For those interested in stories surrounding the food culture, the foods we consume, recipes to try for the holidays, how certain cultures have affected regions in the U.S. and across the world or what they served during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s time in the White House, prepare to turn into a foodie with this list. Grab a fork — I mean headphones — and get ready to feast:
Gravy
“Gravy,” presented by the Southern Foodways Alliance, showcases the evolution of food in the South through new and old traditions. The biweekly podcast takes on a dynamic form of storytelling through the foods we eat in a broad, cultural perspective. For people who may not live in the South or be immersed in Southern food culture, “Gravy” examines ways food has shaped Southern culture by giving a voice to people who serve these Southern meals, like immigrants, farmers and food scientists. It’s thought-provoking and original, digging into how race, faith and sexuality affect not only the region but also the entire U.S. Whether the episode shares tales of the best barbecue spot or how Korean restaurants have shaped the South, this series will leave you appreciating Southern cuisine and its diversity.
Go Fork Yourself
Andrew Zimmern is the guy you call whenever you want to try something out of your comfort zone. You can expect a discussion on the scale of a TED Talk, with Zimmern giving countless descriptive details about the best snail caviar in town. His advice does not disappoint — most of the time. He’s a chef, author and host of “Bizarre Foods,” so it’s obvious he knows what he’s talking about. In his podcast with co-host Molly Mogren, the two talk about the impact food and travel have on the world today. They interview the most prominent chefs and travel experts in the food industry and provide hilarious insight. Though the two have not released an episode in more than two years, the podcast is classic and timeless. I’ve always been a fan of Zimmern, and the podcast shows his spunky personality. The podcast is essentially synonymous to watching the Food Network, and it shows both hosts’ knowledge surrounding international food.
Spilled Milk
Every week, comedians Molly Wizenberg and Matthew Amster-Burton give the right amount of expertise and humor about all things food-related. Through their constant jokes, the podcast entertains listeners with food history, recipes and cooking tips. You’ll probably spend half of your time listening to the podcast laughing, but it will have you thinking about what makes gingersnaps crunchy or molasses chewy. It may also give you good recipes to try out for the holiday season, like roast chicken, or cocktails to make, like Bloody Marys. In all honesty, this show has reminded me why I enjoy baking and trying new recipes — though I may get frustrated doing so at times.
Burnt Toast
My British grandma used to go on rants about why the British loved burnt toast and how it’s good for you, and when I discovered this podcast, I thought it would do just that — reiterate everything my grandma told me. But, in fact, the podcast, hosted by James Beard Award-nominated producer Kenzi Wilbur, is a conversation of stories for foodies about cooking topics and everything about the food culture. It also gives history lessons within the food industry, like the history of the rotisserie machine known as the Roto-Broil 400 or what they served for dinner in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s White House. The content is interesting, and it’s not your typical food podcast about recipes; it tells stories, and the host makes it interesting and informative. Make sure to listen to my personal favorites: “Meet the Inventor of the Roto-Broil 400” and “The Worst Food in White House History.”
