Boston, MA

Still Sizzling: Chef Lydia Shire’s enduring legacy in Boston cuisine

Published

4 days ago

April 3, 2026

Press Room

Still Sizzling: Chef Lydia Shire’s enduring legacy in Boston cuisine

With a career rooted in hustle and heart, the Boston legend remains one of America’s most influential chefs

NO. ON THE BOSTON RESTAURANT SCENE, THERE ARE CHEFS. WATCH THIS. AND THERE ARE ICONS. SEE HOW THE SKIN IS SEPARATING A LITTLE. LYDIA SHIRE MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST WOMAN TO WIN A PRESTIGIOUS JAMES BEARD AWARD, AND HAS MENTORED GENERATIONS OF BOSTON CHEFS. AT 77, LYDIA IS STILL COOKING, STILL CREATING, AND MAKING IT LOOK OH SO EASY. GETTING A LITTLE SIZZLE ACTION THERE. ON THIS DAY, LYDIA IS TAKING ME WHERE SHE FINDS INSPIRATION. SO HOW OFTEN ARE YOU HERE IN CHINATOWN? EVERY WEEK. I’M HERE ALL THE TIME. FIRST UP, CHINATOWN’S PEACH FARM IS HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT. TRUE AUTHENTIC CHINESE FOOD THAT I’VE BEEN EATING HERE FOR 30 YEARS. 30 YEARS, 30 YEARS. WHAT DO THEY HAVE YOUR PICTURE ON THE WALL OR SOMETHING? THEY DO, DO THEY? A QUICK HELLO TO THE OWNER, TOM LYNN. HI GUYS. LYDIA HANDLED THE ORDER, OBVIOUSLY, AND I ORDER IT EXTRA FATTY. THAT’S WHY MY SKIN IS SO BEAUTIFUL. BECAUSE ALL THAT FAT I EAT. THIS DISH IS ONE OF MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES. THIS IS GAO WANG, YELLOW LEEKS. IT’S DONE WITH ROAST DUCK. REMEMBER THAT ONE WILL DO. LYDIA’S FOOD JOURNEY HAS TAKEN HER ALL OVER THE WORLD AND CONNECTED HER WITH SO MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS COOKS OF ALL TIME. YOU HAD A GOOD BUDDY THAT USED TO COME AND DINE HERE. YES, JULIA. AS IN JULIA CHILD. JULIA CHILD. YES. SHE LOVED CHINESE FOOD. WELL, ESPECIALLY. SHE LOVED DUCK. JULIA CHILD WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN PUTTING LYDIA IN THE CHEF’S SEAT AT HARVEST AND CAMBRIDGE, A CAREER MAKING KITCHEN. ONE DAY I COOKED DINNER FOR HER AND I SAT DOWN NEXT TO HER AND SHE LEANED OVER TO ME AND SHE SAID, SO, LYDIA, WHAT’S THE GOSSIP? JULIA WANTING THE TEA. LOVE IT. FULL AND HAPPY. WE HEAD TO OUR NEXT STOP. JIA HOW TO GRAB GOODS FOR DINNER. THEY HAVE EVERYTHING. AND THIS IS THE FOOD THAT YOU’RE SERVING IN YOUR RESTAURANT YOU’RE BUYING HERE? ABSOLUTELY. OKAY. SIX RESTAURANTS OVER THE YEARS, TO BE EXACT, EACH LEAVING ITS OWN SPECIAL MARK. SCAMPO SHIRES RESTAURANT AT BOSTON’S LIBERTY HOTEL, HAS BEEN GOING STRONG SINCE 2008. THERE IS NO FINER SESAME OIL IN THE WORLD THAN KADOYA SESAME OIL, SO REMEMBER THAT I WILL. I’M GOING TO BUY YOU A LITTLE ONE FOR YOUR HOUSE. YEAH, YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT. WE’RE GOING TO GET SOME LEAKS BECAUSE I’M COOKING THE YELLOW CHIVES FOR YOU. OH, YUMMY. THE CHINESE ARE