The Sporkful

Discover the fascinating five-year journey behind Taco Bell's collaboration with Cheez-It to create the Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme and Tostada. Hear from the food developers as they share the challenges of innovative food creation, including the unique concept of a Cheez-It taco shell. Experience the excitement of flavor integration and consumer testing during the product launch, and learn how social media shaped public perception. This story reveals the dedication and creativity that goes into bringing bold new ideas to the menu.

Fawn Weaver, a passionate historian and advocate, dives into the overlooked legacy of Nathan "Nearest" Green, the formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. The conversation reveals how this partnership shaped whiskey-making in America and the efforts to recognize Green's contributions. Weaver shares her emotional journey and the importance of acknowledging historical injustices, as well as the initiatives she's spearheading to honor Green's legacy and support his descendants.

Discover the surprising connection between sound and taste, revealing how crunching scallions or the background music during chocolate tasting can alter our flavor perception. Learn why chefs emphasize selling the sizzle, and hear insights from food scientists on browning meat and auditory cues in cooking. Dive into the science behind emulsifying homemade mayonnaise, emphasizing how technique and sound elevate both flavor and texture in your dishes. This exploration showcases the powerful role of our senses in creating memorable culinary experiences.

Janie Pashman, wife of the host, joins Dan to tackle listener food dilemmas with humor and insight. They mediate a couple’s menu planning spat and debate preferences on deli meats and cucumbers. When a listener asks how Dan handles family criticism of his cooking, the conversation turns personal and relatable. The couple draws on their own family dynamics, highlighting the joy and chaos of mealtime. With lively discussions about ketchup on mac and cheese and culinary creativity, this episode is a delicious blend of family bonding and food humor.

José Ralat, the taco editor for Texas Monthly, dives into the flavorful world of tacos across Texas. He shares his incredible journey of traveling over 10,000 miles in search of the best tacos, highlighting the cultural significance of dishes like barbacoa. Ralat advocates for the respect that Tex-Mex deserves, while defending the legitimacy of America's regional tacos compared to their Mexican counterparts. Buckle up for a delicious discussion that celebrates taco culture and challenges perceptions of authenticity!

Jad Abumrad, co-founder of Radiolab and a pioneer in podcasting, joins Dan to explore the tantalizing world of cannabis-infused foods. They dive into gourmet innovations following legalization, discussing the complexities of dosing and flavor. Listeners are treated to anecdotes about the unpredictable effects of edibles and the delightful challenges of creating safe yet delicious treats. With humor and vivid stories, they highlight the balance of taste and the highs and lows of this culinary adventure.

Bea Ojakangas, an influential food personality and author of the first Finnish cookbook in the U.S., shares her remarkable journey. She recounts her childhood on a Minnesota farm, the challenges of being a woman writer in the 1950s, and the life-changing call from Julia Child. Her culinary innovation includes inventing Gino's Pizza Rolls, revealing the ups and downs of that journey. Bea also reflects on her competitive baking experiences, her passion for local food culture, and her eventual success in publishing 23 cookbooks.

Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati, co-hosts of Mythical Kitchen's A Hot Dog Is A Sandwich, dive into the quirks of cuisine. They tackle the heated debate on lab-grown meat bans and question Chipotle's portion sizes. The duo humorously navigates whether tacos could legally be defined as sandwiches. Alongside this, they explore age restrictions in restaurants and the food world's latest oddities, including new cereal mixes. Their unique perspectives bring a blend of comedy and critical thought to the food landscape.

The founder of Milk Street hates celebrations and says pleasure is annoying. This week, Chris Kimball tells us why he thinks cooking is supposed to be hard, and how he got this way. Plus, he and Dan bond over their shared food obsessiveness and clash over their differences in the kitchen -- and in life.This episode originally aired on August 25, 2019, and was produced by Dan Pashman. The Sporkful team now includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Nora Ritchie, Jared O'Connell, and Ella Barnes. Publishing by Shantel Holder and 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jameela Jamil may be best known for her role on the NBC show The Good Place. On the show, her character’s nonprofit work is a punchline, but in real life, Jameela’s activism on issues of fatphobia and sexism is no joke. She’s spoken in UK Parliament and successfully lobbied social media companies to change how they operate. Now, she hosts the podcast I Weigh where she talks with experts and celebrities about mental health, body image, and activism. This week on The Sporkful, Jameela talks with Dan about her struggles with disordered eating, and how a car accident helped her reframe her relationship with food. They also argue over whether to dunk or not to dunk, and Jameela reveals how she once knocked down a very famous actor to abscond with a stash of stolen steaks. Please note: This episode contains discussion of eating disorders. If you or someone you know are affected by an eating disorder, get more information from the National Eating Disorders Association online or by calling their helpline: 800-931-2237.The Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Andres O'Hara, Nora Ritchie, Jared O'Connell, and Ella Barnes. Publishing by Shantel Holder and 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. The SiriusXM app has all your favorite podcasts, and you can listen to over 200 ad-free music channels curated by genre and era. Plus, live sports coverage, interviews with A-list stars and more. It’s everything you want in a podcast app and music app all rolled into one. For three months free, go to siriusxm.com/sporkful. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.