Food with Mark Bittman
Food with Mark Bittman is a weekly podcast hosted by former New York Times food journalist Mark Bittman and his daughter Kate. They explore all aspects of food, from practical cooking tips and recipes to broader topics like climate change, sustainability, and food policy. Each episode features conversations with cooks, chefs, farmers, activists, and policymakers about the role of food in society. The show also answers listener questions and offers advice on healthy eating and cooking routines.
Episodes
Florence Fabricant: On Being Salty, Making Pigs-In-Blankets Famous, and Why Influencers Drive Her Nuts
Florence Fabricant has been writing about food for the New York Times since 1972. She has watched farm-to-table go from fringe idea to cliche, lived through the rise of the celebrity chef, and outlasted most of the restaurants she ever wrote about. This week, she joins Mark and Kate to talk about her new memoir, Salty, Not Sweet: A Life in the Food World – a book she resisted writing for years and
Jennifer Siebel Newsom: What California Got Right About School Food
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, First Partner of California, joins Mark and Kate to talk about what actually happened when the state decided every public school kid deserves two free meals a day, and that more than half of those meals should come from California farms. It sounds like a policy conversation, but it's really a story about scratch kitchens, nacho bowls, salad bars, fountain milk, and what
Nik Sharma: If You Understood What Was Happening in Your Kitchen, You'd Cook Completely Differently
Nik Sharma is a former molecular biologist who left his lab for a kitchen and never looked back. He's a three-time James Beard finalist, an editor-in-residence at America's Test Kitchen, and the author of Fundamentals of Flavor. We cover what baking soda actually does to meat (the meatball revelation alone is worth the episode), why you can marinate all day in yogurt but never in vinegar,
Justin Ellen: On Cooking Better Than Grandma, Missing Prom to Be On "Is It Cake," and Being A Young Black Baker In a World That Doesn't See You Coming
Justin Ellen is a phenom baker at just 22 years old, has almost a million Instagram followers, and his debut cookbook "Better Than Grandma's" is out this week. He appeared on Netflix's "Is It Cake?" at just 18, fooling the judges twice, while also missing his prom and graduation to film it. This episode was recorded in person at Mark's house in Glynwood, where Justin and Mark made bread pudding fr
Happy 90th Birthday, Marion Nestle! Plus: How a Cereal Company Broke the FDA
Marion Nestle is turning 90 today and she has not slowed down. Her new book, Sugar Coated, co-written with former Kellogg vice president Lisa Sutherland, tells the story of US food and nutrition policy through cereal boxes — complete with full-color reproductions of every front and back panel of All-Bran, Rice Krispies, and Froot Loops going back to the early 1900s. Mark and Kate talk with Ma
Mara Fleishman on MAHA, Michelle Obama, and Why Everyone Suddenly Agrees on School Food
Mara Fleishman is the co-founder and CEO of the Chef Ann Foundation, which has reached more than 19,000 schools, 35,000 school food professionals, and nearly 6 million students in its work to replace ultra-processed food with fresh, scratch-cooked meals. Before that, she spent a decade at Whole Foods as their global director of partnerships. We talk about what school food actually looks like now v
Pooja Bavishi: I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Malai
In this revisiting of an episode from last summer, the up and coming queen of ice cream talks to Mark and Kate about how her ice cream brand, Malai, mimics her childhood; what it means to build your own culture; sourcing intentionally with no shortcuts—and why having a values-driven business is so important to her; and why her parents are the best people ever (and her #1 fans). The Bittman Pr
Joseph Ogilvy on the Storied Fishing History of the California Coast
