True Crime Culinary

Leah Llach

A podcast for people who love true crime and the strange details that make each story unforgettable. From beer steins tucked into a Hitler assassination attempt to poutine wrapped up in a drug bust, each episode blends history, humor, and crime through the lens of food, revealing how overlooked culinary details shape famous cases and survival stories. Hosted by Leah Llach, a true crime fan and culinary content creator, the show delivers short, fascinating episodes that explore culture, behavior, and the unexpected ways food shows up in crime. Bite-sized episodes drop every Thursday.

  1. Episode 27: The KitKat Heist and Why Chocolate Had to Be Broken

    2 DAYS AGO

    Episode 27: The KitKat Heist and Why Chocolate Had to Be Broken

    Before KitKat, chocolate had a problem—it was messy, melty, and weirdly inconvenient to eat. So in 1935, one factory set out to fix it. The solution? A chocolate bar you could snap—built for quick breaks, clean bites, and factory-floor practicality. But behind that simple design is a stranger story: A name borrowed from a 1700s pie club.A worker suggestion that reshaped how we eat chocolate.A global brand split between two competing companies.And a modern-day heist—where over 12 tons of KitKats vanished mid-transit. Because sometimes, the smartest food designs…are the ones worth stealing. Grab a snack. Let’s break it down. KitKat overview & history (origin, design, naming)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit_Kat Official KitKat brand history (design purpose: “on-the-go” chocolate)https://www.kitkat.com/kitkat-history Nestlé – 90 years of KitKat (brand evolution & global expansion)https://www.nestle.com/media/news/90-years-chocolate-kitkat-breaks Nestlé KitKat campaign / stolen chocolate reference (heist context)https://nestlecorporate.qualifioapp.com/quiz/1776864_2455/CDCG-KITKAT-STOLEN-FORM.html2026 KitKat heist reporting (12-ton theft details)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit_Kat#Kit_Kat_cargo_heist

    11 min
  2. Episode 26: The secret of Seaweed, Ionized Salt, and Goiters

    2 APR

    Episode 26: The secret of Seaweed, Ionized Salt, and Goiters

    A mysterious swelling. A missing nutrient. And a cure hiding in plain sight. This episode traces how ancient remedies, coastal diets, and one simple ingredient—seaweed—helped solve a silent public health crisis. Long before scientists understood iodine, people were already treating the problem… they just didn’t know why. Follow for more bite-sized stories where food quietly changes everything. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodine_deficiencyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodised_salthttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509517/https://www.thyroid.org/iodine-deficiency/https://www-sciencedirect-com.paloaltou.idm.oclc.org/science/article/pii/S1521690X23000192

    14 min
  3. Episode 25: Pemmican and the Serum Run: The Survival Food Behind a 600-Mile Rescue

    25 MAR

    Episode 25: Pemmican and the Serum Run: The Survival Food Behind a 600-Mile Rescue

    A deadly outbreak. A frozen landscape. And a race against time powered by sled dogs—and survival food that most people have never heard of. In 1925, when diphtheria threatened the remote town of Nome, Alaska, 20 mushers and over 150 dogs relayed life-saving serum across 600+ miles of brutal winter conditions in just over five days. But behind the story of Balto and Togo is something quieter—and just as critical: fuel. In this episode, we uncover pemmican—an Indigenous-engineered survival food built to last—and how it helped power one of the most incredible rescue missions in history. Grab a snack—this one’s built to last. References: Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Pemmican. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PemmicanWikipedia contributors. (n.d.). 1925 serum run to Nome. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1925_serum_run_to_NomeAlaska Mushing School. (n.d.). The 1925 serum run to Nome. Retrieved from https://www.alaskamushingschool.com/learn/1925-serum-run-to-nome/

    16 min
  4. Episode 24 - The London Beer Flood and Guinness

    18 MAR

    Episode 24 - The London Beer Flood and Guinness

    In 1814, a brewery in London exploded—unleashing over 300,000 gallons of beer into the streets. The result? A deadly wave of porter that tore through homes, collapsed buildings, and killed eight people in one of the strangest industrial disasters in history. In this episode, we trace the story of the London Beer Flood, the origins of Guinness, how stout is made, and how one of the world’s most iconic drinks evolved from chaotic early brewing systems into a global cultural staple—from Irish pubs to Nigerian nightlife. Grab a pint—this one gets messy. References History.com Editors. (2021). The London Beer Flood. https://www.history.com/articles/london-beer-flood Historic UK. (n.d.). The London Beer Flood of 1814. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/The-London-Beer-Flood-of-1814/ Wikipedia contributors. (2024). London Beer Flood. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Beer_Flood Guinness. (n.d.). Our story. https://www.guinness.com/en/our-story Des de Moor. (n.d.). From the cellar: Guinness Foreign Extra Stout Nigeria. https://desdemoor.co.uk/from-the-cellar-guinness-foreign-extra-stout-nigeria/

    13 min
  5. Episode 23 - The Japanese Siege That Made Cup Noodle Famous

    12 MAR

    Episode 23 - The Japanese Siege That Made Cup Noodle Famous

    In February 1972, five members of the United Red Army took a woman hostage inside the Asama-Sansō Lodge in the mountains of Nagano, Japan. What followed was a ten-day siege broadcast live across the country, with nearly 90% of Japan tuning in to watch negotiations, psychological tactics, and the final dramatic assault. But viewers noticed something unexpected during the long winter standoff. Outside the lodge, police officers waiting in the snow were repeatedly shown eating Cup Noodles, a brand-new convenience food that had launched just a year earlier. Those quiet moments on live television became an accidental national introduction to instant ramen. In this episode of True Crime Culinary, we break down the ten days of the Asama-Sansō Incident, explore the origins of ramen and the invention of Cup Noodles, and look at how a hostage crisis helped turn a simple cup of noodles into a cultural icon. If you enjoy stories where food, history, and true crime intersect, follow True Crime Culinary so you never miss an episode. Follow True Crime Culinary on IG and YT! https://www.instagram.com/truecrimeculinary/ https://youtube.com/@truecrimeculinary Sources CupNoodles Museum Osaka Ikeda — https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/osaka_ikeda/ Nissin Foods History — https://www.nissin.com/en_jp/about/history/ BBC Audio – The Asama-Sansō Incident — https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/w3cswsgt Asama-Sansō Incident — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asama-Sans%C5%8D_incident Unseen Japan – Red Army and Asama-Sansō — https://unseen-japan.com/red-army-asama-sanso-lodge/ Instant Noodles History — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_noodles

    13 min
  6. Episode 22 - The lake that uncorked and the history of sparkling water

    5 MAR

    Episode 22 - The lake that uncorked and the history of sparkling water

    What does sparkling water have to do with one of the strangest disasters in modern history? In 1986, a quiet volcanic lake in Cameroon suddenly released a massive cloud of carbon dioxide that suffocated 1,746 people and thousands of animals overnight. In this episode of True Crime Culinary, we explore the haunting story of Lake Nyos and the science behind the bubbles. From Henry’s Law and volcanic lakes to European mineral water spas and the invention of carbonated drinks, we follow the surprising history of sparkling water from ancient springs to modern soda bottles. Follow True Crime Culinary on IG and YT! https://www.instagram.com/truecrimeculinary/ https://youtube.com/@truecrimeculinary

    14 min
  7. Episode 21 - Tuna Melts and Price Tampering

    26 FEB

    Episode 21 - Tuna Melts and Price Tampering

    A tuna melt in Lake Tahoe sent me down a rabbit hole. How did a fish once harvested through ancient Mediterranean trap fisheries become a cheap pantry staple — and sometimes a luxury item worth thousands? In this episode, we trace tuna’s journey from seasonal coastal ritual to industrial global commodity, uncover a real corporate price-fixing scandal involving major canned tuna brands, and explore how one simple sandwich connects migration, manufacturing, and modern convenience. Your lunch didn’t get cheap by accident. References: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (n.d.). Tuna fisheries and resources. https://www.fao.org/fishery/en/topic/14854 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. (n.d.). Stock assessments and conservation measures. https://www.iccat.int/en/assess.htm National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. (n.d.). Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-bluefin-tuna National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries. (n.d.). Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax). https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/pacific-sardine Smith, A. F. (Ed.). (2007). The Oxford companion to American food and drink. Oxford University Press. Smithsonian Ocean Portal. (n.d.). Purse seine fishing. https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/fish/purse-seine-fishing U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. (2017, May 8). Bumble Bee Foods LLC agrees to plead guilty to fixing prices of canned tuna. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/bumble-bee-foods-llc-agrees-plead-guilty-fixing-prices-canned-tuna U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs. (2018, September 11). StarKist Co. ordered to pay $100 million criminal fine for participating in canned tuna price-fixing conspiracy. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/starkist-co-ordered-pay-100-million-criminal-fine-participating-canned-tuna-price

    17 min
  8. Episode 20 - Tasmanian Miner survival story and the history of Muesli

    19 FEB

    Episode 20 - Tasmanian Miner survival story and the history of Muesli

    What do a collapsed gold mine in Tasmania and a Swiss breakfast classic have in common? A single muesli bar. In this episode of True Crime Culinary, we start nearly a kilometer underground at Beaconsfield Mine, where two trapped miners rationed one muesli bar while rescue crews drilled through unstable rock to reach them. From there, we rewind to early-1900s Switzerland, where physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner first created muesli as a medical food for his sanatorium patients — part of a broader health movement shaped by tuberculosis, industrialization, and changing diets. Along the way, we unpack: 🥣 how muesli went from clinic mash to global snack bar ⛏️ how modern mine rescues actually work 🧠 why oats, nuts, and dried fruit make surprisingly effective emergency calories This isn’t a story about miracles. It’s about engineering, nutrition, and continuity — and how a humble Swiss food quietly became survival fuel. If you’ve ever wondered how breakfast cereal ends up underground, this one’s for you. References: Beaconsfield Mine collapse — Wikipedia overviewProvides a timeline of the mine collapse, survival of Brant Webb and Todd Russell, and rescue.🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaconsfield_Mine_collapse ABC News: Todd Russell survived 14 days undergroundFirst-hand account and detailed reporting on the 2006 collapse and rescue operation.🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-21/beaconsfield-mine-disaster-todd-russell-i-was-actually-there/104245960 Beaconsfield miners rescued recounting muesli bar survivalMentions that the two miners survived with water and a shared muesli bar as rescue efforts continued.🔗 https://www.amsj.com.au/beaconsfield-miners-rescued/ History of muesli — WikipediaOutlines that muesli was introduced around 1900 by Swiss doctor Maximilian Bircher-Benner at his sanatorium as part of a health-focused diet.🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muesli About Switzerland: Muesli the world-famous Swiss breakfast classicProvides context on Bircher-Benner’s original recipe and health philosophy behind muesli in Switzerland.🔗 https://www.aboutswitzerland.eda.admin.ch/en/muesli-the-world-famous-swiss-breakfast-classic Bio-Familia history — Swiss commercial muesli producerDescribes the industrial production of Birchermüesli beginning in 1959 and how Swiss brands helped spread muesli internationally.🔗 https://bio-familia.com/en/bio-familia/company/our-history 🔗 “Mine Rescue — an overview” (ScienceDirect Topics) — This overview explains how mine rescue teams are structured, trained, and equipped to respond to underground emergencies — exploring roles, procedures, and safety aims in real rescue operations. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/mine-rescue

    14 min
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About

A podcast for people who love true crime and the strange details that make each story unforgettable. From beer steins tucked into a Hitler assassination attempt to poutine wrapped up in a drug bust, each episode blends history, humor, and crime through the lens of food, revealing how overlooked culinary details shape famous cases and survival stories. Hosted by Leah Llach, a true crime fan and culinary content creator, the show delivers short, fascinating episodes that explore culture, behavior, and the unexpected ways food shows up in crime. Bite-sized episodes drop every Thursday.

Information

  • Creator
    Leah Llach
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Leah Llach
  • Show Website
    True Crime Culinary

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