Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

This week, beloved television reporter Harry Smith takes us behind the scenes at The Early Show and around the world. He recalls his most memorable meals, from Haiti to Iraq to the Netherlands, and what a he’s learned from a lifetime of travel. Plus, Leela Punyaratabandhu shares the flavors of the Southeast Asian grill; Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of “A Way with Words” search the world for rice idioms; and Sohla El-Waylly is back on the phone lines to tackle your cooking questions!Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

This week, it's all about food inventions and innovations. Nicola Twilley reveals the history of refrigeration, from ingenious fridge designs to Rwanda’s pioneering “coldscape.” Plus, meat scientist Chris Calkins invents new cuts of steaks, and Dan Pashman wonders if the food tech takeover is actually a bust. Finally, we share a recipe for the pope’s carbonara. (Originally aired August 23, 2024.)Get this week’s recipe for Spaghetti with Prosciutto, Parmesan and Peas here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Former restaurant server and sommelier Hannah Selinger shares stories from her tell-all memoir, Cellar Rat, featuring run-ins with critics, strategies for spotting bad tippers, what she considers the stuffiest restaurant in New York, and how she thinks the industry may one day reform. Plus, Özlem Warren gives us the true taste of Istanbul and Kim Severson explains why America is breaking up with the calorie.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

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. (Originally aired June 6, 2025.)Get the recipe for Sri Lankan Spinach and Coconut Dal with Tomato Tarka here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

José Andrés is back to celebrate the food from his home country! He goes beyond paella and sangria to honor lesser-known Spanish foods like migas, wine-soaked bread and… mayonnaise. Plus, he shares stories from one of history's best restaurants, elBulli, and explains why you should never order churros at a restaurant. Also, Trevor Warmedahl makes cheese in Mongolia's Valley of the Yaks; and Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of "A Way With Words" break down the meaning of internet food memes.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Reporter Rebecca Rosman takes us to one of France’s favorite grocery stores—Picard—where everything is frozen. Every spring they celebrate “America Week” with concoctions such as popcorn ice cream, doughnuts made of ground-up potatoes and marshmallows in places they don’t belong. Is this really what American cuisine looks like in the eyes of the French? Plus, Adam Savage of “MythBusters” fame joins us to break down his favorite food experiments, including the time he dropped an Olympic swimmer into a giant vat of syrup; J. Kenji López-Alt cracks the code on Chicago thin-crust pizza; and we travel to Rome for Cloud Bread. (Originally aired July 7, 2023.)Photo credit David Lebovitz Get the recipe for Roman Cloud Bread here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify