If This Food Could Talk

What do you do when grief hits… unexpectedly and all at once? In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with comedian and author Gus Constantellis to talk about his cookbook My Greek Mom’s Recipes — a deeply personal project born just days after his mother’s sudden passing. Blending humor, family stories, and traditional Greek cooking, Gus shares how food became a way to...

How does a journalist covering global revolutions become the creator of one of the most iconic food shows in America? In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with Emmy-winning journalist and Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives creator David Page to shares his journey from international news to culinary storytelling — and how food became his lens for understanding culture, history...

Is your olive oil actually what it claims to be? In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with Jill Myers, founder of Women in Olive Oil, to uncover what’s really happening behind the bottle — from labeling confusion to the realities producers face around the world. It’s a conversation about integrity, community, and why the future of food depends on connection, not just...

He didn’t just create a graphic novel — he built it through food. In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Robert Apelian joins Claudia Hanna to talk about Fustuk, a visually rich story shaped by cooking, cultural memory, and an obsession with getting every detail right — right down to the recipes. From eggplant dishes and yogurt soup to ancient culinary inspiration, this conversation explores...

This week we’re sharing a special episode from our friends at the Real Organic Podcast, the award-winning “Best Sustainability, Environment & Climate Podcast” produced by the Real Organic Project. Recently named one of the "best climate podcasts" by Earth.org, the Real Organic Podcast uncovers the forces reshaping organic food – and our dinner plates. Hosted by Linley Dixon and Dave Chapman, each...

What is “real” cheese — and how has it changed over time? In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna speaks with Bronwen and Francis Percival, authors of Reinventing the Wheel, about the history of cheese, the role of microbes in flavor, and the evolution of dairy farming from traditional practices to modern industrial production. From artisanal cheesemaking and raw milk to sustaina...

In celebration of World Cheese Day, this episode of If This Food Could Talk invites us to look beyond the plate — and into the land where it all begins. Claudia Hanna sits down with writer, regenerative living advocate, and self-described MilkTrekker, Trevor Warmedahl, joining from the Sonoran Desert. Together, they explore the connection between soil, milk, and the foods we love — and how returni...

What happens when a psychologist follows her curiosity into the kitchen? In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with celebrated pastry chef, author, and former psychologist Helen Goh to explore the unexpected path that led her from studying the human mind to creating some of the world’s most beloved desserts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

What makes a cake unforgettable isn’t just the recipe — it’s the memory it carries. In this episode of If This Food Could Talk, Claudia Hanna sits down with legendary baker and James Beard Award–winning author Dorie Greenspan to talk about the stories behind her beloved book Dorie’s Anytime Cakes. From a life-changing strawberry tart in Paris to honey cakes baked by her grandmother, Dorie shares h...

Some people make olive oil — Rose Bechara was raised by it. In this intimate conversation, Rose invites Claudia into the world of her family’s Lebanese groves, where every tree carries a memory and every harvest is an act of devotion. She shares how preserving her family’s land became her purpose, how tradition shapes her craft, and why olive oil is more than a product — it’s a legacy you taste. F...

What if you knew the real story behind the olive oil on your table? In this heartfelt episode, Claudia sits down with Sarah Vachon, co-founder of Citizens of Soil, to talk about the farmers, families, and landscapes that shape every bottle she brings into the world. Sarah shares how honoring small producers, protecting biodiversity, and building trust through transparency became her life’s work. S...

Behind every cup of coffee and every bite we take, there’s a farmer whose story is rarely told. In this moving conversation, Claudia sits down with Saurin Nanavati to explore what it really means to grow food with care — for people, for land, and for the future. From cooperative farming to climate resilience, Saurin reminds us that sustainability begins with connection — and that every meal is a c...

What if your morning coffee could tell the story of our planet? In this episode, Claudia sits down with human rights advocate and lawyer, Etelle Higonnet, to uncover the hidden journey behind each cup — from the farmers tending fragile landscapes to the forests at risk of disappearing. Through Etelle’s lens, coffee becomes more than a daily ritual; it’s a reflection of justice, climate, and care....

