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
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!
Oct 24, 2025 • 51min
Our Haunted Podcast! Witches' Brew, The Candy Store Ghost, and The Secret History of Jack-o'-Lanterns
In this spooktacular discussion, pastry chef Stella Parks shares baking tips and Halloween candy preferences, while candy historian Susan Benjamin dives into the ghostly tales from her candy shop. They explore the mischievous origins of jack-o'-lanterns, the eerie transition of candy from medicine to kid culture, and the marketing tricks behind iconic sweets. Listeners also get insights into Day of the Dead celebrations from Oaxacan tour guide Gabriel Sánchez, making it a hauntingly sweet treat!
Oct 17, 2025 • 51min
The Vegan Nightmare! Do Vegetables Have Souls?
In this intriguing discussion, Joe Yonan, food and dining editor at The Washington Post and plant-based cooking expert, shares tips for delicious vegan meals, including a Greek White Bean Soup recipe. Journalist Zoë Schlanger dives into the fascinating world of plant intelligence, revealing how plants can remember their kin and even react to sounds like bee buzzing. Food writer J. M. Hirsch adds culinary techniques for the soup, making it a perfect combination of science and cuisine.
