The Sporkful

Roy Wood Jr., a comedian and correspondent known for his work on The Daily Show, dives into the heartfelt connection between food and family in his new memoir, The Man of Many Fathers. He shares touching memories of car breakfasts with his mom and the significant meals that marked his relationship with his dad. Roy discusses the impact of his father's cancer diagnosis, their complex bond, and how cooking for his own son helps him navigate his parenting journey. Through humor and reflection, he uncovers the layers of familial love and loss.

Dan Pashman, a three-time James Beard Award winner and host of the Sporkful, joins Dan Souza and Lisa McManus in an engaging discussion about pasta design. They dive into the creation of his unique pasta shape, Cascatelli, focusing on its sauce-holding abilities and texture. The trio debates spaghetti's effectiveness and explores unusual pasta shapes like Vesuvio and Quattratini. Dan also shares inventive recipes, including chili crisp cacio e pepe, and waxes poetic about the culinary delights of Italy and the art of food pairing.

Paul Karolyi, a reporter and executive producer at CityCast Denver, spends years tracing the origins of Colorado-style pizza, particularly its iconic honey-on-crust feature. Together with pizza expert Scott Wiener, they explore criteria for defining regional pizza styles and question whether Colorado-style deserves a spot in the pizza pantheon. They discuss Bojo's history, the implications of its trademark, and the potential for wider recognition. With a mix of quirky anecdotes and expert insights, this conversation dives deep into the pizza world’s lesser-known corners.

Phil Rosenthal, the creative mind behind 'Somebody Feed Phil' and 'Everybody Loves Raymond', shares his fascinating food journey. He reveals his menu strategy, emphasizing surprise and adventurous starters over heavy entrees. Phil discusses his parents' Holocaust background and how it influenced their relationship with food, adding depth to his culinary experiences. They dissect the role of food in Raymond, highlighting how it mirrored family dynamics. Plus, Phil reflects on bringing joy to dining through his travel shows, merging humor and heartfelt moments.

Tony Shalhoub, the award-winning actor known for his quirky roles in *Monk* and *The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel*, dives into his food-centric performances. He shares how he prepped for his chef role in *Big Night*, learning the art of cooking from Stanley Tucci's mom. Shalhoub also discusses his CNN show *Breaking Bread*, revealing his favorite childhood dish, 'dirty bread,' and the communal aspect of food. The conversation touches on the contrast between artistic integrity and commercial success, showcasing his fascinating journey through food and acting.

Candy enthusiast Patty Woods, founder of CandyYumYum.com, shares her passion for Halloween treats and unique Kit Kat-eating technique that will spark debate! She explains her layer-by-layer method and discusses the most overrated and underrated candies, calling Milky Way overrated but championing Take 5. The conversation also touches on the joys of soda during trick-or-treating and the age-old debate of whether older kids should get candy. Get ready for some sweet takes on this Halloween candy talk!

Dorie Greenspan, an award-winning cookbook author and baking guru, shares her secrets that make her recipes stand out. She reveals her impressive butter stash and discusses the influence of Julia Child on her career. Dorie explains her meticulous recipe testing process and the emotional joy baking brings her. She highlights her transition from hobbyist to professional, the breakthrough of her '15-Minute Magic' cake, and the importance of precise language in recipes. Tune in for insights into her baking philosophy and culinary journey!

Willa Paskin, host of the Slate podcast Decoder Ring, explores the fascinating evolution of hydration from basic necessity to wellness phenomenon. She reveals how Gatorade marketed thirst as dehydration, turning it into a need for athletes. Bottled water brands like Perrier linked luxury to hydration, aided by clever celebrity marketing. The PET bottle revolution made water convenient, leading to mainstream consumption. Paskin also questions the science behind hydration trends and critiques the moral imperative surrounding drinking water.

Join Paul Hollywood, the renowned baker and judge from The Great British Bake Off, as he shares insights from his culinary journey. He opens up about his bakery apprenticeship and how transitioning to TV changed his life. Paul talks about the origin of his famous handshake and the evolution of his judging style. He also reveals the inspiration behind his new cookbook, Celebrate, packed with seasonal recipes. Get ready for some amusing anecdotes about baking mishaps and celebrity encounters!

Nadiya Hussain, the beloved winner of The Great British Bake Off and now a prominent cookbook author and advocate, shares her remarkable journey. She reveals how her upbringing in a British Bangladeshi family shaped her relationship with baking. Nadiya discusses overcoming negative perceptions of cooking and finding joy in it later in life. She highlights the importance of authentic Bangladeshi recipes in her work and her activism against racism and sexism in the food industry. Her mantra 'elbows out' encourages others to assert themselves.