Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated stand-up, Northern News podcaster and lead in 2010 sitcom ‘Popatron’, Ian Smith has a table booked this week. But has he thought through his starter? Ian Smith is on tour now with his new show ‘Foot Spa Half Empty’. For dates and tickets go to iansmithcomedian.co.uk Listen to Ian’s podcast ‘Northern News’ wherever you listen to podcasts Follow Ian on Instagram and TikTok @iansmithcomedy Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 23 Oct...
Oct 22, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 314
It’s another Tasting Menu episode, and this time stand-up, activist and original cheeseboard-picker Jen Brister returns for a hellish menu. Jen Brister is on tour now with ‘Reactive’. For dates and tickets go to jenbrister.co.uk Donate to All Our Relations at allourrelations.co.uk Follow Jen on Instagram and TikTok @jenbristercomedy Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 16 Oct. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok : ...
Oct 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 313
We’re back in National Treash territory with multi-award winning actor, ‘Sex Education’ and ‘The X Files’ star and soft drinks entrepreneur Gillian Anderson. But what is Green Glass Jello? ‘TRON: ARES’ is out in cinemas on 10th October. ‘Trespasses’ will air in November on Channel 4 Buy G Spot drinks at stores nationwide – including Sainsbury’s – or online at thisisgspot.com Follow Gillian on Instagram and TikTok @gilliana Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 9 ...
Oct 08, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 312
Radio 1 DJ Greg James is this week’s dream guest in the Dream Restaurant. And James calls in to the radio… Greg James’s book ‘All the Best for the Future: Growing Up Without Growing Old’ is out now. Buy it here . See Greg James on his book tour. For dates and tickets go here . Follow Greg on on Instagram @greg_james and TikTok @gregjames Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 2 Oct. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTo...
Oct 01, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 311
Top stand-up, ‘Mock the Week’ regular and Ed’s unofficial little brother, Rhys James is this week’s guest diner. And he’s invented a dessert. Rhys James’s book ‘You’ll Like It When You Get There: A Life Lived Reluctantly’ is out now. Buy it here . Watch Rhys’s special, ‘Spilt Milk’ on YouTube here . Follow Rhys on on Instagram @rhysjamesy Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube now . Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok : @offmenuofficial...
Sep 24, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 310
Award-winning comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti is in the Dream Restaurant this week. And Ed and James do their usual monkeying around. Nina Conti is on tour now with ‘Whose Face Is It Anyway?’. For dates are tickets go to ninaontour.com Nina’s directorial debut film ‘Sunlight’ will have a UK theatrical release from 18th October 2025 (screening details here ), or you can pre-order it on Apple TV here (UK) and here (Ireland) - available digitally from 28th November 2025. Follow Nina on Instag...
Sep 17, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 309
Mawaan Rizwan – ‘Taskmaster’ runner-runner-up and Bafta-winning star and creator of BBC Three’s ‘Juice’ – is this week’s diner, and he has an easy-to-follow recipe for English food. Trigger warning: this episode contains talk about calories. Series 2 of ‘Juice’ is on BBC Three and iPlayer from 18 September. Watch it (and catch up with series 1) here . Follow Mawaan on Instagram @mawaanr and TikTok @mawaan Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Fri 5 Sep. Off Menu is n...
Sep 10, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 308
The Divine Comedy frontman Neil Hannon has a table booked at the Dream Restaurant this week. Something for the weekend. The Divine Comedy’s new album ‘Rainy Sunday Afternoon’ is released on Fri 19 Sep. Pre-order is here . Follow The Divine Comedy on Instagram @divinecomedyhq Donated to My Lovely Horse Rescue at www.mylovelyhorserescue.com Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Fri 5 Sep. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikT...
Sep 03, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 307
Internationally bestselling Irish author Marian Keyes – co-host of Radio 4’s ‘Now You’re Asking’ – is this week’s dream diner. And she’s got some supportive words for Ed and James. Trigger warning: this episode contains talk about alcohol addiction, and mentions of grooming. Marian Keyes’s latest novel ‘My Favourite Mistake’ is out now, published by Penguin. Buy it here . Marina co-hosts ‘Now You’re Asking’ on BBC Radio 4. Listen to it on BBC Sounds . And look out for the BBC adaptation of Maria...
