I probably spend about 4-5 hours a day listening to podcasts and a vast amount of those are food related. I am constantly looking for culinary inspiration and industry knowledge and there are so many food podcasts out there for every topic covering the industry.
in 2023, 42% of Americans ages 12 and older have listened to a podcast in the past month by creators such as food bloggers, chefs, and restaurant insiders who have tapped into an increasingly popular trend to provide listeners with celebrity interviews, science experiments, personal stories, and insightful commentary on all things food-related.
The Food Programme
Get ready for a foodie exploration with The Food Programme, a BBC podcast hosted by the dynamic trio of Dan Saladino, Sheila Dillon, and Leyla Kazim. They’re serving up a scrumptious buffet of food topics, leaving no dish unexplored – from the rich tapestry of cuisines to the savory politics and economics of the food industry.
Each episode dishes out a fascinating theme – like the spicy truth behind The True Cost of Food, the mouthwatering quest for sustainability, or the delicious battle against food waste, asking the question of What to Eat to Save the Planet?
Hungry for history? They’ve got you covered! Explore the tantalizing origins and transformations of dishes and culinary traditions, all expertly folded into our modern way of living, eating, and cooking.
Other interesting episodes to start on include this episode on the True Cost of Food where they discuss the price of food is rising alongside fuel, energy, and other costs. Or this episode in which Dan Saladino talks with Sandor Katz about the diversity of fermentation around the world.
The Food Chain
Another podcast produced by the BBC World Service is The Food Chain, hosted by Emily Thomas. The podcast examines the business, science, and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.
Emily leads the charge on her podcast, wielding her journalistic prowess like a culinary sword. With interviews from global experts, she serves up an explosive exploration of the multifaceted food industry.
Some of the topics covered in the podcast include the science of taste, the ethics of food production, and the cultural significance of certain dishes, or culinary stories, like in this episode where Emily explores how and why people learned to cook.
The Food Chain is an informative and thought-provoking podcast that you will love if you are interested in food and its impact on our world. Check this episode on the impact rooftop farming can have on our food systems.
Ruthie’s Table 4
Does Ruth Rogers even need an introduction? For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home.
On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers.
Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Tina Fey, Nigella Lawson, and Pete Davidson, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks.
Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant.
Some of my favourite episodes include this interview with Jamie Oliver, who got his start at The River Cafe in London, or this one with Yotam Ottolenghi where they talk about valuing the people they work with and their creativity, as well as their shared food geography. Ruthie’s, an Italian landscape of the Renaissance, Yotam’s farther east, a beautiful Biblical landscape of desert and sea.
The Sporkful
Hungry for a flavor-packed adventure? Tune in to The Sporkful – the award-winning food podcast hosted by the lively and food-obsessed Dan Pashman. Settle in as he dishes out a delectable exploration of food’s cultural, social, and personal dimensions, like in this episode about why Barbie’s first dreamhouse didn’t have a kitchen or this interview with Bill Nye where he answers to big, and small, food science questions. Dan serves it up with a dash of humor, keeping the conversations conversational with guests and listeners alike. But he’s not afraid to stir the pot with some spicy controversies, tackling meaty topics like going inside the world of food smuggling or exploring the history of enslaved Black chefs and its impact on American cuisine.
Get ready to devour recurring themes like the mouthwatering role of food in shaping identities and building communities where they explore Ghetto Gastro, a Bronx-based culinary collective. present Bronx culture as high culture. And don’t forget the delectable ways food can bridge cultural divides, bringing us all to the same table of togetherness, like this episode on French chef Jean-Robert de Cavel love stoy between France and Cincinnati and how hundreds of chefs wore their white coats to his memorial service after his death in December 2022. As if that’s not enough, Dan will tickle your taste buds by diving deep into the sensory feast of food – savoring every taste, texture, and aroma that elevates our enjoyment.
Off Menu
Hungry for laughter and mouthwatering tales? Look no further than Off Menu – the podcast hosted by comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Each episode boasts a star-studded guest unveiling their ultimate meal – starter, main course, side dish, dessert, and drink – all served with a side of hilarious banter.
Ed and James sprinkle their witty charm throughout the podcast, tickling your funny bone while delving into the delicious stories and memories behind those cherished dishes. Get ready for a bellyful of laughter as they play games, crack jokes, and keep the energy soaring!
From A-list actors to chart-topping musicians and comedic geniuses, Off Menu boasts a delightful guest list featuring names like Lily Allen, Florence Pugh, and Stanley Tucci. And guess what? They’ve got special treats too – from a Christmas extravaganza to a heartwarming Valentine’s Day celebration.
Don’t miss these appetizing and entertaining escapades as Off Menu will keep the laughter rolling Foodies and comedy enthusiasts, this one’s a must-have on your playlist!
The Kitchen Cabinet
The Kitchen Cabinet is another sizzling podcast by the BBC. Jay Rayner, the culinary wizard, leads a crew of food experts as they dive deep into a smorgasbord of food topics. From mouthwatering cooking tips to the spicy cultural and social tales behind diverse cuisines, like in this episode where the team heads to Brixton in London to discuss the delights of Caribbean cuisine. Or this special Valentine’s Day episode where they discuss aphrodisiac foods.
Jay Rayner, the top-notch food critic and author presents alongside a revolving door of guests, including chefs and food writers, spew their hot takes on the latest buzz in the food world.
They dive deep into uncovering the history and origins of dishes and ingredients, and exploring how food feeds our well-being and cultural identity. They whip up answers to listener questions – serving up practical advice on kitchen gadgets and cooking wizardry.
[…] Read about my top 7 Best Food Podcasts in 2023 so far. […]