Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

This week, we travel to Mexico. Rick Martínez shares the salsa that changed his life; Aarón Sánchez answers your Mexican cooking questions; we uncover the secret history of avocados; and Paco de Santiago takes us on a food tour of Mexico City. (Originally aired June 27, 2025.) Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

For this week's special rewind, Isha Sumner talks the history and cuisine of the Garifuna people. Plus, Ruth Rogers reflects on 30 years of The River Café; wine expert Stephen Meuse shares his favorite bubbles of summer; and we make Spaghetti al Limone. Get the recipe for Spaghetti al Limone here . Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This week, we journey through 250 years of American cuisine. Author Jason Fagone digs into the history of competitive eating, from the man who transformed the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, to the spectacle that was the Glutton Bowl. Plus, reporter Anna Van Dine meets the Whitcomb’s Rangers: Revolutionary War re-enactors who are committed to eating like it’s 1776; Adam Gopnik crowns a win...

As we finish preparing our July 4th special coming out this Friday, we’re remembering a few of our favorite Independence Day interviews. Stacey Mei Yan Fong bakes an elaborate pie for each of the 50 states (Las Vegas buffet pie, anyone?); historian Bruce Kraig recounts the history of the hot dog; and Meathead shares some of his secret grilling tips and techniques. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: A...

In 2008, Roy Choi was fired from his big restaurant job and ready to give up—then he started Kogi. He joins us today to discuss the making of his now-legendary food truck, how he taught Jon Favreau to look like a cook, and why there's poetry in lowriding around L.A. Plus, we hunt for clams, eels and anchovies with sea forager Kirk Lombard; and Chris and Sara Moulton take your calls, explaining wha...

For this week's special rewind, Adam Conover, host of the truTV series “Adam Ruins Everything,” challenges the myth of killer Halloween candy, bogus detox diets and the rise of bacon. Plus, David Burtka transforms parties into events; we throw together an amazing Andalusian Tomato and Bread Soup; and Adam Gopnik stumbles across the perfect meal on vacation in Greece. Listen to Milk Street Radio on...

Lokelani Alabanza has created over 300 wildly inventive ice cream flavors. She shares the triumphs (strawberry pretzel salad), the disasters (barbecue) and the flavors she still hopes to bring to life (…crystal store?!). Plus, Mindy Merrell and R.B. Quinn share how country and bluegrass music stars contributed to the rise of self-rising flour; Will Coley travels to Palermo to sample pastries inven...

We’re looking back on a few of our summeriest stories. We meet the self-titled Salad Freak, Jess Damuck for tips on creating the perfect hot-weather meal; Gustavo Arellano takes us from New Mexico to Colorado on the Great American Chili Highway; and Dan Pashman refines the art of picnicking. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This week, beloved television reporter Harry Smith takes us behind the scenes at The Early Show and around the world. He recalls his most memorable meals, from Haiti to Iraq to the Netherlands, and what a he’s learned from a lifetime of travel. Plus, Leela Punyaratabandhu shares the flavors of the Southeast Asian grill; Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of “A Way with Words” search the world for r...

For this week's special rewind, we ask: Should you judge a wine by its label? Andres O'Hara studies the influence of wine label design; Alexander Smalls shares how the Afro-Asian diaspora changed the world of cooking; we settle the eternal debate: corks or screwcaps?; and we prepare a pasta with broccoli sauce.

This week, it's all about food inventions and innovations. Nicola Twilley reveals the history of refrigeration, from ingenious fridge designs to Rwanda’s pioneering “coldscape.” Plus, meat scientist Chris Calkins invents new cuts of steaks, and Dan Pashman wonders if the food tech takeover is actually a bust. Finally, we share a recipe for the pope’s carbonara. (Originally aired August 23, 2024.)...

In this special episode, we’re sharing an extended cut of our interview with Hannah Selinger about her tell-all memoir, Cellar Rat . She shares her best somm secrets and favorite stories—like what happened when she wore a Yankees cap to her restaurant job in Boston. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Former restaurant server and sommelier Hannah Selinger shares stories from her tell-all memoir, Cellar Rat , featuring run-ins with critics, strategies for spotting bad tippers, what she considers the stuffiest restaurant in New York, and how she thinks the industry may one day reform. Plus, Özlem Warren gives us the true taste of Istanbul and Kim Severson explains why America is breaking up with...

