The Aimless Cook Podcast

In this episode, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of my favourite food movies of all time - Tampopo. Thanks for listening!Follow me on Instagram: @theaimlesscookTikTok: @ricedaddyeatsor email me: @theaimlesscook@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast, I am talking about the history of the iconic Canadian restaurant, Edo Japan. This Japanese-inspired fast casual restaurant was founded in 1979 in Calgary by a Buddhist Minister. Learn all about the origins and history of this popular food court institution, its evolution, and the history of teppanyaki cooking in North America. Thanks for listening!Follow me on Instagram @theaimlesscookTiktok @ricedaddyeatsEmail: theaimlesscook@gmail.comPlease send me all your comments, stories, suggestions, or just say hello!Peace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's been a minute. Sorry for the long hiatus, but I'm back!Today, let's catch up on what's been happening.My new work.Sandwiches.Places I've been eating.Rosie's Burgers BridgelandPerfect Meat BowlCal's Noodle HutOrijins sneak peekKin Dee Street KitchenThanks for listening. I've missed you so much.If you wanna watch the videos for all these spots, follow me on Instagram @theaimlesscook or on TikTok @ricedaddyeatsPeace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we explore and debunk the subject of "White People Food" by looking at the origins, perceptions, and histories of the different factors that form its foundations. We'll talk about:The concept of race.Factors that may have contributed to building the stereotype of "white people food"The Norwegian cultural tradition of MatpakkeThe Chinese social media phenomenon of "Bai Ren Fan" (white people food)Links:Kraft Cranberry Crimson Mold Recipe: https://youtu.be/ONoDHL7vzQw?si=rNfkiDPJayIVANNZYou Way 2 Norway Matpakke video: https://youtu.be/JlNmeVK_zLg?si=scU08MnX-YksRzaVThanks for listening! Please rate, review and share if you like this podcast. Follow me on Instagram: @theaimlesscookPeace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I am continuing our Canadian food feature by looking at some of our favourite Canadian snacks and treats. We will talk about the history of popular snacks like:Hawkin's CheeziesHickory SticksKetchup ChipsPizza Pops, a Winnipeg invention.Coffee Crisp Eat-MoreBig TurkLucky Elephant PopcornJos LouisSo sit back and listen as I unwrap the stories behind our favourite Canadian snacks and treats.Please rate and review if you like this show. Share with your friends. Thanks for listening!You can message me at: @theaimlesscook on Instagram or on Facebook.Peace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I talk about 3 Canadian fast-food brands and their histories, the nostalgia behind these brands, and I ask what it means to be Canadian in this day and age. Also, what happened to Tim Hortons?Please rate and share. Thanks for listening!DM me @theaimlesscook on Instagram for episode suggestions, stories, comments, or just to say hello!Peace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we talk about the most beloved of Asian ingredients...Spam. On this episode:a brief history of Hormel's innovative pork and ham product that was introduced in 1937Spam's growing popularity and it's rise to worldwide fameSpam in Asia and the iconic dishes that were born from post-war necessityThe story of Barb Funamura and the invention of Spam MusubiThanks for listening! Please rate, review, and share.Follow The Aimless Cook on Instagram: @theaimlesscookPeace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I talk about Struggle Food. We often think about it as that starving college student food, but it's so much more. I talk about how a lot of our favourite dishes and even cuisines came from struggle. Thanks for listening!Please rate, review, and share.Follow The Aimless Cook on Instagram: @theaimlesscook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Freestyle Friday, I talk about Bastion Burger, Influencers, and the eye-opening experience of being thrust into a brand new social media platform after hearing about what Americans are seeing on the Chinese platform, Rednote (Xiaohongshu). Join me and thanks for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big thanks to my special guest, Alice Lam from Friends Of Chinatown YYC. I will include all her socials on the show notes.Instagram: @friendsofchinatownyychttp://www.friendsofchinatownyyc.orgCalgary Chinatown Context Paperhttps://www.calgary.ca/content/dam/www/pda/pd/documents/current-studies-and-ongoing-activities/tomorrows-chinatown/chinatown-context-paper.pdfInteractive Chinatown Maphttps://calgary.reflective-urbanisms.com/And if you still haven’t been to a Chinese New Year Celebration here in this wonderful city, 2025 is your year. You are gonna have an amazing time.So that’s it from me. Be kind to one another because we’re all we got. Stay Hungry and I’ll see you on the next one.Peace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re diving into the fascinating world of food trends: Why they pop up, how they shape what we eat, and what they tell us about the world around us. We’ll explore how food trends influence culture, health, economy, and sustainability—and why they matter. Also, our long overdue Calgary small business shout-out of the week. Thanks for listening!Links:The Aimless Cook Podcast (Jay) IG @theaimlesscookRice Daddy Eats (my Tiktok) @ricedaddyeatsDay With Mei IG @daywithmei - tinned fish reviews and recipesGood Vibes Cooking IG @good.vibes.cooking - tinned fish recipesBastion Burger IG @bastionburger - 501 17 Ave SW (inside Pinbar)YouTube:Great Depression Cooking With Clarahttps://www.youtube.com/@YouTubes_Original_GrandmaAgain, thanks for watching. Please rate, review, and share! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SummaryThis podcast episode explores the powerful connection between food and nostalgia. I talk about the cultural phenomenon of KFC becoming a Christmas tradition in Japan, illustrating how marketing can shape food-related memories and create new traditions. Then, I examines the science of food nostalgia, explaining its multisensory nature and its impact on mood, identity, and well-being. Finally, the episode explores food nostalgia's portrayal in movies and cooking shows, from classic films like Tampopo to contemporary YouTube personalities, highlighting the enduring role of food in shaping personal and cultural identities.Thanks for listening!Please rate and share this show if you like it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chef Erin Boukall and I had the opportunity to share a meal with Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. It was a good chance to get to know someone we often see behind a podium, or as the subject of some article or another praising or criticizing her work. Whatever the case, I know that being the Mayor of a growing city with as many complexities as Calgary can’t be easy. That being said, I wanted to ask questions about the strategies that are currently in place and give Mayor Gondek a chance to talk about them in a space where her ideas can convey a fair and balanced perspective. Special thanks to:Mayor Jyoti Gondek @jyotigondekChef Erin Boukall @culinarycalgaryChef Darcy Lane @cookcanadaChef Deepak Singh Kalsi @deepaksdhaba Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi everyone! Sorry for the hiatus, but I’m back with a brand new episode about the Calgary Stampede food. This is a recap of the dishes I got to try during my first year as a judge for the Best Midways Foods. I’ll go over the top 5 best dishes, the bottom 5 dishes, as well as talk about your thoughts from your comments on social media during the duration of the Stampede. Enjoy!Shout outs to:Shabina from Wandering In YYC@wanderinginyycSarah Hovind@sarah.sociablesChanry Thach@chanrythachCarmen Cheng from Food Karma Blog@foodkarmablog Check out the substack for all the pictures of the dishes:https://linktr.ee/theaimlesscookThank you for listening. Please rate, review and share with your friends!Peace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode:Eats of Asia is back for more pop-ups.A look at future interviews.ELYMI opening and the buffet people we hate.I read one of the most horrific AHS inspection reports from a recently closed Calgary restaurant and talked about basic expectations of Alberta’s Food Regulation.Thanks for listening. Rate, review, and share with your friends if you love this show. Be kind to one another.DM me at @theaimlesscook on Instagram or email jay@theaimlesscookpodcast.comPeace,J Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Aimless Cook Podcast, special guest, Chef Erin Boukall talks about her career as a high school foods teacher. Chef Boukall shares her experiences as she moved through the stages of her time as a goldsmith, culinary student, and educator and how these facets have helped her in her work today. Chef Boukall is also a food stylist, writer, and creator of the popular blog, Culinary Calgary.Chef Erin Boukall on Instagram: @culinarycalgarywww.culinarycalgary.comThanks for listening! Be sure to rate, review, and share with your friends. Music: Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/oakvale-of-albion/block-partyLicense code: UFIHSI1TIFZLJUFX Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Aimless Cook Podcast:The Eats Of Asia countdown is onGoing back to schoolBest toppings for a bowl of riceThe Chili Crunch Backlash and Momofuku's official responseYYC Asian lunch specialsTrue World Foods @trueworldfoodscalgary6a Snack Bar @6a.snackbar.yycFat Kee Noodle House 3132 26 St NELink to the podcast with David Chang and Momofuku CEO Marguerite Mariscal: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-dave-chang-show/id1375877915?i=1000652284807https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/momofuku-chili-crunch-controversy-original-spicy-oil-rcna147284Thank you for listening. If you like the show, please rate, review, and subscribe! Buy our merch! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Freestyle Friday:The return of Eats of AsiaOur favourite Calgary Mom-and-Pop restaurantsA visit to Mogouyan Hand-Pulled NoodleThanks for listening! If you love this show, please rate, review, and share with your friends!Peace! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Chef Jay talks about the history of instant ramen from its development and introduction to the world by its inventor, Momofuku Ando. Jay also talks about how his legacy changed the culinary landscape forever and launched a multi-billion-dollar industry. Listen to how countries worldwide enjoy instant noodles and a few recipes while you’re here. Enjoy the show!If you love the show, please rate, review, and share with your friends! Thanks for listening.https://www.vox.com/2015/3/5/8150929/momofuku-ando-ramen-instant-noodleshttps://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/momofuku-andohttps://www.biography.com/inventor/momofuku-andohttps://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/osaka_ikeda/attractions/chronicle/https://www.britannica.com/story/how-was-instant-ramen-inventedhttps://myfoodjobrocks.com/innovation-in-hindsight/https://www.reddit.com/r/InstantRamen/comments/13j86o2/recreating_momofuku_andos_original_nissin_instant/?rdt=64533https://www.cupnoodles-museum.jp/en/yokohama/attractions/history/https://www.vox.com/2015/3/5/8150929/momofuku-ando-ramen-instant-noodleshttps://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/15371q7/til_momofuku_ando_the_inventor_of_insta_ramen/“L.A. Son: My Life, My City, My Food” by Roy ChoiInstant Version Dandan NoodlesSapporo Ichiban Commercial: TabiEats visit 24-hour instant ramen self-serve restaurantMusic:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/birdsLicense code: NYG8VGWYAHUXCQNIMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/pecan-pie/vlog-kingLicense code: SYJQZDQD8AAM6FGF Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week’s edition of Freestyle Friday, Jay talks about:work/life balanceMama’s Rice Roll ReviewHyper-regional Western-style Chinese dishesApril Events“Struggle Food”Listener MailMitzi’s Closing: https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/video/c2889559-end-of-an-era-for-winnipeg-restaurantTokyo Chopsticks Private Chef Series. DM Chef Keisuke if you would like to book a special dinner in April. Instagram: @tokyochopsticksyycBrown Bagging For Calgary Kids: http://www.bb4ck.orgFilipino Restaurant Month: Avenue Magazine CalgaryThanks again for listening. If you love the show, please rate, review, and share with your friends!This show was created, written, and hosted by Jay del Corro and hosted on Acast.Support us by donating, or buying merch from the shop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.