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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
Food Waste
Ukraine
Healthy Eating
Jamie Oliver
Middle Eastern Cuisine

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes334Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith

Latest Episodes

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

This week we're with author, journalist and broadcaster, Rebecca Seal and her deep dive into the world of allergies in Irritated

She's spent 20 years writing about food, not least as the deputy editor of Observer Food Monthly, and her life was all a... more

This week we're with Danish food writer, restaurateur and campaigner, Trine Hahnemann and her latest cookbook, Midnight Sun.

This is a book about long lazy summer days - cycling to the beach, stopping off to buy strawberries from a local stall, peel... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Sudi Pigott
Travel and food writer
Author of the anchovy-focused book
Episode: Sudi Pigott: Consider the Anchovy
Ella Risbridger
Author of The Kitchen Book, memoirist and food writer
The Kitchen Book, author
Episode: Ella Risbridger: The Kitchen Book

Host

Gilly Smith
Host of Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 113 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 States8 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.

High-quality conversations with diverse perspectives in food and books
Warm, insightful hosting that draws intimate, human stories from guests
Great pacing and a clear love of food culture that resonates with listeners

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Rebecca Seal: Irritated
Q: What does the book suggest about industry and community responses to allergies?
The book argues that industry labeling, public awareness, and better support systems are essential, including clearer labeling, better packaging communication, and more accessible psychological and medical support for families dealing with allergies, especially through transitions like adolescence.
Rebecca Seal: Irritated
Q: Explain your second food moment, the allergens and breast milk.
The second moment discusses how Poppy's allergy affected the mother's diet while breastfeeding, requiring the mother to avoid dairy and soy for 14 months, leading to significant dietary restrictions, weight loss, and a shift in how she thinks about feeding and nutrition for allergy-prone children.
The World Food Photography Awards
Q: Skye, what draws you to certain images beyond the immediate wow factor?
Skye highlights the importance of the creator's story, the potential for collaboration with brands, and how the narrative around the photographer and the process behind the image can influence commissioning and engagement.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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 intersection of food, culture, and storytelling, this show uses four food moments from books to explore big ideas like sustainability, identity, and how narratives around meals shape our world. Episodes feature cookbook authors, journalists, and culinary thinkers who unpack craft, memory, and social issues, often weaving behind-the-scenes insights into publishing, judging, and food media. The format consistently centers on human stories and practical takeaways, making it appealing to foodies and readers who want meaningful conversations beyond recipes. A notable strength is the host's ability to surface personal motivations and broader cultural contexts, while maintaining approachable, warm dialogue that invites a wide audience... more

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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. Ruthie's Table 4
4. The Go To Food Podcast
5. The Dinner Plan

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

Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith launched 7 years ago and published 334 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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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. Anissa Helou
2. Itamar Srulovich
3. Sarit Packer
4. Rebecca Seal
5. Trine Hahnemann
6. Ozlem Warren
7. Rachel Khoo
8. Sudi Pigott

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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