812: Bread with Richard Hart and Our South, Black Food Through My Lens with Ashleigh Shanti

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

American Public Media

Food, Arts

4.2 • 2.9K Ratings

🗓️ 10 October 2025

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week, we sit down with two chefs at the top of their craft. First, we talk to legendary baker Richard Hart about the inspiration behind his new book, Richard Hart Bread: Intuitive Sourdough Baking. He fills us in on why he thinks that humble bakers are the best bakers, how he really is just a simple “yeast farmer” and he shares his realistic thoughts on how to keep a sourdough starter. Check out his amazing recipe for Rye Wrapped in Fig Leaves. Then, we talk with chef Ashleigh Shanti about her connection to Southern food, from its complex regional histories to the culinary traditions of her beloved Appalachia. She leaves us with her take on a classic green bean recipe, Leather Britches. Ashleigh is the author of Our South: Black Food Through My Lens and owns Asheville’s Good Hot Fish.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

October 11, 2024 (originally aired)
October 10, 2025 (rebroadcast)

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Transcript

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0:00.0	The Splendium Table was supported by Vitamix. You know, there are some essential cooking tools that have spanned generations, cross continents, and found their way into kitchens around the world. I'm thinking of the cast iron pam, the rolling pin, the mortar and pestle. But all of those were innovations at one point, and the high-powered Vitamix Splendor takes its place in that pantheon.
0:23.2	Vitamix blenders are incredible for whatever you like to cook. From soups to maranades to sorbets,
0:29.2	Vitamix blenders are built for versatility and endurance. Only the essential at Vitamix.com.
0:36.4	Oh, must be the new parent posse chat.
0:38.7	We're not even new.
0:39.8	Our kids are eight.
0:41.0	Or, as Eddie says, 96 months.
0:43.8	He moved off grid.
0:45.3	Can't confirm he's still on grid.
0:47.6	And he's got another one on the way.
0:49.4	He won't have the coverage to live stream the birth, will he?
0:52.5	Well, here at Tesco Mobile, we've made sure he has 99% network coverage.
0:57.2	So he could if he wanted to.
0:58.7	Oh, sign me up.
1:00.1	It pays to be connected.
1:01.5	Tesco Mobile, every little helps.
1:03.6	Over 99% UK population coverage on 4G.
1:08.5	Hey, it's Francis.
1:09.7	This week, we're going back to a show we did last year
1:11.9	with the baker Richard Hart and the chef Ashley Shanti,
1:15.4	both of whom would go on to win James Beer Awards a few months later.
1:18.5	Have a listen.
	...

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