What I’m listening to whilst I’m cooking is a hugely integral part of the process. Without something blaring out in the kitchen, I have to resort to preparing food in cavernous silence, with only my increasing worry that I’m destroying the dish as a soundtrack. So with that, here are my six listening recommendations for the amateur chef.
I hate to have to plug this guy’s work, but it’s impossible to not mention this book. It’s totally joyous nonsense. The sort of book that if I’d discovered it when I was a teenager I would’ve listened to over and over again and quote to my increasingly annoyed friends. It deserves to be remembered as one of the great comedy books.
Listen to if you’re cooking: chorizo broccoli pasta
I’ve been a dedicated follower of Garth’s work ever since the Darkplace TV show, but until he released Terrortome I had no idea how much I needed a full novel in my life. An astonishing piece which is a brilliant parody, yes, but also a brilliantly written pulp horror which shows a real reverence for the genre.
Listen to if you’re cooking: anything that looks like blood
The absolute king. Any new Partridge material is a treat, but I don’t think anyone was expecting the podcast to be so dense and rich with amazing moments that easily sit alongside the Alan TV canon.
Listen to if you’re cooking: a cup of beans
Lolly is incredible, and this podcast where she reads her “fanmail” is a brilliant example of her very funny character work. An absolute treasure trove.
Listen to if you’re cooking: cupcakes that have Lolly’s face on them that you can then send to her.
The best book about chefs ever written. I read this book as a teenager and it blew me away – I’ve revisited it many times since. Absolutely great if, as I do, you like to cook whilst imagining that you are a rock n roll line chef in America. Bourdain is rightly held up as one of the most important and exciting cultural figures in not just the world of food, but in the world as a whole.
Listen to if you’re cooking: anything. It can transform even making toast into an artisan experience.
The Tooch is a food hero. He has an ability to turn the act of dining into pure poetry and it’s a lovely listen. Also I met him once and he smells lovely, which is amazing given the amount of garlic he eats.
Listen to if you’re cooking: rustic and traditional Italian fare (spag bol).
And, finally....
Glutton: The Multi-Course Life of a Very Greedy Boy - published 26 October, 2023 - is a hilarious memoir by comedian, radio and podcast host, and TV personality Ed Gamble. From his early disdain of children’s menus to his love of bringing people together over food, Ed’s memoir is a heart-warming ode to the joy of food.
