Forks on the Left
36 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 7 years ago - ★★★★★ - 73 ratingsHollywood stories. Food stories. Drink stories. Wine, beer and cocktail tastings, chefs' secrets, recipes and cooking demos. Conversations with chefs, writers, winemakers, bartenders, actors, bakers, producers, directors, butchers, musicians…
Grab a fork and a glass, and join ‘Friends' Writer/Producer/Cook/Wine-Guy, Jeff Strauss and co-host Writer/Comedian/Eater/Beer-Guy, Jeff Phelps as they bring together experts and friends from the worlds of food, wine, spirits, beer, TV, movies, theater and music to talk about…all that stuff.
Listen to your stomach. Feed your ears.
Fresh episodes weekly. Please rate/review to tell us what you're liking so you can have more of it. Also, please help us spread the word by sharing with your friends on social media. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @forks_ontheleft and Facebook @forksontheleft.
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Episodes
Grateful Dads - Ep. 32
June 17, 2017 02:22 - 41 minutes - 38.8 MBFather's Day. And that means it's time for Phelps and Strauss to raise a glass (or two) to fathers and fatherhood and the eating and drinking lessons their own dads taught. Strauss shares the origins of the Jefftovers idea and turns a corned beef sandwich into one of his father's favorite brunch (or anytime) dishes. Phelps introduces us to a simple-yet-insane and amazing combo for baked potatoes. The Jeffs discuss memorable movie and TV dads. And Mary Catherine Finney joins us to battle out...
Wonder Women - Ep. 31
June 14, 2017 18:13 - 1 hour - 56.1 MBIn honor of box-office smash, “Wonder Woman,” we pay tribute to the Wonder Women of Forks on the Left. Our favorite LA bartender, Andi Rene Christenson, joins us to discuss Patty Jenkins' blockbuster (did we cry??), mix up a couple Wonder Woman-inspired cocktails, and take a look back at few of the Wonder Women who have graced our show in its first six months. We've got highlights from actress/zombie-kicking badass Kim Dickens, the brave and brilliant Chef Neela Paniz, food-truck hero an...
What Kind Of Tool Am I? - Ep. 30
June 03, 2017 03:23 - 14 minutes - 13.8 MBThe only thing better than quizzing people who don’t really cook about cooking tools they’ve never really seen...is quizzing them after they’ve already had seven shots of seven different bourbons. Inspired by the fun we had playing "Name That Fruit" with Superfruit, Jeff Strauss is back with a new cooking-inspired guessing game called, "What Kind Of Tool Am I?" where we guess the purpose of a particular culinary instrument based solely on the name. Kitchen tool connoisseur Jeff Strauss hosts...
Behind the Noise - Ep. 29
May 27, 2017 05:23 - 1 hour - 62.7 MBWhat could be better than hanging out behind the scenes at Endless Noise studios and getting insider info from the audio engineer and producers who have worked with Superfruit and Pentatonix for the last 5 years? All of that plus a 5 bottle “blind” Bourbon tasting! (And that’s exactly what we do with Mary Catherine Finney and Grant Cornish who have known the PTX crew longer than almost anybody in showbiz. Join us!) Guests: Grant Cornish & Mary Catherine Finney For pictures and more fro...
Superfruity Cocktails - Ep. 28
May 19, 2017 23:07 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MBWhat do you get when you mix singing superstars Mitch Grassi and Scott Hoying (of Superfruit & Pentatonix) with 4 incredible fruit-based cocktails? Add a dash of Gaga, your first alcoholic beverage, a game of "Name That Fruit" and the weirdest thing you've ever eaten and shake with a couple of Jeffs...pour over ice and enjoy! Ever dream of sitting down for cocktails and conversation with two of your favorite pop stars? It might sound something like this. Guests: Superfruit (@ScottHoyin...
Mr. Fries Man - Ep. 27
May 13, 2017 02:09 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBDid you ever dream of starting your own restaurant? This is one of those stories that dreams and movies are made of — the story of Los Angeles’ own Craig Batiste. Starting with less than $400 and a headful of recipe ideas for “loaded” french fries, Craig and his fiancé Dorothy Morales set out on an adventure that has grown from selling home-cooked fries out of a donut shop parking lot to a thriving young business that is taking Los Angeles and Instagram by storm. Guest: Mr. Fries Ma...