Joseph Ogilvy is the author of Tin Can Coast: A History of Industry, Greed, and Fishing in the Golden State. When Mark first saw the book, he exclaimed "Finally. At last!" The book is a history of the fisheries and fishing communities of the California Current, which is the ocean system that made the state of California: almost 2000 miles of the most productive waters on earth. Mark and
Jean-Georges Vongerichten on Watching New York Change
Mark has known Jean-Georges Vongerichten since 1987, when he arrived in New York. They've written books together. They've remained close friends for nearly 40 years. Today, they talk about Jean-Georges growing up in Alsace on pork fat, juniper berries, and parsley as the only herb anyone grew, and on arriving in New York when the Union Square Greenmarket was two stands selling apples and potatoes,
A Conversation with Congressman McGovern: The Food System Isn't Broken — It's Working Exactly as Designed
Today, a special conversation Mark had in June with Congressman Jim McGovern (MA) at the Good Food for All Summit in DC. McGovern has spent decades in Congress fighting to protect SNAP, fund school meals, and push food security to the center of the policy conversation. He and Mark cover a lot of ground: why the food system isn't broken so much as designed, the difference betwee
Hawa Hassan on Food, War, and Why Displacement Has a Flavor
We're bringing this one back. Hawa Hassan was born in Mogadishu, fled the Somali Civil War at four, spent time in a refugee camp in Kenya, and arrived alone in Seattle at age seven. She went on to win a James Beard Award and write two of the most distinctive cookbooks in recent memory. In this conversation, she and Mark and Kate talk about her book Setting a Place for Us, which travels to eight co
Kevin Boehm on Living in his Car to Running 35 Restaurants
Kevin Boehm co-founded the Boka Restaurant Group nearly 25 years ago and now runs 35 restaurants across Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. He and his partner Rob Katz won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur in America. He also lived in his car, wrote a fake resume to get his first restaurant job, and spent two decades drinking heavily to manage bipolar disorder before getting sober
Dan Jacobs: Almost Winning Top Chef — and Why Milwaukee Is America’s Best Kept Secret
Dan Jacobs is the chef and co-owner of DanDan and EsterEv in Milwaukee, a runner-up on Season 21 of Top Chef, and one of the most quietly remarkable people to come on this show. In 2016, four months before opening his first restaurant, he was diagnosed with Kennedy's Disease, a rare neuromuscular condition often mistaken for ALS. He went on to compete on Top Chef eight years later anyway. Mark and
Shirley Chung: What Tongue Cancer Taught a Chef About Taste
Shirley Chung is a Top Chef finalist, French Laundry veteran and José Andrés darling. In 2024, she was diagnosed with stage four tongue cancer, and it changed her life. Shirley talks about the diagnosis she almost missed, the treatment that saved her tongue, and what it felt like to slowly, painstakingly relearn how to taste. Along the way: an unlikely connection with Grant Achatz, who went throug
Toya Boudy Starts from Scratch
Toya Boudy is back. Since her debut cookbook came out in 2023, life has thrown a lot at her: divorce, her mother's health struggles, sobriety, and raising three kids. Her new book, Cooking from Scratch, is the result of all of it. Kate and Toya talk about rebuilding after everything falls apart, and about Malinda Russell, a free woman of color who published a cookbook in 1866 and packed it with ev
Father-Daughter Time with Al Roker and Courtney Roker Laga
The father-daughter duo talks to our father-daughter duo about their new cookbook and why it's special – and what it was like working on it together. Plus, Courtney's "recipe detective" journey and Al's take on The Morning Show – and Mark's on The Bear. Get the recipe for Everything-Bagel and Lox Strata on The Bittman Project: https://bittmanproject.com/recipe/everything-bagel-and-lox-st
Laurie Woolever: Care and Feeding — and Everything in Between
We revisit Kate's conversation with the writer (and ex-Mario Batali employee and former assistant to Anthony Bourdain) Laurie Woolever, who talks about how (and if) kitchen culture has changed since the early-aughts heydey; why she never felt like a victim; her memoir, Care and Feeding; and how Anthony Bourdain put people at ease—and why people loved him so much.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman
