The Sporkful

3,277
Arts #37Food #7

We obsess about food to learn more about people. The Sporkful isn't for foodies, it's for eaters. Hosted by Dan Pashman, who's also the inventor of the new pasta shape cascatelli. James Beard and Webby Award winner for Best Food Podcast. A Stitcher Production.

Recent Episodes
  • The Secret To Grace Church’s Lobster Rolls
    May 29, 2023 – 00:31:47
  • Comic Jamie Loftus’s Hot Dog Summer
    May 22, 2023 – 00:34:19
  • Is Protecting Abalone Also Destroying A Native Tradition?
    May 15, 2023 – 00:35:39
  • The Musical History Of Jelly
    May 8, 2023 – 00:35:54
  • Can ChatGPT Write An Episode Of The Sporkful?
    May 1, 2023 – 00:32:06
  • Meet The Banh Mi Innovators
    Apr 24, 2023 – 00:35:28
  • Squishy Or Crunchy? Why Texture Matters
    Apr 17, 2023 – 00:52:45
  • Bill Nye, The FOOD Science Guy!
    Apr 10, 2023 – 00:28:16
  • Are You Eating Chipotle Bowls Wrong?
    Apr 3, 2023 – 00:36:06
  • For Ghetto Gastro, Food Is A Weapon
    Mar 27, 2023 – 00:33:43
  • The Brewer Rewriting The Story of Beer In Iran
    Mar 20, 2023 – 00:33:54
  • Raina’s Disordered Eating, One Year Later
    Mar 13, 2023 – 00:36:18
  • Should Fine Dining Exist?
    Mar 6, 2023 – 00:30:00
  • The Last Big Mac In Iceland
    Feb 27, 2023 – 00:27:53
  • Alan And Arlene Alda Bonded Over A Fallen Rum Cake
    Feb 13, 2023 – 00:26:29
  • A French Chef And Cincinnati: A Love Story
    Feb 6, 2023 – 00:28:54
  • The Boom And Bust Of Meat Alternatives
    Jan 30, 2023 – 00:35:12
  • Mission: ImPASTAble 9 | New Shapes From Old Places
    Jan 23, 2023 – 00:35:59
  • Gas Stoves Have Ignited A Firestorm
    Jan 13, 2023 – 00:31:06
  • What ‘The Bear’ And ‘The Menu’ Say About Restaurant Culture
    Jan 9, 2023 – 00:37:15
  • New Year’s Food Resolutions 2023
    Dec 19, 2022 – 00:44:51
  • Rick Martínez Hates The Word ‘Authentic’
    Dec 12, 2022 – 00:34:29
  • Illyanna Maisonet Is Always Pissed Off
    Dec 5, 2022 – 00:33:07
  • Claire Saffitz Doesn’t Need To Defend Dessert (Live)
    Nov 28, 2022 – 00:36:31
  • The Firehouse Chef Who Still Burns His Toast
    Nov 21, 2022 – 00:26:38
  • A New Jersey Whiskey Mystery
    Nov 14, 2022 – 00:35:54
  • Wendy Osefo Is A ‘Real Housewife’ Who Actually Cooks
    Nov 7, 2022 – 00:33:09
  • Mission: ImPASTAble 8 | The Pursuit Of Viscoelasticity
    Feb 15, 2022 – 00:36:39
  • The Hardest Beer Test In The World
    Jan 3, 2022 – 00:37:26
  • Mission: ImPASTAble 7 (Update) | Turning The Ship
    Nov 8, 2021 – 00:40:38
  • Padma Lakshmi Just Wants To Eat Her Samosa In Peace
    Sep 27, 2021 – 00:29:18
  • Mission: ImPASTAble 6 (Update) | The Future of Cascatelli
    Apr 26, 2021 – 00:31:32
  • Mission: ImPASTAble 5 | A Shape Is Born
    Mar 18, 2021 – 00:39:51
  • Mission: ImPASTAble 4 | Where The Ruffles Meet The Road
    Mar 15, 2021 – 00:39:21
  • Mission: ImPASTAble 3 | What Would Juan Guzmán Do?
    Mar 8, 2021 – 00:36:52
  • Mission: ImPASTAble 2 | Slanting The Floors
    Mar 1, 2021 – 00:37:06
  • Mission: ImPASTAble 1 | Spaghetti Sucks
    Mar 1, 2021 – 00:30:59
  • Mission: ImPASTAble Trailer
    Feb 25, 2021 – 00:02:20
  • Update: Inside The Turmoil At Bon Appétit
    Aug 3, 2020 – 00:29:53
  • A Reckoning At Bon Appetit
    Jun 13, 2020 – 00:34:43
  • When White People Say Plantation
    Jun 8, 2020 – 00:42:59
  • Trailer: Welcome to The Sporkful
    Jan 1, 2020 – 00:02:39
  • Padma Lakshmi Was An Ice Cream Mule
    Dec 4, 2016 – 00:26:25
Recent Reviews
  • davidsonrachel6
    So fun!
    Interesting, funny, and often heartfelt and poignant with some complex discussions
  • HungryForResults, MS RD CSSD
    Took a turn…
    I love the interesting content about food… I think the host does a great job at telling food’s stories… however, I’m sick of how many episodes put down ‘white Europeans’. I’m sure many people of all colors and backgrounds don’t have a clue about the authentic ways of Korean cooking, but Dan singles out white people? You’re trying too hard to be woke.
  • ade92
    Best food podcast
    This is by far the best food podcast out there. Dan’s commitment to putting the spotlight on diverse chefs and other folks in the food industry and breaking down stereotypes about foodies being pretentious is unmatched. Thank you, Dan!
  • lynnolympia
    Jumping the Shark
    Unfortunately Sporkful has. Wish it weren’t so but this shoe now sound more like AM radio, the advertising out paces the content in both air minutes and volume it seems. Not sure if it’s a production value or a pursuit of income, but I no longer want to hear the shilling.
  • ZQECTB
    Boring
    Host is a jerk and it’s boring tbh. Some episodes are good ig but it’s being carried by the guests..
  • Jargonwise
    Cincinnati born and raised
    I grew up in Cincinnati and remember my grandmother taking us to The Gormet Room and Pigall’s restaurants. As an young adult, I remember going to The Maisonette with my husband. Amazing food at all three places.
  • Bittah
    Overalll 5 starts - great show, but…
    The last episode, 1 star. It was a very compelling subject that was almost impossible to listen to due to his guest. I almost turned it off multiple times. In my opinion, he does not have a voice for radio.
  • sjdhsjsxjjs
    Dan is
    a saint, a hero, a scholar. We don’t deserve him. 🙇‍♀️
  • miss cgh
    Delightful!
    I heard an episode featured on another pod and HAD to check it out. I love the variety of topics, and Adam is a great host! I’m hooked.
  • A-to-the-J
    10/10
    Creative, insightful, entertaining, and very well produced! Will definitely continue listening for a very long time 🤘🏼
  • makfood
    A favorite in my library!
    This podcast is informative, creative and fun! The recent vintage scotch episode was both incredibly produced with the closing song but also very touching! Also a big fan of cascatelli!
  • maryfk95
    Amazing podcast!!!!
    Please do more true crime-type episodes. The one you did was so interesting and one of my favorites!
  • Grzlk
    Great podcast
    So much fun to listen to! I enjoy how there are a mix of fun and thoughtful episodes. My only suggestion is that I wish you would state if an episode is a repeat. Most shows do and it would be nice to know before listening if it’s a repeat or new material.
  • ChronicleDecay1
    Too many ads
    It would be a great show if it had fewer/shorter ads
  • jive1969
    Texas?
    Why are you supporting travel to Texas. Not cool.
  • thisNickNickName
    That horrible laugh
    ..is like nails on a chalkboard. I can’t listen
  • HEY I LIKE MUSIC!!!
    LOVE this podcast
    Been a fan for a while and I now ONLY eat cascatelli. I have never reviewed the podcast before but felt compelled to after being completely enthralled and mystified during 2 chefs and a lie! Thanks for the laugh out loud on my way home from work and for all the great content you put out!
  • elaine'sbrother
    Great show, but …
    I really like this show but I have to stop listening because Pashman shills for the State of Texas, the most unfriendly state in the nation to women, immigrants and poor people. They boast one of the worst education records and the worst mass shootings. Pashman made enough money with his pasta. He shouldn’t be taking money from haters and fear mongerers to make more money. It’s disgraceful. I like the show but I can’t listen to this crap. So goodbye Dan. Just wondering, how do you sleep at night? And what do your wife and daughter think about you boosting for the worst state in the nation?
  • tihkalcat
    I love the Sporkful but…
    I can no longer listen to it because Texas is advertised as a wonderful vacation place instead of the racist, sexist, environmental joke of a state. I have been a Sporkful listener for over a decade but I can’t listen to Dan rhapsodize over a state who’s politician work against all decency. I grew up there and would not go back for the world or support any of their companies. I will miss The Sporkful and the man who my partner said “is his only real competition” but I will sleep better at night.
