The Dish

Publicly listed emails

michiganpublic@umich.edu

wlturner@umich.edu

vduffy@umich.edu

Looking for the right person? Join Podseeker to find direct host and producer contacts and manage your podcast outreach.

Anna Ansari and the melon that never made it home

October 17, 2026

In 1978, Anna Ansari’s father tried to carry a perfect melon from Tashkent, Uzbekistan all the way to Michigan. He didn’t make it past customs. But he talked about that melon for decades, and it became the start of her cookbook. "Because he talked about it so much and still talks about these things so much that we could almost taste it. As that power of sharing memory, and the way in which food can connect us across space and time, that story to me really was the epitome of that."...

Exploring the local food and wine culture of Traverse City

September 21, 2026

Traverse City has been getting lots of national attention for it's food scene. It was even named Food City of the Year by Midwest Living. But the chefs and wine makers who've shaped this place say the story goes much deeper. At the second annual Traverse City Food & Wine Festival, The Dish spent time with the people behind the plates. What emerged was deeply rooted to the land, the water, the farms, and the community that lies them together. Veteran chefs like Eric Patterson of The C...

Inside Ayasofya, Kalamazoo's only Turkish restaurant

August 21, 2026

There's a small restaurant near Western Michigan University where, for a lot of people in Kalamazoo, lunch is also an introduction to gobit doner, to lahmacun, and to a whole cuisine some customers didn't even know they'd been missing. Ayasofya is Kalamazoo's only Turkish restaurant, and its owners, Halil and Fatma Dursunoğlu, feel that responsibility every time someone walks through the door. "When you are the only one responsible to represent the Turkish food... you need to think like 100 t...

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How do I get in touch with The Dish?

The Dish is hosted by Mercedes Mejia. Its publicly listed emails are michiganpublic@umich.edu, wlturner@umich.edu, and vduffy@umich.edu. For guest bookings, the host or producer is usually the best person to reach. Podseeker helps you find direct host and producer contacts and pitch from your own inbox.

What is the email for The Dish?

The publicly listed emails for The Dish: michiganpublic@umich.edu, wlturner@umich.edu, and vduffy@umich.edu.

How many listeners does The Dish have?

Podseeker estimates The Dish reaches 100 to 1,000 listeners per episode. Only the publisher has exact numbers.

Who is an ideal guest for The Dish?

The Dish typically books working professionals with real expertise. Typical guest background: Chefs, restaurant owners, food entrepreneurs, cookbook authors, and other culinary professionals with a distinctive food story or a meaningful connection to Michigan’s food scene. Common among recent guests: Operating or leading a restaurant or food business; Publishing a cookbook or developing recognized expertise in a culinary tradition; Contributing to a regional food, farming, or wine community. Recent guests include Anna Ansari, Whitney Waara, and Tony Vu.

How hard is it to get booked on The Dish?

Low. A guest with relevant expertise and a clear angle for its audience has a realistic chance.

What topics does The Dish cover?

Recent episodes cover Food, Culinary Arts, Restaurants, Food Culture, and Local Food. Pitch an idea tied to one of these topics and mention a recent episode.