Slow Food, the podcast

What does the smell of fresh bread have to do with selling a house? Why does vanilla make things taste sweeter? And when did the food industry start using scent as a tool to shape what we want, before we even take a bite? Today we are diving into something you probably experience every single day without realising it: the invisible world of food smells and how they are used to influence your choic...

When did sweet become too sweet? How does sugar reflect a collective craving? And what does this reveal about contemporary food society? Today we are going to immerse ourselves into an indulgent discussion. We will speculate with philosopher and researcher Maddalena Borsato about how sweetness is shaping our society and what sugar and the need for something sweet actually means to us. Maddalena is...

How is the issue of food waste seen from an EU perspective? How does the legislative work impact member states and consumers? What are tricks on how to reduce food waste at home? Today we talk about food waste reduction. In fact last weekend Slow Food Youth Network celebrated the 10th anniversary of World Disco Soup Day, our biggest campaign to raise awareness on the importance of food waste reduc...

How can we combine science, art and technology to build a more sustainable food system? How can artificial intelligence be used in this process? Is art threatened by AI or can technology be used as a tool to achieve something out of the ordinary?  The episode of today is mind-blowing. I have interviewed a lot of activists in the past and seen so many initiatives, but if I can be totally open to yo...

What is a practical way to implement artificial intelligence in food? Which content and engagement strategy is effective for social media algorithms? How can we avoid that all the information we receive becomes overwhelming? Today we talk about food and algorithms, with Massimiliano Carraro (from Behavix) and two sustainable lifestyle influencers: Daria, from @DariaAlNaturale_, and Shannen from @_...

Today we are meeting two super inspiring women: Lia Carlucci (founder and CEO of the Food Campus Berlin) and Janka Alwon, influencer and food blogger, also Known as Jankalicious.  This podcast is part of the series “Tomorrow’s Table, Rethinking Food As We Know It”, which weaves together the experiences and insights of projects and living labs within the FOOD 2030 Network launched by Cleverfood. Cl...

Can fermentation improve plant-based foods? What happens during fermentation from a food chemistry perspective? What are concrete health benefits of eating fermented foods?  Today I am at the faculty of bioengineering in Leuven, Belgium, to interview professor and researcher Christophe Courtin. Christophe knows everything about the chemistry of fermentation. He has been researching fermented cerea...

Have you ever had a “WOW moment” while being in nature? What is the first step you can take to get connected to your local food scene? Can everyone start gardening? Today we kick off the year with a great conversation with Andrew Valenti ( @andrewvalenti.av ): regenerative gardener, artist, musician, and world traveler. We are going to talk about how Andrew managed to build a home gardeners commun...

What are some tips to spot the latest food trends? What is new in the food scene around the world? Are these trends supporting a shift towards a more sustainable food system? Today I am recording a live conversation with Gijsbregt Brouwer, founder of De Buik and inspiring food trend watcher in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. This is a co-production between Slow Food, The Podcast and Bekt Lekker, Gijsb...

Are food systems changed bottom up or top down? How do diplomacy and negotiations on a high political level work? What is an effective way to bridge practice and policy? Today we discuss with diplomat Pio Wennubst and SFYN executive director Jorrit Kiewik, how policies and negotiations but also bottom-up approaches can change our food systems. What do Pio and Jorrit have in common? Apart from the...

How can storytelling be fair? Can food become the means to tell a much bigger story? What shall we consider when talking about people from other cultures and indigenous peoples communities? Today, we will listen to the story of Gabriella, a student at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo (UNISG), Italy. Who had a life-changing experience with the Juruna indigenous community in the he...

Does food make us humans? What is a balanced meal in indigenous cosmologies? Do you know what is the favourite meal of people close to you and could you recreate it? Grab your favourite drink, tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, and settle in. Today, we’re diving deep into food, culture, health and identity with a very special guest. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Elena Fusar Poli, researcher...

