Many of the world’s food industry leaders will gather in Chicago on May 7 for the 2018 James Beard Awards, considered to be one of the world’s most prestigious food honors. We’ll talk with famed master chefs José Andrés and Abe Conlon.

Andrés was named the 2018 James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year and one of Time’s 2018 “100 Most Influential Persons.” He’s author of the book We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time. The book details Andrés’ massive effort to feed the island of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017. He leads Thinkfood Group, self-billed as “the innovative company behind José Andrés restaurants, hotels, food products, media, educational initiatives and philanthropy.” Conlon is co-founder and executive chef of the award-winning Chicago restaurant Fat Rice. Rolling Stone called him one of the “10 Breakthrough Rock Star Chefs of 2016.”

Then, we’ll talk about the play “The Madres” at Victory Gardens Theater, which runs through May 27, 2018. Set in Argentina, during the country’s “Dirty War,” the play follows three generations of women in one family. Devastation ensues when the youngest and pregnant daughter (Belen), is disappeared by the military junta. Joining us to discuss the play and this tragic moment in Argentina’s history, is the play’s director, Ricardo Gutierrez, and Lorena Diaz, who plays Carolina, Belen’s mother. Global citizen Nari Safavi also join us with more ways to have an international good time on the weekends.