Here are the stories on Texas Standard for Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. Listen on your Texas public radio station, or ask your smart speaker to play Texas Standard.
Michelin names first inductees to Texas guide
Earlier this month, French tire company Michelin announced the first recipients of its coveted stars – along with other designations – for its guide to the culinary scene of the Lone Star State.
Laura Rice breaks down who some of the winners were.
One man’s 37-state journey to find America’s best barbecue
Not many would dedicate a year and a half to exploring 37 states and nearly 150 barbecue joints, but if you’re Texas Monthly’s renowned barbecue editor, it’s all part of the job. Daniel Vaughn, the expert behind countless ‘cue reviews, recently embarked on such a cross-country trek – and along the way, he had what he calls a “barbecue epiphany.”
Vaughn joined the Standard in October to share his smoked awakening.
Grill power: How pit boss Alma Vera got bit by the competitive barbecue bug
Growing up along the border, barbecue was always a part of Alma Vera’s life. Her father has owned Vera’s King O Meats in Edinburg for almost 55 years. But it wasn’t until 2012, when Vera began helping out a friend, that she first competed.
New podcast explores the Texas whiskey scene
When you think whiskey, you might picture Kentucky or Scotland – but Texas has a burgeoning scene of its own. The new podcast The Texas Whiskey Trail, produced by Go Texan, explores distilleries from the Hill Country to North Texas and beyond.
Host Mando Rayo – known to Standard listeners for his Tacos of Texas podcast – and Chloe Bertrand from Go Texan joined the show last month to share how the podcast captures the craft of Texas whiskey.
Austin pitmaster who smokes meats with Egyptian flavors stars in Netflix’s ‘Barbecue Showdown’
Remember your first bite of Texas brisket? Kareem El-Ghayesh certainly does. In fact, that first bite was so inspiring that he moved from Egypt halfway across the globe to pursue his newfound passion for Texas-style barbecue in its home state.
Having found success with his KG BBQ food trailer, El-Ghayesh hoped to win over the judges on the new season of “Barbecue Showdown,” on Netflix. He joined the Standard in July before the winner was announced.
A San Antonio chef re-imagines Taco Bell’s Crunchwrap Supreme
A San Antonio chef has been tapped by fast food giant Taco Bell to kick off an inaugural culinary program. Her task? Re-imagine the Crunchwrap Supreme.
Texas Public Radio Marian Navarro introduced us in March.
The history and lore behind Texas’ beloved Frito pie
Fritos pie, Fritos chili pie, or simply Frito pie — whatever you call it, this much-loved delight is a staple at Friday night lights across Texas and beyond. As Frito pie season returned in August, Texas Standard commentator WF Strong dove into the rich history and lore of this iconic dish.
Talking with a real-life Texas Willy Wonka
If you found a Chick-o-Stick or Mary Jane while out trick-or-treating this year, you can thank a Texas company for that treat. Atkinson Candy Company opened in Lufkin in 1932, and they’ve been making treats like their famous Peanut Butter Bar ever since.
And since the pandemic years they’ve been inviting the public each Halloween to a so-called Chick-O-Treat at the candy factory – almost a page out of Willy Wonka’s playbook.
Eric Atkinson, CEO of Atkinson Candy Company, joined us on Halloween.
