Shows
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtI Choo Choo Choose Heart Shaped FoodsA look at one of the most loved and iconic shapes of all time and one of our favourite shapes to eat. From the history of the heart shape and its links to plants both sacred and extinct. To how it has become so entwined with the anatomy, metaphor and symbolism of the human heart, emotions of love. Points of discussion include Aristotle's History of Animals, Pierre Vinken's The Shape of the Heart, the Ficus religiosa, Le roman de la poire, The Master of the View of Saint Gudula, loads of heart-shaped foods, Yard Sale Pizza's Valentine's Day heart-shaped...2025-02-1540 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtSmy Fundamentals Number One - Sencha Green Tea This week is the first in a series of episodes about foods, ingredients, different things that I couldn’t do without a series I’m calling: Smy Fundamentals. I will look at things that I use everyday, things I swear by, things that I’m constantly suggesting to people or…things that I share with people when they ask me, “what’s your secret for x, y or z?” First up!…is something I am so particular about, it’s the first thing I think about when I open my eyes and I have been drinking it for years, decades even!…this...2025-01-2339 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtGalette des Rois - pour Toi et Moi - Epiphanie EpI'm back after quite the hiatus to share with you a bit about why I've been absent and the epiphany that led to my making a Galette des Rois and what makes this Twelfth Night/King Cake so special...and so tasty. I'll share my experience making one, a bit of the history behind it and the surprising treat buried within it. There's a look at my culinary bible Larousse Gastronomique and memories of the cousin to the Galette des Rois, the New Orleans Mardi Gras King Cake.2025-01-0734 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtBreak Me Off a Piece of that Kit Kat...PodGimme a break, gimme a break - break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar - it’s the food history and food art of the Kit Kat. My next episode will be followed up with a much deeper look at cacao. This episode is a bit of a departure as it’s the first time I have featured a brand. It was inspired by my dear friend Michiru and her recent gift of a pack of assorted Japanese Kit Kats and will start with original Kit Kats. From the 18th century savoury pies they share their name...2023-04-2933 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtMusic, Minerals, Mangia! with Maddalena GhezziWith this episode I’m going straight to my interview with today’s guest - Maddalena Ghezzi. Maddalena is a musician, singer, composer, artist and improviser. She has been working in the field of jazz, improvised and experimental music since moving to the UK in 2009 and her work draws inspiration from the natural world, literature, visual arts and the socio-political status of our world. Here we chat about her new release, Emeralds, which is a collaboration with synth player, composer, producer and pianist Maria Chiara Argirò. Emeralds is the latest in her Minerals series of EP releases done in colla...2023-03-071h 10
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtOxyContin for Breakfast with Kurt Cole Eidsvig: Mint Jelly Omelettes, Southie Snapper Dogs and SankaI chat with one of my dearest friends, award-winning writer and artist Kurt Cole Eidsvig. Kurt has been featured in The Boston Globe, The Improper Bostonian, NBC, CBS, and ABC and loads more prestigious places. We will talk about his new book OxyContin for Breakfast, his previous book Pop X Poetry, his visual art, inspirations and how food factors in to all of the above. We will chat about his connection to apple cider vinegar, mint jelly omelettes, analogue vampiric beef binkies, Sully's snapper dogs and more. The first minute of audio is a wee bit tinny a...2022-11-011h 04
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtAs Art As Vinegar - Food Art History of VinegarVinegar depictions range from fanciful stories relating to it, appearances in still life paintings to the different stages of its production and enjoyment. Vinegar is a symbol of preservation, of hard work and longevity and being cleansed. It’s found in religious stories, fables, stories of love, war, money and death…basically all aspects of the human experience. Featuring artworks such as the Three Vinegar Tasters, Parody of the Vinegar Tasters, Elisabetta Sirani's painting Cleopatra and the story of Cleopatra's banquet, plague doctors' masks and Four Thief Vinegar, Tête Noire vinegar, Anne Vallayer-Coster's Still Life with Mackerel, Film Fawn...2022-04-2626 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtSour Power of Vinegar Half Hour - Vinegar Food HistoryVinegar is a vital addition to popular dishes, condiments and beverages from around the world. It has as many uses outside of the kitchen as it does in it and is a staple ingredient of many natural or home remedies. There are countless health benefits that are associated with it and the varieties are endless - from bayberry, bamboo, black, brown and balsamic and one that is famously described as with the mother. Today it's all about the food history of vinegar - its important beginnings, fermentation, etymology, some