  • Demi1982AvidListener
    Love
    Very informative.
  • Diesilu
    April A.
    Such diverse storytelling through the lens of food. Thanks Dan!
  • roebean13
    STOP WITH TEXAS
    I love this show, I’ve listened to every episode. It’s appealing to anyone who likes food and pop culture. It’s funny and smart. East listening for a drive or work day. Recently I’ve been hearing TEXAS state commerce and tourism ads. I understand the need to sell the show, but given the horrific crimes against women and children happening in TEXAS, the ads disgust me.
  • Dan L in RI
    One of the best!
    Dan Pashman does an incredible job exploring the stories and tales of food in a unique in an entertaining way. On the top of my podcast rotation (although he’s wring about angel hair pasta)
  • sheely1234567
    Sporkful
    I love this podcast! Dan has a winning personality, great voice, interesting subjects! Also! I love his cascatelli pasta! Finally found a bag to buy and try! I’ve already gone back to get more! All around good guy!
  • Iswoon
    Taste is off.
    At first fun & interesting, this show is reaching, losing its original focus. Are shallots b.s.? why cater (!?) to numb listeners with no kitchen cred? I bet they are listening, though. Francis Lamb invited to trash bucatini and the thought the world needs a new pasta shape, mama mia! Get to Italy and have fregula, malloreddus/maccheroni ferretto, or strangozzi. To rethink or reinvent...la gran tradizione Italiano is beyond it... che coglioni! Dan is fun host, but serious food students will be disappointed. Meh.
  • Awesome gal ;)
    Fine ig..:
    This podcast is not what it used to be. No hate whatsoever but this show has changed from a mainly food based podcast that was fun and exciting to listen to… and now it’s just stressful! Some of these topics can really stress people out and that’s not what this podcast is for. If you want to talk about news and such that would be great hit don’t advertise this as a food podcast!! Would still listen just no false advertising!! It’s sad when I think I’m going to get some delicious recepies and food tips but I get stressful world topics!! 😭 still not hate | (• ◡•)|
  • rm3799
    Oof
    First time listener. Can’t get past the fake laugh tracks. This is supposed to be a podcast, not a sitcom. Takes away from the genuine responses of the interviewee I think. They want to be taken seriously
  • Llegs
    Dan’s Laugh is the Best
    I love this show for many reasons, but the surprise here is Dan’s laugh. When something his guest says cracks him up he lets loose an easy, vigorous guffaw that makes me laugh too and lifts my spirits. Especially on a tough day, this show’s lighthearted spirit and unexpected forays into the world of food and eating make me smile. Thank you, Sporkful team.
  • Tread65
    The best food podcast out there
    All about food, but so much more than a podcast about food. Interesting, funny, poignant, thought provoking. This podcast has serious heart. Every episode is awesome. Keep them coming, Dan and Team!
  • Shi Nobi
    Yum for the Ears!
    My guy Dan and his staff are truly stellar. I look forward to the lighthearted, yet interesting food-related episodes each week along with the open-mindedness, thoughtful conversations. Gimme more!
  • Orakamaru
    Best Pasta Ever!
    Been eating Dan’s pasta for months now and will not eat anything else. Love the podcast outlining how this unique and delicious pasta came to market.
  • BonusDad
    It’s a Show for Eaters—and Thinkers
    Pashman has a wonderful sense of humor and a humorous sense of wonder. He also is a terrific interviewer covering a broad range of cultural touchstones. I’ve listened weekly for about three years and in that stretch there have been maybe two dogs I couldn’t finish. Every other episode has engaged me on multiple levels. And if that weren’t enough praise, he also created my favorite pasta, which spawned an engrossing series of episodes. My family loves Cascatelli, too, but show signs of weariness when I expound on the journey Pashman took to create the pasta every time I cook it. My dog loves the show, too, because I don’t rush her home on our evening walks as I listen. Lots of time for sniffing results. You should give The Sporkful a whiff.
  • EwillSea
    Read the descriptions carefully
    I guess I need to read the episode descriptions more carefully to avoid 15 minute commercials disguised at podcasts.
  • meep beeper
    What was this advertisement episode???
