What the Food?

Welcome back! In this episode we're diving into the deliciously intriguing salad bowl of history, and talking Caesar Salad. Was it really invented by a Roman emperor, or is there a more tangy and surprising story behind it? Join us as we try and piece it all together. Prepare for the usual concoction of fun facts, history and three idiots. Bon appétit! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to...

Join us and sink your teeth into the sweet, pillowy goodness of doughnuts! From ancient fried doughballs to modern-day gourmet wonders, we look at how a wartime comfort has evolved into a symbol of culinary creativity worldwide. This episodes takes some strange turns as we discuss the trenches of the First World War, the inventive hands of Captain Hanson Gregory, and a secret doughnut society shro...

Join us this week at a bubbling smokey cauldron because we're stewing over the rich and hearty history of Goulash, Hungary's beloved dish that's more than just a stew—it's a story of resilience, culture, and culinary evolution. Originating from the rugged plains of Hungary, where cowherds concocted a simple yet satisfying meal, Goulash has transformed into a national treasure and a global comfort...

We're unwrapping the delightful world of Dim Sum, the heart-touching tradition that's as much about togetherness as it is about taste. Journey with us from its beginnings along the ancient Silk Road, all the way to the bustling teahouses of modern-day Guangzhou and Hong Kong. In this episode we steam through the rich tapestry of Dim Sum, exploring how these little bites pack big flavors and storie...

In this episode, we're heading into the compressed, greasy world of SPAM - the iconic canned meat that's polarized dining tables since 1937. From its humble beginnings as a wartime staple to its status as a global culinary phenomenon, SPAM's journey is nothing short of astonishing. We'll slice into its curious rise to fame, exploring how it went from the battlefields of WWII, to household kitchens...

In this episode we embark on a sweet journey to the heart of the Ottoman Empire to uncover the sticky secrets behind Turkish Delight! We delve into the sugary saga of this iconic confectionery, from its royal origins to its role in the famous Chronicles of Narnia, where Edmund couldn't resist its enchanting allure. Join us as we explore how this simple mixture of sugar, water, and starch has capti...

In this episode, we're venturing into the mystique-laden world of absinthe, the storied spirit known as the Green Fairy. Tracing its roots back to the 18th century, absinthe has bewitched artists and intellectuals with its complex character and rumoured hallucinogenic properties. From its birth in Switzerland to the banquets of Parisian cafés and its controversial ban, we'll explore how this poten...

In this episode, we're squeezing out the thick and rich history of ketchup! From its unexpected beginnings as a fermented fish sauce in ancient China, to its transformation into the tomato-based staple on dinner tables around the world, ketchup has a surprisingly tangy past. Join us as we spread the story of how this beloved condiment became a symbol of American cuisine, influenced food culture gl...

In this syrup-soaked episode we're diving into the fluffy world of pancakes. From their humble beginnings as a Stone Age staple to becoming a breakfast favourite across the globe, pancakes have a surprisingly rich history. Join us as we flip through time to uncover how this simple mix of flour, eggs, and milk has evolved into the many varieties we love today. Whether you're a fan of the thin, crep...

And just like that, the What the Food? boys are back! To make this a momentous occasion, we're about to unravel the layers (pun absolutely intended) of a British staple. The Cornish Pasty. From its medieval origins to the latest pasty-related shenanigans, hold onto your hats - and your appetites, as we kick things back off with a meat-filled bang! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subsc...

In episode 25 of What the Food?, Andy & Miles navigate the contentious but fascinating story of every vegans favourite wrap filling - Falafel. When taking upon ourselves the noble task of uncovering foods origins, we sometimes stumble on stories that still to this day, have significant and polarising implications. It turns out that Falafel is one of them!  If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget...

This week on What the Food? we head to the mythical Highlands of Scotland to find out why boiling loads of offal in a meat sack is considered a normal thing to do. Where did this seemingly barbaric dish come from? This episode has it all! Ancient Rome, French gastronomic influence, and even the vikings! Join us as we try to figure out everything there is to know about Scotland's national dish, Hag...

Grab your AR15's and your burnt ends because part 2 is here! We return to the world of barbecue, this time heading to America to complete our barbecue story. Why is barbecue so popular in the US? Who pioneered this cooking method? And what different types are there? All is to be discovered in episode 23 of What the Food?. Join us and let's get these coals fired up! Yeeeehaaaw! If you enjoyed this...

Oh boy, this is a big one. In episode 22 of What The Food?, the boys explore the origins of the world's favourite way of cooking meat; Barbecue. Join us as we explore the humble beginnings of slowly cooking meat over hot coals and discover how barbecue made its way to the USA - the undisputed kings of BBQ.  This is the first of a two-part series on the origins of barbecue. If you enjoyed this epis...

We're back and we are back with a large tub of the good stuff! In the latest episode of What The Food?, the boys explore the origins of the world's favourite chocolate spread: Nutella. From prized hazelnuts in the north of Italy to a naval blockade by Napoleon Bonaparte himself,  join us as we stick our fingers into the origins of Nutella. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe in...

In the 20th episode of What The Food?, the boys take a trip to the land of the rising sun to explore the origins of Tempura. Tempura is a typical Japanese dish that you'll find in pretty much all Japanese restaurants you visit, and for good reason - it's delicious! Join us as we dive into a rich origin story that involves 3 ship-wrecked Portuguese sailors, Shoguns, green beans and much, much more!...

In episode 19 of What The Food? the boys take an apologetic trip to the home of the moose to uncover the origins of their national dish: Poutine. Ever wondered how essentially cheese, chips and gravy became a national treasure that is known throughout the world as distinctly Canadian? Well, join us today as we ride the gravy train straight to curd mountain!  There are some audio issues/crackling i...

On the latest episode of What The Food?, the boys head to the land of smiles to take a look at the origins of Pad Thai. A dish that seemingly sprung into existence in the 20th century and whose origins involve political intrigue, a successful coup and WW2. Trust us when we say that you are not going to want to miss this one! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe in your favourite...

Today the boys try to keep a straight face whilst discussing the origins of the quintessentially British pud - Spotted Dick. From investigating the etymology of the puds phallic inspired name to exploring the incredible life of the famous 19th-century chef Alexis Soyer, this episode has it all. Pull up a stool, grab your custard and let's tuck into some spotted dick, shall we? If you enjoyed this...

In this episode, Miles and Andy are joined by special guest WhatWillyCook as we explore the jelly-filled world of the Pork Pie. From pies etched into the tombs of pharaohs to fox hunters in Leicester carrying them in their pockets, join us as we discover the origins of the humble pork pie. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe in your favourite app, leave us a rating, and share it...

In episode 15 of What The Food?, the boys take a look at the world's most dangerous cheese: Casu Marzu. Originating in Sardinia, Casu Marzu involves a wheel of pecorino, thousands of fly larvae and a whole lot of grossness. Despite its "Risk to Human Health" warning awarded by the Guinness World Records, people still keep dipping their loaves into this rotten, maggot-infested cheese. If you enjoye...

In this week's episode, we take on one of the most popular breakfast items worldwide - The Croissant! There is more than meets the eye with this buttery, flaky pastry. From the Ottoman Empire to the French revolution and all the way to Kanye West ordering his "damn croissant!", we cover it all. Join us as we try and wrap our heads around the origin of this unexpectedly controversial pastry. If you...

To honour Max Verstappen and his stunning last-lap victory for the F1 Championship, we're covering one of the most famous dishes to come out of the Netherlands: Stamppot. Stamppot is a traditional Dutch cuisine that supposedly has its roots in the 16th century. From a battle of puddings to all-night benders, join us as we frolic through the dense and complex fields of tulips that is the history of...

In the twelfth episode of What The Food?, the boys cover one of the worlds most Instagrammable foods: Guacamole. A dish that seemingly came out of nowhere one day and conquered the globe in next to no time at all. Well, as we will see, Guac's been around for thousands of years and has a rich, creamy history that includes the Aztecs, Gwyneth Paltrow and clever marketing techniques. If you enjoyed t...

In this episode, the boys take their first step into the Russian Empire as they explore the sweet existence of Medovik. Medovik is a layer cake that celebrates the incredible honey those Russian bees are known to produce. The cake itself takes a ridiculously long time to make and has an incredible origin story that involves an Empress and her disdain for all things Russian. So grab your Ushanka, p...