Aug 27, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 306
Bafta-award winning actor and writer Will Sharpe – star of ‘The White Lotus’, ‘A Real Pain’ and Lena Dunham’s new show ‘Too Much’ – is our guest diner this week. But Ed’s annoyed Will didn’t give him a warning… Will Sharpe stars in ‘Too Much’ which is streaming on Netflix now. Watch it here . Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok : @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off ...
Aug 20, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 305
Superb stand-up and ‘Live at the Apollo’ star Jonny Pelham is this week’s guest diner. And, of course, we ask him about his gang-member past… Jonny Pelham is currently performing at the Edinburgh Fringe with his new show ‘Is It Me?’ at Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 21.00, until 25 August. For tickets go to edfringe.com Follow Jonny on Instagram @jonny_pelham Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok : @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmen...
Aug 13, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 304
‘Taskmaster’ alumnus, Nobody Panic podcaster and multimedia stand-up Stevie Martin has a reservation this week. But can she pick a side dish? Stevie Martin is on tour with her show ‘Clout’. For dates and tickets go to steviemartin.com Listen to Stevie’s podcast ‘ Nobody Panic ’ where you listen to podcasts. Follow Stevie on Instagram @5tevieM and TikTok @Stevie-Martin Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok : @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www...
Aug 06, 2025•55 min•Ep. 303
Fast-rising stand-up Sharon Wanjohi joins us in the Dream Restaurant this week. But, uh oh, she’s scraped her knee! Sharon Wanjohi is at the Edinburgh Fringe until the 24th August with her debut show ‘In The House’. For dates and tickets go to edfringe.com . Follow Sharon on Instagram @sharonwanjohi_ and TikTok @sharonsforehead Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok : @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of resta...
Jul 30, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 302
Actor-comedian – star of ‘Parks and Rec’, ‘The Afterparty’ and voice of Sonic the Hedgehog – Ben Schwartz has a table booked this week. Plus we have a few guest callers. Ben Schwartz soon stars in ‘DNA’ and ‘Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice’. Ben’s improv show ‘Ben Schwartz and Friends’ is currently touring the US. For dates and tickets go to rejectedjokes.com Follow Ben on Instagram @rejectedjokes Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok : @offme...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 301
We’re 300! What a way to start the new series than with a special milestone episode where, once again, the (dining) tables are turned and Ed and James are the guests in the dream restaurant. Have their tastebuds changed over the last 100 episodes? And, this time, we’re thrilled to welcome back AJ Odudu as the special guest genie. A massive thanks to AJ for hosting our big birthday episode, and a huge thank you to all of you for listening to the podcast over the last 300 episodes. AJ Odudu hosts ...
Jul 16, 2025•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 300
The Dream Restaurant re-opens for bookings on Wednesday 16th July. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 14, 2025•2 min
It’s our final b-b-b-b-bonus live episode from the London Palladium, with special guest Katherine Parkinson – star of ‘Rivals’, ‘The IT Crowd’ and ‘Inside No 9’. Want to experience Off Menu: Live for yourself? There are a few tickets left for our live shows at the Royal Albert Hall next year. Visit royalalberthall.com for tickets. We’ll be back with series 14 of Off Menu very soon… Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 299
In a special bonus episode in partnership with Dexcom, we welcome BAFTA-nominated actor, ‘Happy Valley’ star and Dexcom ambassador James Norton to the Dream Restaurant. And, no, he didn’t get type 1 diabetes from falling in the Thames. If you, or someone you know is living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and you like the sound of Dexcom, we highly recommend you take a look online at Dexcom.com and request a free Dexcom ONE Plus sample. Dexcom sensors are available on the NHS for some people livin...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 298
In our last episode of the series, stand-up, podcaster, Taskmaster star and self-proclaimed Pinotphile – Joanne McNally – joins us in the Dream Restaurant. Please listen responsibly. We’ll be back very soon with a new series of Off Menu. Joanne McNally is on tour now with ‘Pinotphile’. For dates and tickets go to joannemcnally.com Follow Joanne on Instagram @joannemcnally Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 297
It’s b-b-b-b-bonus time, with a live episode from our London Palladium run, with very special guest, pop royalty Self Esteem – aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor. (Plus a cameo appearance from Corbarian, Kelly.) Self Esteem’s new album ‘A Complicated Woman’ is out now. Buy and listen to it here . Self Esteem is out tour from September. For dates and tickets visit selfesteem.love Follow Rebecca on Instagram @selfesteemselfesteem Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced an...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 296