Hannah Goldfield: Drinking, Not Drinking, and the In Between
New Yorker writer Hannah Goldfield talks to Kate and Mark about "intentional drinking"; how, right now, it feels like everyone is taking a stance on where we land on the drinking spectrum; how bars and restaurants are making drinking (and not drinking) easier to navigate; and mini cocktails. Read Hannah's recent piece, "The Age of 'Intentional' Drinking": https://www.newyorker.com/magazi
Just Call Her Paola ‘Blazing the Trail’ Velez
Baker Paola Velez talks to Kate and Holly about why and how she started Bakers Against Racism and how its influence and warmth has spread—and continues to spread; ad-libbing baked goods and feeling passionate about getting others confident enough in the kitchen to do it, too; and how romance played a factor in her career choice.We've got recipes from Paola's book, Bodega Bakes!Chocolate Malta Cake
Nasim Alikhani: Homestyle Iranian Food at Its Best
Revisiting our interview with Nasim Alikhani, the wildly popular Brooklyn-based chef, who talked to Kate and Mark about why the slow cook makes Iranian food special, the best way to enjoy a dinner party, and leaving Iran for the US in the 1980s.Get Nasim Alikhani’s recipe for Date Scrambled Eggs on the Bittman Project:https://bittmanproject.com/recipe/nasim-alikhanis-date-scrambled-eggs/Subscribe
Please Don’t Pigeonhole Alicia Kennedy
The prolific writer talks to Kate and Mark about why her mom told her not to learn how to cook (and how the kitchen is now her happy place), the big problem with mainstream veganism (and the food that ended her vegan journey), and using food and cooking to manage loss.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and please help us grow by leaving
Alton Brown, Talking From the Can
In this revisiting of a 2025 episode, writer, chef, and TV star Alton Brown talks to Mark and Kate about fame, "then" and now; the problem with memory—and memoir; falling up the stairs; his farewell tour; and eating on the road, monastically. Head to the Bittman Project for a special excerpt from Alton's collection of essays, Food for Thought: https://bittmanproject.com/alton-brown-meals
The Unique Complexities of Perennial Foods—and Why You Should Care
Liz Carlisle is an associate professor in the environmental studies program at UC Santa Barbara, Aubrey Streit Krug is the director of the Perennial Cultures Lab at the Land Institute, and Leah Penniman is an acclaimed activist and farmer who co-founded Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, New York. The three joined Kate and Mark to talk about why perennial foods should be seriously considered as part
Sheldon Simeon: Ohana Means Family
In this revisiting of a 2022 episode, Mark talks to beloved chef Sheldon Simeon about learning to butcher chickens in first grade, the divide between Hawaiian natives and tourists, and cooking for three days straight.Sheldon's on Instagram: @chefwonder, and you can get a bunch of his recipes on the Bittman Project!Shoyu Chicken: https://bittmanproject.com/recipe/shoyu-chicken/Loco Moco G
When Food (Truly) Has the Capacity to Heal
God's Love We Deliver CEO Terrence Meck and Northwell Health's chief experience officer Sven Gierlinger join Kate and Mark to talk about how they're feeding clients and patients (respectively) carefully, and well. The two chat about how their personal medical journeys got them to where they are today, how making and serving good food can actually save health care dollars, and how the emotion
Approaches to Food Access: Dylan Alverson and Jason Finder
Dylan Alverson is the owner of Modern Times—now called Post Modern Times—in Minneapolis, a restaurant that stopped charging customers for food during the violent ICE occupation (and that will continue to be free). Jason Finder is the Executive Director of Good Food Works and Salad Days, which offers free grab & go salads to public spaces and high-need constituencies throughout New York City. T
Helen Veit: How, Exactly, Did Kids Become So Picky?
