Eleanor Sterling, co-curator of the American Museum of Natural History's "Our Global Kitchen" exhibit, shares her expertise on historical culinary practices. She dives into the tantalizing question of what dinosaur eggs might have tasted like and elaborates on the unique challenges of preparing food in extreme environments like the Gobi Desert. Sterling also offers insights on the evolution of ice cream-making techniques and the rich history of corn, revealing how ancient Aztecs might have benefited from dietary shifts.

Tom Scocca, a journalist known for his insightful critique on cooking instructions, dives into the murky world of misleading recipes. He unpacks the frustrations around exaggerated cooking times, particularly for caramelized onions, revealing how such myths can cause unnecessary stress for home cooks. Alongside recipe-writing expert Christopher Kimball and food writer Elizabeth Dunn, they discuss the pressure on recipe developers to promise quick and easy meals, challenging the notion of effortless cooking in our busy lives.

"Weird Al" Yankovic, legendary musical satirist known for his hilarious food-themed parodies, joins Dan for a delightful chat. They dive into the perfect Oreo ratio, debate the merits of chicken versus pie, and share whimsical culinary quirks. A concerned teen even seeks advice on loving onions! Their playful banter weaves nostalgia, music, and food into a delicious mix. Plus, Al touches on his creative process and childhood influences, making for a truly entertaining conversation!

Celebrate a milestone as the show reflects on 15 years of culinary adventures! Journey through hilarious debates on food, like whether hot dogs qualify as sandwiches. Discover heartfelt fan stories that highlight the show’s impact. Enjoy whimsical musical interludes and the genesis of new pasta shapes. The hosts share nostalgic moments while teasing future episodes, blending humor with deeper reflections on food and culture. Join in on the fun as they look back and forward in their delicious storytelling!

Robert Krulwich, an NPR science correspondent and former Radiolab co-host, joins the discussion on the fascinating world of sandwich science. They explore the intricacies of mastering the perfect grilled cheese, including ideal bread and cheese pairings. The conversation shifts to the physics of sandwich stability, offering tips to keep ingredients in place. Krulwich shares humorous anecdotes about food culture, including the emotional ties to cheese in sandwiches, all while playfully speculating on the whimsical psychology of sandwiches!

Dylan Thuris, host of the Atlas Obscura podcast, dives into the fascinating world of food culture. He unpacks the unique history of the Meyer lemon, highlighting its unusual origins and the challenges it faces today. The conversation shifts to Louisiana's giant omelet festival, where a secret society fosters community through culinary traditions. Listeners will be captivated by the stories that connect food, history, and festivity, revealing the deep cultural roots behind a giant dish made with over 5,000 eggs.

Michael Ian Black, a comedian and writer known for his sharp wit and roles on MTV's The State, dives into the curious relationship between masculinity and food. He questions why salad feels less manly than meat and pokes fun at societal norms around male dietary choices. Their light-hearted banter includes a humorous ranking of meats based on aggressiveness and playful discussions about pretzel preferences. Together, they navigate the complexities of fatherhood and food, challenging traditional masculine ideals in a refreshing way.

Despite being the best-selling nonfiction author in UK history, Jamie Oliver didn't read a whole book until he was 38. He's dyslexic, and writes by dictation. Growing up, school was a huge struggle for him. When he began cooking as a kid it was the first time he thought, "I'm good at something." Today, Jamie Oliver has one of the most impressive resumes in the food world: chef, TV personality, restaurateur, multi-cause activist, and author. This week, Jamie tells Dan about his life story, including finding a new direction after the core of his restaurant empire collapsed.If you sign up for our newsletter by January 20 you’ll be entered to win a giveaway for Jamie’s new book, Simply Jamie: Fast and Simple Food. You’ll also be entered to win all future Sporkful giveaways. Open to US and Canada addresses only.This episode originally aired on February 3, 2020, and was produced by Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Harry Huggins, with editing by Tracey Samuelson. The Sporkful team now includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Nora Ritchie, and Jared O'Connell. Transcription by Emily Nguyen.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.

We follow a young truffle dealer as he hustles his way across New York City selling white truffles out of a styrofoam cooler in his car for thousands of dollars a pop. Then we try to figure out why people pay so much for this funky fungus. This episode originally aired on November 27, 2016, and was produced by Dan Pashman, Shoshana Gold, and Elizabeth Kulas, with editing by Dan Charles. The Sporkful team now includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Nora Ritchie, and Jared O'Connell. This update was produced by Gianna Palmer. Transcription by Emily Nguyen.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.

What foods do Sporkful listeners resolve to eat more of in the new year, and why? And what’s Dan’s New Year’s food resolution for 2025? All is revealed in our annual year-end spectacular. We also replay one of the Sporkful crew’s favorite episodes of the year, with comedian Gary Gulman. Gary did so many food bits early in his stand-up career that he joked he was "a strictly food-based comic." But as his comedy started to evolve in new directions, the role of food in his act changed, too. Instead of observational humor, Gary now uses food in a more personal way — from talking about ice cream as a window into his clinical depression, to skewering income inequality through a discussion of Pop-Tarts. Gary joins Dan to discuss his personal and professional evolution over the past 30 years, through a survey of his three decades of food jokes. Plus Gary shares an entirely new joke about the word “spork.”The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O’Hara, Nora Ritchie, and Jared O'Connell. Transcription by Emily Nguyen.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.