Whether you’re a passionate home cook, a culinary student, or someone who just enjoys the rhythm of chopping and stirring, cooking podcasts offer a way to stay connected to the world of food even when you’re not in the kitchen. With episodes ranging from expert interviews to recipe deep-dives and food culture stories, these shows can entertain, educate, and inspire while you commute, clean, or prep ingredients.
In recent years, cooking podcasts have carved out a strong niche in the broader food media landscape. They offer something uniquely intimate – voices that bring culinary techniques, traditions, and personalities to life without the need for a screen. From sharp chef commentary to cozy, recipe-centered chats, these podcasts come in a range of formats to match your taste and attention span.
What makes a cooking podcast worth your time? It often comes down to the mix of authenticity, clarity, and consistency. Some shows dig deep into food history or explore global cuisines, while others stick to practical tips for weeknight dinners or budget meals. Whether you’re after new kitchen skills or just want to hear smart people talk about food, there’s likely a show out there for you.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up some of the best cooking podcasts that consistently deliver value to food lovers. Each one brings a unique perspective – from chef-led discussions and behind-the-scenes industry insights to approachable home-cooking advice – helping you grow as a cook while keeping things interesting.
1. The Splendid Table
The Splendid Table is a long-running food podcast that mixes culinary curiosity with cultural depth. Hosted by award-winning writer and former chef Francis Lam, the show dives into the stories behind what we cook, how we eat, and why food matters. Each episode explores a wide range of topics – from global cuisines and cooking techniques to sustainability and food policy – all through thoughtful interviews, listener call-ins, and personal narratives.
Originally created in 1995 by Lynne Rossetto Kasper and producer Sally Swift, The Splendid Table was never just about recipes. It was designed to explore the science, culture, and storytelling behind food. Francis Lam took over in 2018 and has carried on that mission with warmth, insight, and genuine curiosity. His background in professional kitchens and culinary school gives him the technical depth to handle tough questions, while his focus on human stories keeps the conversations grounded and engaging.
Produced by American Public Media, the show airs on more than 400 radio stations and is also available as a podcast. Over the years, it has earned multiple awards, including James Beard Foundation and IACP honors. Whether you’re interested in learning about fermentation techniques, hearing from a street vendor in India, or finding out what chefs cook at home, The Splendid Table brings fresh perspectives to the table every week.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by Francis Lam, known for his calm, thoughtful interview style
- Blends food with culture, history, sustainability, and storytelling
- Regularly features guest chefs, food writers, and listener call-ins
- Award-winning program with a legacy dating back to 1995
- Available on podcast platforms and over 400 public radio stations across the U.S.
2. Proof
Proof is a documentary-style podcast produced by America’s Test Kitchen that delves into the hidden stories behind the foods we eat. Rather than focusing on recipes or celebrity chefs, the show explores the cultural, historical, and scientific aspects of food, offering listeners thought-provoking narratives that reveal the deeper connections between food and society.
Each episode of Proof investigates a unique topic, ranging from the origins of specific dishes to the psychological factors influencing our eating habits. The podcast’s storytelling approach combines rigorous research with engaging narratives, making complex food-related subjects accessible and entertaining.
Proof is available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music, allowing listeners to explore a wide array of episodes that uncover the fascinating stories behind everyday foods.
Key Highlights:
- Produced by America’s Test Kitchen
- Focuses on the cultural, historical, and scientific aspects of food
- Features documentary-style storytelling with in-depth research
- Available on major podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music
3. The Plan to Eat Podcast
The Plan to Eat Podcast is a weekly show hosted by Roni and Riley. It covers topics related to home cooking, meal planning, food routines, and the practical side of feeding yourself or a family. The show is produced by the team behind the meal planning app Plan to Eat but focuses on broader themes that apply to anyone looking to be more intentional about how they eat and shop.
Episodes typically take the form of conversational discussions between the hosts or interviews with guests, including nutritionists, home cooks, and subject-matter experts. Topics include planning weekly meals, organizing grocery lists, batch cooking, kitchen habits, and adjusting food routines to fit lifestyle changes. The tone is instructional and grounded in everyday experience, with a focus on real-life application.
