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Artwork for The Food Chain

The Food Chain

BBC World Service
Ultra-Processed Food
Cooking From Scratch
Nutrition Labels
Nova Food Classification System
Health Issues
Societal Challenges
Public Health
Apple Industry
Chinese Cuisine
Child Nutrition
Pesticides
Mealtime Conversations
Maternal Health
Traditional Healing
Cultural Food Practices
Postpartum Nutrition
Global Food Traditions
Climate Change
Air Pollution
Mental Health

The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes537Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FoodSociety & CultureArts

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Artwork for The Food Chain

Latest Episodes

Many people feel they can’t cook, or don’t know where to start. Studies suggest that in some countries, fewer people are preparing meals from scratch, and a lack of confidence in the kitchen can be a big part of the problem.

Ruth Alexander explores ... more

Is the culture of professional kitchens shifting?

In recent weeks, one of the restaurant world’s most influential figures stepped down amid allegations about his conduct at work. It’s been widely reported that former employees accused René Redzepi, ... more

Are your family meals calm and connected?

Or have they become dominated by battles with fussy kids or awkward teens?

Mum-of-one Ruth Alexander gets advice from experts who share the secrets to taking the stress out of family dinner and how to cope... more

What should runners should eat to train for, and complete, a marathon? With major races like the London and Boston marathons approaching, more people than ever are taking on the 26.2-mile challenge. But what should you actually eat to fuel that dista... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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

Jun Tanaka
Chef owner of The Ninth, London
The Ninth, London
Episode: Is kitchen culture changing?
Preeti Mistry
Executive chef at Silver Oak, California
Silver Oak
Episode: Is kitchen culture changing?
Manon Fleury
Head chef at Datil, Paris; co-founder of Bondir
Datil, Bondir
Episode: Is kitchen culture changing?
Anne Fishel
Clinical psychologist, family therapist and co-founder/director of the Family Dinner Project
Family Dinner Project, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Episode: How to have a stress-free family meal
Sharon Wee
Food writer and author
Growing Up in a Nonya Kitchen
Episode: How to have a stress-free family meal
Charlotte Stirling-Reed
Child nutritionist and author
How to Feed Your Family
Episode: How to have a stress-free family meal
Paula Radcliffe
Former Women's World Record holder in the marathon (Britain)
Former World Record holder, Marathon
Episode: What to eat to run a marathon
Steve Cram
Former World Champion middle-distance runner, coach and commentator
Athletics (coach and commentator)
Episode: What to eat to run a marathon
Valentijn Trouw
Performance director for the DSM-Firmenich Running Team
DSM-Firmenich Running Team
Episode: What to eat to run a marathon

Host

Ruth Alexander
Host of The Food Chain, Ruth Alexander brings a unique blend of expertise in food culture and business to the discussions, enhancing the depth of each episode with her insightful questions and engaging narrative style.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Sandwiches

    Since when has Manchester been using dollars and not pounds?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    hannakuso
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Love this show!

    Another great episode! Yumm!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ghb59
    United States3 months ago
  • Perfect

    Talks about all modern issues such as influencers conning people to eat certain foods and get rid of some

    May be a kid but it’s so informative

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    marshmallow2016 march
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Excellent guests who provide a very insightful look into the world of restaurant service. Listening teaches one what they ought to expect from their servers and how they should comport themselves when eating out.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    ithabise
    5 months ago
  • Crisps

    Why did we have to listen to someone pretending to make a crisp sandwich and then pretending to eat it? Ludicrous!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    hannakuso
    United Kingdom6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, feedback indicates a well-produced show that is both entertaining and educational, serving as a valuable resource for food enthusiasts.
Listeners appreciate the informative approach and diverse topics presented, often relating to their personal experiences with food and culture.
Some listeners have raised concerns about certain episodes, suggesting that not all content resonates equally for every episode.
Many express admiration for the host, noting her engaging style and ability to uncover interesting stories.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#49
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#11
United Kingdom/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#13
Canada/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#92
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#135
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#8
Italy/Arts/Food

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How to have a stress-free family meal
Q: What role does cooking participation play in children's eating habits?
Involving kids in cooking increases their investment, encourages trying new things, and helps them feel connected to the meal, which improves their willingness to eat a variety of foods.
How to have a stress-free family meal
Q: How can parents handle a child who refuses to eat certain foods without turning mealtime into a battle?
Offer options and sides, model enjoyment, avoid pressuring, and emphasize the overall mealtime experience and connection rather than forcing a particular item to be eaten.
How to have a stress-free family meal
Q: What makes family dinners more than just about the food on the plate?
The social and emotional atmosphere, including relaxed conversation, storytelling, and shared experiences, are what make meals meaningful and beneficial for children's development and family bonding.
Giving it all up for food
Q: If someone is out there listening, thinking, I might just take the leap, give it all up to open a food business, what advice would you give them?
Go for it, but be fully aware you will work the hardest you ever have; you are the sole captain, the buck stops with you, and you must start from the bottom while preparing a strong second rope to swing to when needed.
Small kitchens
Q: What's the best thing about cooking in a tiny kitchen?
The ability to share meals with people in beautiful places and the convenience of having everything within reach.

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 The Food Chain

What is The Food Chain about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the multifaceted world of food, this podcast covers a wide range of topics, including the business intricacies, scientific foundations, and cultural significance of what we eat. Listeners can expect engaging discussions that illustrate how food connects to broader societal themes, featuring a blend of expert insights and personal stories. Episodes dive into areas such as culinary entrepreneurship, the evolution of meal practices, and the history of various food cultures, making it a rich resource for anyone interested in understanding food within modern contexts. Its unique blend of themes—ranging from health and nutrition to the challenges of food supply—provides valuable conversations that resonate with diverse audiences.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Food Chain?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Food Chain. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Food Chain and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Food Chain get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Food Chain?

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How many subscribers and views does The Food Chain have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Food Chain has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Food Chain?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Food Chain:

1. The Food Programme
2. Good Food
3. Health Check
4. CrowdScience
5. Sliced Bread

How many episodes of The Food Chain are there?

The Food Chain launched 11 years ago and published 537 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 The Food Chain?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Food Chain?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Food Chain from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Food Chain?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Food Chain. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Food Chain?

Recent guests on The Food Chain include:

1. Jun Tanaka
2. Preeti Mistry
3. Manon Fleury
4. Anne Fishel
5. Sharon Wee
6. Charlotte Stirling-Reed
7. Paula Radcliffe
8. Steve Cram

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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