Chuck Palahniuk is best known for his novel-turned-cult-classic-film Fight Club, but the prolific author has published a book nearly every year for the past two decades. His newest is called Shock Induction.

Chuck tells host Rachel Belle about the recipes fans have sent him from prison (and which he’s made!), why he can hardly look at a peach, let alone eat one, and why his mouth waters at the mere thought of a crusty, stale Hostess snack cake.

Chuck’s mom was not a great cook, but she was excellent at frosting cakes, specifically the Barbie cakes she made for her children in the 1960s and ’70s. We explore the long history of decorated doll cakes with food scholar KC Hysmith.

And, an extreme culinary creature of habit, Chuck reveals the meal he’s eaten three times a day for the past several years!

Watch Rachel’s Cascade PBS TV show The Nosh with Rachel Belle!

Follow along on Instagram!

Order Rachel’s brand new cookbook Open Sesame!

Support the show: http://rachelbelle.substack.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Leftovers, never-before-heard audio from Ken Burns, the prolific, award-winning filmmaker who has been making historical documentary films for PBS for more than 40 years.

Ken lost his mother when he was just 11 years old, a tragic event that has shaped both his personal life and career; in last week’s episode of Your Last Meal he said his mother’s death is what led him to filmmaking. She also shaped his taste in food. Ken shares his favorite dessert, one his mother made for his birthday when he was a child.

Ken shares what it’s like making films with his eldest daughter, Sarah Burns; why he’s not a big fan of Christmas; and his favorite movie theater snack.

Ken Burns' latest film, Leonardo Da Vinci, premieres on Cascade PBS in two parts on Monday, November 18 and Tuesday, November 19 at 8:00 pm, and will be available to stream with the Cascade PBS app.

Subscribe to Your Last Meal on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or YouTube.

Watch Rachel’s Cascade PBS TV show The Nosh with Rachel Belle!

Follow along on Instagram!

Order Rachel’s brand new cookbook Open Sesame!

Support the show: http://rachelbelle.substack.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past 50 years, Ken Burns has written, directed and produced historical films on a wide variety of topics, from country music and baseball to the Vietnam War and the Brooklyn Bridge.

His brand-new film investigates the life of Leonardo da Vinci who, very appropriately for this show, painted The Last Supper! So host Rachel Belle consults an Italian archaeologist about what Jesus and the 12 apostles were actually eating in the famous painting.

Over 20 years ago, Burns helped open a restaurant in his small New Hampshire town called The Restaurant at Burdick’s. He claims to be a silent partner, but his name is printed on the brunch, lunch and dinner menus! He'll explain what the Ken Salad is and how it came to be.

Many famous dishes are named after real people, from the Caesar salad to eggs Benedict. We explore the stories behind some of the most well-known eponymous foods, like Granny Smith apples and the Cobb salad.

Pre-order Rachel’s cookbook Open Sesame, out November 12, 2024!

Watch Rachel’s Cascade PBS TV show The Nosh with Rachel Belle!

Follow along on Instagram!

Get tickets to Food Fight, a culinary game show hosted by Rachel Belle!

Support the show: http://rachelbelle.substack.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.