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Artwork for The Food Chain

The Food Chain

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes521Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureFoodArts

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Artwork for The Food Chain

Latest Episodes

***This programme contains conversations about disordered eating which some listeners may find upsetting*** Social media is awash with nutritional misinformation with foods often cast as superheroes or villains. So how can we separate fact from ficti... more

How do you eat well in freezing the cold? When you live in some of the coldest places on earth, what you eat, and how much, really matters.

Ruth Alexander hears advice from a scientist, who goes on expeditions to study the body’s reaction to sub-ze... more

Ruth Alexander explores the art and etiquette of tipping and how it varies around the world.

She hears from staff and customers in countries where tipping is essential and in places where it can be taken as an insult.

Ruth also talks to servers a... more

What are the highs and lows of waiting on tables? Ruth Alexander speaks to restaurateurs from London, New York and Mumbai to find out about the inner workings of one of the hardest jobs in the business.

Ruth hears from French celebrity Maitre D, Fr... 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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People also subscribe to these shows.

CrowdScience
CrowdScienceBBC World Service
Good Food
Good FoodGood Food
Unexpected Elements
Unexpected ElementsBBC World Service
Health Check
Health CheckBBC World Service

Recent Guests

Debraj De
Owner of What's Up Cafe and 99 in Kolkata
What's Up Cafe, 99
Episode: To tip or not to tip?
Matti Rangel
Bartender and actor in Wisconsin
Episode: To tip or not to tip?
Jake Kwon
BBC correspondent in South Korea
Episode: To tip or not to tip?
Ruth Reichel
Food writer and former restaurant critic
New York Times, Gourmet Magazine
Episode: To tip or not to tip?
Michael Cecchi-Azzolina
Owner of Cecchi's Bar and Grill in Manhattan and author of Your Table Is Ready, Tales of a New York City Maitre d.
Cecchi's Bar and Grill
Episode: The servers: The highs and lows of waiting on tables
Gauri Devidayal
Co-founder of the Food Matters Group, which runs multiple restaurants across Mumbai.
Food Matters Group
Episode: The servers: The highs and lows of waiting on tables
Fred Siriex
Maitre d' and head waiter experienced in the UK and France, and TV presenter.
The Art of Service
Episode: The servers: The highs and lows of waiting on tables
Professor Jonathan Morris
Author of Coffee, A Global History
University of Hertfordshire
Episode: The coffee habit: Why do we love it so much?
Marilyn Cornelis
Associate professor and expert on coffee and genetics
Northwestern University
Episode: The coffee habit: Why do we love it so much?

Hosts

Ruth Alexander
Host who examines food's business, science, and cultural significance, often reflecting on various food topics with thought-provoking insights.
Rumella Dasgupta
Involved in discussions surrounding food culture, highlighting various aspects of the culinary world.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • 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 Kingdom3 months ago
  • Not listening anymore

    I used to listen to it, but the BBC’s disgraceful handling of the ongoing genocide in Palestine made me stop consuming anything they produce. Goodbye.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Gariraygua
    Spain5 months ago
  • Pay an actual artist

    Love the show but not the recent ai slop cover “art”

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Leeroy1289
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great

    I love this podcast, every episode is so interesting and Ruth Alexander is a fab presenter.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnYaLt
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Food Chain

    One of my favorite podcasts! I love the variety of topics! Very good BBC production. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    757 Mum
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critics express dissatisfaction with certain topics, indicating a wish for a focused approach on food itself rather than peripheral matters.
Many highlight the knowledgeable and personable hosting style, which enhances the overall experience.
Listeners appreciate the rich variety of topics covered, often finding the discussions both engaging and informative.
The podcast is generally praised for its research and depth, showcasing real-life implications of food in society.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#45
United States/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#248
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#8
Canada/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#12
United Kingdom/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#72
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#87
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

To tip or not to tip?
Q: What proportion of your pay do they represent?
I would probably say at least two thirds, maybe three fourths.
To tip or not to tip?
Q: So, how do you manage this in your restaurants?
We have a way of pooling in a percentage of the sales, and we distribute that among the entire team in terms of points.
The chefs
Q: What advice would you have for the person listening who's wondering if they've got what it takes?
All chefs emphasize the importance of passion and hands-on experience in determining if someone is suited for a culinary career.
The chefs
Q: Is being a chef something you've always had in you?
All three chefs share early cooking experiences and how their childhoods shaped their passion for the culinary arts.
The coffee habit: Why do we love it so much?
Q: Are there any negative effects of coffee?
Some individuals may experience sensitivity to caffeine and withdrawal symptoms, but it is not classified as an addictive substance in the US.

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 intricate tapestry of food, this podcast traverses its multifaceted significance in business, science, and culture, offering listeners an insightful look into what shapes the food we consume daily. Each episode features a blend of stories and expert perspectives, giving depth to themes such as culinary practices around the world, the science behind ingredients, and the evolving dynamics of food industries. Episodes range from discussions on critical topics like tipping culture and portion sizes to innovative trends such as drone deliveries and culinary arts. With a focus on personal narratives and expert analysis, this show stands out in its ability to weave together cultural insights with practical knowledge, making it an ess... more

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. CrowdScience
3. Good Food
4. Unexpected Elements
5. Health Check

How many episodes of The Food Chain are there?

The Food Chain launched 11 years ago and published 521 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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. Debraj De
2. Matti Rangel
3. Jake Kwon
4. Ruth Reichel
5. Michael Cecchi-Azzolina
6. Gauri Devidayal
7. Fred Siriex
8. Professor Jonathan Morris

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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