

Lunchbox Envy
Lunchbox Envy
From the makers of QI and No Such Thing As A Fish: Gastronomically-minded QI researchers Jack Chambers and Manu Henriot join chef and food writer Rosie MacKean to unpack the world of food and drink, one lunchbox at a time.
Can you unboil an egg? Why would you milk a spider? How much Dairy Milk would it take to kill you? Dig in now to get answers to the questions you never knew you had.
Can you unboil an egg? Why would you milk a spider? How much Dairy Milk would it take to kill you? Dig in now to get answers to the questions you never knew you had.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 17, 2025 • 25min
5: Sausages
Discover the fascinating history of sausages, tracing back over 3000 years and their role in ancient Greek culture. Dive into the art of sausage-making with tips, delicious anecdotes, and record-breaking lengths. Delve into the amusing world of sausage vending machines and their cultural quirks. Explore the quirky connections between sausages and language, especially in Germany. Learn about the evolution of burger cooking standards and their surprising links to military logistics. Wrap up with personal stories and a beloved recipe!

10 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 26min
4: Chicken
Dive into the fascinating world of chicken, exploring its global significance and the staggering 50 billion produced annually. Discover the hidden delicacy of chicken oysters, once a butchers' secret treat, and the evolution of chicken breeding in the U.S. Laugh along with tales of chicken crawls and recipes, plus learn about unique international styles like Korean fried chicken. The discussion covers the culinary journey of chicken, from comfort foods to its nutritional value, bringing to light the emotional ties we have with this popular meat.

Mar 3, 2025 • 25min
3: Milk
How do you milk a flying cow? Why is it so hard to milk a moose? How have we all been duped by Big Milk?

Feb 24, 2025 • 25min
2: Bananas
Discover the quirky journey of bananas from their cultural significance to culinary wonders. Learn how Alton Towers changed the game for British bananas and hear debates on the perfect ripeness. Explore the surreal connection between bananas and the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden. Marvel at a hilarious Ig Nobel Prize experiment about the slipperiness of banana peels and uncover retro recipes like the whimsical candle salad. This delightful exploration blends humor and intriguing facts, making you see bananas in a whole new light!

Feb 24, 2025 • 27min
1: Garlic
Join a spirited discussion about the surprising reasons ninjas avoid garlic and how garlic breath might just be a secret weapon in warfare. Discover the culinary history and unique uses of garlic across cultures, from quirky dishes to its unexpected role as an adhesive. Uncover the art of peeling garlic, the battle between garlic crushers and microplanes, and even a whimsical take on garlic-flavored condoms. The conversation blends humor with culinary insights, making garlic a surprisingly fascinating topic!

Feb 12, 2025 • 40sec
Trailer
Free sample anyone?