Commanders in Chef

With presidents in mind, remember our leaders who liked good food. (By Sarah Inez Levy)

Drunk on George Washington

An interview with the director of preservation for Mount Vernon about George Washington’s whiskey-distilling career. (By Lessley Anderson)

2009 Presidential Inauguration Menu

Celebrate with food inspired by Barack Obama’s favorites.

What Is Liquid Smoke?

Tastes more substantial than it sounds. (By Roxanne Webber)

Does Bottled Water Ever Go Bad?

Plastic containers aren’t as watertight as you think. (By Jason Horn)

How Does Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping Work?

Is it indeed magical? (By Michele Foley)

But I Come Here Often

Should regulars get special treatment? (By Helena Echlin)

Hops Luxury

Damn the world shortage of my favorite beer ingredient. (By Jordan Mackay)

Must I Refuse Free Booze?

What should you do if a stranger buys you a drink and you don’t want it? (By Helena Echlin)

Dispatch from Terra Madre

Our food editor reports from Slow Food’s global get-together. (By Aida Mollenkamp)

The Prodigal Nut Returns

Welcome back, chestnut! (By Nicholas Day)

Worth the Search

Apricots from Turkey, beef from Japan — are the harder-to-track-down, usually imported ingredients any better than the more widely available versions? (By Heather Shouse)

Life Lessons in Gardening

Brent Ridge of Beekman 1802 discusses leaving Martha behind for dirty feet and early morning pig feedings. (By Roxanne Webber)

Squanto Never Ate Popcorn

Did the Pilgrims really eat popcorn? CHOW investigates Thanksgiving dinner. (By Amy Keyishian)

Mushrooms Will Save the World

And other findings from Taste^3^ 2007. (By Meredith Arthur and Lessley Anderson)