It's a very happy hour of Milk Street Radio: Chef Edward Lee returns for a tour of Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries, where the water is sweeter, the barrels are (accidentally!) charred, and the rickhouses are sacred territory. Plus, Gary Shteyngart recounts his wet, dry, twisted and dirty martini tour of New York City; Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of “A Way With Words” reveal the surprising origin of the word “cocktail”; and J.M. Hirsch offers an innovative mixology tip. Get this week’s...

We dive into the world of state, county and agricultural fairs with Marla Calico to learn about their history, impact and why roast beef sundaes are all the rage at fairgrounds across the country. Plus, we head to the Iowa State Fair to meet the woman who carves cows out of butter and the kids striving to create the world’s ugliest cake. We also get a crash course in wine from sommelier André Hueston Mack and we make Eggplant and Tahini Dip. Get this week’s recipe for Eggplant and Tahini Dip...

Is airplane food bad on purpose? Historian Richard Foss takes us through the turbulent history of food in flight, from extravagant meals aboard zeppelins, to the flaming Baked Alaskas once served en route to Singapore, to the truth about mediocre food service on planes today. Plus, Rebecca Rupp tells us how carrots won the Trojan War, Amanda Herbert shares a recipe for the world’s first macaroni and cheese, and we head to Bogotá for a lesson on great barbecue. Get the recipe for...

This week, we’re exploring Italy’s best recipes and stories. Leah Koenig brings us inside the Roman Jewish kitchen for fried artichokes as crisp as potato chips, a cherry pie that has a secret and the beef stew that made her break vegetarianism. Plus, Katie Parla gives us a tour of Italian island cuisine, Matt Goulding infiltrates the secret society that reigns over Neapolitan pizza, Viola Buitoni reveals a surprising use for balsamic vinegar, and we make Rome’s “dirty” pasta, Rigatoni alla...

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 shares new ideas for an old favorite: flag cake. Get this week's recipe for 1-2-3 Frosting here. Song...

It’s our first live episode of Milk Street Radio, recorded at The Beverly Theater in Las Vegas! In this special episode, Su Kim Chung shares Las Vegas’s most fascinating restaurants from history; “Top Chef” contestant and Black Sheep chef/owner Jamie Tran answers live cooking questions; and Neon Feast creator Al Mancini takes us on his ultimate food and drinking tour—complete with tiki rooms, hidden gems and one unforgettable dive bar that serve shots out of porcelain toilets. This special...

We chat with research chef Shola Olunloyo about the cutting-edge culinary projects he undertakes at his experimental food laboratory, Studiokitchen. He tells us about mashing up tortellini and soup dumplings, how to make bread that tastes like a malted milkshake and why he looks to jazz musicians for culinary inspiration. Plus, New Zealand chef Monique Fiso teaches us about Māori cuisine, Dan Pashman shows us how to make better pasta salad, and we make Shrimp, Orzo and Zucchini with Ouzo and...

In this special episode, we chat with Meathead about how to grill the perfect steak; Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich of Honey & Co. share grilling traditions from across the Levant; Dan Pashman brings on the controversy and tells us why he thinks grilling is overrated; and Chris and Sara take your cookout questions. We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your cooking hacks, secret ingredients or unexpected techniques with us for a chance to hear yourself on Milk Street Radio! Here's...

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 Potato Stuffed Naan at home. Get this week’s recipe for Potato-Stuffed Naan here. We want to...

This week, we share stories from the world of fine dining. Maître d' Michael Cecchi-Azzolina has encounters with mobsters, fainting celebrities and unruly guests at New York’s top restaurants and reveals the secrets to great service. Writer Geraldine DeRuiter sits down for the world’s strangest Michelin-starred meal: She eats rancid cheese, slurps foam out of a ceramic mouth and is forced to watch the kitchen staff play extreme sports. Plus, historian Rebecca Spang uncovers the invention of...

This week, we’re sitting down with “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who once scored an invite to Passover at Joan Rivers’ house and can’t stop eavesdropping at restaurants. Plus, we hear the music of the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra; A Way With Words teaches us the language of the grill; and we prepare Yucatecan Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos, just in time for summer. Get this week’s recipe for Yucatecan Citrus-Marinated Pork Tacos here. We want to hear your culinary tips! Share your...

This week, we’re diving into the foods of summer. Culinary historian Tonya Hopkins tells us about the Black innovators who made ice cream what it is today; Bill Alexander reveals the history and fate of the tomato; artist Ana Inciardi tracks down a tomato from her family's past; Dan Pashman gives us a lesson on his favorite ways to eat watermelon and corn; and we bake up a Fresh Peach and Raspberry Crostata. (Originally aired August 17, 2022.) Get this week’s recipe for Fresh Peach and...

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. Get the recipe for Oven-Baked...

We’re joined by baker Claire Ptak, whose desserts are a winning combination of California flavor and London style—and even royalty agrees. She shares her favorite recipes and reveals the behind-the-scenes details of being chosen to bake the cake for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. Plus, Rowan Jacobsen crash-lands into the Amazon for an up-close look at wild cacao harvesting; Adam Gopnik revisits his mother’s sourdough bread; Cheryl Day answers your toughest baking questions; and we...

