

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

Apr 27, 2025 • 45min
11: Coffee
Why should you put salt in your coffee? How does caffeine actually keep us awake? And do we really have coffee to thank for The Enlightenment?

Apr 20, 2025 • 36min
10: Eggs
Dive into the whimsical world of eggs with fascinating facts and humorous anecdotes. Discover the unique biology behind yolks and learn how chicken diets influence egg quality. Enjoy quirky stories about cooking with emu eggs for celebrities and the misclassification of eggs in the food pyramid. Play along with the bizarre concept of egg math while exploring delicious recipes like brownies and deviled eggs. Plus, uncover the culinary delights and strange smuggling techniques involving boiled eggs—it's an egg-citing journey!

Apr 17, 2025 • 9min
Bonus: Happy Easter!
A little extra morsel all about chocolate eggs. Happy Easter!

Apr 13, 2025 • 35min
9: Ice Cream
Ever wondered why space ice cream has never been to space? Discover the quirky substitutes used during WWII, like carrot sticks! The history of ice cream comes alive with tales from the Georgian era to modern innovations. Explore how different spoons affect taste perception in a fun experiment. Dive into strange flavors like creamy amaretto buffalo, and learn about the art of crafting the perfect vanilla ice cream. It's a wild and delicious journey through the sweet science of frozen treats!

Apr 6, 2025 • 34min
8: Tomatoes
Why do tomatoes taste so much nicer on holiday? How is Napoleon responsible for tinned tomatoes? When do tomatoes scream?

9 snips
Mar 31, 2025 • 29min
7: Pepper
Discover the intriguing history of black pepper and its significance in culinary traditions. Learn how this spice, once used as currency, shaped colonialism and the grocery industry. Explore the unique flavors of Kampot pepper and its journey through time, including its impact during the Khmer Rouge regime. The hosts also share playful anecdotes and delightful recipes featuring pepper, culminating in a tasting of exquisite fermented black peppercorns. This session sprinkles a bit of history and culinary joy into your day!

15 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 34min
6: Pasta
Discover the story behind Beeton’s unappetizing macaroni and the surprising history of Colgate's lasagna venture. Unravel the secrets of Bologna’s elusive Golden Tagliatella while exploring pasta’s evolution from ancient times to modern culinary art. Dive into the innovative design of cascatelli for optimal sauce retention and the revival of the intricate Sardinian dish, su filinday. Plus, learn about pasta's unique role in Italy’s historical narrative and enjoy a delightful discussion on avant-garde culinary practices!

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?