James Harding, a renowned journalist and founder of the Tortoise news platform, shares deep insights on journalism and food. He fondly recalls his favorite journalism films and discusses the essence of slow news in today's fast-paced world. Their conversation takes a nostalgic turn as they explore how culinary traditions shape family dynamics and cultural connections. Harding also shares captivating anecdotes from his travels in Japan and China, illustrating the profound link between food, culture, and personal experiences.
The podcast emphasizes how shared meals create welcoming environments for dialogue, bridging divides in our polarized society through food connections.
It highlights personal narratives around food and memories, showcasing the role of family meals in shaping one's culinary relationships and cultural identities.
Deep dives
The Influence of Food on Journalism
Food plays a crucial role in connecting people, with the discussion highlighting how shared meals can foster deeper conversations about important topics. An example includes a dinner held to discuss the complex situation in Iran, where a Persian chef prepared a meal to create a welcoming environment for dialogue among journalists and commentators. This illustrates the potential of food to bridge divides in a polarized world, making it easier for people to share differing viewpoints while seated around a table. The conversation reveals a belief that food facilitates warmth and humanity, transforming discussions that might otherwise feel confrontational.
Food Memories and Family Connections
The podcast delves into personal narratives surrounding food and memories, emphasizing the significance of family meals in shaping one's relationship with cooking and dining. The speaker reminisces about their grandmother, who aspired to be a journalist but became known for her less-than-stellar cooking skills, depicting the humor and charm of family dynamics around the dinner table. Additionally, the contrast between their mother's culinary skills and their grandmother's cooking reflects the differing attitudes toward food across generations. These stories highlight how food serves as a vessel for cultural expression and family bonds.
Global Culinary Experiences
Various culinary experiences from around the world are discussed, showcasing how different cultures view food and dining. The speaker shares anecdotes from their time in Japan, where meals were often shared after long working hours, highlighting the strong connection between food and socializing in Japanese culture. Their experience in China further emphasizes how regional cuisines reflect local cultures, with food serving as a means to connect and understand societal changes. This exploration of global culinary traditions illustrates the role of food not only in sustenance but in forging cultural identities.
The Future of Food Journalism
The podcast touches on the evolution of food journalism and the importance of integrating culinary discussions into broader societal narratives. The launch of a new iteration of The Observer is highlighted, aimed at making food journalism accessible to a wider audience through various platforms. This approach emphasizes the interplay between food, culture, and politics, suggesting that food journalism can offer insights into social issues while maintaining an engaging format. Such developments signify a shift towards recognizing the value of food discussions within the journalistic landscape as a vehicle for cultural commentary.
Around the table with friends we were talking about the kind of movies we like best. My vote was for movies about journalism — His Girl Friday, Broadcast News, The Insider, All the President's Men.
I don’t need to watch a movie to see my favourite journalist, I just call James Harding — the youngest ever editor of The Times, Washington editor of the Financial Times, and head of BBC News. In 2018 he founded Tortoise, an online news platform, with the principle of responsible, deep journalism. Slow news in the age of high-speed information.
James and I speak often about what’s happening in the world, our families, what he’s writing, where he’s going and a lot more. Today we’re in The River Cafe to talk about food and memories.
Two friends, a journalist and a cook together. That’s what I call news.
Ruthie's Table 4, made in partnership with Moncler.