Lunch Therapy
232 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 months ago - ★★★★★ - 330 ratingsFood writer Adam Roberts (The Amateur Gourmet, Secrets of the Best Chefs) has a knack for analyzing people's lunches. Now in its fourth season, Lunch Therapy showcases the lunches of a wide variety of guests: chefs (Fergus Henderson, Marco Canora), actors (Ryan O'Connell, Karan Soni), writers (Mary Roach, Steven Rowley), musicians (Ed Droste), comedians (Kate Berlant, Chelsea Peretti), and family (Adam's mom). Join in as Adam asks the most innocent yet provocative question in the business: "What did you have for lunch?".
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episodes
Ep. 15 -- Deb Perelman's Uzbeki Manti
November 11, 2019 13:00 - 1 hour - 87.5 MBYou've been smitten with her since the early 2000s, and today Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen is my patient on Lunch Therapy. We talk everything from her efforts to recreate the brown bread she ate in Ireland, whether or not she's the heir to Ina Garten, and how her German-Jewish mother found salt and pepper to be "edgy." We also cover her brief career as an art therapist, what it means to have a food blog in 2019, and how she deals with people feeling like they know her. See acast.com/...
Deb Perelman's Uzbeki Manti
November 11, 2019 13:00 - 1 hourYou've been smitten with her since the early 2000s, and today Deb Perelman of Smitten Kitchen is my patient on Lunch Therapy. We talk everything from her efforts to recreate the brown bread she ate in Ireland, whether or not she's the heir to Ina Garten, and how her German-Jewish mother found salt and pepper to be "edgy." We also cover her brief career as an art therapist, what it means to have a food blog in 2019, and how she deals with people feeling like they know her. See acast.com/priv...
Ep. 14 -- Mark Harris's Bowl of Frosted Flakes with Blueberries
November 04, 2019 13:00 - 1 hour - 77.3 MBMark Harris is the celebrated author of Pictures at the Revolution and Five Came Back, as well as a journalist for The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vanity Fair (for which he's covering the Oscars this year). In today's session, Mark talks about whether great food can rise to the level of great art, the truth about his typical day-to-day lunch journey, his favorite cookbooks, his favorite recipes, and how he and his husband (Angels in America playwright Tony Kushner) offer feedback when ...
Mark Harris's Bowl of Frosted Flakes with Blueberries
November 04, 2019 13:00 - 1 hourMark Harris is the celebrated author of Pictures at the Revolution and Five Came Back, as well as a journalist for The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vanity Fair (for which he's covering the Oscars this year). In today's session, Mark talks about whether great food can rise to the level of great art, the truth about his typical day-to-day lunch journey, his favorite cookbooks, his favorite recipes, and how he and his husband (Angels in America playwright Tony Kushner) offer feedback when t...
Ep. 13 -- Melissa Clark's Apple of Truth
October 28, 2019 12:30 - 1 hour - 74.9 MBMelissa Clark is one of the most prolific food writers working today: she's the author of 43 cookbooks, as well as a weekly columnist for The New York Times AND a new podcast host ("Weeknight Kitchen with Melissa Clark"). She also turns out to be the perfect Lunch Therapy guest because both of her parents are psychiatrists. During today's session, we talk about how she comes up with a recipe, how she empowers people to have "personal responsibility in cooking," how she deals with criticism o...
Melissa Clark's Apple of Truth
October 28, 2019 12:30 - 1 hourMelissa Clark is one of the most prolific food writers working today: she's the author of 43 cookbooks, as well as a weekly columnist for The New York Times AND a new podcast host ("Weeknight Kitchen with Melissa Clark"). She also turns out to be the perfect Lunch Therapy guest because both of her parents are psychiatrists. During today's session, we talk about how she comes up with a recipe, how she empowers people to have "personal responsibility in cooking," how she deals with criticism on...
David Lebovitz's Leftover Vegetables with Chicken
October 21, 2019 12:30 - 1 hourThe man, the myth, the legend: David Lebovitz himself is this week's Lunch Therapy patient! The author of The Sweet Life in Paris, L'Appart, My Paris Kitchen, and The Perfect Scoop, David generously met with me when I was in New York and filled in the blanks about his life before he moved to France: his childhood in Connecticut, his years as a film student at Ithica (making doorknob slasher films), working at the Cabbagetown Cafe, traveling through Europe, and arriving in San Francisco just a...
