In The Weeds with Ben Randall

Today we're interviewing author Emily Belden about her new book 'Hot Mess', which tells the story of a young woman who gets swept up into the life and lifestyle of a rockstar chef in Chicago. I'm not going to say that the rockstar chef is me, but his name is Benjy, so you make up your own mind. It's a tale of love, loss, addiction, great food, craziness and restaurant life stress. I highly recommend this book. http://www.emilybelden.com/

Abuse is Abuse is Abuse. Sometimes, you don't get killed.

This week on the show we discuss the theater merits of washed-up 90's bands, continue watching serial sexual abusers in restaurants crash & burn, and old-man rail against computers in kitchens.

Yo! Tonight we talk through a bunch of olde timey kitchen idioms & axioms, debate pie bakeries, propose a zombie movie and rename hedgehogs.

In which we talk about antiquated candy names, answer a Random Cheese Question and discuss the passing of the legendary, influential Anthony Bourdain.

What is your state's favorite sandwich? This week, Steve & Ben take a swing at figuring that out!

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Food should cost more. Now, you'll know why.

Tonight we talk Baltimore restaurant closings, how millennials are ruining everything, we rate some bbq sauces & we expand the KY Deli restaurant empire EVEN FURTHER. It's madness.

It's Taco Tuesday! So we're going to talk donuts for 20 minutes! Get some taqueria recommendations; where to order, what to order & how to order.

Ok, once and for all. You can be a hyper-critical, super needy customer OR a good customer. You can't be both. A writer for INC.com shows us exactly how a hyper-critical, super needy customer (and his mom) think and behave in restaurants. Spoilers, he's spoiled. Also, there's a glitch in the Matrix.

Ok, so we've covered snake oil tinctures & potions, now it's time to look at the real medicinal properties of herbs, spices, roots & berries. And no, neither of us does a Sean Connery impression. No Medicine Man here.

Alternative medicine or just hogwash? Traditional remedy or poison? Will this elixir cure you or make you into a zombie? We look at a number of olde timey tinctures & potions and tell you which ones hold water. (Spoilers; it's NONE of them.)

Today we explore history's weirdest diets, talk kitchen organization & staffing and rage against the world of overstuffed milkshakes.

Part Two! Of our conversation with Luke (TV & film professional) about the role of food in movies.

Oh, man, kids, tonight we get a completely NEW list of food movies, from a film & TV industry professional! Luckily for me, he's also my brother! This is Part One of what turned into a LONG discussion about food in movies.

Sorry, folks, but at long last Steve & I rank our favorite food movies. Our categories: Food Movies (On Purpose) Food Movies (On Accident) Food Movies (People Are The Food) It's instructional. I promise.

Tonight, Steve & I discuss salt (check out Pixie Dust Salts on Instagram!), ask the eternal question "Should Smashmouth open a burger resrtaurant?", talk about infusing things with bacon and what happens when 26.5 tons of oranges spill onto the highway. Also, we're pretty sure James Bond never cooked for himself.