Meat + Three Heritage Radio Network

Food and debate are a natural pairing. Whether it’s politics at the dinner table, check paying privileges, or how rare you’d like your ribeye, a meal can bring out fiery passions and strong opinions. But, have you considered that your opinions could just be wrong?

This week, we're diving deep into the world of food myths and setting the record straight. We’ll be tackling sushi sexism, demystifying MSG, defending the Wisconsin Old Fashioned, and breaking down skin contact wine.

Go behind the scenes at HRN with Behind the Internship where you’ll find out  what it’s like to become a podcast producer for HRN’s flagship show, Meat + Three. Tune in to the second episode and find out how  Sophia Hooper, Danielle Flitter, and Addison Austin-Lou, three interns in HRN’s Research & Radio Internship Program, are doing in the first few weeks of their training session! Hear about their first steps into podcast production and see what it takes to begin a career in the food media world.

Today, we’re unraveling one of food’s biggest buzzwords to see what lies beneath. Authenticity conveys meaning, tradition, and truth wherever it’s invoked, but is it always as important as we seem to think it is? From biotechnology's influence on traditional cuisine to personal reflections from international chefs, we explore the bounds of authenticity’s usefulness as a concept. Then, we go deep on the social dimensions of culinary narratives and their misuse in the case of terroir and the Algerian wine industry to learn about what happens when our desire for authenticity gets co-opted into something more sinister.

Further Reading:

Listen to Dr. Lauren Crossland-Marr speak more about authenticity, CRISPR and her work in Italy on these Gastronomica episodes: Episode 38 and Episode 25.

For more information about how CRISPR may affect our foodways, listen to Lauren’s podcast, A CRISPR Bite.

Find Lauren’s article about conversations circulating on Twitter about CRISPR here.
When you’re in Mexico City, check out Chef Ron Dutes for some amazing culinary experiences.
Check out Fabio Parasecoli’s book Gastronativism for more on authenticity and food as ideological tools.
To learn more about Algerian viticulture read this New Lines article. To deep dive into Authenticity check out this article from Gastronomica: Journal for Food Studies.


This episode of Meat and Three was reported by Elizabeth Fisher, Danielle Flitter, Sophia Hooper, and Addison Austin-Lou.
Our lead producer on this episode was Sophia Hooper, with support from Hannah Chouinard.

Meat and Three is produced by H Conley and me, Taylor Early.

Additional Music in this episode by Koi-discovery & HolinzaCC0.
Keep Meat and Three on the air: become an HRN Member today! Go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate.
Meat and Three is powered by Simplecast.

Pralines, a sweet concoction of sugar, butter, and pecans, are more than just a staple of New Orleans cuisine. They carry with them a rich legacy of adaptation and survival, embodying the spirit of a city known for its resilience. This episode delves into the bittersweet history of pralines, revealing their deep connections to the legacy of slavery, the innovative spirit of African American women, and the enduring fight for freedom and equality.

In this episode of Meat and Three, Taylor Early is joined by co-host Jessica Gingrich, a journalist and food historian who has spent the past 3 years reporting on the intertwined histories of pralines, systemic injustice, and the Angola 3. Central to this story is Robert King, a member of the Angola 3, who spent decades in solitary confinement at Angola Prison. King's journey from his grandmother's kitchen to making pralines in prison highlights the power of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable circumstances.

In addition to King’s story, this episode delves into the broader history and cultural significance of pralines, tracing their origins from the kitchens of enslaved African American women to modern-day entrepreneurship. Food historian Dr. Zella Palmer provides insights into how pralines became a source of empowerment for Black women, despite discriminatory practices. Additionally, we examine the brutal realities of forced labor in Louisiana's prison system are examined through the firsthand account of prison rights activist Kiana Calloway, who discusses the harsh conditions at Angola Prison and the broader implications of prison labor on our food systems.

A food memory is never just the meal itself. It’s the people who cooked it, the chatter around the table, the distance traveled and time waited just to taste this food. Today, we’re serving up a smorgasbord of experiences from each member of the Meat and Three team. From fresh-squeezed juice in Mexico City to the late-night fast food haunts of competitive swing dancers, we’ve got messages from the whole team on the food they love, and the places that make that food come alive with meaning.

Further Reading:

If you wanna hear the story of how Chef Eric See got his restaurant from concept to opening day, check out The Build. For more info about the wine we drank, check out Sapere, brought lovingly from Napa to Ursula by the lovely sommelier Sacha. After binging the season, NYC locals; go have a bite and a drink at Ursula (and tell Eric that Taylor sent you!)
For more of the hilarious Chala June, check out their Instagram!

Cooking a meal is often compared to creating a work of art. From the recipes that inspire you, to your PALETTE of spices, to the smells and tastes that stir up emotions, all of it comes together on an edible canvas as an expression of the inner self. It’s no wonder so many cultures deeply intertwine food with identity. To explore this connection, we’re revisiting Meat and Three stories with our brand new interns. We’ll be talking about our loyalty to grocery store chains, the past and future of soul food, nostalgia for Jewish deli dinners, and the little moments in the kitchen which shape us.