What Makes Food Go Viral? With Sophia Roe

We invite chef, bakery owner, and cookbook author Allison Robicelli on our show to talk about all manner of strange food: What constitutes strange, the craziest things we’ve ever eaten, and how we feel about all of it. Things get weird. 

Self-proclaimed fufu-head Peter J. Kim sits down with comedian Ego Nwodim and Afrobeat pioneers Femi and Made Kuti to discuss ultimate jollof, Nigerian religi-pop, and the beloved ball of cooked starch that goes by many names.Find more Counterjam episodes here; season 2 will look at Mexican, Jewish, Ethiopian, and French food and music; featuring guests like Broad City creator Ilana Glazer, comedian Felipe Esparza, and Top Chef favorite Mory Sacko. It's an absolute audible feast—wee hope to see you there!

Co-hosts Katie (@QKatie) and Jen (@JenEatsLife) discuss the transformation of the modern-day kitchen as we know it: from the Industrial Revolution's impact on the woman's "place" in the kitchen, to how domestic duties have evolved over time. They also discuss their shared  adoration for cooking infomercials with YouTuber Emmy Cho (@EmmyMade). Referenced in this episode:The 100-year evolution of 9 kitchen appliances (HomeAdvisor)Rural cooking channels: Dianxi Xiaoge, Traditional MeVintage kitchen films: A Step Saving Kitchen, 1949; It Happened in the Kitchen, Part 2 - ca. 1941Japanese modern kitchen features: check out this fish drawer (!) and microwave-oven comboEmmy's Tangerine Bao recipe and vintage mayo gadgetMoley's robotic kitchenSpecials thanks to Danielle for your question, and Brian Quinn (@bqfunk) for our theme music. That's a wrap on season 1! We'll be interviewing Counterjam host Peter J. Kim live on Clubhouse at 1:30pm PDT on 7/14. Hope to see you there (and answer some of your questions)!

A few years ago, Katie got cancelled over a video on mango con chile. Why? Katie and Jen talk about the cultural appropriation in food; how to share excitement over "discovery" of new foods sensitively; and the importance of better, more diverse representation in media.They're later joined by pastry chef and The Pastry Chef's Guide author Ravneet Gill, who shares a wealth of mango inspo—including a hot tip for stellar mangoes year-round.P.S. Here's the NSFW mango TikTok mango hack Jen mentions.P.P.S. And, Ravneet's Mango Mousse recipe from her book, The Pastry Chef's Guide to make this weekend.Special thanks to our listeners for your questions and Brian Quinn (@bqfunk) for our theme music.Got a Q for us? Record a voice memo and send it here for a chance to be featured!  

Co-hosts Katie (@QKatie) and Jen (@JenEatsLife) talk all things spice—and the not-so-nice. They trace peppers' trade routes and WWE professional wrestler John Cena's contribution to the chile crisp trend. Later in the episode, they dissect the anatomy of a perfect chili oil with Eater's social media manager James Park (@jamesyworld). Special thanks to Allison for your question and Brian (@bqfunk) for our theme music!Have a Q? Send us a voice memo for a chance to get featured.

It's a nutty episode: co-hosts Katie and Jen talk about Americans' obsession with peanut butter (plus Italians' indifference to the stuff), Haiti's "spicy peanut butter," and the various peanut "seasonings" in south Asian cuisines.  Later on Food52 resident and Great British Bake-Off semi-finalist Chetna Makan joins to talk about her later-in-life adoption and love of nut butters.Special thanks to listener Deandra for your question and Brian Quinn (@bqfunk) for our theme music. 

Co-hosts Jen Phanomrat and Katie Quinn discuss the history and concept of "cucina povera" (making the most from simple, seasonal ingredients); Anna Maggio's Under the Olive Tree; and how we can see hints of this "poor cooking" approach in viral food trends today. Later on, chef and VICE Counter Space's Sophia Roe shares why equal access greater representation is important even—especially—in food. Special thanks to our listener Leo for your question and Brian Quinn (@bqfunk) for our theme music.Got a Q for us? Record a voice memo and send it here for a chance to be featured!  

Jen Phanomrat and Katie Quinn talk about the happiest hour, aka aperitivo, apéritif, and fika. They also talk about airplane food, ice cubes in wine, and how Apéritif author Rebekah Peppler and Food Network TV personality Rachel Khoo craft Friday coziness affordably.Special thanks to our listeners for your questions and Brian Quinn (@bqfunk) for our theme music.Got a Q for us? Record a voice memo and send it here for a chance to be featured!  

Who knew ketchup could be so controversial? Co-hosts Katie Quinn and Jen Phanomrat are joined by Tastemade's Frankie Celenza to discuss which foods are OK to smother in the stuff, catsup's surprising original formula (hint: no tomato), banana ketchup (!), homemade ketchup (!!), and why Heinz has remained king. You can find Frankie's Tastemade show, Struggle Meals, on most streaming platforms, or follow his kitchen adventures on Instagram at @frankiecooks.Special thanks to listeners for your questions and Brian Quinn (@bqfunk) for our theme music. Have a Q for us? Send us a voice memo for a chance to be featured. 

Quick: are you a pancakes or eggs benny person? Congee or oats? Filipino-Thai New Yorker Jen Phanomrat grew up with silog for breakfast; Katie Quinn's Midwestern household usually had cereal. On this episode, they discuss breakfast traditions across the world, and discover many surprising universalities. They're joined by Chef and Founder of Little Chef & Me Zoe Kelly, who shares a dunktastic idea we'll be making our new morning tradition.Special thanks to our listeners Clifton and Janet (@JustJanet69) for your questions, and Brian Quinn (@bqfunk) for our theme music.Have a Q for us? Send us a voice memo for a chance to be featured.