The podcast is available on major listening platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Overcast, and Buzzsprout. New episodes are released regularly and listeners are encouraged to submit questions and topics for discussion. The show is designed for people interested in meal planning and food preparation without focusing on trends or entertainment content.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by Roni and Riley
- Focuses on meal planning, home cooking, and kitchen routines
- Includes guest interviews and topic-based episodes
- Produced by the creators of the Plan to Eat app
- Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Overcast, and Buzzsprout
4. The Sporkful
The Sporkful is a podcast that looks at food as a way to understand people and culture. It is hosted by Dan Pashman and explores how what we eat reflects who we are, how we live, and what we value. The podcast does not focus on recipes or restaurant trends but instead uses food as a starting point for broader social and cultural conversations.
Episodes often include interviews, personal stories, or investigations into the deeper meaning behind everyday food experiences. Topics can range from food and race to family traditions, eating habits, and the politics of taste. The tone is curious and analytical, with a focus on how food choices connect to identity and community.
The Sporkful publishes new episodes regularly and is structured to be accessible to a wide audience. It is suitable for listeners who are interested in thoughtful discussions about food beyond the kitchen or the plate.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by Dan Pashman
- Focuses on the social and cultural dimensions of food
- Includes interviews, personal stories, and investigations
- Covers topics such as identity, behavior, and food systems
- Publishes new episodes on a regular schedule
5. Green Eggs and Dan
Green Eggs and Dan is a podcast hosted by comedian Dan Ahdoot. The show centers on conversations about food, culture, and identity through a personal lens. Each episode begins with the guest describing the contents of their refrigerator, which sets the stage for a broader discussion about their background, food preferences, and everyday eating habits.
The tone of the podcast is informal and humorous, with a focus on how food reflects personality rather than on culinary technique or instruction. Guests come from a variety of fields, including entertainment and media, and often share stories that highlight how food intersects with work, family, and tradition.
Green Eggs and Dan is produced by Cloud10 and releases new episodes on a regular basis. The show is available across major podcast platforms and is aimed at listeners who enjoy casual, personality-driven food discussions.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by comedian Dan Ahdoot
- Begins each episode with a look inside the guest’s fridge
- Focuses on food as a reflection of identity and lifestyle
- Features guests from entertainment, media, and food-related fields
- Produced by Cloud10 and available on major podcast platforms
6. This Is TASTE
This Is TASTE is a podcast hosted by Matt Rodbard and Aliza Abarbanel, editors at TASTE, a food-focused publication. The show features long-form interviews with chefs, cookbook authors, food media professionals, and other voices from across the culinary world. Conversations focus on how food connects to broader topics like work, culture, and creativity, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the people shaping what and how we eat.
Episodes often explore the creative process behind books, restaurants, and media projects. Guests discuss their influences, routines, kitchen habits, and professional paths. The format is interview-based and structured to allow room for in-depth storytelling and reflection. The podcast is not centered on recipes or instructional content, but rather on the personal and professional experiences that inform the guest’s food perspective.
This Is TASTE is released several times a month. Some episodes are recorded in studio, while others are captured live at venues such as Rizzoli Bookstore in New York. The show is part of the broader editorial project of TASTE and is available on major podcast platforms.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by Matt Rodbard and Aliza Abarbanel
- Interview-based format with chefs, authors, and food professionals
- Covers culinary careers, food writing, creativity, and personal background
- Part of the TASTE media platform
- Episodes released multiple times per month
- Available on major podcast platforms
7. Dinner Sisters
Dinner Sisters is a podcast hosted by Kate Schulz and Betsy Wallace. The show focuses on practical home cooking, with each episode built around a selection of recipes that the hosts test and review. The goal is to help listeners discover approachable meals while sharing the realities of everyday kitchen life.
The podcast emphasizes recipe selection from a variety of online sources, followed by casual discussion on how the meals turned out. The hosts reflect on ingredients, preparation steps, and the overall results, offering ideas and feedback from the perspective of home cooks. Special episodes occasionally shift focus to broader topics like entertaining or kitchen routines.
Dinner Sisters is intended for listeners looking for cooking ideas without complicated techniques or formal training. The tone is friendly and informal, and the structure is consistent from episode to episode. It is available on standard podcast platforms.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by sisters Kate Schulz and Betsy Wallace
- Focuses on approachable home cooking and recipe discussion
- Includes recurring segments and occasional themed episodes
- Highlights recipes sourced from a range of online platforms
- Available on major podcast platforms
8. Black Girls Eating
Black Girls Eating is a podcast hosted by Candace Boyd and Tanorria Askew, two Indianapolis-based culinary professionals. The show focuses on the intersection of food, culture, and identity, often viewed through the lens of Black women’s experiences. Conversations are rooted in personal storytelling, highlighting food as both a cultural symbol and a tool for social connection.
The podcast features guest interviews with chefs, creatives, and community voices. Topics include food justice, family traditions, entrepreneurship, and the importance of representation in culinary spaces. The tone is conversational and grounded in lived experience, emphasizing the cultural depth behind everyday meals and food-related memories.
Black Girls Eating is released every other week and is available on major podcast platforms. Episodes follow a consistent format focused on dialogue, aiming to create a space for community voices and discussions that connect food with broader social issues.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by Candace Boyd and Tanorria Askew
- Focuses on food, culture, identity, and community
- Includes guest interviews across culinary and creative industries
- Explores themes such as food justice and cultural tradition
- New episodes released biweekly on major podcast platforms
9. Dinner SOS
Dinner SOS is a podcast produced by Bon Appétit and hosted by Chris Morocco. The show is built around everyday cooking questions submitted by listeners, who describe a problem they are facing in the kitchen. Each episode centers on a single case, and the host discusses possible solutions with colleagues or contributors from the Bon Appétit team.
The episodes focus on home cooking challenges, such as substituting ingredients, simplifying techniques, or rethinking a recipe that isn’t working. The listener usually tries one of the suggestions and shares how it turned out. This format allows the show to stay close to real-world cooking situations rather than theoretical advice.
Dinner SOS is available on major podcast platforms and releases new episodes on a regular basis. Listeners are encouraged to submit their own cooking dilemmas, making the show interactive and grounded in practical needs.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by Chris Morocco
- Produced by Bon Appétit
- Focuses on solving listener-submitted cooking problems
- Features discussions with members of the Bon Appétit editorial team
- Available on major podcast platforms
10. Gastropod
Gastropod is a podcast that investigates food through the combined perspectives of science and history. It is hosted by journalists Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley, who use each episode to explore how ingredients, tools, and food practices have evolved over time. The show centers on how scientific discovery and historical development influence the way we eat today.
The format is documentary-style and research-driven. The hosts conduct interviews with scientists, historians, and other specialists to explain the roots and context of the topic at hand. Episodes often include field visits and original reporting, which contribute to a detailed exploration of each subject.
Gastropod publishes new episodes every two weeks. It is produced in partnership with a media network and made available on all major podcast platforms. The show covers a broad range of topics, from food archaeology to modern agricultural technologies.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley
- Covers food topics through science and history
- Includes expert interviews and on-site reporting
- Documentary-style format with original research
- New episodes released biweekly on major platforms
11. Craftsmen Cooking
The Craftsmen Cooking podcast is a culinary-themed show produced by Big Guyz Inc., featuring a classically trained chef and a home cook exploring various dishes and the culinary scene. The episodes are characterized by a mix of cooking discussions and lighthearted banter. The podcast is available on platforms like Podtail, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
The show has produced 49 episodes, with topics ranging from cooking techniques to personal anecdotes. For instance, one episode delves into the differences between shepherd’s pie and cottage pie, while another discusses the hosts’ top five “shameful” meals they’ve had. The podcast also features episodes on various dishes like Italian beef sandwiches and stuffed pork tenderloin.
