The Sporkful

Jake Cohen, a cookbook author and social media star, talks about his culinary transformation, discovering Middle Eastern Jewish recipes after meeting his husband. He shares the controversial ingredient he adds to tahdig and debates if Rosh Hashanah brisket gets too much hype. Jake emphasizes the importance of personality in cooking videos, revealing how his love for modernizing Jewish dishes allows him to connect deeply with his heritage and audience. His journey shows cooking as a way to embrace identity and foster cultural appreciation.

John Birdsall, a food writer and author of "The Man Who Ate Too Much," reveals the complex life of James Beard, America's first celebrity chef. He discusses Beard's journey from 1930s queer cocktail parties to becoming a culinary icon while navigating a closeted life. Birdsall highlights Beard's playful queer identity in his cooking and media presence, as well as the societal challenges he faced. He hints at his upcoming book on queer food culture, emphasizing how meals create community and reflecting on Beard's multifaceted legacy.

Sam Kass, former chef for the Obamas and a nutrition advisor, shares captivating tales of cooking in the White House. He details the quirks of preparing meals on Air Force One and how he created the 'lucky pasta' dish. Kass also discusses the challenges of improving school lunch nutrition against corporate interests, revealing the complexities of food policy. Adding a light twist, he engages in a humorous debate about New York versus Chicago pizza, highlighting the intersection of food, politics, and health.

Bobby Flay, celebrated chef and Food Network star, shares insights from his journey, from busboy to culinary titan. He discusses the key lessons behind his longevity in an industry defined by challenges, particularly his unique approach to dealing with losses, both on TV and in life. Flay details his experiences on competitive cooking shows and the recipes from his new book, 'Chapter One', revealing the importance of culinary authenticity. He blends lighthearted banter with deep reflections on fame, humility, and the evolving landscape of cooking.

Join Trinidadian mother Dali Serju, who celebrates Diwali with rich family food traditions, and DJ Rekha, an Indian-American cultural ambassador known for her hip hop and Punjabi music blends. They discuss the vibrant fusion of Trinidadian and Indian cultures, emphasizing the joy of cooking together as a family and the significance of Diwali's rituals. Expect delightful anecdotes about favorite dishes, the importance of community in celebrations, and how shared meals strengthen cultural identity, all wrapped in laughter and warmth.

Morgan Spurlock, the mastermind behind the game-changing documentary "Super Size Me," discussed his journey alongside his ex-wife, vegan chef Alex Jameson, and speaking agent Sean Lawton. They delve into the film's groundbreaking impact on health education and the fast-food industry. The conversation also touches on Spurlock's personal struggles, the cultural relevance of the documentary after two decades, and the complexities of navigating controversy. Additionally, they reflect on Spurlock's bravery in the face of a cancer diagnosis, offering heartfelt anecdotes.

Jet Tila, a Food Network star and master of Pan-Asian cuisine, shares his journey from his family's Thai market—the first in the U.S.—to record-breaking cooking feats. He opens up about the challenges of introducing Thai food to new audiences and recalls defending his family's store during the LA riots. The discussion dives into the logistics of preparing authentic Pad Thai for 20,000 people, highlighting the innovative techniques needed to maintain flavor and quality on such a massive scale.

Comedian Ed Gamble, known for his role in Off Menu and his book Glutton, shares his lifelong love for food, from childhood calamari dreams to judging desserts on Great British Menu. He candidly discusses his type 1 diabetes diagnosis at 13 and his evolving relationship with food, balancing taste and health as a culinary judge. With humor, he tackles issues of body image and the identity challenges of being a comedian. Plus, he humorously debates the classic popadoms versus bread question, blending food and laughter effortlessly.

Sammy Hagar, the iconic former Van Halen frontman and tequila entrepreneur, teams up with legendary French chef Jacques Pepin, renowned for his approachable culinary style. They share hilarious personal anecdotes, including a wild encounter with a dead deer, revealing the strong ties between food, family, and memories. The duo explores the creative similarities between cooking and songwriting and emphasizes the joy of combining casual eats with gourmet dining. Their insights celebrate the unifying power of food across different backgrounds.

In honor of National Pasta Month, Dan shares the story of how his pasta shape, cascatelli, ended up in a design museum in Germany. When he travels with his family to see the exhibition, al dente: Pasta & Design at the HfG Archiv-Ulm, he finds it’s more incredible, and powerful, than he ever expected. Listen to find out why. Then, later in the episode, Dan talks with the founders of a highly selective club called “The Glutamates”: cookbook author Andrea Nguyen and bread nerd extraordinaire Andrew Janjigian. They each contributed one very special recipe to Dan’s cookbook, Anything’s Pastable — and fundamentally changed the way Dan thinks about pasta in the process. Hear the stories behind these recipes, and how they helped set Dan’s cookbook on a different course.A few links:Sfoglini’s Sporkful Pasta & Anything’s Pastable Gift Set (20% off through Oct. 17, 2024)Sichuan Magic Dust Popcorn recipeThe Sporkful production team includes Dan Pashman, Emma Morgenstern, Nora Ritchie, Jared O'Connell, and Giulia Leo. 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.