Comedian, chef and the Snack Hacker himself, George Egg, joins us in the Dream Restaurant this week. And James has an announcement. George Egg’s book, ‘The Snack Hacker: Rule-Breaking Recipes for Cooks and Non-Cooks’, is published on 5th June by Blink Publishing. Pre-order it here . Follow George on Instagram @georgeegg And watch The Snack Hacker videos on YouTube Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive . Video...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 295
Three-time Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan – star of Tim Key and Tom Basden’s ‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ – is this week’s dream guest. But can James name those nominated roles? Carey Mulligan stars in ‘The Ballad of Wallis Island’ which is in cinemas from 30 May. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive . Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive . Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Follow Off...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 294
Presenter, author and actor Stacey Dooley has a booking this week, and she’s expecting fuss, fuss, fuss. Stacey Dooley’s new book ‘Dear Minnie’ published by BBC Books. Buy it here . Stacey is also starring in the touring production of ‘2:22: A Ghost Story’. For dates and tickets go to 222aghoststory.com Follow Stacey on Instagram @sjdooley Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive . Video production by Megan McCa...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 293
World’s Greatest Hugger, Dermot O'Leary, joins us in the Dream Restaurant this week and reveals Nicole Scherzinger’s after-dinner tipple. Dermot O'Leary hosts ‘Silence is Golden’ which starts Monday 5th May on U&Dave and airs weekly. All episodes are available to stream free on U from Monday 5th May. Follow Dermot on Instagram @dermotoleary Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive . Video production by Megan...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 292
We’re back with another b-b-b-b-bonus episode from our West End run in March this year. And our special guest is Palladium royalty and ‘Taskmaster’ star Julian Clary. Julian Clary is on tour now with ‘A Fistful of Clary’ including a date at the London Palladium on 17th May. For full dates and tickets go to julianclary.co.uk Follow Julian on Instagram @julianclarycampcomic Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive . Recorde...
May 05, 2025•53 min•Ep. 291
The force is strong with this week’s guest, as ‘Star Wars’ actor and star of James’s favourite film ‘Cleaner’ Daisy Ridley joins us in the Dream Restaurant. (And that restaurant in Liverpool Daisy couldn't remember the name of was called Buyers Club .) Daisy Ridley stars in ‘Cleaner’, a Sky Cinema release on 2nd May. Watch it here . Follow Daisy on Instagram @daisyridley Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive ...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 290
Global treasure and Hollywood icon Jeff Goldblum joins us in the Dream Restaurant this week. But the food will need to be served quickly… Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra’s new album ‘Still Blooming’ is out on 25th April on Decca Records. Buy it here . Follow Jeff on Instagram @jeffgoldblum Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive . Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive . Artwork by Pau...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 289
In our second Tasting Menu episode, ‘Taskmaster’ star and writer/star of ‘The Change’, Bridget Christie, returns for a surprise set of dream dishes. But she’s got bigger problems to deal with… All episodes of series two of Bridget’s sitcom ‘The Change’ are available now on Channel 4. Watch it here . Follow Bridget on Instagram @bridget.christie.14 Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive . Video production by Me...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 288
Mexican-born Michelin-starred chef Santiago Lastra – whose restaurants include KOL and Fonda – orders his dream meal this week. Now, where did we put the sea buckthorn juice? Santiago Lastra’s new London restaurant Fonda is now open – go to fondalondon.com . And for details about KOL go to kolrestaurant.com . Follow Santiago on Instagram @santiagolas Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive . Video production by...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 287
It’s our first b-b-b-b-bonus episode from our live residency at the London Palladium. And first up in the Dream Restaurant is superb stand-up and James’s ‘Taskmaster’ pal Rhod Gilbert. Rhod Gilbert is on tour now with ‘Rhod Gilbert and the Giant Grapefruit’ including a date at London’s Eventim Apollo on 12 June. For dates and tickets go to rhodgilbertcomedian.com Follow Rhod on Instagram @rhodgilbert Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced and edited by Ben W...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 286
