He may be a world-famous, game-changing chef but Heston Blumenthal is also warm, funny and absolutely fascinating. In this episode, he chats to Jimi and Alison about his extraordinary studies into food – including talking to rice – and his endless quest to learn more about the way our environment, our psychology and our emotions affect what we taste. He even has a few experiments for you to try at home. Heston's podcast, Journey to the Centre of Foo‪d‬ is available wherever you get your...

Comedian and Celebrity Bake Off veteran Tom Allen has Jimi and Alison in fits of laughter as he describes his adolescent obsession with table etiquette and using the correct cutlery, and talks about the awkwardness – and joy – of not being quite like anyone else. You can follow Tom on Instagram @tomindeed and Twitter @tomallencomedy To find out more about the show, go to waitrose.com/podcast. Host: Jimi Famurewa Co-host: Alison Oakervee Producer: Sera Berksoy Executive Producer: Nikki...

Johanna Konta, Britain’s top female tennis player, serves an ace in this inspiring episode. She tells Jimi and Alison about the food of her Hungarian heritage and Australian childhood, explains how she balances her relentless training programme with an obsession for muffin-baking, and reveals the one thing she always carries onto court with her…  You can follow Johanna on Instagram and Twitter @johannakonta To find out more about the show, go to waitrose.com/podcast. Host: Jimi...

This week Jimi and Alison meet Minette Batters, president of the National Farmers’ Union – the first woman to head the organisation in its 113-year history. She shares with Jimi and Alison her vision for sustainable agriculture and the carbon-neutral farming she says is achievable by 2040 – as well as talking roast lamb and chocolate cornflake cakes… You can follow Minette on Twitter @Minette_Batters To find out more about the show, go to waitrose.com/podcast. Host: Jimi...

Bake Off finalist Tamal Ray explains to Jimi and Alison why baking is his answer to meditation. He describes his work as a frontline NHS doctor during the pandemic, and shares his belief that community and belonging are essential to our health. You can follow Tamal on Instagram @drraybakes and Twitter @DrRayBakes. To find out more about the show, go to waitrose.com/podcast. Host: Jimi Famurewa Co-host: Alison Oakervee Producer: Sera Berksoy Executive Producer: Nikki Duffy Assistant...

This week Jimi and Alison meet musician, author and broadcaster Cerys Matthews. Cerys rose to fame with Welsh rock band Catatonia and is now best known for her hugely popular shows on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 2. In this episode of Life on a Plate she shares her childhood memories of foraging, explains how every meal we eat is seasoned with history and culture – and reveals the one dish she thinks should be banned forever! Cerys’s cookbook, Where the Wild Cooks Go, is out now. You can...

In their first interview of Season 2, Jimi and Alison meet Candice Carty-Williams, author of the bestselling 2019 novel Queenie and the first black writer to win book of the year at the British Book Awards. Candice tells us about her father’s fried plantain and the challenge of cooking in flatshares - plus why cashews make the best writing fuel. Queenie is out now and People Person will be released in February 2022. You can follow Candice on Instagram and Twitter @candicec_w. To find out...

This episode, Jimi and Alison are joined by Joanne Harris, the author of more than 20 bestselling works of fiction. Joanne was born above a Yorkshire sweet shop and food flavours many of her novels – most famously Chocolat, which was turned into an Oscar-nominated film. She talks about why French food is part of her cultural identity, what it was like to become famous overnight, and the quiet pleasure of growing her own vegetables. Joanne’s latest book is Ten Things About Writing. You can...

Episode 5: Asma Khan Jimi and Alison meet Asma Khan, the groundbreaking chef using food to make the world a better place. The founder of London restaurant Darjeeling Express, where home-style Indian dishes are cooked by a team of women, Asma is passionate about championing sidelined communities. She explains why food can help us connect with each other ­– and why you’ll never find okra fries on her menu. Follow Asma Khan on Instagram @asmakhanlondon and on Twitter @Asma_KhanLDN. To find out...

Join Jimi and Alison as they delve into the world of campaigner and broadcaster Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Celebrated for his work on animal welfare and sustainability, Hugh’s focus these days is on human health, as well as the health of the planet. He talks low-sugar baking, alcohol-free cocktails and the joy of simple, whole foods. You’ll also hear about Hugh’s very short career as a pastry chef, how he persuades his kids to love veg, and his new obsession with cold-water swimming. Hugh’s...

Jimi and Alison talk to Tom Kerridge, the multi-award-winning chef and author. Tom explains his love affair with the ‘pirate ship’ that is a professional kitchen, revealing that it’s the chaos, noise and broken plates that help to keep him going. Plus, his passion for pubs, what he likes to cook for Sunday lunch – and tips on how not to grow pumpkins… Tom’s latest book, The Hand and Flowers Cookbook, is out now and his series Saving Britain’s Pubs is on BBC iPlayer. You can follow him on...

Jimi and Alison chat to Sarah Millican, one of Britain’s most popular comedians and a devoted home baker.  Loved for her warmth and down-to-earth humour, Sarah is a regular on programmes such as Have I Got News for You and Mock the Week, and also has her own podcast, Standard Issue. In this episode of Life on a Plate, she explains why she thinks we should eat what makes us happy – whether that’s roast dinners every day of the week or chocolate biscuits for breakfast. Tickets to Sarah’s...

In the very first episode of Life on a Plate, Jimi and Alison beam into the kitchen of Nadiya Hussain, trail-blazing winner of The Great British Bake Off 2015. A whirlwind of creativity, Nadiya has written five cookbooks, broadcast six TV series and even produced several children’s books since then, while also working to foster better public conversations about anxiety and mental health. As well as asking how she does it, Jimi and Alison talk to her about eating cake for the first time,...

Welcome to Life on a Plate, the brand-new podcast from Waitrose. Join hosts Jimi Famurewa and Alison Oakervee as they talk to some very special people about what food really means to them.  Food connects us all, we all have something to say about it and it reveals elements of our past, present and future. From favourite dishes and childhood treats to memorable meals and even kitchen disasters, Jimi and Alison take a deep dive into the lives of their guests to create conversations that are...