

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

Apr 4, 2025 • 51min
The Perfect Cup: Great Homemade Coffee with James Hoffmann
YouTube coffee expert James Hoffmann shares the best, worst and weirdest coffee in the world—from his tried-and-true recipe for the ultimate cup at home to the time he tasted 70-year-old beans in Japan. Plus, Don and Petie Kladstrup tell us the story of the man who taught America to love Champagne; we make Beef Chili Colorado Tacos; and Adam Gopnik discusses the greatest food debates of our time. (Originally aired May 20, 2022.)Get the recipe for Beef Chili Colorado Tacos here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Mar 28, 2025 • 51min
Gut Check: Is the Stomach Your Second Brain?
This week, we uncover everything you never knew about the stomach, including its ability to think. Author Elsa Richardson also reveals ancient medical practices for quieting a gurgling gut, and we find out just how similar human and dog stomachs are. Plus, Florence Fabricant of The New York Times discusses the best and worst in food writing; and Kim Severson untangles the recent rise in egg prices.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Mar 25, 2025 • 43min
Chris' Excellent Las Vegas Adventure! Pirate Cocktails, Peking Duck and Following the Rat Pack
Welcome to Las Vegas! Chris reunites with our friend and Vegas food scene expert Al Mancini for the ultimate night out. They start downtown at Atomic Liquors, where Barbra Streisand, Hunter S. Thompson and the Rat Pack were regulars. They then head to Chyna Club at the Fontainebleau for “the best cocktail I’ve ever had” (says Chris), plus the Vegas food you need to try right now, prepared by Chef Richard Chen. And for their last stop, Chris and Al visit Stray Pirate for a bar unlike anything we've ever seen.This special episode of Milk Street Radio is made in collaboration with our sponsor Las Vegas. To discover the dining experiences that Las Vegas has to offer, go to https://www.visitlasvegas.com/culinary/
Mar 21, 2025 • 51min
I Grew Up in a Chinese Takeaway: Angela Hui Tells All
Angela Hui tells the story of her childhood growing up in her family’s Chinese restaurant—there are flaming woks, short tempers and zero privacy. Plus, we’re joined by journalist Jenn Harris to learn how influencers are making their mark on the restaurant industry; Alex Aïnouz speeds up beef bourguignon; and we make Italian Wedding Soup. (Originally aired February 23rd, 2023.) Get this week’s recipe for Italian Wedding Soup here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Mar 14, 2025 • 51min
Butterfly Buns, Barmbrack and Soda Bread: The Secrets of Irish Baking
We explore the whimsical world of Irish baking with Cherie Denham. Plus Madison Avenue veteran Jeff Swystun shares the little-known history of food advertising; we cook up Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings in Tomato Sauce; and Alex Aïnouz is on a journey to make the world’s best roasted chicken.Get this week’s recipe for Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings in Tomato Sauce here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Mar 7, 2025 • 51min
Restaurant Reviews that Bite Back: Pete Wells Speaks Up and Out
Pete Wells, former New York Times restaurant critic, joins us to look back on his most infamous reviews, plus why he blasted Guy Fieri’s Times Square restaurant but loved Señor Frog’s. Photojournalist Kate Medley reveals why some of the best food in the South is served at the gas station; we make Cantonese Stir-Fried Black Pepper Beef and Potatoes; and Chris and Sara Moulton answer listener calls. Get this week’s recipe for Cantonese Stir-Fried Black Pepper Beef and Potatoes here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | SpotifyChristopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio is produced by Milk Street, in association with GBHCo-Founder: Melissa BaldinoExecutive Producer: Annie Sinsabaugh Senior Editor: Melissa AllisonSenior Producer: Sarah Clapp Producer: Caroline Davis Production Intern: Marisa OrozcoProduction Help: Debby PaddockAdditional Editing: Sydney LewisAudio Mixing by Jay Allison at Atlantic Public Media in Woods Hole MassachusettsTheme Music: "Hang Tan" by Toubab KreweAdditional Music: George Brandl Egloff
Feb 28, 2025 • 51min
BEE-lieve It or Not! Bees Count, Dream and Even Recognize You
Zoologist Lars Chittka reveals that bees are not just buzzing insects; they can solve puzzles, have personalities, and even recognize humans! He dives into the implications of bee consciousness for humanity. Meanwhile, chef Sylvan Mishima Brackett shares secrets for perfecting hot spring eggs and ruby grapefruit jelly, merging nature and culinary art. Plus, the intriguing world of bee heists and the challenges of almond farming highlight the essential role bees play in our ecosystem.

Feb 21, 2025 • 51min
Transylvania Road Trip! The Amazing Home Cooking of Romania
Irina Georgescu joins us to relive her and Chris’s journey to the heart of Transylvania. We discover the world of Romanian breads, snack pies, sour soups and folklore. Plus, archaeologist Brendan Foley explores a 15th-century shipwreck and uncovers a king's medieval spice cabinet; Alex Aïnouz reimagines deviled eggs; Cheryl Day returns to answer baking questions; and we make Irina’s recipe for Meringue-Topped Cake with Cherries. Get the recipe for Meringue-Topped Cake with Cherries here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Feb 14, 2025 • 51min
Desperately Seeking the Perfect Peach: Love and Loss on a Family Farm
Alice Waters thinks David Mas Masumoto’s peaches could change the world. Today, Masumoto shares his search for the perfect peach and the shocking family secret that changed the history of his farm. Plus, we chat with Nichole Accettola about Scandinavian baking, from cinnamon knots to rye bread, and we learn the language of strawberries. (Originally aired February 1, 2024.)Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Feb 7, 2025 • 51min
Emeril Live! Up Close and Personal with Emeril Lagasse
This week, we’re looking at the pioneers of food television. Emeril Lagasse reflects on his unlikely start at the Food Network, how he’s different from his on-screen persona and why he just opened his first Portuguese restaurant. Plus, Michelle T. King tells the story of Fu Pei-mei, Taiwan’s first cooking TV star, our very own co-host and food TV star Sara Moulton answers caller cooking questions, and Adam Gopnik weighs in on the spectacle of Iron Chef.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify


