Al Spoler
Host, Cellar Notes and Radio KitchenAl Spoler, well known to WYPR listeners as the wine-loving co-host of "Cellar Notes" has had a long-standing parallel interest in cooking as well. Al has said, the moment he started getting serious about Sunday night dinners was the same moment he started getting serious about wine. Over the years, he has benefited greatly from being a member of the Cork and Fork Society of Baltimore, a gentlemen's dining club that serves black tie meals cooked by the members themselves who are some of Baltimore's most accomplished amateur cooks.
His most rewarding immersion in cooking came through his work as a television director at MPT. Spoler served as off-line editor and assistant director on two series featuring the legendary French chef Pierre Franey. He also worked with Mexican chef Patricia Quintana, and with Bed and Breakfast expert Gail Greco on her series "Country Inn Cooking". Al says traveling all over the US visiting country inns and taping recipes that they prepared in little makeshift television kitchens was an incredible education.
Spoler's tastes in cooking are influenced by regional tradition and contemporary casual French fare. Never slavish to recipes, he is never happier than improvising a Sunday dinner with whatever ingredients come to hand.
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At a time of the year when every dollar counts, it’s good to get some advice on bargain wines. Al takes a look at a collection of whites that won’t strain your budget. -
After the expenses of the holidays, it’s good to have some very reasonably priced wine options. Fortunately, Hugh has done some searching and has come up with some good bets. -
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It’s the time of year when we all love a cup or two of bubbly, and with that in mind,Hugh has put together a convenient shopping list to guide you through the world of sparkling wine. -
Al has put together a convenient shopping list for your assistance this holiday season. He has recommendations for inexpensive party wines, mid-range dinner wines and special occasion wines. -
Each year at this time beer makers around the world trot out some of their very best brews to celebrate the holiday season. Hugh reviews some of his favorites. -
'Tis the season of New Year’s resolutions, and by far the most common is the pledge to lose weight. So to help give you some ideas about how to shed a pound or two, Chef Jerry Pellegrino is going to offer a few helpful tips. -
As the New Year starts, a lot of people are looking forward, trying to figure out what’s likely to happen. Food lovers are not immune from this. And so Chef Jerry Pellegrino and I are going to look into out crystal ball and try to discern what lies ahead for us and our kitchens. -
As our collective holiday season reaches its climax, it's a great time to consider a few of the traditions that make it so enjoyable. In our Jewish community, this is the time of year when a tasty annual practice comes to the fore: the baking of Jewish holiday cookies. And as Chef Jerry Pellegrino can attest, our Jewish friends have some nice things in store. -
This delicious concoction of beef tenderloin wrapped in pastry with other savory additions is a time-proven showstopper.