Ep. 12 -- David Lebovitz's Leftover Vegetables with Chicken
October 21, 2019 12:30 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBThe man, the myth, the legend: David Lebovitz himself is this week's Lunch Therapy patient! The author of The Sweet Life in Paris, L'Appart, My Paris Kitchen, and The Perfect Scoop, David generously met with me when I was in New York and filled in the blanks about his life before he moved to France: his childhood in Connecticut, his years as a film student at Ithica (making doorknob slasher films), working at the Cabbagetown Cafe, traveling through Europe, and arriving in San Francisco just ...
Christine Vachon's Hotel Room Snacks
October 14, 2019 12:30 - 57 minutesChristine Vachon is one of the most celebrated producers in the world of film and if I told you some of the movies she's made, your head would spin: Carol, Still Alice, Far From Heaven, Happiness, Velvet Goldmine, Kids, Boys Don't Cry, I Shot Andy Warhol, Craig's favorite movie ("Safe" by Todd Haynes) and one of my favorite movies ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch" by John Cameron Mitchell). On today's podcast, find out what she eats for lunch, what she considers the cinematic equivalent of a chick...
Ep. 11 -- Christine Vachon's Hotel Room Snacks
October 14, 2019 12:30 - 57 minutes - 132 MBChristine Vachon is one of the most celebrated producers in the world of film and if I told you some of the movies she's made, your head would spin: Carol, Still Alice, Far From Heaven, Happiness, Velvet Goldmine, Kids, Boys Don't Cry, I Shot Andy Warhol, Craig's favorite movie ("Safe" by Todd Haynes) and one of my favorite movies ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch" by John Cameron Mitchell). On today's podcast, find out what she eats for lunch, what she considers the cinematic equivalent of a chic...
Jeremy Fox's Beef Plate with Extra Beef
October 07, 2019 12:30 - 1 hourIn 2008, The New York Times named Jeremy Fox's restaurant Ubuntu (in the Napa Valley) the second best restaurant in the United States. On today's Lunch Therapy, you'll learn how the pressure of that led Fox to leave the restaurant, re-examine his life, and to start all over again in Los Angeles, where he now runs three restaurants: Rustic Canyon (where my husband and I got engaged!), Tallulah's, and the newly opened Birdie G's. We also cover how he comes up with his novel food ideas (see: whi...
Ep. 10 -- Jeremy Fox's Beef Plate with Extra Beef
October 07, 2019 12:30 - 1 hour - 138 MBIn 2008, The New York Times named Jeremy Fox's restaurant Ubuntu (in the Napa Valley) the second best restaurant in the United States. On today's Lunch Therapy, you'll learn how the pressure of that led Fox to leave the restaurant, re-examine his life, and to start all over again in Los Angeles, where he now runs three restaurants: Rustic Canyon (where my husband and I got engaged!), Tallulah's, and the newly opened Birdie G's. We also cover how he comes up with his novel food ideas (see: wh...
My Mother's Disappointing Latke
September 30, 2019 12:30 - 1 hourBatten down the hatches: today's Lunch Therapy guest is none other than... my mother! Yes, Heidi Roberts is visiting from Boca Raton, Florida and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to put her in the Lunch Therapy chair. We talk everything from cruises to diners to Weight Watchers to selling pickles with her mother at the Roosevelt Field Flea Market. We also get into more emotional territory towards the end (though we did have some technical difficulties; don't worry, you can still hear everyt...
Ep. 9 -- My Mother's Disappointing Latke
September 30, 2019 12:30 - 1 hour - 144 MBBatten down the hatches: today's Lunch Therapy guest is none other than... my mother! Yes, Heidi Roberts is visiting from Boca Raton, Florida and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to put her in the Lunch Therapy chair. We talk everything from cruises to diners to Weight Watchers to selling pickles with her mother at the Roosevelt Field Flea Market. We also get into more emotional territory towards the end (though we did have some technical difficulties; don't worry, you can still hear every...
Ep. 8 -- John Riggi's Night Salad
September 23, 2019 12:30 - 1 hour - 57.4 MBIf I told you that there's a person who's not only written for 30 Rock, but also for The Comeback and The Larry Sanders Show, you'd say: "Such a person couldn't exist! Those are three of the greatest comedies of all time." Well such a person DOES exist and his name is John Riggi. In today's session, John talks about his mother's Italian restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio, the link between comedy writing and cooking, feeding the 30 Rock writer's room on the Chopped set, connecting with his Italia...
John Riggi's Night Salad
September 23, 2019 12:30 - 1 hourIf I told you that there's a person who's not only written for 30 Rock, but also for The Comeback and The Larry Sanders Show, you'd say: "Such a person couldn't exist! Those are three of the greatest comedies of all time." Well such a person DOES exist and his name is John Riggi. In today's session, John talks about his mother's Italian restaurant in Cincinnati, Ohio, the link between comedy writing and cooking, feeding the 30 Rock writer's room on the Chopped set, connecting with his Italian...
Marquita Robinson's Shabu Shabu
September 16, 2019 12:30 - 1 hourMarquita Robinson is a super successful TV writer working in L.A. (Blackish, GLOW, You're The Worst) and in today's session we journey back with her to her childhood on an Air Force base in Okinawa, Japan. We talk everything from You've Got Mail ("That caviar is a garnish!"), switching from Morton's to Diamond Crystal, her parents' love for Teriyaki sauce, the family's move to the Azores, Taco Rice, and what it's like to experience America America for the first time. Also: I make a joke so ba...
Ep. 7 -- Marquita Robinson's Shabu Shabu
September 16, 2019 12:30 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBMarquita Robinson is a super successful TV writer working in L.A. (Blackish, GLOW, You're The Worst) and in today's session we journey back with her to her childhood on an Air Force base in Okinawa, Japan. We talk everything from You've Got Mail ("That caviar is a garnish!"), switching from Morton's to Diamond Crystal, her parents' love for Teriyaki sauce, the family's move to the Azores, Taco Rice, and what it's like to experience America America for the first time. Also: I make a joke so b...
Bill Addison's Big Sampler Plate
September 09, 2019 12:30 - 1 hourBill Addison is the James Beard award-winning food critic for the Los Angeles Times and, in today's session, we go deep into his past, Ratatouille-style, and learn about his formative restaurant experiences (he still remembers the name of the waiter!), his obsession with Lebanese food, his capacity for self-criticism, and his mother's potato rolls. We also talk about his writing technique, L.A. as the greatest food city in America, and why he gets so mad when a restaurant sends over a free di...
Ep. 6 -- Bill Addison's Big Sampler Plate
September 09, 2019 12:30 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBBill Addison is the James Beard award-winning food critic for the Los Angeles Times and, in today's session, we go deep into his past, Ratatouille-style, and learn about his formative restaurant experiences (he still remembers the name of the waiter!), his obsession with Lebanese food, his capacity for self-criticism, and his mother's potato rolls. We also talk about his writing technique, L.A. as the greatest food city in America, and why he gets so mad when a restaurant sends over a free d...
Ep. 5 -- Carey O'Donnell's Honey BBQ Sriracha Chicken Starbucks Sandwich
September 03, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 58.9 MBCarey O'Donnell is a comedy writer for TV (Billy On The Street, Heathers, Summer Camp Island) and a hilarious presence on Twitter (@ecareyo), where he brilliantly satirizes popular culture. Today's session starts lightly enough: we talk about his artist boyfriend, the Parmesan soup they eat together, growing up a swimmer, outside Philadelphia, with his mom cooking him breakfast at 4 AM. Then we get deep: talking about his struggles with addiction, his recovery, and how the whole journey may ...
Carey O'Donnell's Honey BBQ Sriracha Chicken Starbucks Sandwich
September 03, 2019 12:00 - 1 hourCarey O'Donnell is a comedy writer for TV (Billy On The Street, Heathers, Summer Camp Island) and a hilarious presence on Twitter (@ecareyo), where he brilliantly satirizes popular culture. Today's session starts lightly enough: we talk about his artist boyfriend, the Parmesan soup they eat together, growing up a swimmer, outside Philadelphia, with his mom cooking him breakfast at 4 AM. Then we get deep: talking about his struggles with addiction, his recovery, and how the whole journey may h...