AMAZING. THE WAY THEY RESPECT FOOD AND HOW THEY COOK IT. AND IT HAS TO BE RIGHT. LOOK AT ALL THESE MUSHROOMS. PEOPLE COME HERE AND THEY BUY A LIVE FISH AND THEN GO HOME AND COOK IT. TO ME, THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN THIS. IT’S TRUE. MEANING OF FRESH. NOW WE COOK, NOW WE COOK. WE CHECK OUT AND ROLL OUT TO CAMBRIDGE. INSIDE THE CHARLES HOTEL IS BAR ENZA SHIRE’S LATEST PROJECT. SHE’S CHEF PARTNER AND THE MIND BEHIND EVERY MENU, SKETCHING OUT EACH DISH FOR HER TEAM BEFORE THEY HIT THE PLATE. I HAVE NEVER PUT IN A NEW MENU THAT I HAVEN’T DRAWN. PICTURES. LYDIA’S CAREER CAME FROM HUSTLE, GRIT AND SACRIFICE. YOU SOLD YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING TO GO TO CULINARY SCHOOL? YEAH. YOU KNOW, I WAS MARRIED AND HAD MY FIRST BABY AT 17. MY HUSBAND DROPPED ME FOR ANOTHER WOMAN. I NEEDED A JOB, AND THAT’S WHEN I APPLIED TO THE MAISON ROBERT AND THEY HIRED ME. SHE CREDITS HER PARENTS FOR HER FAMOUS FLAIR. MY PARENTS WERE ARTISTS. THEY WERE FASHION ILLUSTRATORS. I HAD GREAT PARENTS AS TEACHERS. I REALLY GOT MY DOGGEDNESS FROM MY MOTHER. MY MOTHER ONLY WORE RED SHOES AND THAT’S WHY I LOVE COLOR. WAS COOKING ALWAYS IN YOU? DID YOU KNOW? YES. OH, I KNEW MY FATHER WAS THE ONE WHO TAUGHT ME. I WAS FOUR YEARS OLD AND I WAS PEELING FRESH GARLIC. WHAT KEEPS YOU HUNGRY FOR IT? MY BRAIN IS 21 YEARS OLD, 100%. AS LONG AS MY BRAIN NEVER FAILS ME AND IT WON’T, I CAN TELL. I GET UP IN THE MORNING AND I RIGHT AWAY. I THINK OF PHONE NUMBERS OR WHATEVER TO KEEP MY BRAIN ACTIVE ON THIS NIGHT. IT’S CRISPY ROAST PORK BELLY. THAT’S A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF PORK BELLY WITH YELLOW CHIVES BOUGHT AT THE MARKET ALONG WITH LEMONGRASS OIL THAT I MADE YESTERDAY FOR SHAYNA AND NANTUCKET SCALLOPS. HERE, I’VE RECONSTRUCTED A CHINESE DISH, BUT NOW I’M ADDING AMERICAN INFLUENCES TO IT. THESE BEAUTIFUL SCALLOPS FROM NANTUCKET. OH, LYDIA. THANK YOU. YOUR FOOD IS ALMOST, ALMOST AS DELIGHTFUL AS YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I AM SO HUNGRY, SO GOOD. THAT’S UNBELIEVABLE. YOU KNOW, LYDIA TALKED A LOT ABOUT COLORS BEING IMPORTANT. OR SAYS ORANGE IS HER FAVORITE COLOR BECAUSE IT’S LIKE FIRE. I LOVE THAT. AND WHEN SHE COOKS A SPECIAL MEAL, SHE DOESN’T JUST BRING THE FOOD, SHE BRINGS THE DISHES AND THE SETTINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MEAL TRULY REFLECTS HER, AS SHE DID WITH US, WHICH WAS FANTASTIC. AND BACK TO PEACH FARM. THE OWNERS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE RETIRING. THE RESTAURANT WILL CLOSE TEMPORARILY, BUT THE NEW OWNERS

Still Sizzling: Chef Lydia Shire’s enduring legacy in Boston cuisine

With a career rooted in hustle and heart, the Boston legend remains one of America’s most influential chefs