The historian and author of "Picky" talks to Kate and Mark about the history of "children's food," how pickiness is positioned at the intersection of biology and culture, generating a set of standards to get us back to a more pleasurable relationship with food (and why it'll feel counterintuitive), and the fear of parenting in "older ways" (and why people who are doing so tend to not talk about it
Ted Genoways: The Ongoing Saga of the JBS Beef Plant
Thousands of workers at the JBS beef plant in Greeley, Colorado, one of the largest US meatpacking facilities, have gone on strike over alleged unfair labor practices—the first major strike at a US beef slaughterhouse in 40 years. We're revisiting our conversation with journalist Ted Genoways, who last year reported on allegations of human trafficking at the JBS plant: the viral TikTok video that
Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude Tate: Assigning Meaning to Every Plate
The chefs, and owners of Philly's much-loved Honeysuckle, talk to Kate and Mark about how they personally define a "Black" dish; the two very distinct formats behind the food that typically represents the US Black diaspora; why their original business model didn't work and how they fixed it—and learned from it; and their big love story.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify
In Which Mark Chats With Laura Linney
In this revisited episode, Mark talks to award-winning actress Laura Linney about fantastic female roles, the parallels between cooking and acting, and her memories of the iconic Truman Show.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and please help us grow by leaving us a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts.Follow Mark on Twitter at @bittman, and o
Arnold Myint: Writer, Chef, Dad, Gorgeous Drag Queen
The Nashville-based chef talks to Kate and Mark about how and why he finally feels recognized, how his drag has served as both a crutch and a hindrance—in the food world and elsewhere, and the priceless support he grew up with from his hippie parents (and why so much of what he does comes from that). Read an excerpt—and get some recipes—from Arnold's book, Family Thai, on The Bittma
Babes in Pod-Land: Samantha Irby and Lindy West
The supremely talented and charismatic writers talk to Kate about mail ordering fancy ice cream, the beauty of "store food," and watching hours and hours of TV together.Get the recipe for Sam's Tuna Noodle Casserole: https://bittmanproject.com/recipe/samantha-irbys-tuna-noodle-casserole/Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and please
Jyoti and Auyon Mukharji: My Mother, My Masala
The mother and son duo—co-authors of Heartland Masala—talk to Kate and Mark about what it was like to tour to more than 40 cities together (and, specifically, why it was so wonderful); "mock" authenticity and further thoughts on the authenticity conversation in general, especially as it relates to second-generation immigrants; and "fusion" versus "traditional." Plus: deep thoughts about butte
Tom Colicchio Still Loves to Cook
The chef and activist talks to Kate and Mark about why, for the first time in 25 years, he's overhauling the menu at Craft; what makes a restaurant popular (even when it's not good); where all the good cooks have gone; and why he dislikes sous vide so much. Plus: some great cooking tips.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and please help
Marion Nestle and Mark Digest the 2026 Dietary Guidelines
Food policy expert Marion Nestle chats with Mark about their initial reactions to the new dietary guidelines: what's good, what's bad, and what's disturbing. Plus: Is the current protein craze just a marketing scheme that's done particularly well for the marketers, or should we all be jumping on the bandwagon?Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to l
Revisiting Kate's Conversation with Phoebe Robinson
The comedian talks to Kate about her show, Clash of the Cookbooks, and why we need more positive television; being a podcasting pioneer; the beauty of a good graze; and, for the first time, making content that her beloved niece and nephew are allowed to watch.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and please help us grow by leaving us a 5 st
Everybody Loves Kyle (MacLachlan)
In this revisiting of an excellent episode from 2022, the actor (and Tiktok's favorite dad) talks to Kate and Mark about his least favorite body part, go-to meals, and making cappuccinos for the cast of Blue Velvet. Plus: the question Mark's "been meaning to ask" him for 30 years.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and please help us grow
Nancy Matsumoto: How Women Are Rebuilding the Food System
The James Beard Award-winning writer talks to Kate and guest co-host Kathleen Finlay about how women are uniquely equipped to tackle and repair our broken food system; why cooperation over competition is so effective; the constant throughline when talking with only female producers; and how you can support efforts—both as a buyer and as an activist.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podc
Lyndsay C. Green on Honoring Her Own Experiences
The Pulitzer finalist and James Beard award winning journalist talks to Kate and Mark about how restaurant critics have to "split themselves"; being "accidentally anonymous" and how she became comfortable with telling that story; chasing curiosity; and how she went from a born and bred New Yorker to loving Detroit.Read Lyndsay's piece, "My year in review as Free Press restaurant critic: Accidental
Revisiting Kate’s Conversation with Alain Ducasse
The innovative chef talks to Kate about the importance of cultivating one's own identity, notably when it comes to food; why he's not in the business of nostalgia; his unique ability to read the taste of food; and his new memoir, Good Taste. PLUS: More from food stylist Barrett Washburne, who talks to Kate about wasted plate space, giving props to prop stylists, and how to style bro
Revisiting Mark’s conversation with Jamie Oliver
The wildly popular chef and champion of good food talks to Mark about what's changed in his almost 25 years of cooking in the public eye, big picture food advice, and why there's room for optimism. Find the recipes from today's episode at bittmanproject.com/recipe/jamie-olivers-charred-brussels/ and bittmanproject.com/recipe/jools-chocolate-dreams/Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple
David Nayfeld and Aliza Sokolow: Dad, What’s for Dinner?
Chef David Nayfield (and author of Dad, What's for Dinner?) and author and educator Aliza Sokolow join Kate to chat about the quirks of cooking for (and with) and feeding kids. On the table: simple ways to get kids involved and interested in cooking (and eating good food), remembering when ketchup counted as a vegetable in schools, and understanding your roles in your kids' eating habits and
Leslie Soble: Eating Behind Bars
Impact/Justice's Leslie Soble, an internationally recognized voice on the carceral eating experience, talks to Kate and Mark about what eating in prison is really like. The three discuss food as an active form of punishment, the deep connection between the critical problems of hunger and food waste, creative things incarcerated people do to stay nourished, and the good work that select organi
Pyet DeSpain’s Meaningful Culinary Pivot, and What Led to It
The chef and host of PBS's Spirit Plate talks to Kate and Mark about the moment she realized she didn't feel connected to the food she was cooking—and what she did to fix that, a dinner party that changed everything, why and how her conversations about food and culture with Native American youth around the country are so important, and one of her favorite Indigenous food traditions—cooki
Season Chasing with Jody Williams and Rita Sodi
In this episode from late 2022, the beloved restaurateurs behind New York's Via Carota and I Sodi talk to Kate and to guest host Melissa McCart about being a purist vs a regionalist, the supreme reign of artichokes, and how to buy good olive oil.Get Via Carota's recipes for Roasted Carrots, Spiced Yogurt, and Pistachios: https://bittmanproject.com/recipe/carote-roasted-carrots-spiced-yogurt-a
For Nick Hartanto, Love for Food Translates to Meaningful Stories
The director—and the first Indonesian-American filmmaker to qualify for an Oscar!—chats with Kate and Mark about his new autobiographical short film, Daly City. Nick talks about what his parents thought about the film, why the biggest challenge of making the film was finding the actors, and the themes within—notably the internal conflict of the model minority and the bitterswee
Dorie Greenspan: "I Still Think Baking Is Magic"
Bestselling—and much beloved—food writer Dorie Greenspan (new book: Dorie's Anytime Cakes) talks to Kate and her old pal Mark. Get ready for lots of reminiscing about the "old days" of food writing—when there was no internet! The three also talk about finding the ultimate end-of-day joy in cooking and baking, trying unexpected ingredients in baking, and the creativity that can be found in a s
Diane Kochilas Talks About the REAL Mediterranean Diet
In this unreleased episode from 2023, Mark visits Diane Kochilas at her home in Greece; the two talk about Ikaria eating, how Greek cooking and cuisine has changed over the last couple decades—and where it seems to be heading, and why chefs in Greece have less emotional baggage (which could be a good or a bad thing, depending on which way you look at it).Read an excerpt from Diane Kochilas's
Alice Waters: A Revolutionary Reinterpretation of the Classic School Lunch
The chef and activist talks to Kate and Mark about how school lunches have changed over the years—and how they haven't, why (and how) there shouldn't be a "middle man" when schools purchase food for lunches; the "most important people in this country"—teachers and farmers; and how we can realistically make her longstanding vision for kids' relationship with food a reality.Subscribe to Food with Ma
Fadi Kattan Pays a Loving Tribute to Bethlehem
In this revisiting of a 2024 episode, chef and author Fadi Kattan talks to Mark and Kate about the dangers of simplifying reality; why we should recognize and champion origin, and how doing so is a lesson in humility; the effect the Israeli conflict has had on agriculture; and his cookbook, Bethlehem. We're sharing two recipes from Bethlehem on the Bittman Project – Fig Salad,
Paul Schiefer and Ken Cook: What Makes Amy’s So Unique
Paul Schiefer, President of Amy’s Kitchen, and Ken Cook, President and Co-Founder of Environmental Working Group, talk to Kate and Mark about scaled organic as a sustainability solution; what, specifically, makes Amy’s cooking stand out; how conventional agriculture weakens prices; and making organic easier and more accessible to all.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
Michael Twitty: What, Specifically, Makes Southern Food So Unique
The writer and food historian talks to Kate and Mark about the "secret" language that belongs to Southern people, the problem with fantasizing about your Bubby's recipes, the two-sidedness of Southern cooking, and where to find the best food in the South. Read an excerpt from Michael Twitty's Recipes from the American South on The Bittman Project: https://bittmanproject.co
Weight Loss: What's Science and What's Pseudoscience?
Journalist Julia Belluz and scientist Kevin Hall talk to Mark about their new book, Food Intelligence: why there's such a big gap between food science and diet fads, how the effects of our 'food environments' determine how much we eat and how much it changes our biology, and how our public outcry over the unjustness of our food system is apolitical—but is made political.Subscribe to
Nicole Dawes: Brand Building With a Side of Childhood Values
The founder of Late July Snacks and Nixie talks to Mark and Kate about why it's so important to create brands that stand for something meaningful; why she walked away from so many sales opportunities; how her parents' (her father founded Cape Cod Potato Chips and her mother owned a natural food store) beliefs and morals are deeply ingrained in her brands; and being the kid who went on a macrobioti
The Cancerous Elephant in Iowa’s Room
In recent years, the state of Iowa has had the second-highest rate of cancer in the US; it's also one of only two states where cancer rates are increasing. This alarming rise in disease is the crux of a new initiative that is pinpointing agricultural chemicals as a key suspect in this uptick. Today, Mark talks to Adam Shriver, Director of Wellness and Nutrition at the Harkin Institute (and head of
Mavis-Jay Sanders and Mark Bittman: Community Kitchen, Part Two!
Mavis-Jay Sanders, Culinary Director of the new nonprofit restaurant Community Kitchen (launching September 19!) and Mark Bittman, Founder of Community Kitchen (and, of course, co-host of this podcast) talk to Kate about how they're bringing awe and joy to their dining room; the specifics around how the team collaborates; the supreme importance of ingredients; and Community Kitchen's potential to
Rae Gomes and Mark Bittman: Community Kitchen, Part One!
Rae Gomes, Executive Director of the new nonprofit restaurant Community Kitchen (launching September 19!) and Mark Bittman, Founder of Community Kitchen (and, of course, co-host of this podcast) talk to Kate about the revolutionary restaurant's launch: exactly how they're making top tier chef prepared meals accessible, what success in the self described "money losing" venture would look like, how
Andrea and Clara Nguyen: Vegetable-Centric Vietnamese
Andrea Nguyen and her mom, Clara, talk to Mark and Kerri about what it was like coming from Vietnam to the US in 1975, rediscovering how people ate in the past—but doing so with a modern twist, why the Mediterranean diet is problematic, and rice paper gamechangers.Get Andrea's recipe for Char Siu Roasted Cauliflower on the Bittman Project: https://bittmanproject.com/recipe/andrea-nguyens
What the Hell Is Whole Wheat, Anyway?
Founder and President of Community Grains Bob Klein and biochemist David Killilea—both self-professed "wheat nerds"—talk to Mark about a pioneering study conducted by David that examines whether food labeled as "whole grain" is, actually, whole grain (and which company is actually doing it right); why you're probably not eating actual whole wheat when you think you are; the meaning of "dead wheat"
Paul Rice: Activism and Patience Go Hand-In-Hand
The founder of Fair Trade USA talks to Mark about why he consciously chose the world of commerce as his vehicle for change—and why it's relatively easy to move companies in the right direction; why the glimpses of future behavior being showcased by Millennials and Gen Zers should be viewed positively; how to dissect conscious capitalism; and how, without being too Pollyanna-ish, we should be takin
Lelani Lewis: Flipping the Script on Code Noir
In this revisited episode, from last year, the thoughtful and talented chef Lelani Lewis talks to Mark and Kate about why she named her dinner series and cookbook Code Noir, after a monstrous set of French regulations put into effect by Louis XIV; why some island cultures gradually veer towards the cultural homogeneity of the US; why pulling on heartstrings is sometimes the best way; and her showb
Pooja Bavishi: “You Can’t Get More Americana Than Ice Cream”
The up and coming queen of ice cream talks to Mark and Kate about how her ice cream brand, Malai, mimics her childhood; what it means to build your own culture; sourcing intentionally with no shortcuts—and why having a values-driven business is so important to her; and why her parents are the best people ever (and her #1 fans). The Bittman Project is featuring three recipes from Pooja Bavishi
Why Jason Buechel Is Optimistic About the Future of Our Food System
The CEO of Whole Foods Market and VP Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores talks to Mark and Kate about growing up as a 4H kid and how that's influenced him; how he's trying to change grocery shopping; how Gen Z is going to shift demand and interest in more sustainable practices; and Whole Foods and MAD Agriculture's new initiative—one that aims to change biodiversity at a macro level and strengthen the
Appetite for Change: Letting the Community Lead
Today, we revisit last year's episode with Michelle Horovitz, LaTasha Powell, and Princess Titus, the founders of Minneapolis-based Appetite for Change. The mighty team talks to Mark and Kate about how to use the psychology of a community to create a food system that works for all; passing the torch of food justice to the next generation; and teaching a community to cook.To get the recipe for the
Jenique Jones: Hunger and Poverty Are Policy Choices
The Executive Director of WhyHunger talks to Mark and Kate about how her grandmother’s values and being raised by Civil Rights-era elders shaped her beliefs; how she made the move from charity work to structural change—and why we need both; what it's like being a hopeless optimist; and the most inspirational things she's seen in 16 years of working with marginalized communities.Subscribe
How Memories of Her Mother’s Cooking Saved Chantha Nguon’s Life
We revisit an episode from last year, in which the author and cook talks to Kate about what she remembers about fleeing her home in Cambodia at the age of nine, five years before the genocide; why, and how, she decided to reclaim her family's recipes; and what brings her true happiness now.The recipe mentioned on today's show can be found on the Bittman Project, here: https://bittmanproject.c
David A. Kessler, MD: GLP-1 Drugs and "Re-Learning" to Eat
The author and former commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration talks to Mark about his new book, Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight; why self-control isn't enough when it comes to losing—and keeping off—weight; the problem with 'eat less, exercise more"; and his own personal weight loss journey.Read an excerpt from DIET, DRUGS, AND DOPAMINE on the B
Erik Piepenburg: Gay Restaurants and Why They’re So Important
The journalist talks to Mark and Kate about his book, DINING OUT, which is the first book dedicated to the history of gay restaurants and how they've shaped our culture; why he was reluctant to include his own personal stories—and what convinced him to do so; how the culture has changed over the years, and why; and Mark's gay restaurant tour of 1970s New York City.Read an excerpt from DINING
Ted Genoways: How José Cuervo Marked a Turning Point in Mexico’s History
Journalist Ted Genoways talks to Mark about his book, Tequila Wars: José Cuervo and the Bloody Struggle for the Spirit of Mexico, which is the first biography of Cuervo; about how Cuervo was responsible for the first cartel—and what it was like when cartels were simply business collectives; about how Cuervo saw the future of Mexico; and about why tequila is at the nexus of food and power.Read
Ari Kolender, Seafood Master
The chef and author of How to Cook the Finest Things in the Sea talks to Mark and Kate about what to look for when you walk into a fish market—and what to avoid; the myth of "sushi grade" fish; the importance of fish farming; and how to get the crispiest, most delicious fish skin.The Bittman Project is featuring three recipes from Ari Kolender's new book, How to Cook the Finest
Khushbu Shah and the Art of Improvising
The prolific food writer and cook talks to Mark and Kate about having one foot in two cultures; the auntie whisperer network – or, how Indians in America learned to make do without some of their beloved staples, and how they learned to make do with what was readily available; and why and how the term "fusion" got a dirty rep.Find the recipe for Khushbu's Masala Smashed Potatoes on the Bittman Proj
What Are the Drinking Trends on a Cruise Ship?
