

Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio
Milk Street Radio
Every week, Milk Street Radio travels the world to find the most fascinating stories about food—a detective who tracks down food thieves and a look inside the most famous (and often scandalous) restaurant kitchens—and interviews with culinary icons such as José Andrés, Padma Lakshmi, Jacques Pépin, and Marcus Samuelsson. And on Milk Street Radio you can always find the unexpected: the comedian who ranks apples using an elaborate 100-point system, the scientists who study if vegetables have souls, and the journalist who reveals the world’s 10 biggest food lies. We also answer our listeners’ cooking questions, find out how to make the perfect cup of coffee, and share how to eat your way through Italy.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 2, 2025 • 51min
10 Year Throwback: Mad French Food Scientist Alex Aïnouz Cooks Up YouTube
In a delightful conversation, Alex Aïnouz, aka Alex French Guy Cooking, showcases his food-science experiments and offers tips on achieving the perfect French omelet. He shares insights on modern French cuisine, emphasizing its approachability. Meanwhile, Dan Pashman shares a touching segment about seniors celebrating Shabbat at Wendy's, highlighting the power of food and community rituals. Together, they explore how culinary traditions can adapt while preserving their essence.

Nov 28, 2025 • 51min
Al Roker: Turkey Dreams and 30 Rock Lunches
Al Roker, renowned weatherman and cookbook co-author, shares heartwarming family recipes and charming tales from the NBC commissary. Food writer Ben Mims dives into the fascinating history of cookies, revealing their evolution and cultural significance across the globe. Chef Sarah Moulton offers practical cooking advice, while J.M. Hirsch explains the origins and preparation of Cantonese sweet-and-sour pork. The discussion is peppered with anecdotes, gratitude, and the comforting power of food.

Nov 26, 2025 • 51min
Thanksgiving Throwback (2019): Pumpkin Pie Secrets and Vivian Howard’s Spoon Bread
Join pastry chef Stella Parks as she unveils secrets to the perfect pumpkin pie and shares her unique twist on à la mode. Chef Vivian Howard discusses her North Carolina Thanksgiving with a delicious brined turkey and sweet potato spoon bread. Dr. Aaron Carroll offers essential food safety tips to avoid holiday mishaps, while Catherine Smart introduces a mouthwatering Cranberry and Candied Ginger Buckle. Dive into festive traditions and culinary wisdom shared by notable chefs.

17 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 1h 1min
2025 Thanksgiving Show! Q&A, Uncommon Pies and José Andrés's Turkey Paella
This week, Jet Tila, a Food Network personality and culinary expert, shares his tips on carving turkey while keeping it crispy and shares innovative appetizer ideas like samosas. Jesse Griffiths, a passionate turkey hunter, recounts his unique field experiences and recommends cooking wild turkey. José Andrés adds a twist by suggesting a delicious turkey paella, while other chefs advocate for creative alternatives to traditional turkey. Listeners also share their own quirky Thanksgiving traditions, making this a lively and informative discussion!

Nov 18, 2025 • 51min
Thanksgiving Throwback (2017): From Calcutta to Kenji's Make-Ahead Mashed
Adam Gopnik, a staff writer for The New Yorker, shares his nostalgic memories of his first Thanksgiving in New York, emphasizing a shift towards simpler, flavor-focused cooking. He reflects on the pressures of reinventing holiday meals and how modern habits are changing the traditions. Kenji López-Alt offers tips on make-ahead mashed potatoes, while Sandip Roy hilariously recounts his turkey-hunting escapades in Calcutta. Meanwhile, Dr. Aaron Carroll debunks the myth of turkey-induced sleepiness, making this Thanksgiving a feast of insights and humor.

Nov 14, 2025 • 51min
The Baker Who Made Julia Child Cry: Nancy Silverton's Recipes Will Change Your Life
Nancy Silverton, a celebrated baker and founder of La Brea Bakery, shares the unforgettable moment she made Julia Child cry with her stunning brioche tart. She dives into her innovative techniques for perfecting classics like cornbread and angel food cake, emphasizing texture and flavor. J.M. Hirsch discusses a delicious Korean stir-fried chicken with rice recipe, highlighting its simplicity and flavor. Together, they explore the art of reworking traditional recipes, making baking accessible and exciting for everyone.

Nov 7, 2025 • 51min
Beyond Cronuts: How Foods Go Viral
Chef Joshua McFadden, known for his innovative book *Six Seasons of Pasta*, shares his transformative pasta cooking techniques, emphasizing seasonal flavors and avoiding common mistakes. He explains how butter enhances tomato sauces and offers tips for using supermarket produce creatively. Meanwhile, reporter Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong delves into the viral belovedness of tinned fish, exploring its cultural resurgence, history in Portugal, and the influence of online communities on this trend. Together, they serve up a feast of culinary insights!

Nov 4, 2025 • 39min
Live at the Wisconsin Art of Cheese Festival: Fortune Tellers, the Ultimate Grilled Cheese, and Cheddar Blue
Marika Penderman, an award-winning Gouda producer from a dairy farm, shares her fermentation secrets and triumphs in making aged Gouda. Chris Raleigh, a fourth-generation cheesemaker, introduces his innovative Dunbarton Blue, a cheddar-blue hybrid, emphasizing the importance of quality milk in small-scale production. Meanwhile, James Beard winner Tory Miller discusses his culinary journey, reveals how he bested Bobby Flay, and provides tips for the ultimate grilled cheese. The event also features cheeky cheese fortune telling and insights into Wisconsin's rich cheese-making culture.

33 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 51min
Busting Pizza’s Biggest Myths with Nathan Myhrvold
Nathan Myhrvold, founder of Modernist Cuisine and author of Modernist Pizza, shares his insightful tests debunking pizza myths related to water and oven types. He reveals the intriguing history of pizza in America and the truth behind the Margherita story. Alongside Adam Gopnik, a New Yorker staff writer, they discuss modern food identities and navigating diverse dietary restrictions. Their conversation emphasizes accessible home pizza-making and the importance of accommodating various eating preferences in family meals.

Oct 29, 2025 • 17min
BA Bake Club: Perfect Pie with Erin Jeanne McDowell
Join Erin Jeanne McDowell, a talented baker and author of The Book on Pie, as she tackles listener questions about perfecting pie. She shares her journey from baking with her grandmother to pastry school and emphasizes the importance of clear visual cues in pie dough. Discover tips on achieving a sturdy pie, including the intricacies of baking double-crust pies and avoiding pitfalls like overly watery strawberries. Plus, enjoy Erin's hot takes on pie preferences and her thoughts on pie baking throughout the seasons!


