To many aspiring cooks, getting into the culinary game may seem like an impossibly daunting task. Luckily, it has never been easier to dive headfirst into chef-worthy content. Free recipes, culinary history, and even instructional cook-alongs with celebrity chefs can be found pretty much anywhere online, even in audio form! If you’re looking to up your game in the kitchen and learn a thing or two while doing it, we’ve got you covered with some of the best food-related podcasts out there.
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Some like it hot! It Burns, hosted by Marc Fennell, drags you headfirst into an international competition to produce the world’s hottest pepper. This James Beard Award-winning podcast tackles the contentious, scandal-filled race to produce a pepper worthy of a Guinness World Record entry, while the ever-inquisitive Fennell explores the world of “chilli-heads”—a subculture of folks who can’t get enough of the hot stuff. With a deadly blend of fierce competition and fascinating cultural exploration, this pod is sure to leave your ears steaming.
For most people who can’t get enough food-related content, Food Network is the gold standard. This is just as true in audio form, as Obsessed host Jaymee Sire serves up an absolutely star-studded weekly podcast. Sire chats with some of Food Network’s brightest celebrity chefs—Guy Fieri, Alex Guarnaschelli, and Scott Conant, among others—and discusses all things food. Guilty pleasures, modern trends, and intimate behind-the-scenes content can all be found on this excellent weekly entry.
For those with an appetite for food history beyond Europe, The Real Food Podcast is sure to satisfy. Host Vikram Doctor deftly blends cultural history, mythology, and practical skill in relation to the culinary arts. One of India’s most seasoned food writers, Doctor infuses each episode with his extensive knowledge, adventurous palate, and a perspective distinctive from most Western chefs. Recent topics covered include the origins of papad, a mealtime staple typically paired with dal and rice, and the story of Thums Up, one of India's most popular brands of soda.
Ah, the age-old question that has stumped many an academic—Is a hot dog truly a sandwich? On this aptly titled podcast, chefs Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati address this quandary and many other culinary controversies bandied about on the web. From heated discussions regarding the best regional BBQ style to conflicting opinions on whether or not ketchup can be considered a smoothie, Scherer and Enayati are sure to leave you rolling on the floor laughing while sparking internal debate!
What is “American food,” and where did it come from? Based on the hit documentary series from the History Channel and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham, The Food That Built America explores the impact of mass consumerism on our nation's culinary identity, focusing on the rise of massive American food brands such as Lay’s, McDonalds, and Hershey. Each episode tackles a different brand and tells its compelling story. From the cereal wars between Kellogg’s and Post to the origins of Heinz’s signature 57 flavors, this podcast will give you plenty of handy knowledge for your next dinner party.
It is no secret that our relationship with food often extends beyond the kitchen to internal dialogues of body image and self-care. On the Food Psych Podcast, host Christy Harrison uses her background as a nutritionist and eating counselor to tackle complex and sensitive food-related issues, from fat shaming to eating disorders. Drawing from personal experiences and conversations with guests, Harrison gets to the root of our relationship with the food we eat from an angle of acceptance and love.
Believe it or not, food has played a much bigger role in history than even many foodies might imagine. On The Fantastic History of Food, host Nick Charlie Key explores the good, the bad, and the bizarre uses of food through time. Jump headfirst into strange but true stories such as chocolate’s intimate connection to the occult, Boston’s great molasses accident, the Nottingham cheese riots, and the weird and wonderful world of competitive eating. This podcast is sure to change your view on certain ingredients and leave you wondering, "What were they THINKING?!"
For anyone even mildly acquainted with food culture, Bobby Flay needs no introduction. On Always Hungry, he is joined by his daughter Sophie Flay, a television journalist. Each week on the podcast, this dynamic duo cooks together while chatting about a broad swathe of topics. The bond between the two hosts is palpable as the Flays discuss family, food culture, meal planning, personal taste, and even life itself. For those searching for an intimate look at a legendary chef, Always Hungry is sure to satisfy.
Gastro-pod! Get it? On this punnily titled biweekly entry, hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley serve up irresistible discussions of “food with a side of science and history.” From the acclaimed food website Eater, this podcast covers just about everything food-related, from aquaculture to ancient feasts, from microbes to Malbec. This versatile format also allows Graber and Twilley to share their personal tastes and recipe ideas, as well as touch on culture, ethics, and politics. Listening to Gastropod is great fun for foodies, and informative too.
From the popular YouTube channel Alex French Guy Cooking comes a new podcast by food geeks, for food geeks. Host Alex French is joined by his video editor Joshua to discuss their personal journey as a brand and as chefs while raising food questions that most people tend to overlook. For example: Should fried food really be dipped in sauce? Join these passionate self-styled nerds as they continue their journey as chefs in the realm of audio.
