Olia Hercules on Ukranian cuisine, the healing power of cooking and her hopes for the future
In this episode, host, Samuel Goldsmith, is joined by Olia Hercules, the award-winning food writer and campaigner who co-founded the global initiative Cook for Ukraine, an enterprise that has raised over 2 million pounds. Olia shares insights about her latest book "Strong Roots," a profound Ukrainian family story about war, exile, and the essence of hope amidst ongoing conflicts. Throughout the episode, Olia warmly recounts her favourite memories of food and cooking, painting a vivid picture of Ukrainian cuisine, its diverse ingredients, and the cultural significance they hold. Join us as we delve deep into Olia’s journey—from the harrowing night Russia invaded Ukraine to the solace she found in cooking and writing amidst the turmoil. Discover the personal tales of resilience and heritage that have shaped her culinary ventures and learn how food continues to be a symbol of resilience and hope for her family and community. Additionally, Olia candidly discusses her experience dealing with war fatigue, survivor’s guilt, and the significance of empathy in these challenging times. Tune in for an enriching conversation filled with anecdotes, laughter, and a few culinary confessions that showcase the unbreakable spirit of the Ukrainian people.
Olia Hercules, born in southern Ukraine, trained at Leiths School of Food and Wine before working at Ottolenghi and as a recipe developer. Her acclaimed cookbooks include Mamushka, Kaukasis, Summer Kitchens and Home Food. In response to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, she co-founded #CookForUkraine, raising over £2 million and earning awards from 50 Best, the Guild of Food Writers, and OFM. Named one of Vogue UK’s Most Influential Women of 2022, Olia now teaches cookery classes and runs online workshops via Patreon. Her memoir Strong Roots is out now. She lives in London with her husband and two sons.
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55:08
Aubergine Chilli
Cook-a-long with Samuel Goldsmith, in this bonus recipe episode.
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6:18
Jesse Jenkins (aka Another Day in Paradise) on his love of vegetables, starting off as a professional skateboarder and finding the calm in cooking
Samuel Goldsmith sits down with the multi-talented chef, photographer, social media sensation, and now author, Jesse Jenkins. In this episode, discover the journey of how Jesse went from a professional skateboarder to a renowned chef and photographer. Learn about his culinary inspirations and why he prefers to call himself a cook rather than a chef and hear Jesse's take on the importance of good food, home cooking, and capturing the perfect food photo. Plus get an insider's look into the making of his new cookbook, "Cooking with Vegetables," and find out why he loves cooking with vegetables, even sharing a recipe for his famous Smoky Aubergine Parm. Jesse Jenkins aka ADIP (Another Day in Paradise) is a chef and social media sensation based in London. Jesse’s cinematic vegetable-focused cooking videos on Instagram reach up to 2.1 million views – solidifying his status as a new star on the UK cooking scene. Inspired by the people he has cooked for and alongside over the years, his food is fresh, fast and a bit filthy, with a laid-back Americana vibe – perfect for sharing.
Subscribers to the Good Food app via App Store get access to the show ad-free, and with regular bonus content such as interviews recorded at the good food show. To get started, download the Good Food app today.
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49:11
Moroccan Chicken Stew
Cook-a-long with Samuel Goldsmith, in this bonus recipe episode
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5:35
Melissa Hemsley on ultra processed foods, the challenges of modern eating, feeding fussy eaters and sustainability without judgement
Join Melissa Hemsley as she delves into the art of sustainable living, offering practical tips and heartfelt insights. Sitting down with host Samuel Goldsmith, Melissa opens up about the messy joy of feeding her toddler, the pressure of healthy eating in a world dominated by ultra-processed food, and why she's proudly team frozen peas and batch-cooked soup. Together, they unpack everything from how to cook for picky eaters (of all ages), to the myth of perfect meal prep and the power of grated veg to transform a meal. Melissa shares practical tips for making real food easier, more colourful, and more fun—without the guilt, the overwhelm, or the pressure to be perfect.
Melissa Hemsley is a former private chef turned bestselling cookbook author, food columnist, and real food advocate. Passionate about sustainable, seasonal cooking, Melissa champions feel-good food—meals that nourish the body, respect the planet, and bring joy. She has written six cookbooks, including Real Healthy, which helps readers unprocess their diets with easy, everyday recipes. Her writing has appeared in The Telegraph and Vogue, and she is a proud ambassador for Fairtrade UK, a volunteer for The Felix Project, and a judge for numerous food awards. Melissa also writes a popular Substack newsletter, sharing recipes, tips for reducing food waste, interviews, and family life with her daughter, Summer, and dog, Nelly.
Subscribers to the Good Food app via App Store get access to the show ad-free, and with regular bonus content such as interviews recorded at the good food show. To get started, download the Good Food app today.
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Join host Samuel Goldsmith every Tuesday as he chats with cooks, chefs, and food lovers. In each episode, Samuel dives into a sparkling conversation about the guest's life, their journey in the food and drink world, and, of course, their passion for food. Expect plenty of laughs, life lessons, and unforgettable stories from the people behind the plates.
The fun doesn't stop there! Tune in for sections like My Favourite Dish, where the guest discusses their favourite dishes and how they've made them their own, Cookery Confessions, where guests share their funniest kitchen mishaps and culinary secrets, and Quick Fire Questions, a rapid round of surprises that reveal more about their tastes and quirks.
Plus, on Thursdays, get a taste of new recipes in our bonus episodes—easy-to-follow cook-alongs to bring the flavours of the conversation to your kitchen.
Do scroll back in the feed to our archive including special episodes hosted by Tom Kerridge, Orlando Murrin and Mallika Basu.
The Good Food podcast has featured guests such as: Jamie Oliver, Nadiya Hussain, Michel Roux, Ainsley Harriot, Gennaro Contaldo, Claire Richards, Fred Sirieix, Big Zuu, Tess Daly, Liz Bonnin, Becky Excell, Professor Tim Spector, Rukmini Iyer, Riyadh Khalaf, John Whaite, Crystelle Pereira, Paul Ainsworth, The Hairy Bikers, Marcus Wareing, Sabrina Ghayour, Jane Dunn and Atul Kochhar.
Discussing topics such as BBQ, fermenting, brunch, spices, Eurovision, Caribbean flavours, sustainability, chocolate, Spanish cuisine, vegan cooking, Bake Off, airfryers, health, wellbeing, nutrition, slow cookers, cocktails, pancakes, pressure cookers, seasonal food and cocktails.
Ireland