We’re very lucky that in the UK we have a great selection of innovative food creators who provide us with not only inspiration in the kitchen, but a multisensory experience and definitely a laugh or two along the way, including these three just to name a few:
Off menu:
POPPADOMS OR BREAD?!
POPPADOMS OR BREAD?!
The premise is simple, effortlessly suave and engaging. Off Menu sees celebrity guests join some of Britain’s best, James Acaster and Ed Gamble, to choose and often drool over their dream starter, main course, side dish, dessert and drink. The dream restaurant (owned by genie Acaster) provides a platform for all dishes weird, wacky and wonderful. With guests like Mel Giedroyc, to Ottem Yottolenghi, and mine and my sister's most recent favourite, Paul Mescal, choosing dishes that transport them back to the childhood dinner table, that famous holiday abroad, or just some great pub grub - the options are limitless.
Intertwined with hilarious anecdotes and antics, the podcast is into its 9th series (at the time of writing) and has accumulated millions of downloads across streaming platforms. Although food is obviously the central element of the podcast, Acaster and Gamble have a natural way of drawing the best side from their guests, showcasing great dynamics and hilarious story-telling.
In an interview with BBC Good Food’s Clare Finney, Acaster observes that success lies, not just in the format, but also the ability to 'step back, and you see that food is a window: onto community, socialising, cultures, and your memory of different times of your life.' I have to agree, as the podcast allows us to delve into the lives of the guests, whilst judging their culinary weaknesses on the side.
Comfort Eating with Grace Dent:
She recognises ‘paying homage to the lesser celebrated food in life’
Whether it’s savoury or sweet, hot or cold, Greggs sausage roll with a mountain of mayonnaise, crisp sandwiches, or that tub of Ben and Jerry’s at the back of the freezer, we all have that food that feels like a hug at the end of the day. Comfort food plays great importance in our lives.
Grace Dent is most well known for her role as a food critic renowned for work with the Guardian, but also shows like Masterchef. Despite her field of work taking her far from the late night freezer raids and cobbled together snacks, right from the first few lines in her podcast ‘Comfort Eating’ she recognises ‘paying homage to the lesser celebrated food in life’. Although our favourite, often strange, food cravings may not be restaurant worthy they really do bring warmth, and maybe even feelings of home, when we really need them. I have watched friends and housemates chomp into some questionable concoctions, but I am not one to shame with some of my own combinations receiving some disapproval.
Dent dives into school dinners, sofa snacks, and everything in between in a similar celebrity structure to that of Off Menu with recent guests into its 4th season including national treasures, Graham Norton and Malorie Blackman. The podcast gives a great insight to the critic from Carlisle beyond the Michelin stars and fancy facades of the up-and-coming British food scene. As exciting as it may be, this friendly format podcast can certainly be enjoyed by any food lover.
Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware:
The family dynamic between Jessie and her mum really make this podcast stand out from the crowd
Food, family, and fabulous conversation are the central pillars of Table Manners. Direct from her kitchen table, Jessie, along with her mum, and chef Lennie Ware transport listeners on a journey through food, culture, politics, or whatever floats their boat. This Acast production (the same company to produce some of the UK’s favourite podcasts, including Off Menu and the Taskmaster podcast) has turned into an instant hit with listeners.
The family dynamic between Jessie and her mum really make this podcast stand out from the crowd. Their realness and unfiltered approach to life with a good side helping of food is refreshing and a joy to listen to, bucket of tea in hand, sprawled out on the sofa, or anywhere really!
