Food Rebels

Condiments & Conscious Cooking

This episode is a flavour fiesta! We're joined by Rachel Pynenburg, the condiment queen behind Miam Jars, whose creations unlock a world of deliciousness. Get ready for quick, easy meals bursting with excitement.
 
Plus, Frankie Paz, AKA Moody Mango, serves up a different kind of recipe book; Plant Feasts. Ditching the guilt trips and instead embracing your vulnerabilities, to discover a healthy, real-world approach to food that tackles mental health, life challenges, and, of course, community. Frankie's book is available today on Amazon.
 
Our rebellious listeners can also get 20% off all Miam Jars products when bought directly from their website using the code FOODREBELS20 at the checkout. We are also running a give away for a copy of Frankie's book Plant Feasts so head over to our Instagram page @food_rebels_ to enter!

WTF are UPFs

This week AJ is joined by Georgie, Clare, and Claire for a conversation that flips the script on our relationship with food. Georgie starts things off by expressing her annoyance at the constant finger-pointing towards consumers when it comes to unhealthy eating habits.
 
But fear not, foodies! Clare Pope and Claire Hernandez are here to shed light on what to pay attention to with UPFs. They'll also tackle the big question: who's responsible for the food we eat? Is it really our fault, or should we be looking towards the government, companies, and regulators who shape the food landscape?

Decadent Delights

AJ and Georgie are in for a treat as they are joined by chocolate expert Oli Shorts from Seed and Bean and artisan macaron maker Laura Hickman from Little Ms Macaron.
 
Oli highlights the lack of wild and creative flavours in the chocolate market and how Seed and Bean are showcasing inventive and delicious flavour combinations like their Lime and Sea Salt milk chocolate bar, which AJ and Georgie are in love with.
 
Laura explains the delicate and precise process needed to perfect her macarons and how she must adjust her recipe depending on the humidity levels that day. We discover that even experts have bad days when it comes to making macarons!

Unbe-LEAF-able Salad

As the warmer days make a welcome return, AJ and Georgie talk about how easy it is to grow your own salad and make your own dressing.
 
They are joined by Vertical Farming expert, Ben Amory from GrowUp Farms, who explains how vertical farming saves water, uses no soil or pesticides and means the salad leaves don't need to be washed and can go straight into the bag.
 
Georgie is adamant she needs dressing on a salad, but Ben shows her the light by introducing her to his vertically farmed Sorrel which delivers a delicious lemony flavour hit like nothing she has ever tasted before!

Chic Chic Hooray!

Hummus-t be love in the studio this week as AJ Sharp and guest co-host Georgie Parsons meet snacking entrepreneurs, Hannah from ChicP and Chester from RAISE snacks.
 
Hannah, Founder of ChicP, transformed her passion for reducing food waste into a booming business as she used her cheffy skills to turn leftover vegetables into a delicious range of hummuses. And Chester who uplevelled the nation’s snack-game when he created RAISE snacks based on his mother’s own homemade granola recipe.
 
Are you ready to rebel in your snack choices? Hear how it’s time to ditch the bland and try something truly revolutionary.
 

Savoury Eats & Sweet Treats

AJ and guest presenter Dhruv Baker meet vegan chef Abi Franklin, recently returned from 6 years in Shanghai, creating delicious dishes, which get a big thumbs up from our hosts.
 
Based in Bethnal Green, London, Abi's delicious food to order is available through Deliveroo.
 
Also in the studio is Iain from Zingiberi Bakery. Originally an Academic Lawyer, teaching police law, Iain turned his hand to creating award-winning cookies and crackers following a cycling accident. Zingiberi's products have won no less than 25 Great Taste awards! Tune in to find out what Iain attributes the 'winning factor' to.

Pairing Perfection

Pairing cheese with wine or even whisky is something of an art. Jessica Summer, an expert in cheese and wine gives AJ and guest presenter Dhruv Baker a quick lesson in the best ways to enjoy the combinations.
 
Katie from RAER crafted by family-run Jackton Distillery in Scotland is also on hand to sample their delicious whiskies and vodka. AJ and Dhruv are particularly taken with RAER's 'Something Blue' gin which magically changes colour from blue to pink when you add your tonic or lemonade mixer.
 
Its a lip-smackingly delicious episode with sampling galore that will have you reaching for the cheeseboard and the drinks cabinet!

Gut Matters

This week we turn the spotlight on gut health and how it can impact everything from our immunity to our mental health. Guest presenter Dhruv joins AJ as they discuss how one change to your diet is a step in the right direction but not the only action needed to improve your health.
 
They talk to expert Steven Van Middelem, who has worked for years developing his living soda Fhirst, the first to have healthy bacteria survive the manufacturing process and reach consumer guts alive.