Your Last Meal with Rachel Belle

Phil Rosenthal is the creator and co-producer of "Everybody Loves Raymond" (yo, that show got 69 Emmy nominations!) but now his passion is introducing Americans to fantastic foreign food destinations as the host of his Netflix show "Somebody Feed Phil." Phil enthusiastically eats al pastor in Mexico City and pastéis de nata in Lisbon, but his last meal would be a collage of classic American childhood favorites, including the humble hot dog. Welcome to Your Last Hot Dog! A show about buns (heh heh) and the cylindrical meats that rest inside of them! First we head to Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs in Coney Island, Brooklyn to learn the history of the century-old company. Then, Rachel chats with Major League Eating president Richard Shea about their annual 4th of July Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, an event so popular it's aired on ESPN. And Rachel and Producer Aaron discuss their favorite hot dogs toppings or, spoiler alert, the lack there of. Next stop: Copenhagen, where hot dog carts have been a street food staple since 1920. Rachel consults with Danish food and wine journalist Rasmus Palsgard about traditional Copenhagen hot dog toppings and is surprised to learn what drink is commonly paired with a street dog.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nora McInerny is an author and host of one of Rachel's favorite podcasts: Terrible, Thanks for Asking, "a funny/sad/uncomfortable podcast about talking honestly about our pain, our awkwardness, and our humanness, which is not an actual word." For her last meal, Nora wants a magically delicious childhood favorite, so we talk to General Mills about their iconic breakfast cereal Lucky Charms. But what is cereal without milk? Rachel gets the bottom of why humans started drinking other mammals' milk (and why so many of us are lactose intolerant) with Mark Kurlansky, author of Milk! A 10,000 Year Food Fracas. And speaking of mammal milk, it turns out there's a LOT more going on with breast milk than most people realize. So Angela Garbes, author of Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy, breaks down nature's most perfect food. You can buy Nora's books and get more info about The Hot Young Widows Club at noraborealis.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prolific, 5-time James Beard Award winning cookbook author Dorie Greenspan is the queen of cookies. Famous for her beloved World Peace Cookies and many baking books, including one she wrote with Julia Child, it's not surprising that Dorie wants to start and end her last meal with dessert. What's wrong with eating dessert first, anyway? Rachel chats with Ayurvedic counselor Jodi Boone and Food Network host and TODAY show food and lifestyle correspondent Brandi Milloy about the scientific, Ayurvedic and general life-bettering benefits of starting your meal with sweets. And when Dorie told Rachel she ate the same exact lunch every single day for years, the first person we thought of was Donald Gorske. Gorske has eaten almost nothing but McDonald's Big Macs since 1972, putting his current Big Mac count at over 30,000. Rachel called the Fond du Lac, Wisconsin native on his flip phone to learn why the man eats two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun... Every. Single. Day. Pick up Dorie Greenspan's new cookbook Everyday Dorie: The Way I Cook at your local cookbook bookstore!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drag queen BenDeLaCreme is "sweet as pie and sharp as cheddar." And Ben, who plays "DeLa," has a lot to say about food. So what would this RuPaul's Drag Race All-Star want for his last meal? (Answer: a nostalgic buffet of his favorite New England foods.) Do you order lo mein or chow mein? It probably depends on what coast you live on! We explore the differences between east coast, midwest & west coast American-style Chinese food with “Chinese Soul Food” cookbook author Hsiao-Ching Chou and “The Search For General Tso“ producer Jennifer 8 Lee (a guest from our very first episode). Also, Ben shares his favorite cartoon foods, the trashy treat his mom used to make him which inspires some very odd childhood favorites from our listeners, and Ben outs his dear friend, Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon, for having an Easy Mac addiction. BenDeLaCreme is wrapping up a run of holiday shows in Seattle with Jinkx Monsoon called "To Jesus, Thanks for Everything" - and then they perform in Portland and San Francisco just after the holidays. Go to BenDeLaCreme's Facebook page for tickets. Follow yourlastmealpodcast on Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedy legend, author, and actor Paul Reiser (Mad About You, Stranger Things) is a New York native whose last meal is as classic and old-school NYC as it gets! Barney Greengrass has been serving up scrambled eggs with sturgeon, bagels with lox, and black and white cookies since 1908. Rachel talks with 3rd-generation owner Gary Greengrass about the origins of his Upper West Side institution and how they've managed to stay in business, through wars and economic crashes, for 110 years. Rachel also digs into the history of another legendary NYC staple: the black and white cookie. And Paul tells us why he firmly believes that when it comes to food, simpler is better. See Paul Reiser on tour, follow his TV/movie appearances, and buy any of his best-selling books at paulreiser.com. If you don't live in "The Big Apple" (that's what the locals call it!!!!), you can still order the best smoked fish in the country at barneygreengrass.