Phelps is Phorty - Ep. 26
May 07, 2017 03:14 - 40 minutes - 37.8 MBIt’s Phelps’ birthday and we celebrate with a festival of 40s - 40 ouncers, 40% alcohol vodka and tequila shots, 40 years worth of celebration and stories. How has Phelps changed in the 40 years since his birth in Kansas City? Has the decade in La La Land ruined him, improved him, or left him essentially the same “recovering frat-guy” he was when he left KU (Go Jayhawks!)? We dig into the food and drink evolution of our beloved co-host and we get to know some of the secrets of his past thank...
Chef Sounds - Ep. 25
April 25, 2017 19:33 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBBay Area big-gun chef, Scott Warner is not only a highly sought-after maestro of the modern restaurant kitchen (The Black Cat, Rose Pistola, Bistro Don Giovanni, Kokkari), he’s also a fantastic musician who graduated with a degree in Guitar from USC’s Music School. Scott sits in with us to share stories of kitchens and creativity, how he went from dreams of a life in music to fulfilling his creative passions through food and drink — and the role that improvisation plays in both his loves. ...
Mind Erasers in the Writers' Room with Bob Kushell - Ep. 24
April 10, 2017 18:27 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBMix 1 part vodka, 1 part Kahlua, 1 part soda, and 10 parts Bob Kushell — writer-producer of 3rd Rock from the Sun, Anger Management, Samantha Who?, The Muppets, American Dad, Malcolm in the Middle — and you get a slightly-drunk, very funny episode covering topics from writers’ room food and self-loathing to writing under the influence. Also, very special weight-loss secret revealed: “The Show-Runner’s Recovery Diet" Day Drinking: Absolut Vodka & Kahlua “Mind Erasers” and Redemption R...
Burning Questions with Ahmet Zappa - Ep. 23
March 31, 2017 23:04 - 17 minutes - 16.6 MBWe've had two fascinating and funny servings of Ahmet Zappa — Healthy and Unhealthy. Here’s a little more A to the Z kind of love… including what may be the darkest — most “burnt" answer to any burning question ever… you be the judge. Guest: @AhmetZappa Follow us on Twitter (@forks_ontheleft), Instagram (forks_ontheleft) and Facebook. Please rate us and leave us a review on iTunes!
Burning Questions with Neela Paniz - Ep. 22
March 25, 2017 01:12 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBBurning Questions with Chef Neela Paniz — Return with Strauss & Phelps to the home kitchen of Chef Neela Paniz, “Chopped” Champion and a pioneer of both Modern Indian Cuisine and as a woman chef/restaurateur. Not only do we find out what she thinks they’re serving in hell, but we also learn just how “liberated” you needed to be to break down stereotypes and barriers in the world of restaurants in the 1980s. Check out our full episode with Neela in her home kitchen here. Follow us on Tw...
Burning Questions with Tom Lennon - Ep. 21
March 18, 2017 00:13 - 22 minutes - 21 MBOne of the best possible things that we could imagine: Strauss, Phelps and the insanely funny Tom Lennon run through our Forks on the Left “Burning Questions”, still just a little bit drunk and full of cheese with the answers taking us from the delicious to the down-right horrifying. Guest: Tom Lennon (@thomaslennon) Follow us on Twitter (@forks_ontheleft), Instagram (forks_ontheleft) and Facebook. Please rate us and leave us a review on iTunes!
Burning Questions with Melissa Peterman - Ep. 20
March 10, 2017 20:52 - 13 minutes - 13.1 MBAnother installment of Burning Questions, and we promise three things: Prince, pudding, and taint. One is a much missed pop icon, one is a dessert in a dream, and the last is just a verb—we promise. Thankfully, all three come with 10 “comforting” answers from Melissa Peterman. Give it a listen and find out what a sweet, funny gal from the Midwest thinks they’re serving for dinner in hell. Guest: Melissa Peterman Follow us on Twitter (@forks_ontheleft), Instagram (forks_ontheleft) and Fa...
A Catholic, a Muslim and a Jew Walk into a Podcast - Ep. 19
March 04, 2017 02:59 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBStrauss and Phelps are joined by TV Comedy writer/producer Nastaran Dibai who was born in Iran and immigrated to the US and then to Canada before coming back to the US to write comedy (psst - she’s the Muslim). She shares funny stories of her family and career as well as a few amazing, home-made Persian dishes (yeah, she cooks too). Phelps is reunited with his beloved “Decapitator” by Corksicle and Strauss reveals the simple-yet-impossible secrets to the Iranian rice dish he’s been struggli...
