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4 of the best podcasts for anyone who loves to cook (and eat!)

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ALSO READ: Watch the new mouth-watering trailer for Chef’s Table: Pastry

So, you thought that radio was dead? Wrong! Podcasts are the new media format for a busy world; radio style talk shows and interviews that you can download to your smartphone and take them with you as you go about your day. These are the podcasts we listen to for inspiration, foodie-knowledge and a few good laughs! 

The Sporkful

Tagline: 
It’s not for foodies, it’s for eaters.

A brief summary:
Host Dan Paschman is crazy about food. He’s not a chef, just a very enthusiastic eater. His philosophy revolves around the best way to construct the ultimate bite. It’s wacky, and pseudo-scientific, and definitely pedantic but it is wonderful! 
The conversation swings from the conversational and humorous through to the poignant, and moving discussions about food, culture and what “ethnic food” means in today’s world.  

Bonus: Dan often co-hosts with science-kitchen superstar, Kenji Alt-Lopez

Notable Episodes: 
This Podcast Contains MSG
Is Cereal Soup?
Other People’s Food 
When Is It OK To Send Food Back?

Gastropod

Tagline: 
A look at food through the lens of science and history.

A brief summary: 
A deep dive into ingredients – where they come from and why they matter to us. It’s the food we eat today with the perspective of how we got here. Co-hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley do all the heavy research for you, answering those questions about food you didn’t know you had!

Notable Episodes:
Green Gold: Our Love Affair with Olive Oil
Marching on our Stomachs: The Science and History of Feeding the Troops
V is for Vitamin
Crantastic: The Story of America’s Berry

Freakanomics Radio

Tagline: 
Exploring the hidden side of everything.

A brief summary: 
Freakanomics Radio explores the economic therory that underpins our daily lives- sure it sounds a bit heavy, but the content is always refreshing, revealing and relevant. Topics rotate around sound financial common sense and human behaviour – why do we buy what we buy, and why do we pay that price for it? It’s not a Food podcast specifically, but it is crammed with juicy bites of knowledge

Notable Episodes:
Is It Okay for Restaurants to Racially Profile Their Employees?
The Demonization of Gluten
What Are You Waiting For?
The No-Tipping Point

Bon Appetit Foodcast

Tagline: 
“…features interviews with chefs, writers, and well, anyonewho has something cool to say about food”.

A brief summary: 
Brought to you by one of the US’s most influential food magazines and websites, the Bon Appetit Foodcast covers a wide range of topics for the more serious cook, as well as interviewing some of our favourite celebrity chefs. 

Notable Episodes: 
Episode 158: Cast-Iron Skillets Are Forever
Episode 147: Gender & Power in Restaurants
Episode 124: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat
Episode 154: A Totally Obsessive Guide to Sandwiches

Special episode mentions: Just for dessert

The Allusionist 
Allusionist 11: Brunchtime
Dan Paschman features on this episode discussing food portmanteaus – when two words are combined to create a new word. In this episode Dan and Helen ponder the word Brunch’’ – is it equal parts breakfast and lunch?

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