Kitchen Gods

Howdy folks! Come pull up a reusable tiny glass dish and cool off with a lick or two of that sweet cold nectar we call Ice Cream. In Part 1 of our dive into this frozen lore we cover Ice Cream's humble beginnings amidst murderous rulers up to Augustus Jackson - White House Chef and Philadelphia Ice Cream Savant. Listen in front of an a/c for the full effect and enjoy!

Do you know all about the Alamo? Do you know all about gum? Did you know that they're connected?!? It's true? We were blown away too. Our heads nearly popped with all this new knowledge. Get out of your personal head space bubble and join us on this trip down history lane. Which is totally a thing. Episode 34 people! Freshening breath and delivering knowledge. Pop Pop!

Episode 33 has everything! A Ken finger drum solo, a broad, milk fights and of course a great look into the history of an iconic food product and the genius who helped it come about. Crack open a can of chilis and curl up with some queso of questionable cheese origins and enjoy.

From Emil Frey to Velveeta. Let's talk cheese.

How did our favorite lunch accompaniment or late night binge fest come to be? Why on earth were potatoes illegal back in France times? Were the Vanderbilt's really that bad with names? Join us as we pop the top off a fresh can of chips and work our way down to the bottom of the origins of the chip we call potato. 

We live in crazy times. FOMO has been replaced with FOBI (Fear of being invited), there are waiting lists to adopt dogs (yay), GameStop was at least briefly on fire in the best figurative way and now for the first time in a loooong time tobacco sales are climbing back up. Resist! And listen to this fun little story about a smoking cessation pioneer and his creation you can still buy today. Check out our instagram @kitchengodspodcast for some great pics of the more collectible sugar delivery systems mentioned in this episode.

This episode is surprisingly bereft of maize puns. 

Nevertheless, come gather around the fire and enjoy some popcorn as we tell you the tell of Casimir Funk and his magical mystery vitamins. It's not hyperbole to say that corn changed, nay BIRTHED a nation. From it's humble beginnings as "just a grass" to it's ubiquitous inclusion in what we eat or touch. Without Casimir's influence it, it just might have continued to...KILL. 

Dun Dun Dun. Listen and share with your friends today.

Hey Baby, where are you on the Scoville scale? Let's talk about the heat. That spice of life (and food) we all love and crave and some are downright addicted too. Yup, it's pepper time. We'll learn all about the birth of Tabasco Sauce and the peppers that made it all possible. Grab an ice cold glass of milk or wine and hang on. Whatever you do, don't get any on your tender bits.

If you define personal success as owning an entire NYC block, well, good luck to you. If your idea of success is a loving family, giving back to your community and making some of the best soul food this side of the Mason Dixon line, well, that's something to strive for. Sylvia Woods managed to do all of that AND own an entire block of real estate in Harlem which is where Sylvia's restaurant is. Join us on a deeper dive into the timeline to see how she grew up and what exactly she persevered through. 

This week's Kitchen God is none other than Johan Throne Holst. Johan was the founder of Freia Chocolate in Norway and the instigator for shorter work weeks and a wonderful work environment. The art in the cafeteria alone will have you SCREAM with delight. Strap on your hiking boots and pack a Kvikk Lunsj to enjoy this episode during your brisk hike. 

*apologies to the Norse Gods who were ineligible due to lack of cooking skills and dubious jewelry obtaining practices. 

Have you ever taken a dip in the Great Lakes and wondered, what if this water was all chocolate? We're here for you. Take a listen in to the story of the glorious baked goods that started the Entenmann's dessert dynasty. Just try not to go eat a chocolate donut afterwards. We dare you!

Dr. Tuggle's Compound Syrup of Globe Flower sure does sound like an effective olde time tincture to cure your bout of gas and morphine addiction but it was just this week's Kitchen God's first attempt at some relief for himself and his fellow man - many of whom were suffering from PTSD, depression and addiction after the Civil War. 

Ride with Ken and I back to the Battle of Columbus and the saber that started what's arguably the most famous brand of all time. 

Sometimes, after we wrap up recording I remember something I wanted to be sure I included. In this case. I wanted to mention that the Confederate Soldier, General Nathan Forrest - the man primarily responsible for the Fort Pillow Massacre went on to become the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan - fighting for the suppression of Black American votes. He would later recommend the Klan be disbanded for not being disciplined enough and late in his life he would claim he was never in the Klan at all and actually gave a speech in support of racial harmony. MmmmHmmm. We see you General Forrest. We still see you. 

I mean, with a title like that how can you NOT listen? Everyone loves some yummy chicken. 

Plopping one down on your table wasn't always the norm. Come along to find out how our humble heroine,  Celia Steele started the Great American Chicken Empire. This podcast has everything; piano boxes, red hair, nefarious algae bloom and exploding yachts. 

Don't forget to check out the merch section of our website (www.kitchengodspodcast.com) to have your very own custom KGP tee made.

Take a listen to our turkey talk! Ken and I go back in time to find out what it was really like on the Mayflower and what would drive people to take that kind of risk. We explore New England in the heart of winter and follow the harrowing tale of a kidnapping victim and what was supposed to be his return home but ended up being a rescue mission of a different sort. Oh and there's a little rat pee. Sorry about that. Enjoy and we love you! So thankful for our fun listeners. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Don't forget to tag us on instagram if you post your creations, we'd love to see what you made!

We baked up an easy listening podcast for you this (crazy) week. 

Take a step away from your news outlets and zone out with us for 30 minutes of boat racing, drunken flying shrimp, naked lady, balloon flying fueled fun as we dive into the soft underbelly of  Beninhana's creator, Rocky Aoki . (Yes, I agree, that WAS a run on sentence). YOLO vicariously for a few minutes then order in some fried rice and feel good about how sane your life is. 

Ken and I also discuss how the podcast gets made. Email any questions to michelle@kitchengods.com

Ancel Keys may not have engineered Captain America for me, but he certainly made an impact on the success of our armed forces and for that he's this week's Kitchen God. Ancel ran away from home to become a Powder Monkey, Guano Shoveler, Big Machine Lubricator and other oddly named professions but you can't keep a good genius down so Ancel went on to develop supremely portable rations, discover the link between bad fat and bad hearts and introduce the world to the Mediterranean Diet. Join us in this deep dive into a fascinating man who wanted to make sure you were well fed.

Hi all, sorry if you clicked on a link that was just our sweet theme music, we apologize. Somehow the amazing story of George Washington Carver didn't upload - it was not a super sick burn. Hey ya'll, listen to all the fascinating things that he did..."crickets" BOOM, accidental Carver Roast! 

For far too long discussions about George Washington Carver have been relegated to the month of February. That's nonsense! Someone who made such a massive contribution to modern agriculture deserves to be celebrated year round. And let's talk (albeit briefly)  oft forgotten Benjamin Hicks. If it weren't for a presentation by former 7y/o Tristan Hicks (he's probably older now) I would never have heard about him and his cool peanut gathering invention. Thanks for telling everyone about him Tracey Agnew of the Suffolk News Herald. Now sit back and relax and take a deep peanut-y dive into some delicious history.

Contrary to some opinions, Catherine de Medici is not the Mother of French Cuisine and contrary to what the NY Times reported in 1998, when Alain Ducasse won a Michelin 3 star rating for both his restaurants he was NOT THE FIRST. Eugénie Brazier had been the first, nearly 65 years prior. Why would a male dominated industry have failed to mention her monumental contribution to French cuisine? Let's set that nonsense straight, shall we?

This is the story of a brilliant young Mom from New Orleans whose call to the culinary arts was out of the blue and not at all supported by anyone who knew her. Starting a restaurant when your restaurant experience is, "I've been to restaurants" is daunting at best but Ruth Fertel didn't just make it work, she started a delicious meaty empire. Hear her story today and find your own inspiration. Also, I think we can all agree that what New Orleans needs is more gorillas and that she had interesting taste in men.

It's lucky episode 17 where we find out about Ken's EMT past, Michelle's abysmal snowboarding skills and all about 2 guys that liked to drink beer, go fishing and dream about opening up a restaurant. They also just happened to change the world for thousands and thousands of people with their unconventional salad dressing. Paul Newman and A. E. Hotchner were giants in their own industries but absolute titans when it came to giving back. They managed to change the industry while they were at it. Take a listen and tell your friends!

The suffragettes tried to assuage the fears of men who were worried that perhaps voting would keep women from cooking by writing some cookbooks to make them feel better and to raise some money for the cause. The book we talk about today raised $4,000 for the movement which is ironic since that's how much a second edition of the book goes for today. Inflation amirite? Take a walk through the pages and a look at some of the Kitchen Gods who gave there all for to get the vote! 

