5 Fave Food Podcasts


I’ve always been into podcasts — or maybe the better way to say it is that I’ve always been into the archived radio shows on NPR, which keep me company in all manner of situations, particularly in the most suburban of situations known as Waiting for Practice to End. But lately I’ve been way more into podcasts than ever before. Why? Well, sure, like everyone else in the world, I was addicted to Serial last fall and felt a real void when it was over, but I also think what kicked me into gear was something I should probably be embarrassed to admit: I only recently discovered that the iTunes podcast app was right there on my smartphone. The whole process of finding them and subscribing used to confuse me, but now that I’ve discovered this, I just search for my show, press a button, and it’s playing through my phone or Bluetooth connection in the car. (Related: have you heard of this thing called the World Wide Web?) I’ve been going a little crazy ever since, heading way way down the Here’s the Thing and WTF with Marc Maron* rabbit hole. I think Andy might short-circuit if I begin one more conversation “On Marc Maron today…”

Anyway, what does this have to do with you and the dinner table, you might ask!? Well, amidst all my searching, I’ve uncovered some awesome food podcasts and thought if you ever found yourself waiting for practice to end, or bored on your commute home from work, or craving a conversation about the finer points of wok technique during a workout, you might consider subscribing to some of these:

America’s Test Kitchen/ATK Radio
I’m addicted to this one. Anyone familiar with Christopher Kimball and the America’s Test Kitchen enterprise shouldn’t be surprised to hear that it’s the most expert-driven podcast I’ve uncovered yet. You’ll hear product reviews, road tests, feature interviews with big-name food people (like Ina Garten and Fuchsia Dunlop), and call-ins, which are my favorite. As far as I can tell, there’s no question Kimball and co-host Bridget Lancaster can’t answer.
Typical topics: Best rice pilaf mix on the market, an interview with Pig Tales author and activist Barry Estabrook, the perfect technique for soft-boiling an egg
Average Length: 1 hour

The Bon Appetit Foodcast
Adam Rapoport, editor in chief and born host (whether it’s a dinner, a party, a podcast or otherwise) invites his test kitchen staff and a rotation of food luminaries to discuss cooking for an upcoming holiday or a deeper look at a story in the current issue of BA.
Typical topics: How to celebrate Valentine’s day “without being totally lame,” an interview with New York Dirt Candy chef Amanda Cohen, making the most of spring vegetables
Average Length: 30-40 minutes

Spilled Milk
In each episode, co-hosts Molly Wizenberg (of Orangette fame) and Matthew Amster-Burton go deep on a single dish or food (scrambled eggs, beer, orange soda, birthday cake). They are the first to admit it’s not always the most instructional half hour, but what they lack in hardcore kitchen tips they make up for in personality and chemistry. It’s been around for over five years, which is saying something — if you like Molly and Molly’s blog, you can’t not like this.
Typical topics: See above plus Cheap Beer, Waffles, Oatmeal Cookies
Average Length: 20-25 minutes

Food52’s Burnt Toast
So far BT hasn’t proven to be heavy on recipes and technique (it’s relatively new, so who knows), but it’s fun to hear Food52 founders Amanda Hesser, Merrill Stubbs and an array of staffers share personal stories about food and cooking — feels sort of like you’re a fly on the wall in their office. Featured guests include Lucky Peach editor Peter Meehan and Saveur editor Adam Sachs.
Typical topics: Where and how to eat on a first date, what makes a great cookbook, how to launch a career in food or food writing
Average Length: 25 minutes

The Sporkful
This one is food nerd city. Host Dan Pashman (who also hosts the Cooking Channel show “You’re Cooking it Wrong”) seems to obsess about every possible level of consumption (the show’s tagline: It’s not for foodies, it’s for eaters) and somehow manages to get you to do the same.
Typical topics: What Makes a sandwich a sandwich (i.e. does a hot dog count?), how to eat while driving a tour van (!), interviews with Eddie Huang, Zach Woods, and …Marc Maron!
Average Length: 25 minutes

Queued up next: The Splendid Table, Radio Cherry Bombe, Dinner Party Download; what am I overlooking?

{Sorta Related: Last week, instead of listening to podcasts, I listened to To Kill a Mockingbird through the Audible app. I hadn’t read it since I was in sixth grade and let’s just say I couldn’t wait to be sitting in the parking lot of a random field complex listening to the brilliant Sissy Spacek read as Scout and Jem and Atticus Finch, who I’m naming my next child after. Or at least my next dog. Holy Moly. Subscribe now!}

*WTF with Marc Maron: NOT FAMILY LISTENING

 

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31 Comments

Wendy R.