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former teen crush Tiffani Thiessen has come a long way since her days at Bayside High. She's a mother, wife, cookbook author, and host of her own show "Dinner at Tiffani's" on The Cooking Channel. And her artistic outlet is also her last meal! We get tips from Tiffani on how to set up the perfect charcuterie board, and then Rachel heads down to Seattle's historic Pioneer Square neighborhood to learn all about the art of cured meats from Martinique Grig and Clara Veniard, owners of Salumi - a beloved salumeria and restaurant founded by Armandino Batali, father of celebrity chef Mario. Tiffani's characters on "Saved by the Bell" and "Beverly Hills 90210" spent a lot of time hanging out at diners, and when Rachel asks Tiffani if the food was better at The Max or The Peach Pit... it didn't bode well for either place. So Rachel tracked down one of Hollywood's favorite veteran food stylists, Chris Oliver, who has been making the iconic foods you've seen in TV and movies for over 30 years including Seinfeld, Friends, and even 90210. Check out Tiffani's new cookbook "Pull Up a Chair: Recipes from My Family to Yours." Learn more about culinary behind the scenes from Chris Oliver at hollywoodfoodstyling.com. Order some of the most delicious meats you'll ever eat at salumicuredmeats.com. And follow yourlastmealpodcast on Instagram!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top o' the mornin' to ya! On this Emerald Isle themed episode of Your Last Meal, Rachel talks to Irish comedian and writer Maeve Higgins about why Irish butter is better, the food that confused her most at her first American Thanksgiving, and of course - her last meal! You'll get the history of the fish pie from Ireland's Michelin starred chef and food columnist JP McMahon. We also have a butter battle with Brian Cleer, marketing director for Kerrygold North America and Stella Parks, Senior Editor at "Serious Eats" and author of the James Beard Award-winning cookbook "BraveTart." Is European butter really superior or is store brand American butter just as good? Then, Rachel talks about one of the biggest Christmas traditions in Japan - getting a bucket of KFC fried chicken - with KFC Japan's Yuko Nakajima. All that... and why a single gal at a party should always stand by a crock pot full of Lil Smokies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Berkeley-raised rapper/producer Lyrics Born has been in the music business for 25 years, and the rich, deep purr of his speaking voice will make you swoon. LB (as his friends call him) is a blend of Asian and Western influences, and so is his last meal! Host Rachel Belle talks all things kimchi with four-time James Beard Award nominated Chef Rachel Yang. From the history of "bloody lettuce" to its ubiquity in Korea to tips on improving your store-bought kimchi, the two Rachels explore it all. And if you're in the Pacific Northwest, treat yourself to a delicious meal at any of Rachel Yang's three Seattle restaurants - Revel, Trove, and Joule - or Revelry in Portland. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Nokes and Bree McKenna are half of Seattle-based band, Tacocat! Host Rachel Belle chats with the owners of Pat's and Geno's, two much beloved, rival Philly Cheesesteak shops and we'll learn the history of the s'more! Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keiko Agena is best known for playing Rory's BFF, Lane, on Gilmore Girls, but when she's watching TV, she loves to snack on the couch while binging cooking competitions! A Hawaii native, Keiko's comfort food is a classic plate lunch, so host Rachel Belle will dig into the history of loco moco and, a Hawaiian favorite, SPAM. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Pfeiffer hosts the political podcast Pod Save America, but before that he was senior advisor to President Barack Obama. Dan tells Host Rachel Belle what it was like eating inside the White House, and what he would do to unwind on the weekends. Clarrisa Wei joins the show to share the history of dim sum and, although fun, explains why the carts are not the best vehicle to receive the delicious dumplings.