Burning Questions with Harold Perrineau - Ep. 18
February 25, 2017 20:54 - 13 minutes - 12.6 MB"If heaven were a restaurant they'd be serving...?" Harold Perrineau answers this and 9 other hot questions in Forks on the Left's version of the Inside the Actors Studio/Pivot questionnaire. Guest: @HaroldPerrineau Follow us on Twitter (@forks_ontheleft), Instagram (forks_ontheleft) and Facebook. Please rate us and leave us a review on iTunes!
"The Comfort Zone" with Melissa Peterman - Ep. 17
February 18, 2017 03:49 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBWhen times get tough, when weather is cold, when stuff gets uncertain…we all want comfort, or more exactly Comfort Food. The incredibly funny and always-comforting Melissa Peterman, star of shows like “Reba” and “Baby Daddy”, joins us to talk Tater-Tot hot-dish, throwing herself at Bono while on a trip to Ireland, and Phelps’ deep need for gas-station pastry when he’s feeling low. We explore the personal and political implications of comfort food with Karen Attiah of the Washington Post and ...
Stupid Cupid / Love Drunk - Ep. 16
February 14, 2017 02:43 - 56 minutes - 52.6 MBA romantic dinner for two Jeffs at Sotto, one of LA’s favorite romantic spots known for its intimate setting, fantastic bar and amazing Southern-Italian food. After the guys try and choose the perfect cocktails for each other, the conversation flirts with the connections between food and love. Strauss offers advice for a diving-grab/CVS Pharmacy Valentines' Day chocolate plan that could rescue a last-minute disaster. He also shares a few tips to raise your jar-and-box pasta game to “sexy din...
The LOST Wingmen Matrix with Harold Perrineau - Ep. 15
February 04, 2017 20:53 - 1 hour - 74 MBOur Super-sized Super Bowl episode. Super Bowl = Wings, right? Strauss and Phelps set off on the first FOTL road trip as they climb aboard a luxury “sprinter van" to tour the best that “Wing City” Los Angeles has to offer, joined by guest “wingman” Harold Perrineau (of LOST, The Best Man, The Matrix movies, and Romeo & Juliet) and the Forks on the Left road crew. The quest: find wing satisfaction and football-party-snack inspiration among nearly a dozen of LA’s best and most famous wing spo...
Ahmet Zappa: An Unhealthy Zappatite - Ep. 14
January 28, 2017 00:42 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBPart 2 of our conversation with the Actor/Musician/Writer/Producer/New-Wine-Nerd. We talk "Growing Up Zappa," Gail Zappa’s Beef Stroganoff, Ahmet’s biggies fear, and… the source of his "mayo problem." We test Ahmet’s claim of being able to tell the price of any wine just by tasting. And Ahmet shares his story of what may be the most embarrassing Hollywood dinner party experience ever at the home of Monty Python Legend, Eric Idle... Special Guest: Jeff Elmassian Wines Enjoyed: Thomas-Hsi ...
Ahmet Zappa: A Healthy Zappatite - Ep. 13
January 22, 2017 18:01 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBStrauss and Phelps welcome Ahmet Zappa and Musician/Composer/Producer Jeff Elmassian to talk about Ahmet’s journey from child actor, musician, performer, to movie writer and producer to new-found wine-nerddom…Strauss challenges Ahmet’s claim that he can “taste the price of any wine” within five dollars. Track through some of Ahmet’s favorite wines, growing up “food, wine and Zappa" as well as one of his latest gigs as CEO of Zappa Records and Co-Trustee of the Zappa Family Trust where he’s m...
"The Lifestyles of the Rich and 2 Jeffs" with Chris Rich - Ep. 12
January 13, 2017 19:19 - 51 minutes - 47.4 MBWhat’s life like for an actor who loves great food and drink? From "starving-actor" to “starring-actor," Strauss and Phelps sit down with television’s Christopher Rich, star of Murphy Brown, Boston Legal, Another World, Reba and more to talk TV Comedy, the “ins and outs” of eating both on camera and off, cooking dinner for the cast of “Reba," Chris’s perfect omelet and "quaff-able wine." Recipe - The “Perfect” Thin-style French Omelet Day Drinking: Squall Red Blend (discussed but not c...
