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Jerry Pellegrino

Host, Radio Kitchen

Executive Chef Jerry Pellegrino of Corks restaurant is fascinated by food and wine, and the way they work in harmony on the palate.  His understanding of the two goes all the way to the molecular level, drawing on his advanced education in molecular biology.  His cuisine is simple and surprising, pairing unexpected ingredients together to work with Corks' extensive wine offerings.

His restaurant is set in a quaint 1849 rowhouse in Baltimore's Historic Federal Hill and he has transformed it into what Baltimore Magazine called "a miniature utopia for wine lovers".  But wine is just half of the equation. Corks is a restaurant where diners can be swept up in Chef Pellegrino's passion for food and wine and discover the distinctiveness of ingredients and the way they work together.

Chef Pellegrino is a member of the local board for the American Institute of Wine and Food, Vice Chancellor Culinare of the Baltimore Bailliage of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers and often featured in cooking segments on local television.  Under his guidance, Corks has been named one of Baltimore's top 65 restaurants every year since opening in 1997 and has been given "The Wine Spectator" award of excellence.

  • The first time I was in the South of France, I had the pleasure of visiting the huge food market in Avignon. Talk about a kid in a candy store! Cheeses, cured meats, artisan bread, legendary wine and barrel after barrel of more olives than I knew existed. And as Chef Jerry Pellegrino explains it, the story of olives is a very old one indeed.
  • I don’t really intend to, but I’d say about half the dinners I eat are actually vegetarian. And for full-time as well as part-time vegetarians, Spring is a fabulous season. Chef Jerry Pellegrino will tell you the options are nearly endless.
  • When I was a kid, I loved seeing the Three Stooges throwing pies in the face of innocent civilians. I really didn’t know what all the white stuff was on the pies, but it was many years later that I connected that wonderful stuff called meringue with that slapstick confection. Chef Jerry Pellegrino tells us it’s not too tough to make a good meringue?
  • I think a lot of us have discovered how easy it is to make home-made pasta. In fact, I’ve got a nice pasta machine that rolls out thin layers of pasta, with the option of cutting it into fettucine or spaghetti. But as Chef Jerry Pellegrino points out, there’s one very good pasta shape that doesn’t involve machinery, but it does involve a hands-on approach and that would be gnocchi.
  • When it comes to picking a starch for dinner, we usually vacillate between potatoes and rice. There seem to be a million ways to cook potatoes, but rice is a little bit more straightforward. The problem is, I rarely seem to get it just right. Chef Jerry Pellegrino has some ideas on how to prepare a good bowl of rice.
  • When I stepped outside last weekend, I was gratified to feel warmth in the air and sunshine in the skies: beautiful Spring weather. And so it was with great eagerness I made my way to the Baltimore Farmers Market under the expressway to see what our farmers have come up with. And as I told Chef Jerry Pellegrino, the joint was jumpin’.
  • Golden, crispy, and custardy—French toast is a breakfast classic with endless possibilities. In this episode of Radio Kitchen, we whisk through the history, technique, and tasty variations of this beloved dish, from traditional styles to creative twists that turn stale bread into something truly spectacular.
  • Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, coffee cakes are the sweet companion to your favorite cup of joe. In this episode of Radio Kitchen, we dive into the delicious world of coffee cakes—talking textures, toppings, and time-tested recipes that bring comfort and joy in every bite.
  • Tender, flavorful, and full of seasonal charm—spring lamb is a culinary favorite this time of year. In this episode of Radio Kitchen, we explore what makes spring lamb so special, how to select the best cuts, and share some simple, delicious ways to bring this springtime staple to your table.
  • Spring is officially here, and all sorts of little green things are poking their heads up through the soil. Among the daffodils and crocus are the tender little tops of herbs that are making an early arrival.