We all drink it, but its journey is as clear as the beverage itself: Coffee. How can we make its chain shorter? What does it look like when you start a small scale coffee roastery? How does the origin of the coffee impact its taste? How is the price of coffee regulated on an international level? Today we will talk about coffee. In particular we will have a nice conversation with Francesco Anastasi...

What does the life of a plastic-free shopper look like? Why is plastic in food so concerning? What are some tips to reduce packaging waste? Today we talk about plastics. In particular we will have a nice chat with Suri, a digital creator also known as @dazingsoul who is a plastic-free shopper and who joined us during our Planting The Future campaign. Suri will give us some tips on how to buy less...

When describing a kitchen in a western society, one of the first things you’d think of is the fridge. But can we live without refrigerators? Why should we even consider it? What are other ways to preserve food and drinks?  Today we talk about something a bit special regarding a Slow lifestyle: have you ever thought you can live without a refrigerator? Sandro and Emma, in Italy, gave it a try for a...

In this episode of the Slow Food podcast, we talk about modern slavery in the food chain. From exploited seasonal workers in Italy’s tomato fields to the global cacao market, we dig into how injustice hides in plain sight. We hear from Manlio Larotonda, an Italian gastronome and alumnus of the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, who moved to Colombia to start a more just and transparen...

How can we eat in a sustainable way at home? Do we need to come to compromises when we have small children? Does eating well always mean spending more money? And how can we introduce more plants into our daily meals? I am very excited to introduce you to the guests of the podcast of today: Chiara and Nicholas, young parents who will share with us how they live in a Slow lifestyle with a daughter o...

How does fermentation prevent food from getting spoiled? Is fermentation always safe? What are some practical tips to start fermenting for the first time? Since April 26th is World Disco Soup Day, our biggest campaign to reduce food waste all over the world, In today’s episode we want to deepen one of the methods that can help us save our food. I am talking about fermentation and today we have the...

In this new episode of Slow Food, the Podcast, we’re talking about how to cook from scratch. Valentina Gritti and Addison Austin-Lou sit down with Bob Dickinson (@fromscratchwithbob), a digital creator focussing on conscious consumption and whole food and journalist Michael Moss to share real, practical tips on how to stay away from processed foods. If you’re trying to eat better and slow down you...

Do you really need to spend a lot to eat well? Or is it possible to eat good, clean, and fair food without going over budget?   In this new episode of Slow Food, the Podcast, we’re talking about how to eat Slow without spending a fortune. Valentina Gritti and Addison Austin-Lou sit down with Guusje Weeber communication manager of SFYN Netherlands and journalist Michael Moss to share real, practica...

Eating sustainably in a big city sounds impossible, right? What if we told you it’s not — and that ancient floating farms might be the answer?  In our latest episode, we grab coffee with food activist Raúl Mondragón to chat about: Chinampas: 1,000-year-old floating farms still feeding Mexico City; why local vendors sometimes skip local food for cheaper options across town; easy ways YOU can suppor...

In the EU there are a whole host of pesticides that are banned for being too hazardous, either to human health or the environment or both. This means that they cannot be used here. But did you know that these are still produced on EU soil and then exported to other countries, and did you know that the food produced from those pesticides is than imported back into the EU and ends up on our plates?...

How can we make our celebrations more sustainable without losing the festive vibe? What about decorations, presents, fireworks and food? And finally, shall we think about a slow lifestyle as a new year’s resolution?  We are getting closer to the end of the year and big celebrations are about to begin. In today’s episode I will hold a conversation with my colleagues from the Slow Food Youth Network...

Biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth, yet it's disappearing at an alarming rate—with habitats fragmented and up to a million species at risk. Agriculture is a key driver of this crisis, but is it a central focus in global biodiversity solutions? In this episode, we delve into the recent United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, with insights from experts who were on the...

What choices lie behind the food we eat in our public canteens, in our schools, hospitals, retirement homes and workplaces? And how can we ensure that the healthiest, most sustainable options end up on our public plates?  In this episode, agrifood journalist Natasha Foote talks you through the world of public procurement, with the help of: Peter Defrancheschi – Head of the ICLEI Brussels office Re...