    The Sporkful has always had typical advertising and product placement- like any other successful podcast. However- i just spent 20 minutes being sold a pasta sauce brand under the guise of an interview with a reality chef contest winner. What a shame. Dan - i get it. You need to support your family. But ew. Really disappointed and frankly- surprised. I thought Sporkful would stay pure. But things gets scaled and sold and It seems like The Sporkful is going to be like everyone else - diluted and owned (is bertolli going to be producing cascatelli now? Is that what this was about??) I *really* hope this is a one off and not a sell out
  • kingzfan71
    I give up
    I found this podcast when they were trying figure out a new pasta shape and it was awesome, now ever week is about politics and that isn’t what this show supposed to be about. I thought this was a podcast about food! If you don’t like Trump that’s fine I just don’t need to hear about it all the time. Podcasts are supposed to be escapes not hear what your views are in the world today. There are better shows out there that make it about food, without what their views are, and I will go listen to those instead. I have never left a review for a podcast but I felt that I needed to this time.
  • dissapointedDanFan
    Money grab show carried by guests
    I’ve been a sporkful listener for 5+ years since 2016 and I’ve slowly gone from being a fan to not listening the show sans a few episodes here and there starting a year ago. It’s become a total money grab with the longest ads I’ve heard in any podcast with like 4 two minute ad breaks for a 35 minute episode? That’s one fourth ads and sometimes I can’t easily skip through if I’m occupied. And The worst money grab is older episodes only being on stitcher premium and there being no episode transcripts. Sometimes I’ll come across an old episode topic in conversation and want to reference it but I literally can’t without paying for stitcher premium. Nowadays sure I’ll tune into the really good eps with an interesting topic like the pasta he designed(btw delicious and I recommend buying) or the one with the interior restaurant redesign, but I found the much more succinct and to the point episodes of NPRs money planet with Dan as the guest as muuuch better listens. In the end it was a great show that was one of the first ones that got me into podcasting but what it’s become has really disappointed me.
  • 5339kln
    My goodness!
    Finally listened to an episode the other day (though I had the show in my library for quite some time). So glad I did, now I’m binging through the past episodes to catch up. I love the vibe and tempo, and how it’s edited and put together. Great guests and conversations.
  • bubba4433
    Boo
    Disappointed that you are pimping ben and jerrys
  • KJHJewett
    Love learning more about people through food!
    Awesome variety in content! Always something I’ve never thought about before, but find interesting. Dan’s passion is contagious! Wish the repeat episodes would be labeled in the title or somewhere in the ep notes. Have listened partway through a few only to think, “Hmm… this sounds familiar. Have I heard this before? No way to know!”
  • w.grace14
    One of my top 5 podcasts
    I’ve loved this podcast for so long! Always interested, always learn so much, always appreciate the perspective given. I almost always save a new episode for when I’m cooking dinner or something and enjoy making it an ✨experience✨ with a drink or something too. Thanks for making one of the best podcasts out there!
  • This is an awesome podcast
    Great podcast
    This is a great podcast and I learn so much and laugh so much each time. I also love Dan’s pasta shape! Keep being great.
  • Skeet_gun
    Such language Nicole Byer
    Do you kiss your dead mother with that mouth?
  • Jonesbr58
    Nadiya for the win
    I have always enjoyed this podcast. But, the Nadiya Hussain interview is absolutely outstanding.
  • Dr. Cam
    The BEST podcast!
    Please keep up your witty, informative, varied podcast as you are also featured regularly with Christopher Kimball on his Milk Street Radio podcast. Love you laugh and that you include your family during some of your podcasts.
  • #pickel fan for life
    Best podcast EVER
    This is a truly a podcast that is always funny, always interesting, and always just plain fun to listen to. I recently discovered this and am already I huge fan. Ps: the mission imPASTAble was brilliant.
  • rachelday2000
    Funny and interesting
    I love this podcast. Who knew there could be so much entertaining content around food and so many different ways to think about food. Such a good listen!
  • Rilwill
    Your laugh is awesome!
    I never thought that there was an entire podcast that gets into food like I do in my head. The Sporkful made me realize that not only am I not the only food obsessed person but there is a huge community of food lovers! On top of that Dan’s laugh always puts me in a great mood. Hey, if you ever want to get into baked goods, please do!! I have so many opinions.
  • Rater#13
    Amazing
    This is an awesome podcast
  • BKWcbc
    Too much harvesting
    Sporkful was the 5th media outlet in my world during the past two weeks about H Mart, including Good Food. I know you’re cooling off after pasta creation orgasm, but have some more creativity.
  • cora heads west
    My #1 podcast!
    The Sporkful continues to be my favorite podcast—smart, funny, thoughtful, and curious. I always learn something new and see food (and people!) in a different way afterwards. Plus, Dan’s laugh is contagious and could put anyone in a good mood.
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