Updated: 8:04 PM EDT Apr 2, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

In Boston’s culinary world, Lydia Shire is a legend. The first woman to win a James Beard Award in the Northeast, Shire has mentored generations of chefs and helped shape the city’s food scene for 50 years.At 77, she’s still a creative force. Her latest project, Bar Enza at The Charles Hotel in Cambridge, is a testament to her energy—she still hand-sketches every dish before it hits the plate. She also continues to find inspiration in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood, frequenting markets and restaurants such as Peach Farm Restaurant, where she says she has dined for 30 years. Shire’s path to culinary success was paved with grit. Married and a mother at the age of 17, she sold her engagement ring to attend culinary school after her marriage ended. She drew support from Julia Child, who loved her cooking and helped launch her into the chef’s seat at Harvest in Cambridge.Today, Shire is best known for restaurants including Scampo at the Liberty Hotel, as well as for her bold, personal style—driven by her artist parents and relentless curiosity. “My brain is 21,” she says. “As long as it stays that way, I’ll keep going.”Lydia Shire’s food is deeply personal, endlessly creative—and still, unmistakably hers.

At 77, she’s still a creative force. Her latest project, Bar Enza at The Charles Hotel in Cambridge, is a testament to her energy—she still hand-sketches every dish before it hits the plate. She also continues to find inspiration in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood, frequenting markets and restaurants such as Peach Farm Restaurant, where she says she has dined for 30 years.

Shire’s path to culinary success was paved with grit. Married and a mother at the age of 17, she sold her engagement ring to attend culinary school after her marriage ended. She drew support from Julia Child, who loved her cooking and helped launch her into the chef’s seat at Harvest in Cambridge.

Today, Shire is best known for restaurants including Scampo at the Liberty Hotel, as well as for her bold, personal style—driven by her artist parents and relentless curiosity. “My brain is 21,” she says. “As long as it stays that way, I’ll keep going.”

Lydia Shire’s food is deeply personal, endlessly creative—and still, unmistakably hers.

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Boston, MA

Dry, breezy today, but a few snowflakes could mix with rain tomorrow in Boston

Published

2 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Dry, breezy today, but a few snowflakes could mix with rain tomorrow in Boston

It’s been a dry, breezy start to the week here in the Boston area. As we continue moving through this afternoon, the sun will be in and out of the clouds, but it should remain dry through the evening.

Winds will gust up to 25-30 mph at times. Highs should reach the low 50s today. Tonight, low temperatures will be in the low to mid 30s.

As Tuesday rolls in, a weak disturbance will push into the area, giving way to a rain/snow mix. Yes, a little snow!

Areas along and north of the Massachusetts Turnpike will have the best chance of seeing a few passing snowflakes and flurries Tuesday morning. But a few flakes will drift south of the Pike from time to time as well. Some snow could also mix with rain later in the evening as the system wraps up and moves away from our region.

A light coating of snow is possible tomorrow, especially along and north of the Pike and across Worcester Hills and the higher terrain, mainly on grassy and elevated surfaces. But we don’t expect major problems as our temperatures climb from the 30s into the 40s and 50s by afternoon. In other words, the snow won’t stick around. Otherwise, we’ll see mostly cloudy skies Tuesday.

Wednesday will be the coolest day of the week. In fact, it will feel like winter all over again Wednesday morning! Temps will start the day in the mid to upper 20s. Highs will reach the upper 40s by afternoon under mostly sunny skies. Our high temperatures rebound into the 50s and 60s by Thursday and Friday with sunshine. A few showers are possible on Saturday.

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Boston, MA

Boston Weather: Mostly dry skies, late-week warm-up incoming

Published

14 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Boston Weather: Mostly dry skies, late-week warm-up incoming

After a brief chance of early precipitation, Boston is likely in for a mostly dry week and warmer temperatures heading into next weekend, according to National Weather Service forecasts.

“In terms of rain and everything, that’ll be continuing to clear out (Sunday night), if it hasn’t already,” said NWS meteorologist Candice Hrencecin. “(Monday) should be pretty dry.”

Monday is set to kick off the week with some dry and breezy weather throughout the day, forecasts show. Winds are expected to reach gusts as high as 26 mph, and temperatures are likely to climb up in a high in the upper 40s, NWS states.

