Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster

Jessica Hynes, a Bafta-winning actor and writer known for her roles in 'Spaced' and 'The Franchise,' welcomes us with humor to her dream restaurant. The conversation dives into nostalgic candy floss memories and the absurdity of living yogurt, prompting laughs about quirky marketing. Culinary adventures abound as they reminisce about poppadoms and lentil soup, reflecting on the joy of cooking during lockdown. The playful banter includes discussions on personalized drinks and whimsical restaurant ideas, all seasoned with laughter and delightful anecdotes.

Danny Dyer, the charismatic actor from EastEnders, spicy discussions ensue as he shares hilarious stories about his soap opera experiences, including those iconic cliffhanger moments. He dives into his new series 'Rivals' and reflects on his unique food preferences, stirring nostalgia by reminiscing about childhood favorites like curry sauce and chips. With a sprinkle of royal connections, he entertains with tales of family ties to historical figures, all while exploring the quirky dynamics of cooking and family meals.

Ella Purnell, renowned for her roles in 'Fallout' and 'Yellowjackets', shares a delightful mix of nostalgia and whimsy. She chats about the rehydrating machine from 'Spy Kids', sparking childhood memories of spy gadgets. Ella also dishes on culinary adventures, showcasing the charm of unique food combinations like Marmite and butter. With humor, she recalls her funniest dining moments and disastrous date stories, rounding off the conversation with playful banter on food preferences and memorable dining exploits.

This week, British pop royalty Rick Astley joins the conversation. Best known for his iconic hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up,' he dives into his new autobiography, sharing candid stories from his career. They explore his relationship with fame and creativity, and the joy of memorable dining experiences in Italy. Rick also shares humorous culinary anecdotes, including the trials of shellfish consumption and a love for Italian cuisine, all while infusing a sense of nostalgia and good humor into their delightful banter.

Rukmini Iyer, author of the best-selling 'Roasting Tin' cookbooks, brings her culinary expertise to the conversation. They tackle humorous parenting anecdotes and children’s food quirks while debating the merits of poppadoms versus bread. Rukmini shares insights from her new book, 'The Green Cookbook', and delves into the creative process behind food styling on film sets. The episode is filled with lighthearted banter about fried food fantasies, imaginative drinks, and the joy of culinary creativity.

In this delightful conversation, comedian Josh Widdicombe shares his love for simple dishes like cheesy chips and fondly reminisces about 90s poppadoms. He humorously critiques the absurdities of comedy tours and reflects on beverage preferences tied to personal anecdotes. The chat delves into nostalgic moments around toast and favorite Indian cuisine while playfully debating culinary favorites. With entertaining stories about parenting and food quirks, Josh's comedic flair makes this a memorable dining experience.

In this lively chat, Joe Locke, the rising star from 'Heartstopper' and 'Agatha: Coven of Chaos,' shares hilarious anecdotes about his career progression. The trio dives into quirky dining experiences tied to his Marvel character, the joys of food presentation, and playful banter about Disney fantasies. They reminisce about returning to their hometown with laughter-filled stories of their culinary ups and downs. Expect humor, insightful reflections, and some whimsical debates over unexpected culinary creations!

Natalie Cassidy, beloved for her role as Sonia Fowler in EastEnders and host of 'Life with Nat,' joins the conversation. She humorously discusses her acting career, including a potential role for James in the soap. The trio explores culinary delights, such as crafting the perfect bacon roll and the fun of food nostalgia. They even dive into absurd topics, like cannibalism in soap operas, while sharing quirky food preferences and laughable anecdotes about garlic and hangry moments during filming.

Rachel Stevens, a pop icon and member of S Club, joins the conversation, sharing her journey into promoting gut health with Activia. Expect laughs as they discuss nostalgic food memories and unconventional breakfast delights. The playful banter covers everything from the ethics of cooking lobster to quirky queries from past interviews. Rachel recounts her S Club experiences while teasing a new podcast format. Get ready for a delightful mix of music, memorable meals, and hearty laughs in a joyful trip down memory lane.

In this episode, AEW wrestler Will Ospreay, known for his high-flying style and charisma, joins the hosts for a fun-packed discussion. They dive into the excitement surrounding AEW All In at Wembley Stadium and share hilarious anecdotes from the indie wrestling scene. A lively debate about sparkling vs. still water leads to laugh-out-loud wrestling analogies, and the group bonds over their love for Nando's and poppadoms. Will reflects on memorable meals in Japan, and the trio shares light-hearted takes on the perfect brownie and the whims of wrestling culture.