Chantha Nguon, co-author of “Slow Noodles,” shares her story of survival as a Cambodian refugee. Also this week: We learn about the world’s first fast-food chain from Kansas City reporter Mackenzie Martin, and Alex Aïnouz ranks the best pastas at the grocery store. We’re working on a story about the battles we have in our kitchens at home, and we want to hear about your kitchen drama—from the biggest food fights to your everyday grievances. Please leave us a voicemail at 617-249-3167 or send...

Missy Robbins, chef and founder of Lilia and Misi in Brooklyn, teaches a masterclass in making pasta at home—she explains why her noodle recipes include a copious number of egg yolks, why she often leaves salt out, and her secret to cacio e pepe. Plus, Romy Gill takes us on a food tour of Kashmir; Adam Gopnik explains the rules of time in the kitchen; and we make Zucchini and Chickpea Salad with Tahini Yogurt. (Originally aired August 5, 2022.) Get this week's recipe for Zucchini and Chickpea...

If you’ve turned on your TV in the last 30 years, you’ve seen Kyle MacLachlan: Think “Twin Peaks,” “Sex and the City” and “Desperate Housewives.” But when he’s not starring in Hollywood, he’s wandering vineyards in Washington. This week, MacLachlan joins us for memories from the set of “Blue Velvet,” the food of “Twin Peaks” and the reason why Napa Valley isn’t the be-all and end-all of American wine. Plus, Sandra Gutiérrez leads a tour through the foods of the Spanish-speaking world; Adam...

Valentine Thomas goes spearfishing—though she calls it ocean hunting. She dives in without a tank—up to 170 feet deep—and holds her breath for minutes at a time. Today, she tells us about her best and scariest deep-sea adventures and her favorite ways to eat fish. Plus, Roger Horowitz explains how Oreos became kosher; Alex Aïnouz reveals three tips that will change the way you make ramen; and we cook up Pasta with Spicy Tomato and Pancetta Sauce. Get the recipe for Pasta with Spicy Tomato and...

Food science expert Harold McGee helps us separate food science fact from fiction and explains our most profound questions about taste and smell. Why do oysters taste like cucumbers? Is there such a thing as the smell of raspberries? McGee has the answers! Plus, we learn about 30-foot longevity noodles from Jason Wang, the co-founder of New York’s Xi'an Famous Foods; Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette tell us who lobster Newburg and chicken tetrazzini were named after; and we make pork in...

José Andrés returns to tell us how he feeds millions with World Central Kitchen. Plus, he reveals his secret ingredient for chicken stock and his special method for cooking eggs. Also on this week’s show: silversmith Andreas Fabian takes an artist's look at spoons and "spoonness"; Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette uncover the language of restaurants; and we share our favorite new way to make cakes with our recipe for Brazilian-Style Chocolate-Glazed Carrot Cake. Get the recipe for...

Before McDonald’s or KFC, there was the Horn and Hardart Automat—a cafeteria-style restaurant where you could buy everything from creamed spinach to lemon meringue. This week, filmmaker Lisa Hurwitz tells us the story of the rise and fall of the Automat—with a little help from Mel Brooks. Plus, Emiko Davies takes us to Venice’s favorite wine bars; we whip up Greek Meatballs with Tomato Sauce; and Dan Pashman makes the case for a better vegetable sandwich. (Originally aired May 27th,...

Jamie Oliver has been on your TV for over 20 years, but how well do you really know him? This week, Jamie Oliver returns to Milk Street Radio and we get up close and personal! Plus, flavor scientist Arielle Johnson shares the unexpected ways she uses prosciutto and olives; J. Kenji López-Alt reveals his ultimate breakfast; and we divulge our new favorite spin on chicken soup, Korean Hand-Torn Noodle Soup with Chicken.  Get the recipe for Korean Hand-Torn Noodle Soup with Chicken here. Get...

99% Invisible’s Chris Berube shares margarine’s secret history—from Supreme Court battles to Eleanor Roosevelt’s advertising campaign—and why in some states you could only buy margarine that was dyed pink or black. Plus, we learn about snacks from around the world with Unsnackable’s Folu Akinkuotu; Dan Pashman tells us what there is to love about canned foods; and we make Brazilian-Style Pizza. (Originally aired April 15, 2022.) Get the recipe for Brazilian-Style Pizza Carbonara here. Listen...

Tamar Haspel of the Washington Post is here to share 10 truths about food that nobody wants to believe. From diet soda to organic vegetables to farm-fresh eggs, nothing is sacred. Plus, Amanda Herbert brings us inside history’s wildest dinner parties; Adam Gopnik reveals what your drink of choice says about you; we make Thai Coconut and Chicken Soup; and Cheryl Day returns to take your baking calls. Get the recipe for Thai Coconut and Chicken Soup here. We want to hear your culinary tips!...