Food really brings people together. In this case, it unites the host of Green Eggs and Dan, comedian Dan Ahdoot, with a series of celebrity guests to discuss (and taste!) their favorite foods and drinks, as well as the edible items they could very happily live without. Ironically, you may want to refrain from eating or drinking while listening to this podcast, as you'll probably be too busy laughing along.
The venerated "home-cooked meal" has taken on a whole new significance since the start of the pandemic. Chef Samin Nosrat and his friend Hrishikesh Hirway, host of the podcast Song Exploder, are here to provide a little extra variety to your social distancing menu. On The Home Cooking Podcast, they'll teach how to make everything from frittatas to no-bake cookies, even when facing shortages of crucial ingredients. And they are often joined by guest cooks and answer questions from listeners on topics from sautéing to raisins.
In Cooking Issues with Dave Arnold, our host introduces us to a range of food experts, from bartenders to heirloom bean aficionados. All food-related topics are fair game, including how insects affect the way we eat and everything you ever wanted to know about olive oil. You never know what Dave and his guests might end up talking about, but it’s bound to be fascinating and super easy to digest.
Black Girls Eating doesn't just share recipes and tasty plates. Hosts Candace Boyd and Tanorria Askew sit down with Black professionals in the food industry, from chefs and chocolatiers to food justice advocates, to talk about how Black culture and dynamic Black women continue to influence food. But don't worry—if you want cooking advice, the hosts and their guests offer plenty of that too, with episodes focused on everything from making great tea to selecting wine to choosing seasonings.
Ever wonder about the origin of Oreos? Or whether carrots can really improve your eyesight? Then Food Non-Fiction is the food podcast for you. Host Lillian Yang digs deep into the hidden history behind all of your favorite food items, most trusted food lore (yes, nachos were actually created by a guy whose nickname was Nacho), and most innovative food creations (vegans have the family-owned Turtle Island Foods to thank for Tofurky). Each episode is as irresistible and informative as the last.
Classic literature is filled with tantalizing descriptions of scrumptious meals, intriguing local fare, and sophisticated cocktails. Thanks to the Literally Delicious Podcast, you can finally whip up and sample some of those storied goodies yourself. Each week, host Nick teaches kindred book and food nerds how to make a dish or signature specialty that appears, and sometimes figures prominently, in a work of great fiction. Among them, episodes feature baked beef empanadas from Isabel Allende's Daughter of Fortune, a trio of Greek delights from Jeffrey Eugenides's Middlesex, and mint juleps from F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.
Rakesh Sethi is a celebrity chef from India who has spent decades teaching people how to cook through his popular shows. Now, on Beyond Cooking with Chef Rakesh Sethi, he talks to other chefs about their career paths, how they survived hard times, and what food and cooking means to them. This is an engaging listen for serious foodies and culinary professionals.
Looking for inspiration for your next big holiday meal or maybe a new dish or several to wow your clan? Longtime, well-loved Today weatherman Al Roker is here to help. On Cooking Up a Storm, Roker and his celebrity chef guests share recipes for their most cherished holiday dishes and the stories behind them. Whether you're looking for a mouthwatering side like Ina Garten's Parmesan Smashed Potatoes or an irresistible dessert like Maya-Camille Broussard's Sweet Potato and Plantain Pie, this podcast has you covered.
Hosted by dietitian nutritionists Wendy Lopez and Jessica Jones, Food Heaven Podcast is for anyone who wants to eat their way to a happier, healthier life. Every Wednesday, Lopez and Jones sit down with various health and wellness experts to discuss topics from the pros and cons of different diets, harmful health myths, dealing with people who constantly pester you about losing weight, and the integral relationship between food and culture. Episodes also touch on issues beyond food, including social media addiction and burnout.
The Cooking GRRRL is a podcast devoted to spotlighting the best restaurants in LA and across Southern California through conversations with the culinary talents behind them. Courtesy of host Lauren Becky, you'll meet and (virtually) eat with the owners and head chefs of innovative and exciting places, from Belle's Bagels, where they roll their bagels by hand, to BurgerLords, a vegan-only burger joint. You'll also get to know professional foodies, like Javier Cabral, editor of LA Taco and an associate producer of the Netflix series, Taco Chronicles.
"In the new podcast Seat at the Table, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson and California cuisine icon Jonathan Waxman sit down with the restaurateurs behind some of the nation’s most celebrated culinary institutions, from the sophisticated to the unsung to the truly legendary. Featuring industry giants like Wolfgang Puck and Nancy Silverton, this listen goes beyond the menu to explore the history and cultural impact of the spots synonymous with good eats." - Editor Alanna M.
“Tell me about your mama's kitchen.” That’s the simple request which begins each episode of this Audible Original podcast from acclaimed journalist Michele Norris and Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama's media company. Every week, hear guests like Michelle Obama, Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach, Gayle King, José Andrés, and more explore the complexities of family and how their earliest culinary experiences helped shape their lives—and of course, each guest brings a recipe for a favorite dish from their youth so you can taste a bit of their story.