of its many culinary and creative uses from all over...2022-04-0536 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtMushrooms Depicted in Art2020-12-2724 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtMealtimes, Mental Health and Mindfulness with Karmen Perez-Pineda of Cats with a Heart2020-10-0846 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtMushrooms - Fungi Folklore - Mystic, Magic and Mealtime2020-09-2522 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtMushrooms - Mystic, Magic and Mealtime - Shamans and Shrooms2020-09-1022 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtSmy Thoughts - Racism and Racist Imagery in Food and ArtI am sharing and processing some of my thoughts and experiences of racism as a woman of colour. Covering examples of racist imagery in food history and amazing representation, examples of racist imagery in art and amazing representation in art. Covering racial stereotypes, Ava DuVernay and the documentary 13th, Mixed Girl Meetup, Birth of a Nation, , fried chicken, watermelon, stereotypes, micro-aggressions, Sohla El-Waylly and Bon Appetit, MOFAD, Mariya Russell, Kara Walker, Angela Davis and more.2020-06-2658 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtFlour Power and Superb Herbs - Quarantine Catch-up with Aimee Furnival of Another StudioIn a special edition of Smy Goodness Podcast - Quarantine Catch-up we chat with Aimée Furnival of Another Studio, the London design studio specialising in Plant Gifts and Playful Products. Aimée featured in the Smy Goodness Podcast Ep5 Pancakes and Creativity which looked at the food history and food art relating to pancakes all whilst we chatted about creativity, similarities between cooking and design processes and how design affects the items that surround us in our kitchens and dining rooms and as we prepare and share our meals. In this episode we chat to Aimée about her...2020-05-2520 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtPomegranite memories with Freelance Writer and Journalist Sophie Jean-Louis Constantine: From Persephone to process, koliva to kites and ratatouille to reviews2020-01-2135 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtPomegranate - Superfood, Seeds, Symbolism and StoriesAcross the world and throughout myths, legends and religious texts pomegranates have been symbolic of wealth, fertility and good luck. The pomegranate has been a popular feature and motif in artworks, literature, ceremonies and culinary offerings from all over the world. A modern day superfood yes…but people throughout time and place have known of its health benefits. From stories of Agdistis, Persephone, Roman Britain and Catherine of Aragon. With artworks from Giovanna Garzoni, Clara Peeters, Sandro Boticelli, Dante Gabriel Rosetti, Zaida Ben Yusuf, Sergei Parajanov and Katayoun Amjadi.2019-11-3035 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtFashion and Food with Em and Ems - Emilio de la Morena and Emmerline SmyExploring the historical links between food and fashion plus a chat with fashion designer and artist Emilio de la Morena. Emilio was my very first guest for Episode 1 which was all about quince and now he’s my latest guest for Episode 30! We discuss his latest creative endeavours as a painter; the fashion and food events we have been hosting and how food and fashion inspire us both. Connected since our earliest days as humans, we’ll also look at how 5000 year old Ötzi the Iceman changed how we think about prehistoric clothing. Plus we’ll look at food inspire...2019-10-0135 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtLobster Tails, Lobster Rolls and Lobster Tales with Lobsterman Greg WeekesThey are associated with luxury but historically this has not always been the case. They live in all oceans, yet I am partial and prejudiced to those from New England. Today it's the food history and food art of lobster. My guest Greg Weekes shares his insight and stories as a Cape Cod Lobsterman. Their form and colour have inspired artists throughout the ages. There's art from the Moche civilisation of Peru, Albrecht Durer, Claara Peeters, Anne Vallayer-Coster, Judith Sobel and Carrie Mae Weems.2019-05-3059 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtMastic, Mastiha, Mummies and Massage with Aristea Zougri of Althea Massage Therapy and YogaHeat from the body can soften it making it more pliable and chewy. Chewy is a key word around its etymology. It’s a tree sap that is dried in the sun from only one place, the Greek island of Chios. It’s all about mastic, or mastiha in Greek or by it’s poetic name Tears of Chios. I’ll look at its history, rarity, value and its many uses. There's art by Émile Bayard, Elisabetta Duminuco and Clémentine Bal. Our guest Aristea Zougri of Althea Massage Therapy and Yoga has a myriad of skills and talents as a massa...2019-03-2950 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtFeed A Lady Marmalade - Voulez-vous écouter avec moi ce soir2019-03-0517 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtEp26 - Octopus, Polpo, Pulpo, Tako: Takoyaki - My Delicious Dilemma "Marine Style" flask with octopus, Aegean Civilisation of Crete, the Late Minoan Bronze Age from c. 1500-1450 BC Throughout the world and throughout time, people and cultures have