Sam Dean

business reporter for the LA Times

Sam Dean on KCRW

For more than a decade, an urban legend has surrounded the creation of the snack food Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos can be traced back to Detroit and Chicago mini marts rather than Richard Montañez

For more than a decade, an urban legend has surrounded the creation of the snack food Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

More from KCRW

Restaurant critic Bill Addison recruited Jenn Harris to help him divide and conquer as they determined LA's best restaurants. Culinary historian Jessica B.

from Good Food

This Thanksgiving, don't make salad an afterthought. Try one of these crisp, creative recipes.

from Good Food

Austin-based chef Jesse Griffiths is on the hunt for the majestic wild turkey.

from Good Food

Anthropologist Susan Greenhalgh describes how soda companies have influenced the science around sugary drinks.

from Good Food

Jim Meehan asked some of the best bartenders on the planet for their favorite cocktail recipes — and put them in a book. Archaeologist Tate Paulette explores ancient beers.

from Good Food

To tell the stories of Syrians living in the world's largest refugee camp, Karen Fisher collected their recipes.

from Good Food

Food scholar Darra Goldstein traces the lineage of early fermented beverages, which were offered to deities and used in rituals.

from Good Food

Any urban street in America is guaranteed to be lined with popular fast food chains, the readily available nature of their products being the main attraction, with people barely giving…

from Scheer Intelligence

Coffee, corn, salt, rice, bananas, chilies, pork, and tuna — the series focuses on eight ingredients that have shaped the way humans eat.

from The Treatment