Neela Takes Us Home - Ep. 11
January 07, 2017 20:58 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBChef Neela Paniz’s food journey spans a lifetime and tens of thousands of miles. After growing up in India in the years following the fall of the British Raj, she landed in the US in her twenties having never cooked anything and by the time Strauss and Phelps sit down at her kitchen table, she’s a veteran chef who’s launched three restaurants including Bombay Cafe, LA’s pillar of modern-Indian street food; she’s a “Chopped” champion, a cookbook author and one of the most articulate and knowl...
Hangover Cures - Ep. 10
December 30, 2016 22:10 - 51 minutes - 48 MBHangover Cures! In honor of New Years and "The Great Morning After” we dig deep into the downsides of alcohol consumption and tips on prevention as well as a wide-ranging exploration of remedies from the mythical to the medical. Hair of the Dog? Hydration? Does mixing beverages matter? What about clear vs colored booze? Is there anything you can eat or drink the next day that makes a difference? Is there something that medical science can do for you? In true Forks on the Left style, Phelps ...
What Is Christmas? (Featuring Tom Lennon)
December 23, 2016 21:36 - 1 minute - 4.5 MBHappy Holidays! Here's a musical gift of laughter from all of us at Forks on the Left brought to you by the brilliance of Jeff Elmassian, Andy Rehfeldt, Grant Cornish and Mary Catherine Finney. Cheers! Subscribe! Follow us on Twitter (@forks_ontheleft), Instagram (forks_ontheleft) and Facebook. Please rate us and leave us a review on iTunes! For more visit forksontheleft.com
The Side Dish 3 - Cookbook Gift Picks 2016
December 21, 2016 02:37 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBCookbook Gift Ideas from one of the world's most knowledgeable cooks and cookbook authors: Susie Heller, co-author of all 5 of Thomas Keller’s cookbooks including “The French Laundry," “The Pizza Bible” with Tony Gemignani, and “Happy in the Kitchen” with Michel Richard. There's something here for every cook and foodie on your list! Check out our website for links to each of the books Susie recommends. Susie Heller: @susiefeast Follow us on Twitter (@forks_ontheleft), Instagram (fork...
Very Cheesy Christmas: Tom Lennon Does Number 2 - Ep. 9
December 16, 2016 22:53 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBLots more Tom Lennon. Lots more comedy. Lots more Cheesy Christmas — including illegal cheese smuggling, Strauss’s all around favorite red-wine-pairing cheese, and the surprising discovery of Tom Lennon’s impromptu “the best cheese I’ve ever had in my entire life” award. Tom wades into the “Great Chicago Giordano’s vs Malnati's Pizza Debate." Tom and Strauss discover an unexpected fire-arms stupidity/run-ins with the law connection...Stories of youthful excess, Hollywood Christmas gifts and...
Tom Lennon: A Very Cheesy Christmas (Part 1) - Ep. 8
December 09, 2016 22:00 - 40 minutes - 37.6 MBGet out your generic Lipitor and your favorite hangover cure because the cheeses are all lined up and the Wine and Champagne is flowing like a hip-hop video. Actor/Writer/Director/Producer/Comedian /Ethical Vegetarian/Wine Snob Tom Lennon joins us to share stories of eating and drinking, comedy, Chicago, New Orleans, wine, cheese and Tom's "current wife," Jenny Robertson. Phelps kicks off the session by pouring “the largest glass of champagne (Tom) has seen in 20 years” and in no time the th...
From Coolhaus to Your House - Ep. 7
December 03, 2016 04:07 - 50 minutes - 48.3 MBIt’s the season of miracles, right? So why not hang out with one of the creators of an actual “miracle” — Natasha Case, who with her partner Freya Estreller, reinvented not one but two of life’s perfect things, the ice cream sandwich, and the ice cream truck! Starting with just an idea — "architecturally-inspired gourmet ice cream” — the two started making cookies and ice cream and calling them things like “IM Pei-Nut Butter” and “Mintimalism” — and with a couple thousand borrowed dollars, ...
Don’t F*cking Call Them Leftovers - Ep. 6
November 25, 2016 18:28 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MB"Leftovers." It’s a word that strikes terror into the hearts of so many of us. Well, fear no more. We love when life gives us a little more than we can handle in one sitting — the key is to make great use of what you couldn’t finish the first time. And that’s what we’re doing this week. Strauss and Phelps discuss all kinds of great ideas and recipes using the remains of Thanksgiving Day, and we’re also serving up a great interview with wine-expert Jill Bernheimer (@DomaineLA), owner of Domai...