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allen Stone doesn't usually write songs about food, but one evening his wife cooked something so fantastic, he felt moved to sing about it! Allen tells Host Rachel Belle the story behind his song Voodoo, talks about the mobile kitchen his crew brings on tour and admits that his last meal wouldn't actually be his last meal. We'll learn the history and origin story of everyone's favorite late night snack: nachos! And Buenos Nachos cookbook author Gina Hamadey joins the show to share some of the wacky nacho recipes in her book. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OG food blogger (since 2003!) Deb Perelman is the author of three best-selling cookbooks, but she does NOT want to cook her last meal! She talks about how she turned her blog into a career, the pressure she feels when it's her day to bring snacks to her kids' school & why she does not want to be called a Domestic Goddess. Travel writer Susan Van Allen shares the history of carciofi alla Giudia, the famous Roman artichoke dish. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Rachel Belle grew up listening to Adam Carolla co-host the radio sex advice show Love Line, and in 2011 his podcast became the Guinness World Record holder for the most downloaded podcast of all time. Adam talks Hungarian food and his wine brand: Mangria! In this episode, we learn the history of Hungarian goulash, which is a WHOLE LOT different than the goulash one listener grew up with: pasta with tomato soup and ground beef. We'll discuss both! Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Rachel Belle talks with the reliably wry and clever comedian, author, actor, and podcaster (Judge John Hodgman) about whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich, the dangers of vacationing in Maine, and the egg-istentially steadying quality of a hot plate of scrambled eggs. Speaking of a plate of eggs... how many can you hork down? Rachel and Producer Aaron head to Seattle's legendary Beth's Cafe to attempt to conquer their infamous 12-egg omelette, and they chat with owner Chris Dalton about owning one of the last 24 hour greasy spoon diners in the city. And when egg-xactly did everyone starting eating eggs for breakfast? And why? Rachel Khong, author of "All About Eggs" has the answers. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boots Riley is a musician, writer, filmmaker, and activist. He's fronted the political hip hop group The Coup since 1991 and just wrote/directed his first feature film "Sorry to Bother You." On this episode we celebrate the "all you can eat" buffet - from its humble Scandinavian origins to the gluttonous Las Vegas sized American adaptation we know today. And Taichi Kitamura, chef/owner of Sushi Kappo Tamura, one of Seattle best sushi restaurants, gives us the REAL story behind unagi, Japanese barbecued eel, and tells us why he purposely doesn't serve the dish in his restaurant. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actor, filmmaker and restaurant-owner Zach Braff (Scrubs, Alex Inc, Garden State) was born and raised in New Jersey - home to the highest percentage of Italian Americans in the country. And for his last meal, he's sticking close to his roots! Host Rachel Belle digs into the cheesy, saucy and fascinating history of Italian food in America with Krishnendu Ray, Department Chair of the Food Studies Program at NYU. Then she talks with cookbook author and Long Island native Amy Pennington about how to make the perfect red-checkered-tablecloth-and-Chianti-bottle-candleholder chicken parm. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jennifer Pharr Davis is a long-distance hiker, speaker, and author who's hiked over 14,000 miles on 6 continents. Host Rachel Belle consults rock climber and James Beard Award winning chef Maria Hines, and "Dirty Gourmet" author Emily Nielson, about how to step up your outdoor food game, whether it's hiking, backpacking, or car camping. Check out Jennifer's book "The Pursuit of Endurance" and all of her other projects - including Blue Ridge Hiking Company in Ashville, NC, at jenniferpharrdavis.com. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kenny G is the best selling instrumentalist of all time. He has sold over 75 million albums, tours all over the globe, and holds the Guinness Book of World Records record for holding the longest note on a saxophone. But he's also very into cooking! Kenny G spills the beans on the iconic coffee drink he helped invent and which supermodel gave him his pie crust recipe. Special thanks to Ellia Kassoff of Leaf Candy. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Linda Perry is singer, songwriter, and producer behind massive hits for Adele, Weezer, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Gwen Stefani, Pink, and, of course, the writer/singer behind the 90s hit "What's Up" by her former band 4 Non Blondes. But what would this musical maestro choose for her last meal? Spoiler alert: She's way more into music than food. Which got us thinking - is there any correlation between music and taste? To get answers, Rachel talks with Professor Charles Spence of The University of Oxford about what he calls "Sonic Seasoning," his 15 year study of how sound and music can affect the enjoyability of food, and why people drink so much tomato juice on airplanes. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lindy West is a New York Times best-selling author, including the book Shrill, which was turned into a TV show. Lindy details a six course last meal feast that features smorkage, a flaky, buttery, custardy Danish pastry only available at a single bakery in the United States. Host Rachel Belle travels to Seattle's Larsen's Bakery to taste the impossible-to-pronounce Danish pastry. Lindy, a self-described "fat" person, talks about what it's like to eat in public, why she grudgingly orders honeydew, and shares a humiliating story that involves a personal pan pepperoni pizza and an episode of This American Life. Then things get "hygge!" The Scandinavian concept of coziness, comfortable conviviality, and contentment. Rachel chats with Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, and food anthropologist Signe Johansen. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maria Shriver wants a burger and fries for her last meal. But it's WHERE she wants to eat it that's most interesting of all! We'll learn the earliest origins of the hamburger from burger authority, documentarian, and TV host George Motz, author of "The Great American Burger Book." Thrillist writer Kevin Alexander spent a year traveling the USA with the express mission of eating 330 burgers and compiling a list of his favorite 100. Which burger is best? You'll have to listen to find out! And finally, we are humbled and honored to announce that Your Last Meal has been nominated for a prestigious James Beard Award for Best Podcast! Rachel and Aaron will be attending the award ceremony in NYC on April 27. Fingers crossed! Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travel expert, TV & radio host, author, and activist Rick Steves has been taking people all around the planet for decades. And his passion for unique and authentic experiences, living in the moment, and trying new things matches perfectly with how Rick chose to have his last meal. Rick has also been a longtime proponent of legalizing marijuana, so host Rachel Belle gets to the bottom of how cannabis confections are created with Jody Hall, founder the edibles company The Goodship. And finally, Rachel talks with her co-worker, KIRO Radio host John Curley, about how he's vowed to only order food recommended by a server in 2017. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicki Bluhm is one of Rachel's favorite singer/songwriters, touring with the likes of Josh Ritter and The Wood Brothers. She's also the fourth person to choose steak as their last meal! So on this episode of YLM, Rachel covers something she hasn't in any of the previous beefisodes: the history of the American Steakhouse. But steak isn't usually on the menu for Nicki, who eats according to a 5000 year-old Ayurvedic diet. Rachel's yoga instructor and Ayurvedic practitioner Jodi Boone is here to explain way of eating that's believed to be the most ancient healing system in the world. Nicki is going on tour in April. Find her schedule at nickibluhm.com. And keep up with Jodi at jodiboone.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2004, Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings won 74 episodes in a row, making him the record holder for longest winning streak. And 14 years later, host Rachel Belle decided it would finally be a good idea to interview him. Ken shares Alex Trebek's strange and sugary breakfast choice (you'll never guess), he explains why Jeopardy contestants have to eat lunch together and tells us why he doesn't want to be known as a "BBQ guy." He also clues us in to the regional food of Utah: Jell-O! We learn the history of Jell-O with Lynne Belluscio, executive director of the Jell-O Gallery in LeRoy, NY. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Greta Gerwig is the Golden Globe winning writer/director of "Lady Bird," and star of one of host Rachel Belle's all-time favorite films "Francis Ha." And her last meal is pure nostalgia. Food Network star Molly Yeh shares the secrets behind perfecting her own Funfetti cake - which she makes from scratch. Even the sprinkles! Greta shares what it's like to meet Justin Timberlake, the surprising origins of the "You Are Special" plate, and we hear what YOU would have as your last meal. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water, Pan's Labyrinth​, Hellboy) dishes about his two homes full of monster memorabilia, about his obsession with monsters, his latest Golden Globe nominated project "The Shape of Water," and more! We also learn about the fairy-tale origin, and incredibly complicated process, of making mole from Iliana de la Vega, a Mexican-born chef, restaurateur and former Mexican/Latin Cuisines Specialist for The Culinary Institute of America. Many of us have a disgusting creature in our daily lives: the office fridge! So King County Health Inspector Mike Simpson drops by the KIRO Radio station to assess our own slimy, green monster. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top Chef judge Gail Simmons travels the world eating incredible cuisine made by some of the best chefs on the planet. So what would she choose for her last meal? Banoffee Pie is a ubiquitous dish in British culture, but host Rachel Belle had never even heard of it! So she talks to its creator Ian Dowding to get the scoop on the history and incredible popularity of this delicious dessert. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

D'Arcy Carden is on fire! Best known as Janet, the Siri-esque robot (not a robot) concierge on NBC's hit show "The Good Place," the veteran Upright Citizen's Brigade performer played Gemma on Comedy Central's "Broad City" and just happens to be old pals with our very own Rachel Belle! Rachel talks to Alan Finklestein, McDonalds owner and American success story, about one of the world's most perfect foods: The McDonald's french fry. And, things get real sweet with Lauren Wilson, owner of Sweet Lo's Ice Cream, who gives us the scoop on Rocky Road. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is nothing celebrity chef Paula Deen won't put butter on, and that includes her last meal, which is topped with a big ol' dollop. She tells host Rachel Belle that her love of cooking blossomed during the two decades she spent in her house, dealing with agoraphobia. Plus, a little history lesson from the Idaho Potato Commission on how steak became best friends with the baked potato. And Rachel takes us on a field trip to Seattle's Wedgwood Broiler, her favorite place in the world to get a fully loaded spud. But the thing you really don't want to miss is Paula's signature cackle, which is liberally sprinkled across the episode like bacon bits on a baked potato. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Controversial "shock jock" Tom Leykis has been on the air for decades and made his fair share of enemies with his polarizing views on women and relationships. But nobody is one-dimensional, and in her effort to get to the bottom of why Tom is the way he is, Rachel discovered a man who makes his own wine, loves to experiment in the kitchen, and refuses to buy meat from a grocery store. We talk to Tom's butcher, Lou DeRosa of Marconda's Meats, the oldest standing meat market in Los Angeles, where 3 generations of DeRosa butchers have been working since 1941. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The "Clueless" star admits that although she's been vegan since 1998, she's most tempted by delicious cheese, so we talk to Youssef Fakhouri, owner of Alicia's (and LA's) favorite vegan cheese shop, Vromage. And remember that 2012 video of Alicia feeding her child like a baby bird? It caused quite the stir, so Rachel gets to the bottom of "premastication" with Melanie Martin, post-doctoral associate at Yale University in the field of Biological Anthropology. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scoop up this slice of Your Last Meal featuring Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt, featuring the food Rachel's been dying to delve into: pizza. You'll learn the history of pizza in the United States with Scott Weiner of New York Scott's Pizza Tours and find out buckets of fascinating food info morsels about the world of Major League Eating with Crazy Legs Conti. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singer Mary Lambert, made famous by her stunning vocal accompaniment to the smash hit "Same Love" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, is now a solo star in her own right. Mary brings pure joy and candor to her music and everything she does -- and she is very passionate about food. Tuck into one of the most delightful interviews you'll ever hear, and learn the not-so-true origins of chicken fried steak. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Beard Award Nominated Episode for Best Podcast! Jenny Slate (Landline, Obvious Child, Parks & Rec, Marcel the Shell) exposes her sweet tooth on this edition of YLM: her last meal includes a slice of cherry pie and a Shirley Temple! What comes to mind when you think of cherry pie? If you're like Rachel, two things: that famous Warrant song, and Twin Peaks. So we've got both! Rachel talks to Warrant's guitar player, Joey Allen, about the history behind their iconic song "Cherry Pie," and why he can no longer eat it. Also, we're live from Twede's Cafe in North Bend, WA, better known as the Double R Diner in David Lynch's "Twin Peaks," for Rachel's first ever slice of cherry pie and she talks to owner Kyle Twede about what goes into their famous dessert. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Roach writes brilliant nonfiction books about science and the human body that are gripping, hilarious, and usually really gross. Which is why we weren't surprised that the reason Mary wants oysters for her last year...is also kind of gross! Host Rachel Belle digs into the myths behind oysters with Rowan Jacobsen, author of "The Essential Oyster," and food & science collide as we meet Tom Ryan: CEO of Smashburger, and the inventor of McDonalds' Flury, McGriddles, and Pizza Hut's stuffed-crust pizza. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cat expert Jackson Galaxy (Animal Planet's My Cat From Hell) is basically the male version of Rachel. On this episode of YLM, these two feline-obsessed friends discuss Jackson's rise to animal-expertise, his roots as a Jewish New Yorker, and why cats are so different from dogs. Also, we explore the next level in vegan food science with Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown whose company is making plant-based meat that bleeds. And David Sax, author of "Save the Deli" tells us about the slow death of the Jewish delicatessen in America. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fran Drescher (The Nanny) is an actor, cancer survivor, and LGBTQ activist. On this episode of YLM, Host Rachel Belle dishes with the New York native about being a gay icon, how she uses her celebrity to advocate for important causes, and why Fran was the first guest to object to sharing her last meal. We also dig into the habits of picky eaters. Rachel talks to a woman who has never let a vegetable pass her lips, and chats with Stephanie Lucianovic, author of Suffering Succotash: A Picky Eater's Quest to Understand Why We Hate the Foods We Hate. To support the Cancer Schmancer movement visit www.cancerschmancer.org. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Allison (Risk!, MTV's The State) is a freaking delight. Whether it's his infectious laughter, his willingness to be honest no matter the cost, or a shared love of eating Doritos with milk, Rachel may have found her new best friend. And we think you will too! Exclamation point! On the latest YLM, we learn about Kevin's early life as a gay kid in Ohio, explore his imperfect veganism, and in honor of Risk!, Rachel and Producer Aaron share stories about some of the weird & risky foods they've eaten. Rachel also talks to "Cocktail Evangelist" Robert Hess about the history of, and how one should make, the perfect martini. (HINT: James Bond has it all wrong.) Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson is a celebrity astrophysicist, Director of The Hayden Planetarium in NYC, host of "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" and the "Star Talk" radio show, and the guy we love to blame for Pluto not being a planet anymore. On this episode of YLM, Rachel talks with one of the greatest scientific voices of our time about his love of melted butter, the time he almost became a stripper, and what foods Neil would take with him if he could travel to space. Speaking of space travel, former NASA Astronaut & Hubble Space Telescope repairman Mike Massimino tells Rachel all about eating in zero gravity, the last meal he ate before his first shuttle launch, and what food options are available for a crew orbiting Earth. Thanks also to lobster expert Barton Seaver, author of "For Cod and Country." Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Mother's Day! To celebrate, we took a little time to talk to the woman responsible for bringing our beloved Rachel Belle into the world: her mom, Barbara. From the streets of Brooklyn, to digging through another Barbra (Streisand)'s garbage in LA, Barbara's life has never been boring. And speaking of moms, how 'bout that placenta?! Rachel talks to Heather Woskey of Seattle Placenta Encapsulation about the practice of mothers eating their placenta. (It's put into pills, so it's not as gross as it sounds. Unless you're already totally grossed out, then it might not get that much better...) Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York Times Bestselling author Augusten Burroughs has written several deeply personal memoirs including "Running with Scissors," "Dry," and his newest "Lust & Wonder." Host Rachel Belle also talks with the delightful "Queen of the Cooking Infomercial" Cathy Mitchell (Dump Cakes!), and gets stuck between two warring sides over the hotly-debated origins of Brunswick Stew: a traditional dish in the American South created in either Brunswick, Georgia or Brunswick County, Virginia, depending on who you ask. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ann Wilson is widely considered one of the best vocalists in rock and roll history. On this week's YLM, she dishes about her favorite karaoke jams and her love for Kentucky Fried Chicken. Host Rachel Belle chats with Lori Eberenz, at KFC HQ in Kentucky, to learn the incredible true story of Colonel Sanders - a journey he began in his 60s while on social security. AND Rachel cooks and eats her first beef heart (get it?! "heart") with Crowd Cow founder, Ethan Lowry. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top Chef Season 14 winner Brooke Williamson talks about life behind the scenes on Rachel's favorite reality TV show, how much of the improvised cooking is truly off the cuff, and the simple joys of dough. Of course you can't talk about donuts without mentioning their biggest fans: Cops. So we've got three of Seattle's finest in-studio for a taste-test of their favorite beat treats. We get to the bottom of the (apparently true?) stereotype, and learn about the muddled history - and spelling - of America's favorite confection. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2017 marks the 25th anniversary of Sir Mix-A-Lot's monster hit "Baby Got Back." (I know, right?!) Rachel asks the rapper/producer about his iconic tribute to tush, what the song really means, and why it was good getting banned from MTV. OH, BUT THE FOOD! YLM goes down to Louisiana to uncover the difference between Cajun and Creole (cuisine and culture) from Chef & TV host John Folse, author of The Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine, and Louisiana Eats' Poppy Tooker. Rachel also talks to Georgea Pappas, daughter of the founder of Pappadeux: the home of Texas Redfish Ponchartrain and a favorite of Hip Hop's finest. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Pashman's podcast "The Sporkful" is one of Rachel's favorite shows and one of the most popular food podcasts on iTunes. On this week's YLM, Dan schools us on the most delicious way to eat pizza and burgers and explains why his six-and-a-half year old daughter is a better dinner date than his wife. Plus, the history of the tortilla with Jeffrey Pilcher, author of Planet Taco, and prepare to get hungry as we break down the Phorrito (pho + burrito!!) invented by Chef Erwin Tjahyadi at Komodo in Los Angeles. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Known to millions as "Mary Ann," one of Gilligan's Island's seven iconic castaways, Dawn Wells is a television legend. So sit right back, and you'll hear a tale - a tale of Dawn's nostalgic past, a philosophy professor's take on the ethics of eating animals, and food facts from a precocious 9 year-old Ginger on this episode of YLM. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Inman's "The Oatmeal" is one of the most popular webcomics on the entire internet. His game "Exploding Kittens" holds the record for the most successful Kickstarter game campaign of all time ($8.8m of its $10k goal!), so for his last meal we had to bring in the big guns... Have you seen "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" about 91 year-old Jiro Ono, Japan's greatest sushi chef? His apprentice Shiro Kashiba was the man who brought sushi to Seattle, and he joins Host Rachel Belle in-studio to tell us about the history of sushi, the proper way to enjoy Matthew's final dish, and why he's still working 5 nights a week at his restaurant Sushi Kashiba at Seattle's Pike's Place Market. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrity Librarian (yes - that's a thing), and regular contributor to NPR's Morning Edition Nancy Pearl is one of Rachel's favorite people. And she isn't your average librarian: She's been made into an action figure, had a bluegrass band named after her, and her best-selling Book Lust series has helped millions of people discover their new favorite stories. Nancy's choice for last meal is as classic as a dusty old tome: good ol' macaroni and cheese. We'll learn the history of one of America's most beloved dishes. Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former drummer of The Shins, and current hatch green chile impresario, Jesse Sandoval joins host Rache Belle to discuss bringing New Mexico's much-loved pepper to the masses, the band's fallout with fans after "selling-out" in a McDonald's ad, and with which Golden Girl would Jesse most like to eat cheesecake with. We learn about Jesse's last meal with 3rd-generation Valencian paella chef Perfecte Rocher (who LA Weekly called the best paella chef in Los Angeles), and we get the history of saffron - a key ingredient in the dish and one of the most expensive spices on Earth! Follow along on Instagram! Please subscribe to the *new* Your Last Meal newsletter so you can be the first to know about events, giveaways & content only available to subscribers!Support Cascade PBS: https://secure.cascadepublicmedia.org/page/133995/donate/1/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.