The only real chance for showers in the week should hit Monday night into Tuesday, Hrencecin said.

“(Monday) night, we could see some more showers come in once again,” said Hrencecin. “They might be mixed with some snow, but wouldn’t really accumulate or anything, and probably melt pretty quick, because we’d be going from like the mid-30s or so overnight (Monday), into the 40s during the day (Tuesday) pretty quickly. And that should switch over to rain.”

Rain is likely Tuesday, forecasts show, especially around the afternoon. The day is expected to be partly sunny, with a high in the upper 40s. The night is forecasted to get chilly, NWS states, with a low dipping down in the upper 20s.

“Then Wednesday, we kind of get back into the mid-40s during the day once again,” said Hrencecin. “And then overnight, a little bit better but still pretty cold for Wednesday night. Not as bad as Tuesday night, a few degrees improvement.”

Wednesday is expected to be sunny, with a high in the upper 40s and a nighttime low in the mid-30s, forecasts show.

Boston will kick off a warming trend more so towards the second half of the week, Hrencecin said.

“And then by Thursday into Friday, we’d see highs into the mid 50s, and then into the mid 60s heading into the weekend,” Hrencecin said.

Thursday is forecasted to be sunny again, with the high climbing up to the mid-50s and a low in the low 40s, NWS states.

Friday into the weekend are preliminarily expected to remain partly sunny, with highs reaching up into the 60s through Sunday, forecasts show.

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Boston, MA

Toronto Raptors (43-34) at Boston Celtics (52-25) Game #78 4/5/26

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Toronto Raptors (43-34) at Boston Celtics (52-25) Game #78 4/5/26

Toronto Raptors (43-34) at Boston Celtics (52-25)
Sunday, April 5, 2026
3:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #78 Home Game #38
TV: NBCSB, Sportsnet, NBA-TV
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub,TSN 1050, Sirius XM
TD Garden

The Celtics return home to take on the division rival Toronto Raptors. This is the 4th, and final meeting between these two teams this season. The Celtics won 121-113 on December 7 in Toronto. They won 112-96 on December 20, also in Toronto. They won 125-117 on January 9 in Boston. The Celtics have won their last 8 games against the Raptors in Boston. The Celtics won the series 3-1 last season, losing one game in Toronto. The Celtics are 76-43 overall all time and they are 45-14 in games played in Boston.

The Raptors made 2 minor deals at the trade deadline . They traded Ochai Agbaji to the Clippers for Chris Paul, who they then waived and CP3 chose to retire. Similar to several of the Celtics deadline deals, this was to bring the Raptors under the tax line. They also traded a second round pick to the Warriors for Trayce Jackson-Davis to fill the need for a back up center.

The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 4.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 2.5 games ahead of 3rd place New York, 4 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 7.5 games ahead of 5th place Atlanta, and 9 games ahead of 6th place Toronto and 9.5 games ahead of 7th place Philadelphia. The Celtics are 33-15 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 26-11 at home and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.

The Raptors are 6th in the East, 6.5 games behind 3rd place New York, 5 games behind 4th place Cleveland, and 1.5 games behind 5th place Atlanta. They are half a game ahead of 7th place Philadelphia, 1.5 games ahead of 8th place Charlotte, and 2 games ahead of 9th place Orlando. They are 30-17 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 22-17 on the road and 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.

After this game at home against Toronto they will host Charlotte before one game on the road at New York. They will finish the season with 2 games at home against New Orleans and Orlando. After this game on the road at Boston for Toronto, they will return home to play 2 games against Miami. They will then play at New York before finishing the season at home against Brooklyn.

After being out 4 weeks due to surgery to stabilize a fracture in his right ring finger, Nikola Vucevic has been upgraded to questionable for this game. His status will be a game time decision. For the Raptors, Chucky Hepburn is out due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. Immanuel Quickley will miss his eighth straight game due to right foot plantar fasciitis.

Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Derrick White vs Ja’Kobe Walter

Derrick White

NBAE via Getty Images

Ja’Kobe Walter

NBAE via Getty Images

SG: Jaylen Brown vs RJ Barrett

Jaylen Brown

Getty Images

RJ Barrett

NBAE via Getty Images

SF: Sam Hauser vs Brandon Ingram

Sam Hauser

NBAE via Getty Images

Brandon Ingram

NBAE via Getty Images

PF: Jayson Tatum vs Scottie Barnes

Jayson Tatum

NBAE via Getty Images

Scottie Barnes

NBAE via Getty Images

C: Neemias Queta vs Jakob Poeltl

Neemias Queta

Getty Images

Jakob Poeltl

NBAE via Getty Images

Celtics Reserves
Payton Pritchard
Hugo Gonzalez
Luka Garza
Amare Williams
Jordan Walsh
Baylor Scheierman
Max Shulga
John Tonje
Ron Harper, Jr

2-Way Players
None

Injuries/Out
Nikola Vucevic (finger) questionable

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Raptors Reserves
Jamison Battle
Gradey Dick
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Jonathan Mogbo
Collin Murray-Boyles
Jamal Shead
Garrett Temple

2 Way Players
Chucky Hepburn
AJ Lawson
Alijah Martin

Injuries/Out
Chucky Hepburn (knee) out
Immanuel Quickley (foot) out

Head Coach
Darko Rajakovic

Key Matchups
Sam Hauser vs Brandon Ingram
Ingram is averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 47.2% from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc. In the 2 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 27 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 56.8% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to do a better job of defending him in this game.

Jayson Tatum vs Scottie Barnes
Barnes is averaging 18.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 50.4% from the field and 29.6% from beyond the arc. In the 2 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 40.7% from the field and 16.7% from beyond the arc. Although he has been struggling to hit 3’s, he is capable of hitting them if left open.

Honorable Mention
Jaylen Brown vs RJ Barrett
Barrett is averaging 19.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc. He played in just 1 game against the Celtics this season and finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists while shooting 40% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc. The Celtics have to defend him better in this game.

Keys to the Game
Defense – Defense is the most important key to winning. The Celtics are 4th in the league with a defensive rating of 111.8. The Raptors are 7th with a defensive rating of 114.7. The Celtics must stay committed to playing tough, lock down defense, especially against a Raptors team that plays good defense themselves. The Celtics must especially defend in the paint as the Raptors put up 53 points in the paint per game (5th).

Rebound – As with defense, rebounding will always be a key to winning every game. The Celtics are 4th with 46.5 rebounds per game. The Raptors are 23rd with 42.2 rebounds per game. The Celtics will need to rebound as a team with players crashing the boards from every position. The Celtics can’t score without the ball and rebounding is a great way to get the ball and to get extra possessions and to also deny the Raptors extra possessions and 2nd chance points.

Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics are at their best when the ball moves and they make the extra pass. When the ball sticks and players try to do too much, the Celtics struggle. They are 34-2 this season when they have 25 or more assists and they are 18-0 when they have 29 or more assists. The Raptors are 2nd with 29.5 assists per game. But, the Celtics have to make careful passes and not get sloppy because the Raptors are 5th in the league, averaging 20 points off turnovers and 18.9 fast break points per game (1st).

Play with Energy and Focus for 48 Minutes – The Celtics must play with effort and energy and they have to play harder than the Raptors for all 4 quarters. The team that plays the hardest and that is more aggressive will usually get a better whistle. They also must stay focused on taking good shots and making them. If the 3’s are falling, they are tough to beat. But, if the 3’s aren’t falling, it can get ugly and so the Celtics need to focus on taking the best shots, whether that means shooting more 3’s or taking the ball into the paint if they aren’t falling.

Home Game – The Celtics are once again home and they should get a boost from the home crowd and they have the benefit of not having to travel. The Raptors are playing in the 2nd straight game on the road and may be a little road weary. They also have the distractions of travel, staying in hotels, and playing in front of a hostile crowd.

Officiating – The officiating can always be an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently. Some call it tight with a lot of fouls while others let them play and let a lot of contact go. The Celtics have to adapt to how the game is being called and not allow bad calls and no calls to take away their focus on playing the game. If they play well enough, the refs won’t make a difference.

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