It's Alive! With Brad

Episode 01

How to Brew Your Own Kombucha with Brad

Oct 21, 2016

In episode 1 of 'It's Alive' with Bon Appétit test kitchen manager Brad Leone, we follow him through his process of brewing his own kombucha. Main takeaways include: be creative, keep your SCOBY clean, take care of her, feed her, and use food-grade bottles to avoid glass explosions. It's a learning experience.

Episode 02

Brad Makes Cultured Butter

Dec 4, 2016

Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 2 of "It’s Alive," and this time he’s taking you to school, making tangy, creamy, salty cultured butter. Will it be boring? Nope. Is the process scientifically accurate? Maybe. Will there be jokes and made-up words? Most likely. Will you learn about butter? Of course. Get those churning hands ready, buy some buttermilk, cream, and grab some bread. It’s Butter. It’s Alive.

Episode 03

Brad Makes Beer

Jan 15, 2017

For episode 3 of "It's Alive," Bon Appetit Test Kitchen Manager, Brad Leone, visits Suarez Family Brewery in Livingston, NY. Brewmaster, Dan Suarez, may realize he's in for a little more than he bargained for when Brad gets his hands (and face) a little dirty. Will you be able to make beer at home after watching? Probably not... but as Dan Suarez said after reviewing this video "This is as technically correct as Brad Leone can be."

Episode 04

Brad Makes Fermented Garlic Honey

Feb 13, 2017

Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 4 of "It’s Alive," and this time he’s making fermented garlic honey. If that sounds simple...it is. That doesn't mean Brad won't have fun with it, though. Join him on this wild and roundabout journey to put two or three ingredients together.

Episode 05

Brad Makes Perfect Corned Beef

Mar 15, 2017

Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 5 of "It’s Alive," and this time he’s making corned beef. Brad guides you through the process of celebrating St. Patrick's Day in style, complete with bagpipes, Guinness, dolphins and...wait, what? It may not technically be alive anymore, but we kind of just let Brad do his thing.

Episode 06

Brad Uses Moldy Rice (Koji) to Make Food Delicious

Apr 27, 2017

Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 6 of "It’s Alive," and this time he’s experimenting with koji-rubbed meats. His koji-rubbed short ribs are a crowd favorite, but will the chicken and "experimental shrimp" be winners too? Join Brad on this marginally scientific adventure to find out!

Episode 07

Brad Makes a Fermented Mexican Pineapple Drink (Tepache)

May 11, 2017

Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 7 of "It’s Alive," and this time he’s brewing up a refreshing batch of tepache. Highlights include, "I want to drink this all summer long" and "I hope this doesn't blow up."

Episode 08

Brad Makes Fermented Hot Sauce

Jun 2, 2017

Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 8 of "It’s Alive," and this time he's bringing the fire with his homemade hot sauce.

Episode 09

Brad Grills Steak on a Campfire

Jul 11, 2017

Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 9 of It's Alive. This time Brad takes his skills out of the kitchen and into the woods to teach you how to build the perfect campfire for cooking delicious food outdoors. Whether you're at a campground, backyard, or taking a quick day trip into the woods, Brad's setup lets you get creative and flex your outdoor culinary skills.

Episode 10

Brad Makes Campfire Seafood

Jul 13, 2017

Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 10 of It's Alive. Brad uses the multi-zone campfire he built in the previous episode to whip up a delicious seafood feast for him and Vinny, with salmon, shrimp, oysters, langoustines, and more!

Episode 11

Brad Makes Campfire Breakfast

Jul 21, 2017

Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 11 of It's Alive. Join Brad as he prepares a breakfast feast with his multi-zone campfire. He ends up with a delicious egg, potato, and bacon mix, a cheesy sausage wheel, some scrumptious stone fruit, and roughly nine-and-a-half of his fingers.

Episode 12

Brad Makes Campfire Ribs

Aug 2, 2017

Bon Appétit test kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 12 of It's Alive. Brad wraps up his camping series with some delicious campfire cooked BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, and a neat little tip on how to make the most of your cooler.

Episode 13

Brad Makes Mistakes

Aug 25, 2017

In this special edition of It's Alive, Bon Appétit Test Kitchen Manager Brad Leone shows you that he's not perfect. Despite a nearly flawless record thus far, Brad demonstrates he knows no bounds when it comes to going off topic, expressing himself with colorful language, and yelling at a tent.

Episode 14

Brad Makes Crunchy, Half-Sour Pickles

Sep 15, 2017

Bon Appétit Test Kitchen manager, Brad Leone, is back with episode 14 of It's Alive. Watch as Brad makes his favorite, crunchy, half-sour pickles using a salt brine and a blend of tasty spices. Brad also discusses the solar eclipse, takes a crash course in film history, and recaps his vacation.

Episode 15

Brad Explores an Oyster Farm

Sep 29, 2017

Bon Appétit Test Kitchen Manager Brad Leone is back with episode 15 of It's Alive. Brad takes a trip to Duxbury, Massachusetts to visit the folks at Island Creek Oyster to see what it takes to be an oyster farmer. He observes all the stages of oyster development, gets put to work on the farm, and learns the proper way to shuck an oyster!

Episode 16

How To Make Sausage with Brad

Oct 13, 2017

Bon Appétit Test Kitchen Manager Brad Leone is back with episode 16 of It's Alive. Brad takes a trip to Portland, Oregon to literally see how the sausage is made. He's joined by Elias Cairo of Olympia Provisions, who guides Brad through the process of emulsifying, stuffing, and smoking the meats.

Episode 17

Brad Makes Sauerkraut

Oct 27, 2017

Bon Appétit Test Kitchen Manager Brad Leone is back for Episode 17 or "It's Alive," and this time he's making a fermentation classic: sauerkraut. Join Brad as he turns some cabbage into delicious kraut, daydreams, and delves into movie trivia.

Episode 18

Brad Makes Kimchi

Nov 10, 2017

Bon Appétit Test Kitchen Manager Brad Leone is back for Episode 18 or "It's Alive," and this time he's making kimchi. Join Brad as he battles test kitchen distractions and rubber gloves to show you his version of a cabbage kimchi.