In this episode of the Mildly Controversial Podcast, host Mike Sneddon welcomes back Dayna Pereira and introduces Michelin star chef Paul Foster. The conversation explores the intricacies of achieving a Michelin star, the pressures of high-end cooking, and the evolution of kitchen culture. Paul shares insights on the importance of quality ingredients over local sourcing, the significance of presentation versus taste, and the impact of social media on food culture. The episode also delves into mildly controversial opinions regarding food trends and marketing buzzwords. In this engaging conversation, the hosts delve into various topics surrounding the food industry, including the misuse of buzzwords, the appeal of traditional cooking methods, and the often misunderstood nature of certain ingredients like vanilla and cottage cheese. They also explore the complexities of OCD and its spectrum, while providing practical cooking tips for young chefs. The discussion is lively, humorous, and filled with insights from experienced chefs.

BUY PAUL'S BOOKShttps://www.awaywithmedia.com/buy-books/food/Paul-Foster-Pasta

https://www.awaywithmedia.com/buy-books/food/Salt

FOOD UNFILTERED YOUTUBEhttps://youtube.com/@foodunfilteredchef?si=oDiD7Yr6JgTVHI8J

PAUL'S INSTAGRAM

https://www.instagram.com/paulfosterchef?igsh=MWV3YXZzeGc0ZXZ5NA==

Chapters

04:09 Understanding Michelin Star Restaurants

13:12 The Evolution of Kitchen Culture

18:51 The Art of Dish Creation

24:36 The Impact of Food Influencers

28:32 Mildly Controversial Opinions

29:51 The Cheese Pull Controversy

37:06 Local Food: A Marketing Buzzword?

42:10 The Missionary Position: Not Boring?

46:25 Vanilla: The Misunderstood Flavor

53:05 Reconnecting and Lighthearted Banter

54:10 Understanding OCD: A Spectrum of Experiences

59:07 Cottage Cheese Craze: A Culinary Debate

01:04:01 Cooking Tips for Teens: Getting Adventurous in the Kitchen

01:11:03 Practical Cooking Advice: Incorporating Vegetables

01:14:28 Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavours

Its the end of the year and Mike is joined by this week's NotBaz, Laurie Knox.

Mike announces the Best and Worst Adverts of the Year, The Most Pointless Product of the Year and the best news stories of the year.

Laurie gets controversial, TWICE, and it's not even MILDLY!

In this Christmas special episode of the Mildly Controversial podcast, Mike is joined by this week's NotBaz, guest co-host Anneka Panicker. They discuss various overrated aspects of Christmas, including traditional meals, songs, and advertising. They share personal anecdotes and opinions on what makes Christmas special and the challenges of adulthood during the holiday season.

CHAPTERS

06:04 Christmas Special: Overrated Traditions

09:08 The Turkey Debate

12:04 Christmas Meal Critique

15:04 Desserts and Sweet Treats

18:01 Alternative Christmas Dinner Ideas

20:22 The Joy of Traditional Breakfasts

26:00 Favourite and Least Favourite Christmas Songs

35:31 The Struggles of Adult Christmases

37:43 The Challenge of Gift-Giving

40:04 Overrated Christmas Traditions

42:44 Christmas Movies: A Personal Touch

47:36 The John Lewis Advert Phenomenon