Interviewing strangers over a meal since 2008 (as featured in the Washington Post)
Writer Jonn Elledge (the 131st dining stranger) is writing his next book, “The World as We Built It: A History of Civilisation in 31 Innovations.” Wildfire Books will be publishing it, slated for August 2026. Wildfire Books says in a press release, “The book tracks the ideas and inventions that…
One of New Orleans’ signature culinary items is the poor boy, or po’ boy, sandwich, and Parkway Bakery & Tavern is among its most popular vendors. It was founded in 1911 but closed in 1993. Then along came Jay Nix. For the 108th interview, in September 2018, Jay told me…
Actor Michael Hitchcock (the 65th stranger I met) has a prominent role in the new FX television show “The Lowdown.” It’s described as a “Tulsa noir” and stars Ethan Hawke as a citizen journalist seeking to uncover corruption. Michael plays Ray, an antiques dealer of questionable trustworthiness who is a…
For the 107th interview with a stranger, in September 2018, I traveled to Brooklyn for lunch with actor Erick Lopez. At the time, he was well known for his role as Hector in the comedy musical TV show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Over a relaxed meal at a diner, Erick shared how…
Growing up in England, one tradition was going to pantomimes, or pantos, around Christmas. These shows take fairy tales and similar stories, throw in a hundred and one puns and jokes even my dad would be embarrassed to tell and all with deliberately over-the-top acting and outfits. And a recent…
Radio presenter, actor, writer and all-around charming man Zeb Soanes (the 28th dinner stranger) has a new gig. He was recently selected as the University of Suffolk’s new chancellor. In a post on his website, Zeb said taking over the role from former Chancellor Dr Helen Pankhurst CBE is “a…
The 106th dinner interview featured Dean Gold, the owner of Washington, D.C., restaurant Dino’s Grotto. We met at the Italian-inspired venue in May 2018, where he talked at length about the place and much more. Dino’s Grotto was his second attempt at making a success of a dining venue, after…
Joe Himali, the 133rd dinner stranger, is hosting the next of his regular History Salon lunches in Washington, D.C., later this month. It’s at Hill Center; a local landmark built in 1864 and originally designed under the orders of President Abraham Lincoln to be the city’s first Naval Hospital. For…
Growing up in Detroit, Jamila Robinson loved to cook with her grandmother. She’s kept that passion for food throughout her life, putting it to good use in a series of editing roles at major news organizations around the country curating stories about food and dining. Jamila later moved to Washington,…
For the 140th interview, I got lunch with Bennett Rea, creator of the viral hit series Cookin’ With Congress. His show blends history, humor, and the occasional possum to recreate the eating habits of American politicians. Over steak sandwiches in Burbank, California, we talked about terrifying appetites, bizarre recipes, and…