The Side Dish 2 - Just The Tips (Thanksgiving Edition)
November 22, 2016 15:00 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBA handful of Strauss' favorite Thanksgiving suggestions. How much turkey per person? Secrets to a moist turkey...What to do if you or people you love are vegetarian...What wine to drink...And a super easy way to up your holiday "stuffing game." Visit forksontheleft.com to check out the recipe for Jeff Strauss' confit turkey wings. Follow us on Twitter (@forks_ontheleft), Instagram (@forks_ontheleft) and Facebook.
Thanksgiving 2: Sweet Revenge - Ep. 5
November 19, 2016 03:44 - 47 minutes - 44 MBLet’s face it, we’re right at the beginning of “Dessert Season," cold weather, family gatherings, ski-vacations…it lasts until we start thinking about bathing suits and beaches sometime after Valentine's Day. After a little dessert-directed Day Drinking featuring Stone Brewing Co’s Seasonal Chocolate/Chili/Spice/Coffee Beer, “Xocoveza” and Handmade, Barrel-Strength Bourbon from Noah’s Mill, Strauss and Phelps sit down with Lisa Ritter, one of the founders of LA's beloved “Big Sugar Bakeshop”...
The Side Dish 1 - Kim Dickens
November 15, 2016 17:42 - 6 minutes - 6.14 MBIf you didn’t fill up on Kim Dickens during our Halloween episode, here are a few more delicious bites. It’s incredible how much “what we eat” says about “who we are." Kim answers Forks on the Left’s “10 Questions” — picture James Lipton (or Will Ferrell) and the “Inside the Actors Studio” questionnaire…but with food, and Strauss and Phelps. Guest: @KimDickens Host: @Forks_ontheLeft For more bonus content, check out our website - forksontheleft.com Please rate/review on iTunes to tel...
The One With The 'Friends' Thanksgiving Episode - Ep. 4
November 11, 2016 21:19 - 32 minutes - 30.6 MBIt’s a 'Friends' reunion! We are joined by Jeff Strauss’s college buddy and for many years, his writing and producing partner, the award-winning Jeff Greenstein, the original "Other Jeff." In this week’s episode, Strauss and Greenstein, who co-wrote the very first 'Friends' Thanksgiving episode, share never-before-revealed secrets behind “The One Where Underdog Gets Away." You’ll hear the hilarious and horrible, real-life story from Strauss’s life that inspired that much-loved, Emmy-nomina...
Tasting Menu Smackdown: Tulsa State Fair vs The French Laundry - Ep. 3
November 04, 2016 22:36 - 40 minutes - 37.8 MBIn honor of the election season we all wish would end, it’s the most American of battles… no Dems v. Repubs, no "Blue v. Red”, this is Ultra-High-Calorie Meal v. Ultra-High-Calorie Meal. It's Corn Dog versus Salmon Tartare Coronet, Brisket-Cheesy-Fries versus Sweet-Butter-Poached Lobster Fricassée. It’s the 2016 Tulsa State Fair facing down a 2012 visit to Napa’s 3-Michelin-Starred The French Laundry! How will Strauss and Phelps survive course after course of complete and total over-indul...
Kim Dickens: Fear the Walking Chef - Halloween 2016 - Ep. 2
October 26, 2016 00:36 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MBGuests: Kim Dickens, Erika Nakamura, Curtis Di Fede Nothing better than blood, sharp objects and zombies on Halloween, and we’ve got lots of all of that — and Kim Dickens, star of 'Fear the Walking Dead' and HBO’s ‘Treme'. Starting off with a cocktail — "The Bloody Vampire Killer" — Kim and The Jeffs dig into her experiences playing Chef Janette Desautel and starring alongside the likes of Superstar Chefs Tom Colicchio, David Chang, Eric Ripert, Wylie Dufresne, John Besh and Susan Spi...
Phil Rosenthal: Everybody Loves What Phil’s Having (Especially When It’s Smoked Brisket) - Ep. 1
October 25, 2016 23:27 - 55 minutes - 51.3 MBGuests: Phil Rosenthal, Adam Cole In our first-ever episode, hosts Jeff Strauss & Jeff Phelps hang out with the always-funny Phil Rosenthal, writer/creator of the massive hit comedy 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and star/creator of 'I’ll Have What Phil’s Having'. Strauss, Phelps and Phil talk eating, family, TV, travel and Phil’s lifelong hate/love experience with food. The three are joined by chef Adam Cole, whose career has taken him from the front-lines in fine-dining kitchens of ...