Eating History
Every bite has a backstory. Welcome to Eating History, the podcast that serves up the wild, scandalous, and mouth-watering tales behind the foods that changed the world. Join Michelin-starred chef and Top Chef runner-up Adrienne Cheatham and her husband, history buff Stephen Bailey, as they pair elite culinary expertise with epic historical deep-dives. For Season 1, we’re slicing into the ultimate global obsession: Pizza. Discover how a dirt-cheap street food from the back alleys of Naples conquered the globe, sparked endless fiery debates, and built a multi-billion-dollar empire. Along the way, you’ll cross paths with emperors, immigrants, hustlers, chefs, and...
Pizza Bites: America’s Favorite Pizza Topping Isn’t Italian
In the second Pizza Bite from Eating History, Adrienne and Stephen tackle America’s undisputed favorite pizza topping: pepperoni. From the surprising reality of ordering "peperoni" in Italy to its mysterious origins in early 20th-century New York, they explore how an Italian-American community creation transformed into a national culinary staple.
In this episode:
Why ordering a "pepperoni" pizza in Naples will get you a pie covered in bell peppers
The 1919 debut of the word and its evolution from Southern Italian cured meat traditions
The culinary science behind why pepperoni’s high fat...
Pizza Bites: The World’s Most Controversial Pizza Was Invented in Canada
Welcome to the first installment of Pizza Bites, a new series from Eating History featuring short stories from the evolution of pizza. This week, Adrienne and Stephen tackle one of the culinary world's most polarizing debates: pineapple on pizza. From an international controversy involving Iceland’s proposed ban to its true origins in Canada, they explore how a 1960s experiment by a Greek immigrant sparked a global phenomenon.
In this episode:
The international pineapple-on-pizza controversy, from Iceland to Canada
How Greek immigrant Sam Panopoulos invented this variety at the Satellite Restaurant
Th...
Episode 8: Pizza Forever: The Future of Pizza on Earth and Beyond
In episode eight of Eating History, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey look ahead to the future of pizza while asking one final question: what is pizza now? After tracing its journey from the streets of Naples to every corner of the globe, they explore how technology, sustainability, and changing ideas about authenticity are shaping the next chapter of one of the world’s most beloved foods.
Topics Covered:
What pizza means in the modern world
The debate between authenticity and “authentic-ish” pizza
Ghost kitchens and delivery-only pizza brands
Automa...
Episode 7: The Gourmet Pizza Revolution
In episode seven of Eating History, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey explore the gourmet pizza revolution that transformed pizza from an everyday meal into a culinary canvas. From Beverly Hills restaurants to neighborhood pizzerias, they trace how innovative chefs, changing tastes, and new technologies challenged traditional ideas about what pizza could be.
Topics Covered:
How Wolfgang Puck and Ed LaDou launched the California pizza movement at Spago
The rise of California Pizza Kitchen and the national spread of gourmet pizza
The debate between tradition and innovation
Chris Bianco...
Episode 6: The Great Italian Pizza Migration: From Naples Street Food to Italy's National Dish
In episode six of Eating History, Adrienne and Stephen follow pizza on an unexpected journey back home. After conquering America and much of the world, pizza returned to Italy transformed, forcing Italians to reconsider a food that had once been a regional specialty. Along the way, they explore how migration, globalization, and cultural exchange helped turn pizza into a true international phenomenon.
Topics Covered:
The spread of pizza beyond Naples and across Italy
Luigi Giordano and the first modern pizzeria in northern Italy
How southern Italian migration reshaped Italy's pizza culture<...
Episode 5: The Pizza Franchise Wars
In episode five of Eating History, Adrienne and Stephen explore the battle that changed pizza forever. What happens when a beloved local food becomes a national business? From a small pizza shop founded by two brothers in Kansas to the rise of massive restaurant chains, this episode examines how franchising transformed pizza from a regional specialty into one of the world's most recognizable foods.
Topics Covered:
The founding stories of Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and more
How franchising revolutionized the pizza business
The shift from regional pizza traditions to standardized products
...Episode 4: Pizza Goes Deep: Chicago and Detroit Styles Are Born
In episode four of Eating History, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey dive into one of pizza’s greatest debates: how did America’s regional pizza styles emerge, and why do people defend them so fiercely? From wartime Chicago to the factories of Detroit, they explore the innovators who transformed pizza from an immigrant tradition into a distinctly American phenomenon.
Topics Covered:
The origins of Chicago deep dish pizza
The partnership that launched Pizzeria Uno
How deep dish challenged conventional ideas of what pizza could be
The key differences betw...
Episode 3: Pizza on the Move: New York Style Is Born
In episode three of Eating History, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey follow pizza across the Atlantic as it makes its way from the streets of Naples to the immigrant neighborhoods of New York City. Discover how pioneers like Gennaro Lombardi helped transform pizza from a quick street snack into a sit-down dining experience, setting the stage for America's pizza obsession.
Topics Covered:
Gennaro Lombardi and the birth of New York's early pizzerias
The surprising ingredient differences between Italy and the United States
Pizza's evolution in New Haven, Buenos Aires, São...
Episode 2: When Power Takes a Bite: The Birth of Margherita Pizza
In episode two of Eating History, hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey continue the saga of Pizza’s origins. Discover the intriguing story of how pizza evolved from a simple Neapolitan street food to a symbol of Italian identity. Was it truly a royal favorite, or just a clever marketing tale?
Topics Covered:
The legendary story of Queen ’s pizza
Pizza as a symbol of Italian pride
The iconic tomato, mozzarella, and basil combo
How migration spread pizza globally
Perfect for food enthusiasts and history lovers, this episo...
Episode 1: Pizza Before It Was Pizza
Join us on episode one of Eating History as we explore the fascinating origins of pizza. Hosts Adrienne Cheatham and Stephen Bailey start at the very beginning. Discover how this beloved dish evolved from ancient flatbreads to a global icon.
Topics Covered:
The beginnings of flatbread in ancient Persia Pizza's evolution through Roman and Middle Eastern cultures The introduction of tomatoes to Europe and their impact Stories of early pizza vendors in Naples How a royal decree helped popularize pizza worldwidePerfect for food lovers and history enthusiasts alike, this episode uncovers the rich history...
Introducing: Eating History Season 1, Pizza
Every bite has a backstory. Welcome to Eating History, the podcast that serves up the wild, scandalous, and mouth-watering tales behind the foods that changed the world.
Join Michelin-starred chef and Top Chef runner-up Adrienne Cheatham and her husband, history buff Stephen Bailey, as they pair elite culinary expertise with epic historical deep-dives.
For Season 1, we’re slicing into the ultimate global obsession: Pizza. Discover how a dirt-cheap street food from the back alleys of Naples conquered the globe, sparked endless fiery debates, and built a multi-billion-dollar empire. Along the way, you’ll cross paths with...
