It is his core belief that food affects not only our personal but our political health, a principle he has expressed through cook books, cooking shows, and an op-ed column in the New York Times. During our conversation at JCC Manhattan, he cooked chili for the entire audience. Of course he didn’t. But he did speak with wit, charm and insight. Plus, music from Stephanie Jenkins on banjo and her brother, Reid, on fiddle.

•  PERSON: Jacques Pépin
•  PLACE: Stuyvesant Town
•  THING: his laptop
•  RANDY’S PERSON: Daniel Thompson, bagel innovator