Daniela Oancea, Corporate Beverage Manager for Regent and Oceania, talks to Mark and Kate about how growing up in Transylvania prepared her for hospitality life; how trends have changed on cruise ships, from sobriety to liquor preferences; the rise of solo travelers; and where in the world some of her favorite bars are.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or whereve
Hawa Hassan: How Do You Tell More Than a Single Story?
The author and chef talks to Mark and Kate about how and why her personal experiences have prompted her to share the experiences of others; telling a better story of what it means to be displaced; the most harrowing travel experience she had while working on her latest book, Setting a Place for Us; and where to find the best sushi outside of Japan.The Bittman Project is featuring three r
The Simpsons: Eating Guacamole Off Seabirds
Rob LaZebnik and Jeff Westbrook, co-executive producers on The Simpsons, talk to Mark and Kate about the great joys of writing for Homer; the food-related caveat that got Paul McCartney on the show; Lisa predicting the Trump presidency; and where the inspiration came from for their recent episode—one that focuses on avocados and making fun of pickleball.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittma
Jamila Robinson: The Food World Deserves a Seat at the Table
The editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit and Epicurious talks to Mark and Kate about how we can—and should—have bigger conversations about food, on par with other entertainment industries; why the best restaurants are like self-portraits; the importance of social courage; and her perfect meal—fried rice and champagne. The Bittman Project is featuring two recipes from Bon Appétit's Ar
A Trip to the Dirty Kitchen with Jill Damatac
The writer talks to Mark and Kate about her memoir, Dirty Kitchen; living in the US as an undocumented immigrant for 22 years (and then self-deporting); what it's like to feel rooted in colonial mentality; and a common comforting mechanism of the Filipino immigrant experience.Read an excerpt from Dirty Kitchen at the Bittman Project: https://bittmanproject.com/dirty-kitchen/Subscribe to Food
Yes, Dan Levy Really Is That Great
A revisiting of a beloved episode from two years ago. Mark and Kate talk to the incomparable actor about finding comedy in a "soft" place, eating like a goldfish, love of family, and his disdain for cooking (but not eating). Get the recipe for Classic Levy Family Egg Salad on the Bittman Project: https://bittmanproject.com/recipe/classic-levy-family-egg-salad/Subscrib
Rick Martinez's New Book Changed the Way He Cooks
Writer and cook Rick Martinez talks to Mark and Kate about parental inspiration; being a cheesecake-obsessed teen; how Mexican-Americans are pigeonholed, culinarily; how and why he relocated from New York to Mazatlan; and his new book, Salsa Daddy. The Bittman Project is featuring two recipes from Rick's book, Salsa Daddy: Breakfast Tacos: https://bittmanproject.com/r
Vanessa Lavorato: An Edible Journey
The author, of How to Eat Weed and Have a Good Time, talks to Kate and Holly about how she got deep into the heart of making and selling cannabis goodies, how we can learn from her mistakes (and what some of them are!), one food that cannabis should probably not go into, and why she wanted to write a "safe" weed cookbook.Get Vanessa's recipe for Hot Honey Firecrackers on the Bittman Proj
Cory Booker May Represent Our Best Possible Future
In this revisiting of a 2022 episode, Mark talks to one of our most forward-thinking Senators about Big Food's long standing capability of corrupting food policy, the possibility of real change, why a Twinkie is cheaper than an apple, and how we can find our way back to regional food systems.Subscribe to Food with Mark Bittman on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen, and please
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