both revered and feared this eight-limbed, legendary Cephalopod - the octopus. We’ll look at the mythology and folklore of the octopus, their physiology and behaviour; which all strengthen their reputation as symbols of strength, intelligence and mystery. We’ll look at artworks by Japanese master Hokusai, resin artist Keng Lye, potter Tammy Garcia and illustrator Esther Van Hulsen. Plus I make takoyaki - round octopus pancake balls! Show Notes: 00:00-01:45 Intr...2018-11-2928 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtFiori di Zucca (Courgette/Zucchini Flowers) with Orso Tosco, author of Aspettando i Naufraghi Orso Tosco, author of Aspettando i Naufraghi This episode it's the zucchini aka the courgette and their stunningly beautiful flowers. As my guest was Orso Tosco, the Italian author who has just published his novel, Aspettando I Naufraghi. For his topic Orso chose fiori di zucca or courgette/zucchini flowers as they feature in his novel and are one of his favourite dishes. As we will see there is a strong link between Italy and courgette flowers which will play out in our chat, the artwork covered in this episode and their interesting history. So listen...2018-06-2451 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtA Rhubarb of a Pickle of a Jam - Where Rhubarb, History, Art & Design Intersect This episode looks at where rhubarb came from and how it traveled the world. I look at the changes from how rhubarb was first used by humans to how it is enjoyed today. We'll learn about the etymology of rhubarb, the need for albarelli drug jars and then there's the utterly interesting link between rhubarb and the Zoroastrian creation myth. I'll share why the culinary tradition of Forced Rhubarb fully deserves its PDO status. Go to SmyGoodness.com to see the artworks I was inspired by including: Ni...2018-05-2121 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtEp22 - Bubbly: Champagne, Prosecco and Cava - 12 Foods of ChristmasAt Christmas-time and New Year we drink more of it than ever and it seems perfectly acceptable to be cracking open bottles of bubbly before noon or anytime you have guests round. It’s also the perfect gift to bring round, a ribbon tied round the iconic bottle. Bubbly is a great aperitif, can finish off a meal, be paired with liqueurs or drank on its own. Those bubbles can go straight to ones head…and what starts as giddiness…quickly moves into tipsiness…which is sure to end in headache if one too many glasses are enjoyed. ...2017-12-3007 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtEp21 - Chocolates - Twelve Foods of ChristmasThis mini-episode is just a little taster, chocolate will get a FULL ON episode in the future, here we are just focusing on Christmas chocolates such as chocolate coins, chocolate tins and trays. From its roots in South and Central America cacao has created joy and good tidings everywhere it has gone and we love to gift it, share it and gorge on it at Christmas. yougov.uk did a really snazzy poll this year to find out which chocolates were the favourites from the Roses, Quality Street, Celebrations and Heroes Christmas tubs. Comments unanimously denounced...2017-12-3008 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtGin & Sloe Gin - Twelve Foods of Christmas It's the mid point between Christmas and New Year…we might benefit from a break from the excesses. We can't go cold-turkey from the excesses of non-stop food and drink so a gin and tonic or a bit of sloe gin is a welcome comfort. The Sloe, or wild Plum, is the fruit of the Blackthorn found in the hedgerows. By autumn these small fruits are oval, blue-black and their sourness makes them perfect to cover with sugar and gin which by Christmas has formed into a perfectly luxurious holiday tipple, sloe gin. Cicely Mary Ba...2017-12-2908 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtChristmas Chutney - Twelve Foods of ChristmasHow do you eat your chutney? What is your favourite cheese and chutney combination? Today’s Christmas food is chutney. Since the last 12 Foods of Christmas episode featured cheese, it would seem only fitting that we follow that up with chutney. I have often been asked by Spanish or Italian friends or customers what a chutney is. Chutney originated in India and has now become a staple condiment that has no standard recipe. Discoveries, capitalism and colonialism all contributed to chutneys and pickles making their way back to the UK and once here they were adapted and re...2017-12-2412 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtChristmas Cheese - Twelve Foods of ChristmasIt’s a perfect symphony of seasonality. Many cheeses that we enjoy at Christmas have been made in the summer and are just coming in to peak maturity around the holidays. What’s your cheese? British classics or continental cheeses? Are you someone who goes for the cheese board rather than a pudding? Luckily at Christmas you can sample ALL the cheeses and all the puddings! It's a perfectly delicious puzzle when choosing ones post Christmas dinner plate of cheeses and pairing them with chutneys, crackers, sweet wines and ports. Floris van Dyck (c. 1575–1651) Still L...2017-12-2008 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtOranges - Twelve Foods of ChristmasIn the 5 or 6 weeks prior to Christmas is when