Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

Latest Episodes:

Catching the Codfather Part 1: Red Lobster Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

Today, we’re sharing a special episode from The Big Dig podcast from GBH News, Catching the Codfather. Carlos “The Codfather” Rafael dominates the most valuable fishing port in the United States, and no one is quite sure how he did it. But in 2015, when undercover federal agents offer to buy his business, Carlos opens his books.
Listen to the series host Ian Coss talk with Christopher Kimball on Milk Street Radio about the full story here.
Subscribe to The Big Dig Presents: Catching the Codfather here.
Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Emeril Live! Up Close and Personal with Emeril Lagasse Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

This week, we’re looking at the pioneers of food television. Emeril Lagasse reflects on his unlikely start at the Food Network, how he’s different from his on-screen persona and why he just opened his first Portuguese restaurant. Plus, Michelle T. King tells the story of Fu Pei-mei, Taiwan’s first cooking TV star, our very own Sara Moulton (of Cooking Live fame) answers caller cooking questions, and Adam Gopnik weighs in on the spectacle of Iron Chef. (Originally aired February 7, 2025.)
Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

The Codfather: Inside A $175 Million Fish Fraud Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Carlos Rafael ran one of the biggest fishing operations in New England. He was successful. Almost too successful. Probably because his seafood empire was built through fraud. This week, reporter Ian Coss brings us to the story of The Codfather. Plus, Natasha Pickowicz invites everyone to hot pot, and Christopher Kimball and Sara Moulton answer your questions on Norwegian pancakes, Julia Child’s Gâteau de Crêpes, and more.
Want to hot pot at home? Get the blog post featuring Natasha's equipment recommendations and shopping guide here.
Listen to Catching the Codfather on the Big Dig Podcast from GBH here.
Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

The Life and Death of Gourmet: Ruth Reichl Tells All Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Something surprising happened earlier this month: Five intrepid journalists brought Gourmet magazine back from the dead after they discovered Condé Nast let its trademark lapse. This week, we revisit our episode from 2019 with Gourmet’s final editor-in-chief, Ruth Reichl. She shares stories about the magazine’s glory days, its final days, and the perks of being an editor in the golden age of publishing. Plus, Vicky Bennison takes us behind the scenes of Pasta Grannies, her YouTube channel that documents Italian grandmothers making pasta the old-fashioned way; we get lessons in hotel room cooking from Alex Aïnouz; and we make Mini Almond Cakes with Spiced Chocolate. (Originally aired May 17, 2019.)
Get the recipe for Mini Almond Cakes with Spiced Chocolate here.
Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

The Science of Food: Steaks, Bugs and Expiration Dates Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

For a throwback, we’re looking back at one of our all-time favorite episodes—our science episode from 2020. We chat with flavor chemist Dr. Arielle Johnson about how to eat a tree, how insects use flavor molecules to communicate and the science of taste and smell. Plus, Meathead teaches us how to grill perfect steaks; J. Kenji López-Alt investigates food expiration dates; and we make a no-fuss, all-flavor Spanish Almond Cake.
Get the recipe for Spanish Almond Cake here.
Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Moose and Cake Mix: Inside The Alaskan Diet Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Photographer Riley Arthur reports on a New York City icon: the old-fashioned diner. She goes beyond the club sandwiches and coffee to reveal the mob meetings, FBI stings and dramatic family moments that happen within a diner’s walls. Then, author Julia O’Malley provides a true taste of Alaskan cuisine, where stolen peaches, fresh caught salmon and boxed chocolate cake all are served at the same table. Plus, Adam Gopnik travels back in time to visit the New York restaurant scene of the 1980s.
Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

The Mystery of Taste: Beyond Sweet, Sour, Salty & Bitter Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Are humans the only species that loves sour? Does everyone taste bitter the same way? And could there be flavors we can’t even comprehend yet? Emily Kwong and Aaron Scott from NPR’s “Short Wave” join us to explore the amazing science of taste, from the mysteries of salt to why dolphins can’t taste sweet. Plus, chef Khánh-Ly Huynh shares Vietnamese street food from Paris; Adam Gopnik investigates what it takes to become a culinary maestro; and we go to Bangkok for Thai Cashew Chicken. (Originally aired March 23rd, 2023.)
Get the recipe for Thai Cashew Chicken here.
Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Food Trends 2026 with Kim Severson of The New York Times Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

This week we ask: What will be the hottest food trend of 2026? Kim Severson returns with her predictions for the year ahead, where grandmothers, vinegar, and ASMR will reign supreme. We also get caught up on the latest in food lingo — "swangy" is the new flavor to watch out for. Plus, author Sho Spaeth gives us a lesson in homemade ramen and John T. Edge reckons with life, legacy and food in the American South.
Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

The World’s Most Difficult Fruits Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

Author Kate Lebo introduces us to the world of rare fruits that are hard to find, harvest, prepare or just plain love. Plus, we study the staples of Gabonese cooking with chef Anto Cocagne, we get a lesson in the language of bread from Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette, and we learn about the history of Hungarian Chicken Paprikash. (Originally aired January 6, 2023.)
Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Best of 2025: World's Worst Restaurant Review, Talking Stomachs and Favorite Calls Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

It’s time to look back at some of our favorite moments from 2025. There are the interviews that shocked us — from brand new theories of stomach intelligence to Pete Well’s harshest restaurant review — as well as expert cooking tips shared by the likes of Samin Nosrat and Lidia Bastianich. Plus, we revisit a few unforgettable listener calls and Christopher Kimball and Adam Gopnik present their favorite books of the year.
Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify