Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street Radio

Obsessed with the Best: Extended Cut

In this special episode, we’re sharing an extended cut of our interview with Ella Quittner, author of Obsessed With the Best. We cover everything: her tests for the best chocolate chip cookies, what food science gets right (and wrong), the trendiest food of 2026, and the problem with meat that’s more like “baby food." Plus, Ella shares her tests for the flakiest biscuits, crispiest bacon, most tender yellow cake, and more. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

The Cook Who Tested Everything: Ella Quittner is Obsessed with the Best

Ella Quittner has spent years meticulously testing recipes for the flakiest biscuits, crispiest bacon, perfectly poached eggs, most tender yellow cake, and more. This week, she joins us to share her findings and her new book, Obsessed with the Best. Plus Milk Street Radio Producer Mari Orozco brings us to Cake Picnic; Stella Parks is back to answer your baking questions; and we learn the language of butter from our friends at A Way with Words.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Catching the Codfather Part 1: Red Lobster

Today, we’re sharing a special episode from The Big Dig podcast from GBH News, Catching the Codfather. Carlos “The Codfather” Rafael dominates the most valuable fishing port in the United States, and no one is quite sure how he did it. But in 2015, when undercover federal agents offer to buy his business, Carlos opens his books.Listen to the series host Ian Coss talk with Christopher Kimball on Milk Street Radio about the full story here. Subscribe to The Big Dig Presents: Catching the Codfather here. Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Emeril Live! Up Close and Personal with Emeril Lagasse

This week, we’re looking at the pioneers of food television. Emeril Lagasse reflects on his unlikely start at the Food Network, how he’s different from his on-screen persona and why he just opened his first Portuguese restaurant. Plus, Michelle T. King tells the story of Fu Pei-mei, Taiwan’s first cooking TV star, our very own Sara Moulton (of Cooking Live fame) answers caller cooking questions, and Adam Gopnik weighs in on the spectacle of Iron Chef.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

The Codfather: Inside A $175 Million Fish Fraud

Carlos Rafael ran one of the biggest fishing operations in New England. He was successful. Almost too successful. Probably because his seafood empire was built through fraud. This week, reporter Ian Coss brings us to the story of The Codfather. Plus, Natasha Pickowicz invites everyone to hot pot, and Christopher Kimball and Sara Moulton answer your questions on Norwegian pancakes, Julia Child’s Gâteau de Crêpes, and more.Want to hot pot at home? Get the blog post featuring Natasha's equipment recommendations and shopping guide here.Listen to Catching the Codfather on the Big Dig Podcast from GBH here.Listen to Milk Street Radio on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify