A Taste of the Past

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Culinary historian Linda Pelaccio takes a journey through the history of food. Take a dive into food cultures through history, from ancient Mesopotamia and imperial China to the grazing tables and deli counters of today. Tune in as Linda, along with a guest list of culinary chroniclers and enthusiasts, explores the lively links between food cultures of the present and past.

  1. The History of Mac ’n Cheese, from Ancient Rome to Modern America

    JAN 23

    The History of Mac ’n Cheese, from Ancient Rome to Modern America

    Today, macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, a staple of weeknight dinners, family gatherings, and Soul Food restaurants. Humble though the dish may seem, culinary historian Karima Moyer-Nocchi traces its history to Ancient Romans, Renaissance cardinals and popes and Thomas Jefferson’s kitchens from where it became an American tradition. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    53 min

  2. 12/12/2025

    Politics in the Grocery Aisle with Marion Nestle

    Marion Nestle, America’s preeminent nutrition and food activist joins Linda to discuss her new book, What to Eat Now, a rewrite of her 2006 groundbreaking book, What to Eat. In those twenty years food in America has undergone a radical change. Ultra-processed foods dominate the supermarket shelves, corporate control dictates product dominance as well as food policy, and online grocery shopping has changed how we shop. Marion discusses the aggressive lobbying campaigns that influence what ends up on your plate, and how to navigate the supermarket aisles for healthier choices. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support A Taste of the Past by becoming a member! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    39 min
  3. Katie Parla on Roman Food Culture

    11/07/2025

    Katie Parla on Roman Food Culture

    Katie Parla is a Rome-based food and beverage writer, cookbook author, and culinary guide. She is known for her expertise on Italian food culture, having written or edited over 35 books. In her new book Katie has gone  even deeper into the history and evolution of the food culture from ancient times through post-war periods to tell the story of how Romans have eaten, feasted, snacked, and survived from prehistory through today. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support A Taste of the Past by becoming a member! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    46 min
  4. Immigrant Italian Women and the Birth of an Italian American Foodway

    03/19/2025

    Immigrant Italian Women and the Birth of an Italian American Foodway

    In this episode Linda talks with Lucinda Scala Quinn about the history of immigrant Italian women who came to America between 1880 and 1924, fleeing the poverty of their southern Italian homes. They cooked the food they knew, often substituting ingredients and embellishing recipes with the new found abundance of foods in America. These recipes represented their kitchens and evoked the flavors of their homes, thus founding an Italian American foodway. Recipes are discussed from Lucinda's new book, Mother Sauce: Italian American Family Recipes and the Story of the Women Who Created Them. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support A Taste of the Past by becoming a member! A Taste of the Past is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    53 min
  5. The Foodways and Cooking of Nigeria

    02/15/2025

    The Foodways and Cooking of Nigeria

    Nigerian food writer and cookbook author Ozoz Sokoh describes the historical foodways and evolution of the cuisine of Nigeria and its regions. From her new book, CHOP CHOP:: Cooking the Food of Nigeria, Ozoz shares descriptions and background of many of the spices, ingredient combinations, and recipes of regional classics and contemporary dishes which have evolved over time. From indigenous nuts, seeds and salts to the colonial imposition of bouillon cubes, the author educates us on how the geography, and global and political events shaped the complex cuisine of Nigeria. Image excerpted from Chop Chop: Cooking the Food of Nigeria by Ozoz Sokoh, copyright ©2025 by Ozoz Sokoh, photographs copyright ©2025 by James Ransom.  Used with permission of Artisan Books, a division of Workman Publishing Co., Inc., a subsidiary ofHachette Book Group, Inc.   Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support A Taste of the Past by becoming a member! A Taste of the Past is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 3m
  6. Elysian Kitchens

    01/17/2025

    Elysian Kitchens

    Monasteries, temples, mosques, and synagogues around the world preserve not only the world’s religions, but also cultural and culinary traditions, And those who cook in the kitchens of those sacred places—the sacred kitchens-- are the keepers of the flame, if you will, preserving the culinary heritage by cooking the traditional recipes and foods from their respective places. And they are culinary innovators, as well, keeping up with modern methods and tastes that reflect the world today from within these religious sanctuaries. Author Jody Eddy visited these kitchens and speaks with us about the intersection of culture, spirituality, and cuisine. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support A Taste of the Past by becoming a member! A Taste of the Past is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    45 min
  7. Gastronomic Journey of Peru

    04/10/2024

    Gastronomic Journey of Peru

    Peruvian gastronomy is one of the most diverse cuisines in the world, consisting of an extensive variety of distinctive dishes characteristic of each city in the country, stemming from the bio diversity of their agriculture. Robert Bradley, author of Eating Peru, talks about the history of the cuisine. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support A Taste of the Past by becoming a member! A Taste of the Past is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    51 min
  8. Jewish Food Society: Preserving the Jewish Culinary Heritage from Around the World

    03/07/2024

    Jewish Food Society: Preserving the Jewish Culinary Heritage from Around the World

    From growing up in a Kibbutz, to a life in New York City where her work sits at the intersection of food, culture, community building, and art, landing her in a profile article in Vogue, Naama Shefi is a leader in promoting the foods of Israel and archiving the recipes of Jewish communities around the world. On this episode, we speak with Naama about her many projects, including the newest: a beautiful new book, The Jewish Holiday Table. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support A Taste of the Past by becoming a member! A Taste of the Past is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Culinary historian Linda Pelaccio takes a journey through the history of food. Take a dive into food cultures through history, from ancient Mesopotamia and imperial China to the grazing tables and deli counters of today. Tune in as Linda, along with a guest list of culinary chroniclers and enthusiasts, explores the lively links between food cultures of the present and past.

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