The Menu - podcast cover

The Menu

Monoclemonocle.com
Our guide to the world of food, drink and entertaining, The Menu serves up interviews with the world’s most creative chefs, introduces the makers behind the scenes and the ingredients that will soon be landing on your restaurant table.

Episodes

‘Cooking for People’, Estonian wine and The Newt

This week, we sit down with Mike Davies, the chef at the helm of one of London’s most celebrated gastropubs, The Camberwell Arms, to leaf through his new seasonal cookbook, ‘Cooking for People’. Then, Petri Burtsoff heads to a Luscher & Matiesen winery on the Estonian island of Muhu to taste some of the nation’s unique tipples. Plus: Monocle’s Monica Lillis is in Somerset to learn more about the hotel and country estate that’s committed to the land and local culinary traditions. See omnystud...

Nov 08, 202437 min

Food Neighbourhoods #409: Vaxholm, Sweden

We head to Sweden, the home of cinnamon buns, or ‘kanelbullar’, to meet award winning home-cook Lina Walstrom. Monocle’s Tamara Thiessen heads to meet her in Vaxholm to learn how to make this staple Swedish treat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 05, 20247 min

‘Hokkaido’, Ben Slater and our Wine of the Month

We leaf through a new cookbook by Tim Anderson dedicated to the cuisine of the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Also in the programme, George Ruskin meets chef Ben Slater to learn about the art of food styling and our in-house wine expert, Chloé Lake, crowns her wine of the month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 01, 202433 min

Food Neighbourhoods #408: Oslo, Norway

Norway’s capital is not to be overlooked if you want a taste of the best that the Nordics have to offer. Much like its people, Oslo’s culinary scene is not brash or showy, so its most notable restaurants and bars can be easy to miss. Here, Monocle’s resident Norwegian, Gunnar Gronlid, helps us uncover some of the city’s best spots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 29, 20247 min

Umami

This week’s episode is dedicated entirely to umami. First up, we sit down with Christopher Beckman, whose new book dives into the history and potency of anchovies. Also on the programme: Monocle’s Canberra correspondent, Aarti Betigeri, tastes Australia’s divisive spread, Vegemite. Plus: we unearth the bountiful possibilities of cooking with fungi with Sam White, executive chef at Fortnum & Mason. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 25, 202432 min

Food Neighbourhoods #407: Taormina, Sicily

We swap city life for the hilltop town of Taormina in Sicily to soak up the last of the season’s sun. George Ruskin takes us on a tour of this elegant destination’s best culinary spots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 22, 20248 min

Happy Endings, Butcheria and Japanese food replicas

This week, we delve into the pleasure of ice cream whatever the season with founder of Happy Endings, Terri Mercieca. Also in the programme, Monocle’s Copenhagen correspondent Michael Booth meets chef and butcher, Michael Museth, at his restaurant and shop, Butcheria, dedicated to delivering high-quality-meat products to the city. Plus: Mae-Li Evans visits a new exhibition at Japan House London, ‘Looks Delicious!’, all about the art of hyper-realistic food replicas in Japan. See omnystudio.com/l...

Oct 18, 202433 min

Food Neighbourhoods #406: Hudson, New York

Today we’re heading upstream to Hudson, a leafy town north of New York, to sample its culinary delights. Monocle’s Anita Riotta takes us on a tour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 15, 20248 min

Santiago Lastra, fresh-herb foraging in Finland and Lulu’s

This week, we welcome chef Santiago Lastra back to the studio to discuss his new London opening, Fonda, inspired by Mexico’s laidback eateries. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Petri Burtsoff meets Finnish chef Sami Tallberg to learn about the transformative flavours of fresh-foraged herbs. Plus: Monica Lillis heads to Lulu's, a South London neighbourhood restaurant taking the area’s culinary reputation to the next level. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 11, 202432 min

Food Neighbourhoods #405: Marseille

Today, we’re heading to France’s oldest city, Marseille. Known for its sunshine, sea and saffron, this melting pot of a port town seamlessly blends French, Italian, Mediterranean and North African cooking traditions and rituals. Here, Sarah Grice takes us on a tour of her favourite spots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 08, 202412 min

Condiments

This week we whip out jars and bottles for an episode entirely dedicated to condiments. First up, we sit down with the authority on the subject, author Claire Dinhut – also known as Condiment Claire – to talk about her new book. Also in the programme: Monocle’s Gregory Scruggs meets the founders of KariKari Chilli Crisp in Seattle to learn about the global craze for spicy sauces. Plus: Sebastian Stephenson heads to Highbank Orchards to taste its award-winning cider vinegar. See omnystudio.com/li...

Oct 04, 202434 min

Food Neighbourhoods #404: Herne Hill, London

Today, Monocle’s Monica Lillis heads to the leafy suburb of Herne Hill in South London to sample its artisanal bakeries and cafés, sit down at some of the area’s best restaurants and tour its stalwart Sunday market. Take a listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 01, 20248 min

‘The Martini’, The Ferm and Wine of the Month

This week, we sit down with Alice Lascelles to flick through her new book, ‘The Martini’, and learn why she’s so passionate about this classic cocktail. Also in the programme: Hannah Pham meets with Rebecca Ghim, founder of The Ferm, a London-based fermentary that turns waste products into kimchi. Plus, our wine expert, Chloé Lake, crowns her wine of the month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 27, 202434 min

Food Neighbourhoods #403: Ibiza Town

On the Balearic isle of Ibiza the summer season is beginning to wind down. The legions of leisure seekers won’t officially dwindle until mid-October, when many of the island’s restaurants head off on their half-year hiatus. Moored in Ibiza Town, Monocle correspondent Liam Aldous has been tucking into the changing face of the port city’s food scene, which is seeing a growing number of restaurants turn into perennial offerings – a development that’s pleasing residents just as much as the tourists....

