Feed Your Curiosity
Journey with me as we discover the stories behind what we eat.
Once Peasant Food: How Six Humble Staples Became Trendy
There was a time when peasant food like polenta, oats, or offal wasn't trendy. Today? That polenta is served with black truffles, heirloom beans are a gourmet ingredient, and bone marrow is served on tiny pieces of toast. Let's go on a journey through poverty, migration, tradition, and a wee bit of culinary snobbery.
What Did Pirates Really Eat?
What did pirates really eat? Not a Hollywood feasts. Life at sea meant hardtack, salted meat, and whatever fresh food a crew could catch, trade for, or steal. Archaeology from Blackbeard’s ship reveals surprising clues about the real pirate pantry.
Food Aphrodisiacs: The Foods of Love
Did ancient cultures believe figs symbolized fertility? Why did chocolate become a romantic food? And why have humans spent thousands of years searching for love through food aphrodisiacs?
Connections Hide in Every Historical Bite.
Let’s explore food history, global ingredients, and the ways cultures cook, celebrate, and share food.
Following The Smoky Trail of Barbecue History
Discover the ancient origins of barbecue, from fire pits to pitmasters. Explore global BBQ styles, cultural roots, and a classic Kansas City recipe.
The Story Behind the Hawaiian Luau
What do cornbread, grits, maple syrup, and cedar plank salmon have in common? Their stories begin with Indigenous dishes that helped shape American food.
What’s On Your Plate? A History of Food Fraud and Crime
What’s really on your plate? What if your morning coffee once contained sawdust… or your “beef” wasn’t beef at all? The history of food fraud reveals the dark truth behind what we eat. Deception, danger, and crime have long shaped our food system and still do.
What Stories and Secrets Are Hidden in the Foods We Eat?
Every food has a story. Some may surprise you, some are forgotten, and some reveal how closely our cultures are connected. Come explore them with me.
Let’s begin our adventure here. >