Nicole Rucker's Pancakes with the Ex
August 26, 2019 12:00 - 1 hourThe author of Dappled: Baking Recipes for Fruit Lovers, and the four-time blue-ribbon winner of KCRW's Good Food Pie Contest, comes to Lunch Therapy headquarters on the heels of announcing her departure from the bakery she founded, Fiona. We get into the emotions of that -- at the time of her lunch therapy session, the news hadn't gone public yet -- and then we explore the path she took to become a celebrated baker (not, as she points out, a pastry chef). We also cover baloney burritos, the w...
Ep. 4 -- Nicole Rucker's Pancakes with the Ex
August 26, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MBThe author of Dappled: Baking Recipes for Fruit Lovers, and the four-time blue-ribbon winner of KCRW's Good Food Pie Contest, comes to Lunch Therapy headquarters on the heels of announcing her departure from the bakery she founded, Fiona. We get into the emotions of that -- at the time of her lunch therapy session, the news hadn't gone public yet -- and then we explore the path she took to become a celebrated baker (not, as she points out, a pastry chef). We also cover baloney burritos, the ...
Ep. 3 -- Nik Dodani's Le Parisien
August 19, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 49.5 MBThe actor (Atypical, Murphy Brown, Alex Strangelove) and stand-up comedian (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) reports on his lunch with surprising specificity, confesses to his nickname growing up ("Picky Nicky"), sings the praises of his mother's Indian cooking, and revisits the period when he gave it all up for Lunchables. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Nik Dodani's Le Parisien
August 19, 2019 12:00 - 1 hourThe actor (Atypical, Murphy Brown, Alex Strangelove) and stand-up comedian (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) reports on his lunch with surprising specificity, confesses to his nickname growing up ("Picky Nicky"), sings the praises of his mother's Indian cooking, and revisits the period when he gave it all up for Lunchables. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epi...
Ep. 2 -- Jenni Konner's Anti-Lunch Tzaziki
August 12, 2019 11:31 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBThe co-showrunner of HBO’s Girls confesses her true feelings about eating lunch, weighs her reasons for weighing burgers, menu-plans her upcoming nuptials based on the food at her favorite restaurant, and turns the tables on her lunch therapist, advising him on how to loosen up in order to throw the perfect Sunday afternoon dinner gathering. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jenni Konner's Anti-Lunch Tzaziki
August 12, 2019 11:31 - 1 hourThe co-showrunner of HBO's Girls confesses her true feelings about eating lunch, weighs her reasons for weighing burgers, menu-plans her upcoming nuptials based on the food at her favorite restaurant, and turns the tables on her lunch therapist, advising him on how to loosen up in order to throw the perfect Sunday afternoon dinner gathering. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get acces...
Ryan O'Connell's Medium Pour (Lunch Therapy)
July 28, 2019 20:25 - 1 hourThe Emmy-nominated star and creator of Netflix's Special walks us through his salad at Sweetgreen and along the way revisits traumatic lunches from childhood (room temp Taco Bell), Zagat adventures with his dad, and what he'd order if he could have any lunch in the world. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amateurgourmet.substack.com/subscribe Host...
Ryan O'Connell's Medium Pour
July 28, 2019 20:25 - 1 hourThe Emmy-nominated star and creator of Netflix's Special walks us through his salad at Sweetgreen and along the way revisits traumatic lunches from childhood (room temp Taco Bell), Zagat adventures with his dad, and what he'd order if he could have any lunch in the world. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amateurgourmet.substack.com/subscribe Our ...
Ep. 1 -- Ryan O'Connell's Medium Pour
July 28, 2019 20:25 - 1 hour - 58.8 MBThe Emmy-nominated star and creator of Netflix's Special walks us through his salad at Sweetgreen and along the way revisits traumatic lunches from childhood (room temp Taco Bell), Zagat adventures with his dad, and what he'd order if he could have any lunch in the world. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Welcome to Lunch Therapy.
July 25, 2019 07:00 - 30 seconds - 480 KBLunch Therapy is a podcast where cookbook author and comedy writer Adam Roberts explores people's psychological issues based on what they eat for lunch. Sounds crazy? Well "crazy" isn't a very useful word, anyway. Make sure to subscribe to get updated on new episodes, and follow Adam's daily lunches on Instagram: @lunchtherapy. Who knows? He might even diagnose yours. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.