Craftsmen Cooking is recognized as one of the top home cooking podcasts. The show is noted for its engaging content, with episodes available on major podcast platforms.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by a classically trained chef
- Covers recipes, techniques, and cooking experiences
- Includes conversational segments and occasional guests
- Produced by Big Guyz Inc.
- Available on major podcast platforms
12. Lecker
Lecker is a podcast about food, hosted and produced by Lucy Dearlove. The show focuses on personal stories and everyday experiences, often recorded in domestic settings such as kitchens. Episodes explore how cooking and eating relate to themes like identity, memory, and place.
The podcast uses a documentary-style format. Some episodes follow individual conversations, while others are part of thematic series. Topics have included kitchen design, food heritage, and the meaning of shared meals. The sound design and structure vary depending on the subject.
Lecker has been produced since 2016 and is available on major podcast platforms. Additional material and series updates are shared through the show’s website, as well as subscription-based channels.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted and produced by Lucy Dearlove
- Focuses on personal food stories and daily life
- Uses a documentary-style format, often recorded in kitchens
- Includes thematic series such as “Kitchens” and “Blasstal”
- Available on podcast platforms and through its official site
13. Ruthie’s Table 4
Ruthie’s Table 4 is a podcast hosted by Ruth Rogers, chef and co-founder of The River Café in London. Each episode features a guest from the world of arts, entertainment, or public life, many of whom are regular visitors to the restaurant. The conversations are centered around food memories, personal routines, and the ways food is tied to identity, work, and relationships.
The format is structured as a conversation recorded at Table 4 inside the River Café, located close to the open kitchen. Guests share stories about family meals, cooking habits, and favorite restaurants. Episodes often end with the guest reading a recipe from one of The River Café cookbooks.
The podcast is produced in partnership with iHeartRadio and is available on major podcast platforms. Episodes are released weekly, with a focus on personal storytelling related to food and dining.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by Ruth Rogers, chef and founder of The River Café
- Features guests from creative and public fields
- Focuses on personal food stories and cooking habits
- Each episode recorded at Table 4 inside the restaurant
- Produced with iHeartRadio and available on major platforms
14. A Hot Dog Is a Sandwich
A Hot Dog Is a Sandwich is a weekly podcast hosted by Mythical Chefs Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati. The show explores humorous and often contentious culinary debates, tackling questions like “Is cereal a soup?” and “Are Pop-Tarts ravioli?” Each episode delves into these topics through lively discussions that blend food science, cultural insights, and personal anecdotes.
The format is conversational, with episodes typically featuring the two hosts engaging in spirited debates. Occasionally, guest experts or personalities join the discussion to provide additional perspectives. The podcast is known for its lighthearted approach to food-related controversies, making complex culinary topics accessible and entertaining.
Launched in February 2020, A Hot Dog Is a Sandwich is produced by Mythical Kitchen and is available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The show continues to release new episodes regularly, inviting listeners to reconsider their culinary assumptions.
Key Highlights:
- Hosted by Mythical Chefs Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati
- Explores humorous and controversial food debates
- Occasional guest appearances for diverse viewpoints
- Produced by Mythical Kitchen
- Available on major podcast platforms
Conclusion
Food podcasts continue to grow in number and variety, offering listeners different ways to think about what they eat and why it matters. Some podcasts focus on the practical side of cooking, helping people solve everyday kitchen problems or discover new recipes. Others explore food as part of culture, identity, work, and memory.
This list includes a mix of formats: interviews, personal stories, research-based reporting, and informal conversations. It features voices from chefs, writers, home cooks, and people who simply have something to say about what food means in their lives. Some shows are tightly structured, while others are casual and flexible.
Listening to food podcasts doesn’t require expert knowledge. Many are made for people who are curious, not necessarily skilled. Whether you’re looking for meal ideas, background on ingredients, or just like hearing how others relate to food, there’s something here for you.
Leave a Reply