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 Barnette, and share the secret to making Turkish kebabs on your backyard grill.

Get the recipe for Turkish Minced Meat Kebabs here.

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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; and we learn how to make Sri Lankan Spinach and Coconut Dal with Tomato Tarka.

Get the recipe for Sri Lankan Spinach and Coconut Dal with Tomato Tarka here.

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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 Moulton take your calls—what constitutes the middle rack of the oven, how to make the perfect toum, and much more.

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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 curry, Indian cuisine and his legacy as a culinary educator; Alex Aïnouz experiments with AI in the kitchen; and we learn a recipe known as “killer spaghetti.” (Originally aired May 25th, 2023.)

Get the recipe for Spaghetti all’Assassina here. 

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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 of Alice Waters; and we prepare a no-cook Tiramisu.

Get the recipe for Tiramisu here.

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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 head to Paris for the world’s greatest ham and cheese sandwich. (Originally aired May 16, 2024.)

Get the recipe for Oven-Baked Three-Layer Croque Monsieur Sandwiches here.

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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 calls.

Get the recipe for Puff Pastry Khachapuri here.

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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 sip of his homemade red wine; and JM Hirsch shares a delightfully salty cocktail tip.

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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 for Spicy Chinese Beef Skewers here.

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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 from a Neapolitan trattoria.

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