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Kathy Gunst
James Beard Award winner
- Discipline
- Other
i. Biography
Kathy Gunst brings a steady, clarifying presence to the food landscape as Resident Chef at Here and Now, where her voice has long offered listeners something increasingly rare: practical guidance that never loses its warmth. In a media world that often prizes spectacle, her approach feels almost restorative—anchored in the everyday work of cooking, in the discipline of technique, and in the quiet satisfaction of turning a few well-chosen ingredients into a meal that feels generous without being complicated. Her writing and radio work are shaped by that same instinct, favoring clarity over fuss and confidence over ornament.
The Climb
Today, Kathy is Resident Chef of Here and Now, NPR. The role suits her well, placing her at the center of a program built on exchange and usefulness, where food is not simply discussed but made accessible, translated into language home cooks can trust. It is a position that reflects the core of her style: direct, attentive, and rooted in the belief that good cooking need not be intimidating. That sensibility carries through her books as well, which extend her kitchen philosophy into print. *Notes from a Maine Kitchen* evokes the breadth of her food writing, while *Rage Baking — The Transformative Power of Flour, Butter and Women’s Voices* (2020) adds another layer, situating baking within a wider conversation about voice, resilience, and the meaning people attach to what happens at the counter and in the oven.
Today
She remains Resident Chef at Here and Now. The title may be concise, but the work behind it has a broad reach: in that setting, Kathy is part teacher, part guide, part steady hand, helping shape a conversation around cooking that feels both immediate and enduring. Her quoted advice captures the plainspoken elegance of her perspective. She favors fresh food, handled simply, and she believes in the particular pleasure of attentive roasting—especially when a dish is allowed to do what it is meant to do, without overcomplication. The books echo the same ethos. *Rage Baking* arrived in 2020, and *Notes from a Maine Kitchen* reinforces the range of her kitchen-centered writing, showing how fully her work moves between instruction, reflection, and the lived texture of home cooking.
Signature
Kathy's signature dishes include Notes from a Maine Kitchen.
In Their Words “Or how about an organically-raised chicken, with a whole lemon and some fresh herbs stuffed inside the cavity, roasted hot until crisp on the outside with meat so tender and juicy it practically falls off the bone.” “I believe fresh, simple food is best.”
Recognition
Kathy's honors include James Beard Award.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Kathy
What is Kathy Gunst's current role?
As of 2026, Kathy Gunst is Resident Chef.
What recognition has Kathy Gunst received?
James Beard Award (2015).
