Last Updated on February 05, 2023
From science and history to humor and culture, you can never run out of things to say about food. If you agree, here are the 10 best cooking podcasts coming to you from world-class chefs, talented comedians, academics, and more.
These podcasts can teach you a thing or two about the history of food, give you some cooking tips and tricks to master baking that lava cake, or just offer you a lighthearted conversation about food and make you chuckle with amusement.
1. The Nightcap
Nightcap is a podcast hosted by bartender, hospitality guru, and freelance drinks educator Cameron Fielding. A different renowned British chef joins the show every episode, shares their secrets on high-class kitchen myths and rumors in the industry and gives insights into the particularities of the culinary profession.
Most of the stories, of course, are influenced by Cameron’s expertise – drinks. So, whether you’re a professional bartender, drink enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, this podcast won’t disappoint you. However, make sure you keep a glass of wine within easy reach, as this podcast is bound to make you thirsty.
2. Splendid Table
Splendid Table offers a multicultural experience that will capture the interest of even the pickiest of listeners. The show connects people through the common language — and pleasure — of eating, and it’s hosted by award-winning food journalist Francis Lam.
Lam is very good at striking up interesting conversations with his guests at the intersection of culture, people, and food. The topics vary from French home cooking and Asian stir fries to conversations about people in the sector. For instance, there is this one episode dedicated to caterers, the capeless heroes of the food industry.
3. Home Cooking
Home Cooking is a podcast hosted by musician and producer Hrishikesh Hirway and chef, food writer, and TV host Samin Nosrat. Their conversations are always held in a comforting and endearing tone, just as you would expect from two close friends.
The idea behind their show is to help you figure out what to cook and keep you company while you’re giving it a try. With Hirikesh’s diverse knowledge of world cuisines and Samin’s genuine laughs, you’ll easily lose track of time. The duo is also great at giving out tips and tricks to make your life easier around the kitchen, inspiring you to cook new dishes, and giving you a good time.
4. Off Menu
If you’re into fantasizing about food and British humor, we have the perfect podcast for you. On Off Menu, Ed Gamble and James Acaster, both brilliant comics, invite special guests into their magical restaurant and let them choose their favorite starter, main course, side dish, dessert, and drink.
The meal doesn’t have to make sense, but the conversation in this pseudo-fine dining atmosphere isn’t as random as it sounds. The premise is pretty well constructed, clever, silly yet witty, hilarious, and overall addictive. Plus, the range of guests is to the point. Off Menu doesn’t fail to entertain with every new episode.
5. Gastropod
Gastropod features a podcast about food and its science and history. The co-hosts Nicola Twilley and Cynthia Graber share a wide range of interesting facts about food, ranging from the cultural appropriation of coconuts to the hypothetical diets of aliens. At moments, it sounds like a parody show with silly-witty humor, but the content is actually very well-researched.
The show is a blend of storytelling, science, and history, centered around gastronomy, which makes you wonder about the stories behind the things we eat. If you’re one of the curious folks, Gastropod is a beautiful exploration into our everyday necessities.
6. Heston’s Pod & Chips
Hosted by one of the world’s biggest food nerds, Heston Blumenthal, Heston’s Pod & Chips takes you to some extraordinary places and introduces you to some curious things to eat. From Irish stew and camel milk to spices traded in the black market, you get to join Blumenthal on a food adventure around the world. You’re guaranteed to learn something new (e.g., can soundwaves improve fish fingers?), get inspired, and have a good time throughout the 30-something minutes you spare for the show.
7. Dave Chang Show
By IMDb
Are chefs the new rock stars? Maybe not all of them, but the Momofuku group mastermind Dave Chang can convince you of the profundity of his well-deserved title as a celebrity chef. In his show, Chang predominantly talks about, you guessed it, food. Everything from how to get it, cook it, beat it — either to soften it or to let off some frustration. You’ll hear all kinds of unfiltered stories, with guests taking turns every episode. Whatever the story, Chang maintains a star charm along with a humble, relatable voice and always tells an interesting one.
8. Sporkful
The winner of the James Beard Award, Saveur Award, and Webby Award for the best podcast, Sporkful is like a good, down-to-earth meal for your ears. If you think you’re more of a passionate eater rather than a gourmet foodie, we got you covered. The host Dan Pashman never fails to find fascinating things about food to talk about in a thoughtful, funny, and curious way — with a good tempo too. Plus, his laugh is contagious and can put you in a good mood instantly.
The conversation revolves around food seen from different angles, like science, culture, history, race, and economics. Pashman also occasionally focuses on frisky topics like the ultimate way to spread peanut butter and jelly on a slice of toast. It’s really hard to tell what you’ll get out of listening to an episode of Sporkful, but you’ll definitely be entertained. All in all, the show offers a very well-rounded conversation for those who are curious about food.
9. Milk Street Radio
Here’s a quirky show that covers topics from computer-generated cookie recipes to million-layer puff pastries. The American chef, editor, publisher, and founder of America’s Test Kitchen and Cook’s Country, Christopher Kimball, creates and hosts Milk Street Radio. Traveling around the world, Kimball finds eccentric things about food to talk about. The unique and insightful perspectives on food he and his guests share are most certainly refreshing.
10. Cooking Issues
Dave Arnold is an inventor, entrepreneur, chef, and food writer who answers all sorts of questions and dilemmas coming from the show’s listeners. The topic can be anything, such as the ike-jime or the Japanese fish-killing technique, how to tinker your oven to get the most Italian pizza, or what’s sous-vide cooking. You can ask Dave any sort of cooking-related question.
He also gives out precious tips and tricks on tinkering with your kitchen, experimenting with new ways of preparing food, and other out-of-the-box ideas about cooking. Perfect for those bored with the conventional wisdom of the cooking gurus.
Bonus: The Empty Bowl
In Justin’s words, The Empty Bowls is “a meditative podcast about cereal from cereal eater Justin McElroy and Cerealously creator Dan Goubert.”
When you start playing the show, the sound of soothing waves welcomes you together with the sound of a relaxing meditative instrument. This is followed by a very relaxing conversation about cereal, so much so that you might as well close your eyes if you’re not driving a vehicle. It’s soothing, relaxing, and as close to ASMR as a podcast can get.
Some people say this is their favorite podcast to fall asleep to, and some swear it’s the next best thing after therapy. Sounds weird? Give it a try in one of your idle moments, and see if you get hooked up with this super chill duo. Maybe it won’t solve your problems, but it’ll take your mind away from any anxiety you might have at the time.
