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Artwork for Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith

Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith

Gilly Smith
Food Culture
Food Writing
Cooking
Mental Health
Community
Food Identity
Nutrition
Cultural Identity
Beans
Food Sustainability
Roman Cuisine
American Cuisine
Culinary Traditions
Gut Health
Mediterranean Diet
Ukraine
Food Waste
Healthy Eating
Jamie Oliver
Testaccio

Cooking the Books is about all of life through the prism of food, from climate change to culture and politics to people. It's for foodie book lovers who want to hear something more profound about the way we live, making the link between delicious food and the impact of food production on the land, all through four food moments from the books of our favourite food writers.

Cooking the Books with Gi... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes336Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith

Latest Episodes

This week, in an extended episode, we’re with one of the most important voices in British food writing, Jeremy Lee with Kitchening, his follow up cookbook to the 2022 multi award winning Cooking.

Jeremy has taken his time to become one of the centra... more

This week, we’re celebrating Back To School and Uni season with Claire Thompson and her latest book, Dear Grace.

This is a book unlike any Claire has written before. She wrote it while her heart was breaking as her eldest daughter, Grace, set off fo... more

This week, we're with an absolute legend in food writing, Anissa Helou and her culinary celebration of Lebanon.

Listed by Arabian Business magazine as one of the "500 Most Influential Arabs" and "100 Most Powerful Arab Women, she’s among the greats ... more

This week, we are live in Brighton on the hottest day of the year so far with Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer, aka Honey and Co. to talk about their new book, Honey and Co.Daily.

Against the sound of a massive fan at Patio Wine Bar, we talked abou... more

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Recent Guests

Jeremy Lee
Chef and author discussing his life and work
Episode: Jeremy Lee: Kitchening
Claire Thompson
Author of Dear Grace, Recipes from Your Mother
Episode: Claire Thomson: Dear Grace
Anissa Helou
Lebanese culinary writer and chef known for her books on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean foods
Episode: Anissa Helou: Lebanon
Itamar Srulovich
Chef, co-owner of Honey and Co.
Honey and Co.
Episode: Cooking the Books LIVE: Honey and Co.
Sarit Packer
Chef, co-owner of Honey and Co.
Honey and Co.
Episode: Cooking the Books LIVE: Honey and Co.
Rebecca Seal
Author, journalist, and broadcaster focused on food and allergies
Author of Irritated; former Deputy Editor of Observer Food Monthly
Episode: Rebecca Seal: Irritated
Trine Hahnemann
Danish food writer and campaigner, author of Midnight Sun
Episode: Trine Hanhnemann: Midnight Sun
Ozlem Warren
Turkish food writer and chef known for Ozlem's Turkish Table and Istanbul
Episode: Ozlem Warren: Istanbul
Rachel Khoo
Author of The Smallest Restaurant in Paris; chef, TV personality, and memoirist
Author, The Smallest Restaurant in Paris
Episode: Rachel Khoo: The Smallest Restaurant in Paris

Host

Gilly Smith
Host of Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 114 ratings
  • Am

    I love this podcast. Amazing guests and informative. I have one criticism which is the host falls into a whisper. Need to stop that.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bananas for muffins
    United States9 months ago
  • A favorite

    One of my favorite podcasts! Gilly does a fantastic job of getting to the heart of inspiration with the world’s latest cookbook authors.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cami2224
    United States3 years ago
  • Wonderful podcast

    Gilly is so knowledgeable and engaging and brings out really warm intimate stories from her guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wenamaroo
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Love this podcast

    I have learned so much from Gilly’s podcast, which is simultaneously entertaining and insightful. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ceeceebee31
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • Great listening

    Such a great podcast for foodies and non-foodies alike. I learn something new every time. Gilly has a wonderful open approach and the conversations flow really well. I love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JennyAtherton
    United Kingdom4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Warm, insightful host who draws heartfelt stories from guests.
Gilly's warmth and curiosity make complex food topics accessible.
Knowledgeable and engaging, with intimate guest moments.
Consistently thoughtful and well-paced discussions about food and culture.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#79
South Korea/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#165
South Africa/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#208
United Arab Emirates/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jeremy Lee: Kitchening
Q: How do you see the future of British food in light of climate and economic pressures?
Lee speaks about prioritizing seasonality, local sourcing, and hospitality as core strengths, while acknowledging challenges like rising costs and food security, and the need to train and sustain talent.
Jeremy Lee: Kitchening
Q: What led you to London and the modern British restaurant scene?
He details a mentor-driven journey from Scotland to London, the influence of early jobs and kitchens, and how the evolving London scene embraced glamour, accessibility, and playfulness in dining.
Jeremy Lee: Kitchening
Q: Tell me about your childhood and how it shaped your cooking?
Lee describes a Scottish upbringing centered around family meals, a garden, and a grandmother who cooked; these early experiences planted the roots for his lifelong focus on local, simple, high-quality food.
Cooking the Books LIVE: Honey and Co.
Q: In the interview, there was a mention of bringing a dish from Israel that they'd never remove from the menu. If there was one, what would it be?
They would likely keep falafel on the menu, as it remains a staple that resonates with customers, even though some guests might not eat it; they balance what sells with what they personally love, ensuring essential dishes stay on the menu.
Anissa Helou: Lebanon
Q: Tell us about this one.
Anissa describes the first dish as a midnight feast with her sisters, where lubebouzet became a lasting favorite, combining memory with a simple, comforting preparation that she photographed for the book.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith

What is Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, book-centered podcast that uses four food moments to explore how cuisine intersects with culture, politics, and personal memory. Guests are typically celebrated food writers, chefs, and cookbook authors who bring vivid storytelling, historical context, and practical insights about food systems, sustainability, and identity. The show stands out for its warm, conversational style, deep-dive interviews, and a strong emphasis on how food can illuminate broader social issues. Potential listeners who enjoy literary food writing, cultural critique, and practical cooking inspiration will likely find it engaging and enlightening.

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How many listeners does Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith get?

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How many subscribers and views does Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith:

1. Good Food
2. The Food Programme
3. grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends
4. Ruthie's Table 4
5. The Go To Food Podcast

How many episodes of Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith are there?

Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith launched 7 years ago and published 336 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith?

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What guests have appeared on Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith?

Recent guests on Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith include:

1. Jeremy Lee
2. Claire Thompson
3. Anissa Helou
4. Itamar Srulovich
5. Sarit Packer
6. Rebecca Seal
7. Trine Hahnemann
8. Ozlem Warren

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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