Once upon a time, New York was built on oysters, literally. From the Lenape shell heaps to 19th-century oyster saloons (and the dodgy brothels hiding behind them), oysters were everywhere. They fed the rich, the poor, and even fuelled a secret stop on the Underground Railroad.

In this episode, we dive into the briny, bizarre history of New York’s oyster craze. How the city went mad for molluscs, ate its way through entire reefs, and is now trying to bring them back to clean its filthy harbour.

With massive oyster-eating contests, mollusc mafias, and an oyster so big it was compared to "swallowing a baby", this is a story you don’t want to miss.

Come for the seafood. Stay for the scandal.

This is our 50th episode! Thank you for being here! Next stop 100.

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share it with your mates.

Want to show us some love? Support us at https://linktr.ee/WhatTheFoodPodcast or treat us to a cuppa at www.buymeacoffee.com/whatthefood.

Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you on the next one!

Theme music: “Celebration” by Alexander Nakarada. Available for use under the CC BY 4.0 license (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

*We encountered a couple of audio issues while recording this episode. Before you stamp on your headphones or throw your phone or PC out the window, any glitchy sounds you hear are in our recording! Apologies!*

Peking Duck isn’t just food, it’s a legend. From its humble origins as a street snack in 13th-century China to becoming an imperial delicacy and a diplomatic power move, this crispy, caramelised masterpiece has had quite the journey.

In this episode of What the Food, we uncover how Peking Duck migrated from the waterways of Hangzhou to the imperial courts of Beijing, how roasting techniques evolved to perfection, and how this dish ended up impressing emperors, presidents, and food lovers worldwide. Plus, we’ll dive into the modern twists, from London’s crispy duck to Michelin-starred reinventions.

So grab a pancake, roll it up, and join us for a deep dive into the rich, delicious history of Peking Duck.

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share it with your mates.

Want to show us some love? Support us at https://linktr.ee/WhatTheFoodPodcast or treat us to a cuppa at www.buymeacoffee.com/whatthefood.

Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you on the next one!

Theme music: “Celebration” by Alexander Nakarada. Available for use under the CC BY 4.0 license (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Step into the roar of the Colosseum! 🏛️ This week’s podcast takes you on a sensory journey through ancient Rome, exploring what it was like to attend the gladiatorial games. From securing your Tessera to feasting on honey cakes and sizzling sausages, discover how food, spectacle, and power collided in history’s most iconic arena. Don’t miss this epic culinary and cultural deep dive!

If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share it with your mates.

Want to show us some love? Support us at https://linktr.ee/WhatTheFoodPodcast or treat us to a cuppa at www.buymeacoffee.com/whatthefood.

Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you on the next one!

Theme music: “Celebration” by Alexander Nakarada. Available for use under the CC BY 4.0 license (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)