The Milk Street Radio Episodes Our Listeners Loved in 2025
A veteran food critic looks back on his most infamous reviews, a food truck titan shares his journey to success, and a media giant celebrates 100 years in print. To close out 2025, we’re looking back on the Milk Street Radio episodes that our listeners had on repeat.
LA's Food Truck King: Up Close and Personal with Roy Choi
In 2008, Roy Choi was fired from his big restaurant job and ready to give up—then he started his food truck, Kogi. He joins us today to discuss the making of his now-legendary food truck, how he taught Jon Favreau to look like a cook for his 2014 film “Chef,” and why there's poetry in lowriding around LA. Plus, we hunt for clams, eels and anchovies with sea forager Kirk Lombard.
Restaurant Reviews That Bite Back: Pete Wells Speaks Up and Out
Pete Wells, former New York Times restaurant critic, joins us to look back on his most infamous reviews, plus why he blasted Guy Fieri’s Times Square restaurant but loved Señor Frog’s. Photojournalist Kate Medley reveals why some of the best food in the South is served at the gas station.
Secrets of Restaurant Design: An Insider Tells All
Famed architect and designer David Rockwell shares the best, worst and most hidden aspects of restaurant design. He recalls his favorite projects, from Sushi Zen to Union Square Cafe, and the tiny details you should pay attention to the next time you go out to eat. Plus, Nathalie Cooke takes us on a quirky journey through the history of menus, and Adam Gopnik pays tribute to the legendary achievements of Alice Waters.
Behind the Scenes of Top Chef with Kristen Kish
We get real with Top Chef host Kristen Kish. She speaks out about her career, her show and what bugs her most about restaurant goers. Also on the show—we chat with Reya Hart about eating and traveling on tour with her father, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, and Kim Severson explains why meat is on the rise again.
Who's Your Salsa Daddy? Tacos, Salsas and Avocados!
Milk Street takes a trip to Mexico. Rick Martínez shares the salsa that changed his life; Aarón Sánchez answers your Mexican cooking questions; we uncover the secret history of avocados; and Paco de Santiago takes us on a food tour of Mexico City.
100 Years of Food Writing at the New Yorker: M.F.K. Fisher, Calvin Trillin and A.J. Liebling
Adam Gopnik takes us on a tour of great food writing from the New Yorker in celebration of the magazine's centennial. We hear A.J. Liebling’s tip for finding a good restaurant in Paris, M.F.K. Fisher’s fantasy about potato chips and Calvin Trillin’s obsession over constructing the perfect bagel. Plus, Matt Goulding shares why paella is a hotbed of controversy.
Samin Nosrat Returns: New Book, New Recipes, New Life
Following her 2017 hit—“Salt Fat Acid Heat”—Samin Nosrat is back with her second book, “Good Things”. We talk about fame, family and what she’s cooking; her favorite new flavors and techniques (whipped tahini! burnt honey!); and how she found the sublime in food processor pesto. Plus, James Ooi shares secrets from the Chinese supermarket.
Dining Dos, Dining Don’ts: The New Rules of Restaurant Etiquette
Bon Appétit columnist Maggie Hennessy helps us navigate the new rules of dining out. Is it ever OK to take out your phone? What’s the best way to grab your server’s attention? And how fussy is too fussy? Plus, Irene Yoo throws a soju party, and Grant Barrett and Martha Barnette of A Way With Words share the stories behind your favorite pasta shapes.
Steakhouse Secrets: What Nobody Tells You About The Perfect Steak
Food writer Tim Hayward shares the juicy history of the steak. We take a peek inside the secret beefsteak societies of England and New York, learn a classic Argentinian salting method, and even try a steak from a 25 year-old-cow in Spain. Plus, Kenji López-Alt goes on a quest for the perfect teriyaki.
Sex, Murder and Chocolate
Author Aleksandra Crapanzano uncovers the rich history of chocolate—from black markets to murder in the church, people have stopped at nothing to procure this luxurious ingredient. Plus, record producer David Katznelson plays us some drinking songs, and Alex Aïnouz masters the art of stock.
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Sydney Manning
Sydney Manning is the Managing Digital Editor at Milk Street. She holds a BS in Marketing Communication from Emerson College, and an MLA in Gastronomy from Boston University. For the past five years at Milk Street, Sydney has worked as a social media editor, blogger, podcaster, project manager and book marketer. In her free time she enjoys cooking with friends, reading and antiquing. She lives in South Carolina with her family.
