OUR HOSTS

Chris Fennimore

As WQED Multimedia Pittsburgh's director of programming and host of QED Cooks, Chris Fennimore wears many hats (and occasionally an apron) at the station.

Since 1991, the Brooklyn native -- who joined WQED Multimedia in 1985 as Director of National Programming -- has served as Director of Programming. In his current position, Fennimore is responsible for selecting and scheduling all television programs that air on WQED tv13. He also serves as a food columnist for PITTSBURGH magazine.

In August 1993, Fennimore incorporated his own love for cooking with his responsibility for providing quality television programs -- and inaugurated the cooking marathon format with "Zucchini Cheesecake." Since then, he has produced -- and hosted -- more than 50 live cooking marathons, ranging from "A is for Appetizers" to "S is for Seafood." Public television stations across the nation now copy this extremely successful fundraising formula, although no host is like him. His endearing style and down-to-earth demeanor has made him a household name in Pittsburgh cooking circles and across the country.

Emily Luchetti

Emily Luchetti, the executive pastry chef at Farallon Restaurant in San Francisco, is a well-known cookbook author recognized around the country for her award-winning sweet creations. She was named Pastry Chef of the Year in 2004 by the James Beard Foundation and won the coveted IACP Cookbook Award in 2007. She makes frequent television appearances on national television and has been featured in many national food magazines.

After training in France and at the New York Restaurant School, Emily came into the national culinary spotlight over 20 years ago as part of the opening team of Stars Restaurant, a legendary San Francisco restaurant in the 80’s and 90’s. Following Stars, Emily joined Chef Mark Franz and Pat Kuleto at Farallon where she is now considered one of the Bay area’s top pastry chefs.

In addition to her ongoing restaurant work, Emily has written four cookbooks, Stars Desserts, Four Star Desserts, A Passion for Desserts, and A Passion for Ice Cream.

Emily is regarded as a leader in the culinary world, having served as the chairwoman of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs from 1994-1999 and with her current position as a trustee of The James Beard Foundation.