758: Anna Hezel Killed the Dinner Party. Snacks Won.

In this episode of This Is Taste, host Matt Rodbarg welcomes back Anna Hezel, former senior editor at Taste and co-founder of Best Food Blog, to discuss her new cookbook, Party Tricks, a collection of 50 elevated snacking recipes that champion the 'semi-homemade' ethos. Hezel argues that modern entertaining doesn't require elaborate, time-consuming dishes—instead, she celebrates the power of store-bought ingredients, smart prep, and thoughtful presentation to create impressive, low-pressure parties. From cheese dreams inspired by her childhood to Caesar-infused deviled eggs and a clever plum granita, the book emphasizes fun, practicality, and humor. The conversation also touches on the cultural shift in food media, with Jaya Saxena joining to announce the launch of Ravenous, a new worker-owned, independent food and culture publication. Ravenous, founded by former Eater staff, is built on a reader-supported model, rejecting corporate funding, AI-generated content, and ad-driven algorithms. The team emphasizes investigative journalism, labor coverage, and a commitment to sustainable, ethical storytelling. Both guests reflect on the decline of in-depth food journalism and the need for spaces that value substance over virality, with a strong belief in the enduring power of reading and writing as tools for connection and accountability.