“When you find something delicious, share it with the world, share it with St. Louis.”
That’s the vision Glendale resident and Digital Manager at PBS, Joe Prosperi, has for the new Chew in the Lou podcast.
Joe describes Chew in the Lou as a love letter to the food scene in St. Louis.
“There’s an opportunity for us being public media to help raise some of those stories up, to tell those stories and connect people to those stories, those chefs and those foods,” he said.
The podcast and its Facebook group is a place people can drool over the local food scene, he says.
“It’s just about gushing over St. Louis food.”
A quick scroll through the Chew in the Lou with Nine PBS Facebook group shows dozens of photos of local meals, desserts, beers, and more. It’s not just Joe and co-host Lydia running the conversation, but a place for listeners to share their newest delicious discovery.
When asked how long Joe has considered himself to be a foodie, he laughed. “Since birth.”
The lifelong Glendale resident, husband, and father of two joked that he was “reared” on Hacienda Mexican Restaurant in Rock Hill.
He said he and Lydia both bring in different perspectives on the podcast. Lydia’s food journey has taken her around the world, but for Joe, it’s all about the food in his own backyard.
Joe and Lydia will have some podcasts centering around what’s in season in St. Louis and tips on what people can do with those ingredients.
“What’s hot right now? What restaurants are new, what neighborhoods are popping?” Joe said those are questions you can find the answers to on Chew in the Lou.
You can listen to the podcast on Spotify and on chewinthelou.org.
“Be proud of St. Louis and be proud of the cool things that are happening here,” Joe said. “Food is a universal love language, and everybody has the same reactions when they eat good food. It’s a way for everyone to come to an agreement on something.”