Food podcasts are my favorite thing to listen to while running or driving. I love Spilled Milk, ATK, The Splendid Table and DPD. I used to like KCRW’s Good Food the best, but lately it’s more focused on weighty issues (water shortages, body composting, food insecurity, minimum wage laws), so it bums me out. You could just fast forward until you get to Jonathan Gold and to the market report.

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Allyn

The Gravy podcast from the Southern Foodways Alliance! One of my favorites, full of food history. I know I’m from the South and therefore slightly biased in my appreciation, but I also think it sheds a light on some important aspects of our culinary history as a country. Highly recommended!

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Tanya

I love Good Food! I actually really appreciate than the host, Evan, tries to look deeply at the politics of food. It’s fun and smart and thoughtful. It often makes me wish I lived in Southern CA though…..

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Katie Thamer

I really like KCRW Good Food with Evan Kleiman. I don’t live in LA but I still find it very interesting and Jonathan Gold does a weekly appearance!

Also, are you listening to “Undisclosed?” It’s the follow up to Serial. They have new info about the case!!

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Julie

I just discovered Good Food after seeing Evan Kleiman in Netflix’s Chef’s Table (WHICH I LOVED SO MUCH!) this weekend — now I’ve listened to a bunch of episodes. Love how food is the lens to look at cultural shifts, politics, etc.

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Amy

I just discovered podcasts too! Like, maybe a couple months ago? I listen to them in the car, and actually, while gardening. I like ones on homesteading & farming, but the one food podcast you’re TOTALLY missing out on is Gravy, a production of the Southern Foodways Alliance. Every 2 weeks on Thursdays. Get it, get it, get it. Go through the archives, you’ve only missed maybe 7 or 8 episodes? It’s EXCELLENT.

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Hannah

Oh wow! Food and podcasts are two of my favorite things … Thanks for helping me realise I could combine them!

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JEN

Love “Here’s the Thing” so I’m excited to check out your recommendations! And DALS – the podcast – yes, please! Or maybe we need to be suggesting to these other podcasters that they should be booking YOU as their next guest! If they ask…please say yes…and be sure to tell us about it!

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Liz

It’s not a food podcast, but are you listening to New Tech City? It’s my new obsession. I’ll also cast another vote for Good Food.

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buzzkehl

Undisclosed…the follow-up to Serial. Different, but just as frustrating/interesting.

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Louise

You might like the BBC podcast The Food Programme, which is also a podcast. Lots of interesting UK food stories.

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kathryn

I love “Things Cooks Know” — a Real Simple podcast — and agree about Burnt Toast — so good.

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Jo

Another vote for ‘Good Food’. Evan, the host, is engaging and disarming. Also they talk about tacos a lot.

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Trish

Have you tried the archived episodes of Splendid Table? Earth Eats is another good one. It focuses on sustainable agriculture and always ends with cooking a recipe.

On a totally unrelated note, I have to put in a plug for my favorite podcast (and it’s not even made by a radio station). CraftLit starts with talk about whatever crafty endeavors the host has been up to, then segues into classic literature. You hear a chapter or two each episode along with all the history etc you need to enjoy the text to its fullest. Check it out.

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Jan @ Family Bites

I LOVE Here’s the Thing. I honestly think Alec Baldwin could talk about the phone book and it would be interesting. Have you tried NPR’s ‘Ask Me Another’? It’s puzzles, word games and trivia mixed into celebrity interviews and pop culture discussions. For learning, I like The Splendid Table and ATK and Things Cooks Know is also fun…

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Rebekah Jackson

I’m new to the podcast world outside of church talks and lectures, and it’s fascinating! I drive a lot for work, a fit really helps the time go by!
I really like the real simple “things cooks know” podcast, which coincidentally, is how I found your blog! 🙂

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Holly Erickson

This is so good! I love podcasts!! Have you listened to the podcast “Good Food”? So far it’s my favorite!! Thanks for the rest of the suggestions! Can’t wait to get listening!!!

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Feliciry

I wonder what it will be like to listen to food podcasts while running. It’s the only time I get for it, so we’ll see.

Also #makedinnernotwar because I really want a bumper sticker!

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Psych Nairo

I absolutely love food podcasts! I listen to Spilled Milk and Sporkful on my drive home. They help me recharge and look forward to whipping up a meal after a long day at work. Kudos guys!

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