Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster

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.

Ted Lasso’s Jamie Tartt (doo-doo-da-doo-da-doo), Phil Dunster, introduces some new vocabulary to the Dream Restaurant this week. And don’t forget, tune in to Comic Relief. Phil Dunster stars in ‘Oklahoma! in Concert’ at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 19th and 20th August. Get tickets at oklahomaconcert.co.uk Follow Phil on Instagram and Twitter @phildunster Recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive.Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design).Follow Off Menu on Twitter and Instagram: @offmenuofficial.And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show.Watch Ed and James's YouTube series 'Just Puddings'. Watch here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amy Annette, a talented stand-up comedian and writer known for her solo show 'Thick Skin', shares her vibrant perspective on comedy and food. The conversation dives into the quirky advice of 'always order an extra egg' in ramen, leading to an amusing fan tattoo story. With light-hearted discussions about tea, genies, and nostalgic culinary adventures, Amy and the hosts explore whimsical food fantasies and childhood pirate memories. They hilariously tackle culinary quirks, including the infamous grape salad, making for a delightful blend of laughter and nostalgia.