Ever wondered what extra virgin really means? Olive oil experts Emily Lycopolus and Giuliana Mackler join Claudia to reveal what makes great olive oil truly great — from grove to mill, label to table. Learn how to taste, store, and love olive oil every day. Emily: Instagram.com/oliveoilcritic https://www.facebook.com/OliveOilCritic/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-lycopolus/ Giuliana: linkedin.c...

What if ice cream could carry the soul of a culture? In this episode, Claudia sits down with Chrys Kefalas, founder of Yala Greek Ice Cream, to talk about how one family recipe became a modern celebration of heritage and hospitality. From the creamy richness of Greek yogurt to the joy of gathering around the table, Chrys shares how Yala is more than dessert — it’s a love letter to memory, traditio...

Raised with the scent of sumac and slow-simmered stews, Chef Fadi opens up about his roots, his favorite dishes, and why cooking is his love language. Learn more about him and his works:https://www.fadikattan.com/https://www.instagram.com/fadi.f.kattan/https://www.facebook.com/cheffadikattan/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A season on a Tuscan farm became a lesson in food systems, integrity, and soul work. Hear how Beatrice turned hard labor into a company with purpose. Follow her storyin her socials: @beaoliveoil @beatricexkarp Get to know more about her purpose: www.beaoliveoil.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From olive groves to operating rooms, Dr. Poole shares how ancient eating habits are backed by modern science — and why food is our first and most powerful medicine. Learn more about him at: www.drsimonpoole.com Make sure to follow him as well on IG and LinkedIn: @drsimonpoole Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raised on boiled potatoes and butter sauce, Marije Passos never imagined she'd fall in love — with a man, a culture, and a way of cooking. In this episode, she shares the story of how one unforgettable Portuguese dish changed her life, why chestnuts belong in your pantry, and what it means to truly root yourself in food, land, and legacy. Catch her and her work at: https://www.passeite.com/@marije...

From kitchen rituals to cultural memory, Dr. Sonda Laroussi is a badass Tunisian scientist turned olive grower turned world wide olive oil judge. Dr. Sonda shares how food nourishes not just the body, but the spirit — and why recipes are often acts of survival and love. Join us as we discuss her mission to turn the humble Tunisian olive - often a commodity to European brands, into a powerhouse ele...

Join us for a soulful chat with Dimitra,Mathiopoulou, founder of The Olive Routes in Kalamata, Greece. Dimitra's life is woven with the rhythm of the land. From pressing olives with her family to reviving old traditions, Dimitra reminds us that food isn’t just sustenance — it’s the keeper of memory, identity, and deep connection. Check out her website 👉https://theoliveroutes.com/and IG @theoliver...

🍷 New stories. ✈️ New flavors. 💚 Same soul. Season 2 of If This Food Could Talk is ready to pour. Tap the link & get ready taste the first episode on May 22nd! 🎧 #NewPodcastAlert #IfThisFoodCouldTalk #Season2Vibes #ClaudiaTravels #FoodCulturePodcast #mediterreneandiet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Freda DeKnight began writing for Ebony Magazine in 1946, American publications that centered on Black cuisine were overwhelmingly written by white writers for white audiences, often using harmful caricatures and dangerous stereotypes. This week, we’ll discover how one Black American food writer changed the culinary narrative.  Freda DeKnight’s food column and book - A Date With A Dish - hel...

In today’s episode we turn the mic on our listeners and hear what food matters to them  - and why. We hear hilarious and touching stories from Italy to Iceland, Cairo to Los Angeles. Get ready to be transported and hear about some of the most delicious (and well, not so delicious) stories that will have you laughing, crying, and connecting.  Hosted by Claudia Hanna Episode Guests: Kamilia Hanna (C...

Thank God for wine. No, really! Wine has always played a part in the culture of the church. It’s what Jesus drank at the last supper, priests bless it during Catholic mass, and if you drink enough of it you might start having visions of the divine. But in the early 20th century, this millenia-old church culture was under threat. The temperance movement ushered in an era of prohibition. Wine barrel...