PODCAST PICKS

FOODIE EDITION

Whether you’re a home cook, an aspiring chef, or a dining-out foodie, this installment of Podcasts Picks is simply delicious—and these series are fun and calorie-free! We have a great group of splurgeworthy chefs, restaurateurs, and cookbook authors who will distract and relax you with their lively conversations. For those who are newer in the kitchen, you might pick up a few tips and get inspired to host a summer dinner party of your own. Dig in! BY AMY KAMIN

ALWAYS HUNGRY

Bobby Flay and his daughter and co-host Sophie offer a fun melding of different generations and perspectives in this pod. Flay is the chef and restaurateur behind Mesa Grill and Bobby’s Burger Palace. He’s won four Daytime Emmys for his work on Food Network and proudly has a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. He cooks, and she asks the questions—and eats! Their conversations around food and cooking focus on Sophie being inquisitive and pushing her dad for answers. Topics like oven to table, the art of deep frying, and chocolate are entertaining and thought-provoking. When they cook together you could swear you’re in the room with them. Remember, you can enter Bobby’s kitchen, even if you never enter yours.

RADIO CHERRY BOMBE

Founder Kerry Diamond has achieved the status of being the No. 1 podcast in the U.S. about women and food. She records from wherever she is— Rockefeller Center, her closet in Brooklyn, or at a wedding in Hawaii. The show starts with the upbeat theme song “All Fired Up,” then Diamond switches to her soothing professional radio voice. She highlights chefs, bakers, and cookbook authors who are shaping and shaking up the food industry. Her conversations are with the coolest culinary personalities, including Christine Tobin, the food stylist behind HBO Max’s Julia; wine sommelier Victoria James; Eva Chen and husband Tom talking about their love of granola; and Take Out host Lisa Ling.

FOUR COURSES

Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, who penned a cookbook with his two daughters, The Family That Cooks Together, started as an apprentice for Daniel Boulud. He’s been featured on Food Network’s Chopped and The Kitchen. His podcast is divided into four courses, like a meal. Zakarian is so great at describing food and flavors that you feel like you can taste them. Listen to some great past convos with chefs Curtis Stone and Eric Ripert, actor Matthew McConaughey, and Olympic skater Adam Rippon.

FOOD

Mark Bittman is the former columnist for The New York Times and an author of 30 books. Although famous in the food world, Spotlight became aware of him during a Zoom with Guild Hall last summer when he was promoting his book Bittman Bread. His wisdom and expertise are unparalleled. Bittman is sharp and pleasant to listen to and has a great variety of interesting foodie guests, including Al Roker, Laura Linney, and fellow chef and cookbook author Yotam Ottolenghi.

FOOD PEOPLE

Bon Appétit was founded in 1956 as a giveaway magazine at liquor stores and then became a bimonthly publication based in Chicago. Its debut podcast, Food People, is hosted weekly by editorial director Amanda Shapiro. It’s a show “made by, for, and about people who love food.” Shapiro asks culinary questions to all kinds of cooking experts. Her guests include chefs, writers, or even Bon Appétit staff. You’ll come away with lots of useful info and some recipe ideas you’ll want to try!

RECIPE CLUB

Chef David Chang and his cohost Chris Yang, as well as some rotating featured guests, delve into all things food. The famous founder of the Momofuku restaurant group has two Michelin stars and is clearly qualified. He and his team scour through thousands of recipes to find the absolute best way to prepare popular dishes, like meat loaf, spaghetti, and canned tuna. Then they all share their opinions on the best way to prepare them and debate, debate, and debate. The show is creative, quirky, and enjoyable. T