The Aimless Cook Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.