The Sporkful

Roy Choi is a legend in LA. He was one of the first chefs to start cooking out of a food truck, and one of the first to mashup different cuisines in the way that’s become so popular. His Kogi korean beef taco truck was a sensation in LA when he debuted it in 2008 -- it later inspired the movie “Chef,” starring Jon Favreau. Roy wrote a bestselling cookbook and memoir, LA Son, in 2013, and now he has a new cookbook, The Choi of Cooking. In some ways, it may seem like Roy’s success was preordained, like all this was destiny. But as you’ll hear, for many years it wasn’t clear he was going to survive, let alone thrive. The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O’Hara, Kameel Stanley, Jared O'Connell, and Giulia Leo. Production help from Kimmie Gregory. Publishing by Shantel Holder.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.

Is there really a difference between cheap and expensive vodkas? In this collaboration with NPR's Planet Money, we go on a mission to learn how super premium vodka is made and marketed. Then we make our own, to see how it measures up.This episode originally aired on March 25, 2018, and was produced by Dan Pashman and Anne Saini. The Sporkful team now includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Giulia Leo, Kameel Stanley, and Jared O'Connell. This update was produced by Gianna Palmer. Publishing by Shantel Holder.Every other Friday, we reach into our deep freezer and reheat an episode to serve up to you. We're calling these our Reheats. If you have a show you want reheated, send us an email or voice memo at hello@sporkful.com, and include your name, your location, which episode, and why.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.

Matteo Lane, a comedian and author of 'Your Pasta Sucks,' hails from a large Italian family that fuels his passion for food and humor. He shares amusing stories about his culinary experiences and critiques pasta traditions. Matteo dives into the connection between Italian machismo and cooking, emphasizing men's roles in the kitchen. He reflects on his self-acceptance journey during a trip to Sicily while offering entertaining advice to a listener. Get ready for laughs and delicious insights into Italian culinary heritage!

Author and podcast host Malcolm Gladwell immigrated to Canada when he was young, the child of an English father and Jamaican mother. He’s always felt like an outsider. He hated maple syrup, in a town that hosts the largest one-day maple syrup festival in the world. That outsider’s perspective served him well as he became a cultural observer, and over the years, Malcolm’s trained his critical eye on food. He calls flavored seltzer “an abomination” and Earl Grey tea “a bridge too far.” He also talks with Dan about his food-related work, from what chunky tomato sauce says about our food preferences, to the supposed merits of appropriating food, and he explains why he only drinks five liquids.This episode originally aired on September 12, 2022, and was produced by Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Johanna Mayer, Tracey Samuelson, and Jared O'Connell. The Sporkful team now includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Giulia Leo, Kameel Stanley, and Jared O'Connell. This update was produced by Gianna Palmer. Publishing by Shantel Holder.Every other Friday, we reach into our deep freezer and reheat an episode to serve up to you. We're calling these our Reheats. If you have a show you want reheated, send us an email or voice memo at hello@sporkful.com, and include your name, your location, which episode, and why.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.

Scott Wiener, the founder of Scott's Pizza Tours and Guinness World Record holder for the largest pizza box collection, takes listeners on a spontaneous Sunday pizza bus tour through New York City. Hear him explain unique pizza styles, debunk local myths, and share insights about his impressive collection. Scott also reflects on his personal life since his last appearance. This lively discussion interweaves culinary passion with humorous anecdotes, making it a must-listen for any pizza lover!

Jolenta Gold is a health and wellness blogger renowned for her ketogenic insights, while Jenny Miller is a certified yoga teacher and herbalist, blending ancient traditions into modern practices. They delve into the ups and downs of adopting a healthier lifestyle and share humorous takes on unconventional diets like a leek water cleanse. The conversation swings from personal anecdotes on body image to innovative smoothie technology, exploring how nutrition impacts performance and the importance of cultural wellness in achieving holistic health.

Indie musician Michelle Zauner, known for her band Japanese Breakfast, shares her heartfelt journey in recounting the loss of her mother, Chongmi, to cancer. She reflects on their complicated relationship, emphasizing how food, particularly Korean cuisine, serves as a bridge to her identity and memories. Michelle describes poignant visits to H Mart, where shopping becomes a means of both grieving and reconnecting with her roots. Through her music and memoir, she highlights the healing power of creativity during times of profound loss.

Discover the zesty saga of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, one of America’s favorite snacks. The podcast reveals the cultural phenomenon behind their spicy allure and the health debates that follow. While Richard Montañez's inspiring rise to fame captivates, the discussion uncovers unexpected truths about the actual creators. Dive into the dynamics at Frito-Lay and the controversy over media portrayals, revealing how corporate narratives shape our understanding of culinary icons. Plus, an exciting culinary trip to Italy awaits fans!

Is wine actually better than beer when watching football? What would a Thanksgiving feast prepared with recipes from Tom Brady’s cookbook taste like? Do you really need to wash your vegetables? We’re tackling your food disputes and hot takes this week, with someone who’s seen plenty of tackling — Katie Nolan. Katie’s hosted shows on ESPN and Fox Sports, so she comes from a world full of rivalries and head to head conflict. Now she has a great new podcast about sports and culture called Casuals. She helps Dan mediate a food-related marital dispute that’s been raging for 17 years, and tells us about the time she took on football greats Tony Gonzalez and DK Metcalf in a baking competition. The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O’Hara, Kameel Stanley, Jared O'Connell, and Giulia Leo. Publishing by Shantel Holder.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.

What do a great bartender and a great priest have in common? We ask a Catholic priest who moonlights as a mixologist. Plus, Dan revisits a beloved pub from his past to find out what makes a great bar.This episode originally aired on March 6, 2016, and was produced by Dan Pashman and Anne Saini. The Sporkful team now includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Giulia Leo, Kameel Stanley, and Jared O'Connell. This update was produced by Gianna Palmer. Publishing by Shantel Holder.Every other Friday, we reach into our deep freezer and reheat an episode to serve up to you. We're calling these our Reheats. If you have a show you want reheated, send us an email or voice memo at hello@sporkful.com, and include your name, your location, which episode, and why.Transcript available at www.sporkful.com.Right now, Sporkful listeners can get three months free of the SiriusXM app by going to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Get all your favorite podcasts, more than 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era, and live sports coverage with the SiriusXM app.