Shows
Munching on MoleculesEpisode 33: Designing Delicious: Jill Houk, Corporate R&D Chef, Culinary CultureIn this episode of Munching on Molecules, we chat with Jill Houk, Corporate R&D Chef at Culinary Culture. A pivotal moment came early in her journey, when her mother asked: “If you could do anything you wanted, what would you do?” That question sparked a career transformation. We dive into her path, from launching a health-conscious catering company to becoming a cookbook author, podcaster, TV personality, and product development powerhouse. Her work has helped shape food products across the U.S., and she continues to raise the bar for culinary excellence in both manufacturing and food service....
2025-06-2234 min
B&H Photography PodcastAbelardo Morell, Alchemist of PhotographyThe art of photography offers boundless potential for altering and enhancing human perception—this is the focus of our conversation on this week's podcast. Listen in as we go down the rabbit hole of visual discovery with alchemist of photography Abelardo Morell. From his early desire to enlighten students by transforming his classroom into a camera obscura to his ever-expanding universe of ideas—and the subsequent tools he uses—to record moments in light, Morell is an undisputed master in conjuring magic from a cross section of art and science, time and space. Guest: Abelardo Morell Photo...
2022-09-1554 min
The Ingredient PanelWhere do new product ideas come from?An introduction to how companies (often) come up with new products to launch. The crew discusses the innovation pipeline, a bunch of boring processes, and some more fun ways new products come to market.This week's guest is Imaide Steverango, the R&D Manager for NutureLife, a meal delivery kit for kids.
2021-07-1346 minThe Ingredient PanelS2 E07 Undeclared! The hidden ingredients not on the labelFood processing aids do not need to be declared on a label according to the FDA. In this episode we talk about what they are, how they are used, and why they don't need to be declared. It's not as boring as it sounds! Plus we talk about insects! The actual language on processing aids from the CFRDon't read this link until after you've eaten
2021-06-3038 minThe Ingredient PanelS2 E06 MSG for you, UMAMI!We crave "umami", the fifth taste. Every global cuisine has a source of umami, yet MSG, monosodium glutamate, is seen as a villain in packaged food. Join as as we discuss MSG, the flavor of Umami, and glutamic acid, which as glutamate is responsible for the delicious flavor that makes everything taste better!References:This American Life Episode about the letter that gave birth to Chinese Restaurant SyndromeColgate Magazine's Overview of the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome Letter/Possible HoaxRedefining Chinese Restaurant Syndrome in the NY TimesUmami Map of...
2021-06-2336 minThe Ingredient PanelS2 E05 Gums: the low percentage ingredient with outsized impactWhy do packaged foods need added gums when the food you make at home never does? Join us as we talk about how gums (also known as hydrocolloids) end up in your food and for what purpose. Links:Guest Lela Squire Gum PrimerFDA Regulations on GumsRecent Carageenan Study
2021-06-1636 minThe Ingredient PanelS2 E04 Upcycling: A grandma-approved approach to the food waste crisisHave you heard about Upcycling? Join us for a crash course in all things food waste. In this episode we talk with Caroline Cotto, the cofounder and COO of Renewal Mill, an ingredient, mix, and cookie company that is taking a new approach to the circular food economy. Caroline goes deep into the issues of food waste and how Renewal Mill, and the new Upcycled Food Association, are bringing attention and money into the food renewal space.Renewal MillUpcycled Food AssociationRePurpose Global, for plastic offsets
2021-06-0931 minThe Ingredient PanelSE2 E2 Spices and Natural FlavorsFinally Jill gets to teach us all about the difference between spices and herbs! We talk about spices, seasonings, herbs and how natural flavors are made - and what their purpose in packaged food is. This episode the panel is joined by Swapna Mony, a technical sales specialist and account manager for ADM, specializing in their natural portfolio, including flavors. https://www.adm.com/products-services/food/flavors-extracts-distillateshttps://olamspices.com/
2021-05-1932 minThe Ingredient PanelS2 E03 The less processed side of plant-based meatsIn this episode we chat with Kristine Sanschagrin, Vice President of Strategic Sourcing & Sales at Atlast , a company making minimally processed meat analogues with mycelium from mushrooms. We get deep into plant-based meat substitutes that don't try too hard to be exactly like meat. https://www.atlastfood.co/
2021-05-1926 minThe Ingredient PanelS2E1 How the Pandemic Changed Our Relationship to FoodThe Ingredient Panel is back with a 40 minute episode with guests! Join panelists Linsey Herman, Jill Houk, and Karen Watson, along with the Editor of Baking & Snack Magazine Charlotte Atchley, for a discussion of all the ways the pandemic impacted the food we were buying, eating, cooking, and developing.The Ingredient Panel is a podcast about the ingredients in packaged food. Each episode unpacks a category of ingredients and examines how it ends up on your plate and why it is there. We welcome suggestions for future episodes!References for this episode:Baking...
2021-05-0539 minThe Ingredient PanelS1E6 ProteinCompanies seem to be obsessed with protein, and packing it into every single product possible. But do we really need that much protein? And what are the trade-offs of using so much protein in a product?
2020-10-1235 minThe Ingredient PanelS1E1 What is the Ingredient Panel?Have you ever wondered why certain ingredients are included or excluded from products you buy at the supermarket? Product Developer Linsey Herman, Food Scientist Karen Watson, and Chef Jill Houk discuss what's behind all the words on product labels in the food you buy. In this overview, the panel discusses why companies make the ingredient and nutrition choices they do when launching new products. It's a lot less boring than it sounds!
2020-10-1229 minThe Ingredient PanelS1E2 Why You Can't Have It AllFood companies promise the world and rarely deliver on it in their new products. The panel discusses why that is, and how making products that truly have it all would never reach mainstream success.
2020-10-1236 minThe Ingredient PanelS1E3 SugarSugar. Why can something so delicious be so problematic? The panel looks at sugar and why it seems to be everywhere in processed food.
2020-10-1237 minThe Ingredient PanelS1E4 FatDifferent fats have gone in and out of favor over the years as dietary trends and fads ebb and flow. The panel delves into fat and why companies choose one fat over another and how those choices impact the label.
2020-10-1227 minThe Ingredient PanelS1E5 FiberFiber Fiber Fiber Fiber. For a long time, it was something only retirees wanted in their diet, but now it is everywhere. The panel looks at why product developers use it and its functional purpose in food.
2020-10-1230 minThe Ingredient PanelS1E7 Season Finale - Grains or Grain-FreeIn this final episode, the panel talks about their favorite topic, grains, and the challenges of creating products that may only appeal to people on certain special diets.
2020-10-1229 min
B&H Photography PodcastElinor Carucci—A Hurricane in Its Perfect PowerAppropriately, this is our Mother's Day episode, and our title borrows Maya Angelou's description of her mother from "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." Photographer Elinor Carucci struck us with some of her own perfect power during this week's recording of the B&H Photography Podcast. I doubt much stands in her way, but there's a calm too—born of family support, nurtured by maturity, and assured with the confidence that comes from presenting yourself to the world, warts and all—in other words, from "putting yourself out there." Our talk today is about her photography, particularly her fine ar...
2018-05-1059 min