Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

Adam Gopnik takes us on a tour of great food writing from the New Yorker in celebration of the magazine's centennial. We hear A.J. Liebling’s tip for finding a good restaurant in Paris, M.F.K. Fisher’s fantasy about potato chips and Calvin Trillin’s obsession over constructing the perfect bagel. Plus, Matt Goulding shares why paella is a hotbed of controversy; we explain why a cold oven is the sec...

Forget the bedroom: the kitchen is where relationships are made and broken. Journalist Ella Quittner reveals the many ways the kitchen causes problems in our love lives, and what psychologists say we can do about it. Plus, listeners call in with their own culinary feuds; writer Crystal Wilkinson recalls the kitchen ghosts and family recipes of her Appalachian childhood; and we make Pakistani-style...

We’re covering everything you've ever wanted to know about grilling and barbecue. First up, a road trip with Daniel Vaughn, barbecue editor at Texas Monthly. We taste whole-hog barbecue in Greenville, coffee-rubbed brisket in Nacogdoches and cow-eye tacos in Brownsville. Then, Meathead joins Chris on the phone lines for your toughest cookout questions; Kenji López-Alt makes the case for his favori...

Fire up the grill: This week, we’re covering all of your July Fourth favorites. We unravel the history of the hot dog with author Bruce Kraig and hear from Hot Dog Ambassador John Champlin about one unforgettable frankfurter. Plus, Ken Zuckerman of the National Mustard Museum touts mustard as the ultimate condiment; J. Kenji López-Alt takes grilled corn to the next level; and Rose Hattabaugh share...

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 we take a food tour of Mexico City. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Author Anne Byrn scoured the South, uncovering the stories behind the region’s best bakes. She found lane cakes in Georgia, chess pies in North Carolina and a shocking twist on chocolate cake in Arkansas. Plus, Kim Severson offers a timely report on the MAHA organic food movement; we whip up an Almond and Rum Tres Leches Cake; and Cheryl Day returns to take your baking questions. Get the recipe fo...

We chat with Dr. Jessica B. Harris about her seminal book "High on the Hog,'' which offers a diverse and complex history of African American cuisine—from the escape of George Washington’s enslaved master chef to the birth of the catering industry. Plus, we investigate Korean television’s obsession with Subway sandwiches, learn about the origins of egg-based idioms from Grant Barrett and Martha Bar...

In this special episode, we share a few of our favorite moments about getting experimental in the kitchen. Kenji López-Alt shares the perfect way to make potatoes; Alex Aïnouz attempts to create a 1 million-layer puff pastry; and we chat with flavor chemist Dr. Arielle Johnson about how to eat a tree.

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 2008, Roy Choi was fired from his big restaurant job and ready to give up—then he started his food truck, 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 for his 2014 film “Chef,” and why there's poetry in lowriding around LA. Plus, we hunt for clams, eels and anchovies with sea forager Kirk Lombard, and Chris and Sara...

Jefferson ate capon, Eisenhower craved squirrel soup and Grant had a habit of throwing bread across the table. This week, we go into the White House with Alex Prud’homme to hear culinary stories from presidential history, like how Julia Child charmed her way into a state dinner and why Eleanor Roosevelt may have used Jell-O salad to get revenge on FDR. Plus, the late Raghavan Iyer reflects on curr...

Famed architect and designer David Rockwell shares the best, worst and most hidden aspects of restaurant design. He recalls his favorite projects, from Sushi Zen to Union Square Cafe, and the tiny details you should pay attention to the next time you go out to eat. Plus, Nathalie Cooke takes us on a quirky journey through the history of menus; Adam Gopnik pays tribute to the legendary achievements...

Sara Franklin shares the life story of Judith Jones, the legendary editor behind some of the greatest cookbooks of the 20th century. We hear how she discovered Julia Child, why Edna Lewis sent her a box of squirrels and what happened when she was told to reject the diary of Anne Frank. Plus, historian Stephen Puleo recounts the sticky disaster that was Boston’s Great Molasses Flood of 1919, and we...

We get real with Top Chef host Kristen Kish. She speaks out 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 cal...

This week, we’re wetting our whistles with an array of historic, rare and homemade drinks. Journalist Jonny Garrett tells the true story of beer, including its use as a dietary supplement for children, a religious rite in prehistoric caves, and as a form of Ancient Egyptian currency. Plus, Aaron Goldfarb tells us about the collectors who hunt for very old bottles of booze; Alex Aïnouz cries over a...

We chat with Great British Bake Off judge and author of “BAKE” Paul Hollywood about the best and worst parts of his job, his secret to perfect scones and what a bin lid is—and why it's so delicious. Plus, journalist Alex Beggs tells us about cookbooks for pets; J. Kenji López-Alt takes wok cooking outdoors; and we make Spicy Chinese Beef Skewers. (Originally aired July 22nd, 2022.) Get the recipe...

Lidia Bastianich joins Christopher Kimball to answer our listeners' Italian cooking questions—from the best recipe for ravioli to tips for avoiding soggy lasagne. Plus, The Great British Bake Off's Giuseppe Dell'Anno shares the joys of Italian baking, from cannoli cake to sfogliatelle; culinary guide Arianna Pasquini takes us on a tour of Rome's hidden food gems; and J.M. Hirsch reveals secrets fr...

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....

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...

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...

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 reci...

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...

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....

Bees solve puzzles, have distinct personalities and play with balls like a puppy. Zoologist Lars Chittka reveals amazing new discoveries about the mind of a honeybee and what a bee’s consciousness means for us humans. Plus, we investigate the mysterious phenomenon of bee heists; Sylvan Mishima Brackett, chef-owner of Rintaro, shares the secrets to perfect hot spring eggs and ruby grapefruit jelly;...

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 Mer...