clementines, satsumas, manderins and tangerines come into season and join forces to dominate the fruit bowl. Their flavours and essences appear throughout our food, drink and traditions throughout Christmas. Find out about the roots and origins of oranges and the differences between the easy-peelers. We'll learn about St. Nicholas and why we put oranges in stockings with help of Gentile da Fabriano and his painting, Three Gold Balls. Three Gold Balls, Gentile da Fabriano’s ,1425. San Niccolo, Florence From the predella of the Quaratesi triptych...2017-12-1707 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtMulled Wine - Twelve Foods of ChristmasIt has lots of the familiar spices we associate with Christmas infused together in warmed wine, spirits, fruit and sugar. Walk in to a party from the cold and serving mulled wine and you’ll know instantly as it saturates your sense of smell and warms you up as it fills your belly. Since pre-history we have found ways to drink fermented beverages and we owe thanks to the Greeks and the Romans for specifically bringing mulled wine to Northern Europe and throughout the world. We'll discuss Circe, her role in the Odyssey and with Odysseus will be discussed as...2017-12-1408 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtChristmas Goose - Twelve Foods of ChristmasGoose - the squatted, more flavourful, dark meat alternative to their dry, white-melted fowl cousin the turkey. The custom and popularity of eating a goose during autumnal and winter harvest and holidays stretches from when they were domesticated by the Egyptians over 4000 years ago. This episode looks at traditions throughout the ages including the long-running Tavistock Goosey Fair, Michaelmas, the Smithfield's Market Christmas Eve Sale and the goose/turkey dynamic of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.2017-12-1405 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtEp14 - Cinnamon - Twelve Days of ChristmasIt works sweet or savoury and can be oh-so overpowering if you let it. It’s not my favourite spice and is one that I use sparingly so that it doesn’t dominate a dish, but properly balanced, cinnamon brings warmth and depth of flavour to dishes all year round but particularly at Christmas. We'll look at its importance throughout the ancient world, how beneficial it is in terms of health and how it is only recently enjoyed by the masses. Artwork from 'Tractatus de Herbis' by Dioscorides, 15th century. 2017-12-1305 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtEp13 - Cranberry Sauce - Twelve Foods of ChristmasThese small, round, bright-red berries are more tart than sweet which makes them a perfect accompaniment to roast meat and dinners bringing a nice bright dash of Christmas red to ones plate. This week we look at how these North American fruits have become part of Christmas, gained status as a superfood and the many ways they can be enjoyed throughout the holidays and year-round. Save2017-12-1106 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtBrussel Sprouts - Twelve Foods of ChristmasWhen I was little I was sure that someone with magical powers had shrunk cabbages into bite size portions. If you don’t think they taste delicious, you’re probably cooking them wrong! And if you’re just eating them at Christmas…well lots of people do but they deserve a place at the table beyond the Christmas holidays and sprouts are a £650,000,000 business with loads of varieties to try and inventive pairings and ways to prepare them. Artwork from Amedee Varin. Save2017-12-1005 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtMincemeat - Twelve Foods of ChristmasMincemeat and mince pies are markers of Christmas. Mincemeat is the filling baked inside pies and they originally contained dried fruit, spices, vinegar and meat when they first appeared in the 15th century. There’s the old wives' tale that you should eat a mince pie on each of the 12 days of Christmas for good luck in the upcoming year...if I eat two per day will it bring me double the good luck next year? Listen for a brief look at the history, art and design of mincemeat.2017-12-0706 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtPlates and Platters with Tim Parker of You'll Soon Know on NTS - Food History and Food ArtThis week I sat down with Tim Parker the Web Developer, Designer, DJ and host of the NTS radio programme You'll Soon Know. We discussed food and music memories, travel, design and how we approach and share all of the above. Before my chat with Tim I look at the history of plates from our pre-history days as humans and their quick evolution from functional pieces to decorative, artistic and even space exploring items. The work of Judy Chicago, Chloe Wise, Dr Amanda Furman's The Ascent of Woman, the Voyager Golden records and more are discussed.2017-11-2341 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtAnyone Sycophancy a Fig? - the history, art and design relating to figsFigs are one of the earliest if not our earliest cultivated plant. Their reverence surely stems from their historic connection to our own agricultural journey and they are a symbol of abundance and important to ancient peoples, cultures, art, cookery and religions. They are symbols of fertility, wealth, youth and the brevity of life. This episode will look