Sep 24, 202411 min

Tollington’s fish bar and Ziba

We meet Ed McIlory to find out about his new Iberia-inspired opening, Tollington’s, in north London. Also on the programme: Marisa Mazria Katz meets the founders of Ziba, a US-based company that aims to bring the distinctive taste of Afghan fruit and nuts to the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 20, 202429 min

Food Neighbourhoods #402: Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts

With the leaves beginning to turn golden brown in the Northern Hemisphere, Monocle’s Sana Jumani takes us on a tour of Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, an area renowned for its autumnal fare as well as its varied culinary scene. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 17, 20247 min

Lahpet Larder, Do Good Brew Co and Archestratus

We meet Dan Anton of London’s Lahpet to learn more about his most recent opening, Lahpet Larder, and talk about the appetite for Burmese cuisine. Also on the programme: we’re in Finland to meet the founder of Do Good Brew Co, who tells us about his mission to pair beer with fine dining. Plus: Monocle’s Tomos Lewis heads to Archestratus Books and Foods in Brooklyn, New York. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 13, 202432 min

Food Neighbourhoods #401: Mendoza, Argentina

Monocle’s Liv Kessler heads to Mendoza, the wine capital of Argentina, to explore the heart of the city’s culinary scene through the lens of its historic food culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 10, 20247 min

Savoy Helsinki’s new book, Bleu Tshering Dorji and Catarina Bistrot

This week we sit down with Helena Puolakka and Saku Tuominen of Savoy in Helsinki to learn about their new publishing project. Also: we hear from chef Bleu Tshering Dorji, who is looking to bring Bhutanese cuisine to the world stage. Plus: Chiara Rimella explores the intertwined history of religion and food at Catarina Bistrot in Turin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 06, 202429 min

Food Neighbourhoods #400: Stoneybatter, Dublin

This week we head to the Dublin neighbourhood of Stoneybatter, north of the River Liffey, to sample culinary delights ranging from freshly baked sourdough to authentic Italian fare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 03, 20247 min

David Carter, Kanaan and our Wine of the Month

We speak to restauranter David Carter about the inspiration behind his globally minded venues in London. Also on the programme: we learn more about the ethos of Berlin restaurant Kanaan, which was founded by an Israeli and a Palestinian. Plus: our in-house wine expert, Chloé Lake, crowns her wine of the month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 30, 202430 min

Food Neighbourhoods #399: Grenada, West Indies

Mandy Sinclair heads to the Dodgy Dock Restaurant & Bar food market on Grenada in the West Indies to meet some of the nation’s gastronomic pioneers and taste test the local cuisine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 27, 20248 min

Rambutan, Helsinki culinary walking tour and Bonhams department of Wine and Spirits

This week, we meet Cynthia Shanmugalingam, the founder of Sri Lankan Tamil restaurant Rambutan in London’s Borough Market to find out how she brings her memories and voice to the kitchen. Also in the programme, Monocle’s Petri Burtsoff takes to the streets of Helsinki to sample some of the city’s best culinary offerings and we sit down with Amayès Aouli, the head of Wine and Spirits at Bonhams auction house. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 23, 202429 min

Food Neighbourhoods #398: Vilnius, Lithuania

Lithuania might not be the first place that you think of when it comes to gastronomic prowess but its ranking as number one on the World Happiness Index for under-thirties shows the country’s strength as a soft-power player. Here, Monocle’s Lily Austin heads to its capital, Vilnius, to get a taste of its burgeoning culinary scene. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 20, 20248 min

Exploring culinary heritage

This week we look at how cooking can reconnect you with your culinary and family heritage. Author and cook Karla Zazueta tells us about the distinctiveness of northern Mexican cuisine and her memories of her childhood in Baja California. Plus, Monocle’s David Plaisant meets Marie Mitchell to gather ingredients for recipes from her highly personal cookbook, ‘Kin’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 16, 202430 min

Food Neighbourhoods #397: Belleville, Paris

If you’re sticking around in Paris after the Olympic Games, drop by the multicultural neighbourhood of Belleville. Monocle’s Claudia Jacob takes us on a tour of her favourite spots. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 13, 20246 min

‘Verdura’, Alouette and Chotto Matte

We speak to chef Theo Randall to learn about his new cookbook, ‘Verdura, which is dedicated to his penchant for Italian cuisine and cooking with vegetables and Monocle’s Copenhagen correspondent, Michael Booth, meets Nick Curtin and Camilla Hansen of recently reopened fine dining spot, Alouette. Plus: hospitality patron Kurt Zdesar talks to us about the secrets behind his restaurant, Chotto Matte, and the success of any ambitious food venture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 09, 202435 min

Food Neighbourhoods #396: Johor Bahru, Malaysia

This week, we head to Malaysia’s second-largest city, Johor Bahru, with Monocle’s Gabriella Wong to explore its historically rich and vibrant food scene. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 06, 20247 min

A tour of the Mediterranean

With summer in full swing, we head to the Mediterranean and the Greek island of Sifnos to discover its gastronomic credentials. Also on programme: Monocle’s Milan correspondent, Ivan Carvalho, is in Palermo to meet Fabrizia Lanza to learn about her cooking school Anna Tasca Lanza. Plus: Cookbook author Yasmin Fahr dials in from Menorca to tell us about her new title ‘Cook Simply, Live Fully: Flexible, Flavorful Recipes for Any Mood’. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 02, 202433 min

Food Neighbourhoods #395: Helsinki

Robert Prendergast heads to Helsinki to learn about the city’s culinary traditions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jul 30, 20248 min
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