Pods and Pans: All about Cooking Podcasts
December 12th, 2006 by 
adminYou can download recipes from the Internet, and read hundreds of thousands of articles on the world’s many cuisines and the profiles of the most famous chefs.. So it isn’t surprising to find a growing number of podcasts on cooking—and to expect an even more dramatic increase once video podcasts are in full swing.
The “sizzling” numbers aren’t surprising. After all, many people love to cook. They may not have a professional degree in the culinary arts, but they are very interested in developing their skills in the kitchen. For them, food isn’t a primal body need, something to fill an empty, growing stomach. It is an art, a science, a comforting ritual. It is a way of celebrating ones roots, expressing love and affection for family and friends, and at the very least, a cheaper alternative to dining out!
The cooking podcasts cover a wide range of topics, addressing the different facets of cooking. Some are straight-out cooking tutorials, with step-by-step instructions on certain dishes, with recipes and demonstrations. For example, some podcasts talk about the proper way of preparing a soufflé, a notoriously delicate dish. Others discuss grilling secrets or invite sous chefs to share their best tips for a moist chocolate cake.
There are also cooking podcasts that discuss the nature of a specific regional cuisine. Usually these segments center on a particular dish, then try to create the historical or cultural context in which it first emerged. For example, a podcast on sushi will naturally go into Japanese history, when people started serving it, the typical ingredients used and why, and how the country’s aesthetic philosophy influenced why it was presented in that manner. It would probably also go into regional variations and recent innovations, such as the california maki (a purely American invention).
Other podcasts are interviews of famous chefs, who have gained as much celebrity status as Hollywood stars. These are often personality profiles, asking them about their plans for their restaurants, or takes on particularly culinary trends.
There are also podcasts that give reviews of culinary tools, comparing the merits of stoves or mixers, or announcing the latest kitchen gadgets. Others will talk about ingredients, such as the proper substitutions, or a consumer guide on different brands. Aside from this, there are podcasts that review different cooking books. You will also find podcasts that contain excerpts of a cooking demonstration or show. These video presentations are very useful for those who would like to see details like the consistency of a dish or the proper color or texture of an ingredient. Naturally, there are some cooking techniques that must be seen in order to be understood, such as how to decorate a cake, or how to make profiteroles.With the huge number of podcasts on cooking, many of which are available for free, even those who don’t consider themselves to be “real cooks” can easily pick up a professional trick and master at least one dish. That’s good news for the cooking aficionados…and those who eat the meals they prepare.
Related Podcasts in the Podcast Directory: Food : Cooking / Gourmet Recipes