at the Greek etymology behind 'sycophancy' and the Roman Apicius' recipe for fegato. Artists discussed include Giovanna Garzoni, Albrecht Durer, Clara Peeters, Suzanne Valadon, Vivienne Westwood and Figs in Wigs.2017-10-1415 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtChinese Laundry Room interview plus Jiaozi, guotie, zongzi and wonton dumplings and look at stories of the Silk Road, the Chinese physician Zhang Zhongjing, the poet Qu Yuan and how dumplings, family and festivals are always linked togetherThey occur all over the world in some shape or form - you might know them as ravioli, empanada, gyoza, fufu, piroges, tortellini - pastries filled with savoury meat and/or vegetables or even sweet versions filled with fruit. They can be steamed, boiled, broiled, baked or fried. This episode will focus on the Chinese dumpling, and look at how this ancient food is the epitome of a food so steeped in art, history and design that, when done properly, is a little edible works of art. I will focus specifically on jiaozi, guotie, zongzi and wonton...2017-09-1450 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtBunches of GrapesGrapes are one of the first plants to be grown domestically by people and their cultivation cycle has been embedded deep within us. One only needs to look at the symbolic, religious and cultural importance of grapes to get a small fathoming of what they must have meant to the early peoples who first fermented them to what they mean across the world today. Since Ancient Greece artists have used grapes to show off their artistic skills by capturing the beauty held within both the individual grapes and as a whole bunch on their vines. Grapes are symbolic of...2017-08-2216 minSmy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtIce Cream with Tara Esperanza of Tara's Organic Ice Cream T.O.I.C.Show Notes: 0-2.30 - Episode Intro 2.30-7.30 - Ice cream, history and design 7.30-10.15 - Picasso, Axell, Burman - artists and ice cream depiction 10.15 - 57 - Tara Esperanza of T.O.I.C. interview 57-59 - episode closing comments This week it's ice cream! Listen above to hear how, why and when ice cream became the world-wide popular dish that it is is. Everyone has their own memories and preferences relating to this frozen treat that it delicious served with fruit, cake in a cone or on its own - I scream...2017-07-2258 minSmy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtPancakes & Creativity w/ Aimee Furnival of Another Studio - Food History and Food ArtThis week I'll be looking at pancakes and chatting to Aimee Furnival, Founder and Director of Another Studio. Aimee and I made pancakes together, something we have done countless times. Pancakes are the popular breakfast food that are generally enjoyed on the weekend, at brunch or special occasions. It's always a special occasion to spend time with Aimee who is a truly wonderful friend and a creative inspiration. Over pancakes we chatted about design processes from start to finish and how creativity and design affects the items that surround us in our kitchens and dining rooms and as we...2017-05-0236 minSmy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtCanapés with Diana Pinkett of Vegan Peasant Catering - Food History and Food ArtDiana Pinkett of Vegan Peasant Catering and I discuss how canapes, travelling, family and life have impacted on her everyday life and that of her and her partner Adrian Smith's 100% plant based catering company. Join us for that as well as a little exploration in to canapes and their evolution from ancient times to today. Where did they come from? How did they get their name? And how are they represented today throughout food, art, history and design.2017-04-1834 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtPopping Cherries w/Mike Wolff - Food History and Food ArtCome and join me on a little cherry adventure! Throughout the ages cherries have been symbolic of life, love, rebirth, fertility, reproduction and sexuality. I was joined by visual artist, street photographer and dear friend Mike Wolff to discuss his work, creative inspirations and to reminisce about the Black Forest, Black Forest Cake and more.2017-03-0733 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtEmilio de la Morena & Quince - Food History and Food ArtI sat down with Emilio de la Morena to chat about quince, the fruit from antiquity resembling a pear/apple hybrid which has inspired cooks, artists and lovers. Emilio is the Creative Director at Emilio de la Morena, a fashion brand that designs and manufactures luxury womenswear. The aim of the podcast is to explore how food, art, history and design intersect. Born in Spain, Emilio studied at Central Saint Martins and the London College of Fashion; a Spanish artisan with a London aesthetic. It made perfect sense to kick off the podcast with a discussion of where quince...2017-02-2034 min
Smy Goodness Podcast : Food History & Food ArtIntroducing Smy GoodnessThis podcast will look at food, history, art and design. How, why and where they intersect and the impact that they have had and have on our culture and experiences. Together we’ll travel the world throughout time and space to uncover tales, facts, people and objects that have shaped our everyday lives in ways we may not have realised.2017-02-1110 min