Nachos are the best. Learn all about how Nacho's came to be in this week's podcast along with a side of story about the guy who invented, yes INVENTED the Hass avocado. And then watch Better Off Dead again, it's been too long.

Ken and I talk about a fascinating Swedish cult that ultimately expanded the varietals of apples available. Join us in this deep dive into religion and John Chapman. AKA Johnny Appleseed. Don't let the burlap sack shirt fool you. He was making bank while he slept on the ground. 

Happy Tuesday! On today's extra special episode Ken and I welcome Vince Mancini from Uproxx to weigh in on royal incest, wine and wine lice. Our Kitchen God this week is the amazing woman, Dona Antonia Adelaide Ferreira who saved Port wine - literally and figuratively. Pull up a tiny glass and have a listen today! For those of you that listen with kids or at a nursery school, there is a peppering of swear words in this episode and a surprising amount of incest. Listen accordingly : )

The Great Chicago Fire wiped out a huge swath of the city and the call for people to help rebuild it was heard loud and clear. One of the men who came to clean up the streets stayed to sell Popcorn. A crazy new kind of popcorn he and his brother invented that would go on to become one of the most popular snacks in history. Take me out to the ballgame!

Some Kitchen Gods managed to shape World commerce. China had the monopoly on tea and England had Opium. It didn't turn out great. Make yourself a cuppa and settle in to hear how master Botanist Robert Fortune changed the fortunes of both countries. 

More immigrants who made America great. Meet the Strauss boys and hear all about their amazing business acumen, questionable childhood (just the older brother) and sweet sweet safe to drink milk. 

Ever had a Cup o Noodle or Instant Ramen? I'm joking, of course you have. It's everywhere and this super cheap satisfying staple has gotten countless people through their day (or lean times). Would we even know about them if they weren't the unlikely recipient of some of the wildest viral marketing ever? Tune in to hear all about the Asama Sanso hostage incident in the frigid mountains of Japan and how they put instant ramen and their inventor Momofuku Ando on the map.

In the 1800's it was tough to survive, much less thrive. Learn about Malinda Russell and Abby Fisher who managed to do both and wrote the cookbooks to prove it. From the best pickles ever to the most elegant puff pastry these women helped to define the wide range of cuisine popular in the country. Food tells a story and this is one you don't want to miss. 

We take untainted meat for granted. Learn all about Upton Sinclair's expose of early 1900's meat processing and how it's shaped public policy for today. We also introduce the hamster known as Muffin Bubble. Unrelated. 

Colonel Sanders' story could have only happened at a specific place in time. A time devoid of social networks and reference checks where you could get away with cussing out your boss and find a job in the next town over. Again and again. If the American Dream is to start with absolutely nothing and end on a mountain of money you legitimately earned, well then, Mr. Harland Sanders was living the dream. 

There was a time that New York Harbor held half of the world's oysters and only one man had the restaurant you wanted to eat them at, it just happened to also be a stop on the Underground Railroad. It's time you learned about Thomas Downing, the man, the myth, the Oyster King. 

This episode has everything! Daring car chases, paparazzi, mini ravioli and sharp shooters! Join Michelle Doll with special guests Jürgen David and Ken Herskovitz on this wild red sauce ride! 

Back in France times (the French Revolution) there was a little abandoned orphan who would go on to revolutionize French Cuisine. This is his story. It is a good one. 

Have  you ever asked yourself, "I wonder what Lizzie Borden's 4th cousin did that practically saved the world?" You have?
Well you're one step ahead of us. Take a listen to Episode 2 where Ken and I are back to delve deep into the history of the Kitchen God that is... Gail Borden. Let us regale you with tales of zany inventions, perilous ocean journeys and sexy cows. 

Don't forget to tip your waiter, but leave that cow alone!

Before there was Martha, there was Maria (she pronounced it Ma-rye-uh). Come over the river and through the woods with Ken Herskovitz and I to discover just how hard this lady worked. Phew, she did it all. She was one of the first female best selling authors and wrote a comprehensive life/guide and cookbook all while tirelessly fighting for the end to slavery. She’s a personal hero of mine and I think you’ll find her just as inspirational.