For this week's special episode, we're replaying our 2017 interview with Samin Nosrat about her now-classic cookbook, Salt Fat Acid Heat. Plus, Dan Pashman weighs in on burgers and we make skirt steak salad. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This week, we share a story of revenge, betrayal and secrets … at a frozen vegetable empire. John Seabrook investigates why running “the biggest vegetable factory on Earth” led to generations of drama in his family, like a real-life version of the TV show “Succession.” Plus, Brendan Liew gives us a tour of Japan’s incredible convenience stores; Kenji López-Alt finds the best way to crack an egg; a...

In this special episode, we’re releasing an extended cut of our interview with José Andrés. He shares stories and strong opinions about his favorite foods from Spain (migas! escabeche! churros!). Plus, José explains the magic of cooking in all its forms, from molecular gastronomy to simple home-cooked meals.

José Andrés is back to celebrate the food from his home country! He goes beyond paella and sangria to honor lesser-known Spanish foods like migas, wine-soaked bread and… mayonnaise. Plus, he shares stories from one of history's best restaurants, elBulli, and explains why you should never order churros at a restaurant. Also, Trevor Warmedahl makes cheese in Mongolia's Valley of the Yaks; and Grant...

Today, we look back at one of our favorite episodes with YouTube sensation Maangchi. She talks kimchi, sea squirt, and why French food doesn’t stand a chance. Plus, we learn how ancient Minoans cooked; Alex Aïnouz wonders if we should all have 3D printers in our kitchens; and we share our recipe for Savory Bread Pudding. Get the recipe for Savory Bread Pudding here . Listen to Milk Street Radio on...

Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer, the married couple behind Honey & Co., are back! This time, they’re here to fix your frittatas, throw out your stocks, and even offer a few suggestions for your love life. Plus, we meet the villagers restoring Germany’s communal bakehouses; Adam Gopnik praises the most useful tool in the kitchen; and Sohla El-Waylly is here to answer your cooking questions, f...

We're revisiting some of our wackiest, most whimsical stories. We explore the music of the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra, where flutes and drums are replaced by carrots and pumpkins; Samuel West uncovers a shameful history of food failures; and we head down to North Carolina for "O' Moldy Night": the jiggliest, wobbliest food competition around. [NOTE: We previously posted the episode but due to a te...

We get real with “Top Chef” host Kristen Kish. She talks about her career, her show and what bugs her most about restaurant goers. Also on the show—we chat with Reya Hart about eating and traveling on tour with her father, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart; Kim Severson explains why meat is on the rise again; we make Puff Pastry Khachapuri; and Chris Kimball and Sara Moulton answer listener calls....

This week, a food fight: authors Jan Dutkiewicz and Gabriel Rosenberg present their case for…embracing McDonalds and Burger King? Listen to their vision for a better industrial food system that looks nothing like the farm-to-table diets of Michael Pollen and Alice Waters. Plus, we tour the secret cookies of Italy with Domenica Marchetti; and Elazar Sontag and Lyndsay C. Green discuss the changing...

This week: suitcases full of contraband, a smuggler who writes poetry in jail and the chance to make thousands of dollars in a single night. Reporter Otis Gray brings us the story of America’s eel fishing boom, and what happened when it got out of hand. Plus, Kenji López-Alt discusses the surprising science of salting scrambled eggs, and we make kefta in a creamy tahini sauce. (Originally aired Se...

In this special episode, we’re sharing an extended cut of our interview with Helen Zoe Veit about how American children become picky eaters—and how to raise kids who aren’t. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

American children are some of the fussiest eaters in history, but it wasn’t always this way. In the 19th century, kids ate oysters and corned beef, and loved all things sour, smoky, and funky. Helen Zoe Veit shares how American children become picky eaters—and how to raise kids who aren’t. Plus, honey sommelier Marina Marchese guides Chris through a blind taste test (which includes the bitterest h...