.

Local Coverage

Aug 17, 2021

Berkshire Botanical Garden in West Stockbridge. (Jacquinn Sinclair for WBUR)

Berkshires Notebook: Food, Flowers And Fun Bookstores

The final installment in Jacquinn Sinclair and Ed Siegel's Berkshire Notebooks focuses on favorite bookstores, restaurants and other haunts.

Local Coverage

Jul 27, 2021

5 Reasons To Feel Hopeful About Boston Area Restaurants

From new patios to a pop-up serving sandwiches on super-soft Japanese milk bread, here are some restaurants to check out in and around the city.

Local Coverage

Apr 6, 2021

White Lion Brewing owner Ray Berry moves some cases of Lion’s Galaxy IPA in the storage cooler. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

How Virtual 'Hell Nights' – And A Lot of Cans – Are Helping Mass. Breweries Survive This Brutal Winter

Massachusetts craft breweries are still struggling to reach the end of this long pandemic winter. We wanted to find out how creativity, community and a getting a lot more beer...

Local Coverage

05:43Mar 3, 2021

The Valentine's Day meal Clover is offering. (Courtesy Ayr Muir)

5 Valentine’s Day Meal Kits That Bring The Restaurant Home

From Eastern Mediterranean to European-inspired cuisine, five restaurants are offering the romance of dinner for two at home.

Local Coverage

Feb 9, 2021

6 Black-Owned Restaurants To Support, Not Just During Black History Month

From sauce-smothered, fall-off-the-bone ribs to rich biryanis doused with slow-simmered sauces, check out the food at six Black-owned restaurants in Boston.

Local Coverage

Feb 3, 2021

Clockwise from top left: Lemongrass pork dumplings from Mei Mei, a bottle of wine sold at Rebel Rebel, empanadas at Buenas, a collection of giftable items from Flour Bakery + Cafe and a smoked fish platter from Mamaleh's Delicatessen. (Courtesy)

From Aprons To Meal Kits, A Gift Guide For Boston Foodies

This year, more than any other, should be all about supporting local businesses and eating delicious homemade creations. Give gifts that will keep hearts and bellies full well into 2021.

Local Coverage

Dec 16, 2020

Clockwise from top left: Trillium Brewing Company’s Comm Ave Jigsaw Puzzle, Notch Brewing’s See You on the Other Side, Mighty Squirrel’s "Celebrate Mighty Moments" blanket, Lamplighter Brewing Co.'s Still Zoomed Out Double IPA and can art for White Lion Brewing Company's Winter Fruits Kettle Sour. (Courtesy)

A Gift Guide For Beer Geeks That Helps Support Local Breweries

From quaffable to wearable, here are a few suggestions for gifts of clever cans, cozy swag and even jigsaw puzzles from some Massachusetts breweries for the beer geek in your...

Local Coverage

Dec 15, 2020

Maria Pinto leads groups into the woods on mushroom foraging trips. (Arielle Gray/ WBUR)

This Boston Mushroom Hunter Is Reclaiming The Forest And Teaching Food Autonomy

Maria Pinto leads groups of young Black and brown people into the forests of Greater Boston to forage for fungi.

Local Coverage

03:48Nov 20, 2020

Like she does every year, Maggie Battista will smoke a turkey for Thanksgiving. But instead of hosting her extended family, this year she'll be with just her husband and sister. (Courtesy Maggie Battista)

Finding Meaning, And Making Alternative Plans, For A Pandemic Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving plans and traditions have been thwarted by the pandemic. But people are coming up with new ways to make the holiday meaningful for themselves and for others in a...

Local Coverage

04:57Nov 17, 2020

Victoria Pedretti (left) and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth in “The Haunting of Bly Manor.” (Courtesy Eike Schroter/Netflix)

On Halloween Night: A Five-Course Pairing Of Food And Fright

To celebrate All Hallows Eve, we have a curated list of streaming scary content paired with local treats from new area eateries.

Local Coverage

Oct 29, 2020

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Food Culture

Take a peek inside James Beard Award-winner Irene Li's new dumpling factory and cafe

A carbon dioxide shortage is impacting Massachusetts craft beer production

A Roslindale food stylist crafted every dish we see in HBO's new Julia Child series

Boston chef and restaurant owner Irene Li wins James Beard Award for leadership

Boston's first sake bar has deeply personal roots

For Valentine's Day: a taste of hot chocolate, sex and sin in colonial New England

Nonalcoholic beer's bad reputation shifts as craft brewers join a booming trend

'Black Brew Dialogues' confronts the lack of diversity in Massachusetts' craft beer industry

Restaurateur Biplaw Rai Creates Community Through Food

After A Century In Business, Russo's In Watertown Will Close

Berkshires Notebook: Food, Flowers And Fun Bookstores

5 Reasons To Feel Hopeful About Boston Area Restaurants

How Virtual 'Hell Nights' – And A Lot of Cans – Are Helping Mass. Breweries Survive This Brutal Winter

5 Valentine’s Day Meal Kits That Bring The Restaurant Home

6 Black-Owned Restaurants To Support, Not Just During Black History Month

From Aprons To Meal Kits, A Gift Guide For Boston Foodies

A Gift Guide For Beer Geeks That Helps Support Local Breweries

This Boston Mushroom Hunter Is Reclaiming The Forest And Teaching Food Autonomy

Finding Meaning, And Making Alternative Plans, For A Pandemic Thanksgiving

On Halloween Night: A Five-Course Pairing Of Food And Fright