Proof

We take America's Test Kitchen's inquisitive and relentless approach to telling unexpected, funny, and thought-provoking narratives about food and drink. This is not a recipe show. And this is not a show about celebrity chefs or what they like to eat. Proof plunges into history, culture, science, and the psyche to uncover the hidden backstories that feed your food-obsessed brain. A production of America's Test Kitchen.

Episodes

The Legacy of America's Culinary Founding Father (Part 3: The James Hemings Story)

October 16, 2025 • 42 mins

In this three-part series, reporter Otis Gray explores the extraordinary life of James Hemings; the enslaved chef who forever changed American cuisine. Episode three investigates the mysterious final chapter of James Hemings' life, exploring the unanswered questions surrounding the death of one of America's first great chefs. We also examine his undeniable legacy and the widespread impact of his cooking on modern day American cui...

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The Bargain for Freedom (Part 2: The James Hemings Story)

October 9, 2025 • 33 mins

In this three-part series, reporter Otis Gray explores the extraordinary life of James Hemings; the enslaved chef who forever changed American cuisine. Episode two meets Hemings back at Monticello where his cooking became the backdrop to some of the most pivotal moments of Jefferson's political career and our country's history; all the while training his brother Peter in exchange for his freedom. Connect with quality therapists...

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The Man Who Commanded Jefferson's Kitchen (Part 1: The James Hemings Story)

October 2, 2025 • 38 mins

In this three-part series, reporter Otis Gray explores the extraordinary life of James Hemings; the enslaved chef who forever changed American cuisine. Episode one traces James’ early years at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, his journey to becoming the first American to train in the kitchens of Paris, and the pivotal choice that would ultimately shape his future and his freedom. Connect with quality therapists and mental health...

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America's Beef with Beef

September 4, 2025 • 53 mins

Many meat eaters might have experienced a phenomena called the meat paradox, where we acknowledge our love animals--like beef, or cow--but we...eat them. Reporter Avery Thompson faces the paradox head-on at a farm in Oklahoma. (We discuss death, animal slaughter, and other sensitive topics in this episode, so listener discretion is advised.) Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

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Has Airplane Food Actually Gotten Better?

August 28, 2025 • 36 mins

What does it take to serve a dinner in first class at 37,000 feet? And are we in a new golden age of fine dining on airplanes? Reporter Emily Siner reports. Want to channel your inner first-class diner? Check out our breakdown of different kinds of caviar here. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.rula.com/proof⁠⁠⁠ EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com/p...

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Was the Modern Gyro Invented in Chicago?

August 21, 2025 • 57 mins

When reporter Justin Barney first moved to Nashville, he kept seeing signs for "Chicago-Style Gyros." Chicago-style? What's that? And why Chicago? These questions sent him down a deep reporting rabbit hole as Justin tries to uncover the origins of this enigmatic dish. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at ⁠⁠https://www.rula.com/proof⁠⁠ EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠⁠https://nordvpn.com...

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Brewing a Revolution: The Origins of Fair Trade Coffee

August 14, 2025 • 50 mins

We often see labels that say "Fair Trade" -- particularly in the context of chocolate or coffee. But what does it actually mean for a food to be "fair trade"? Reporter Andrew Stelzer follows the people and revolutionaries who helped jumpstart fair trade coffee in the United States. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at ⁠https://www.rula.com/proof⁠ EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ ⁠https://...

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Tradwives and the Original Kitchen Influencers

August 7, 2025 • 50 mins

In 1924, a man in Iowa named Henry built a radio station so that he could sell more seeds. Then, his rival Earl also created a radio station to sell more of his seeds. This rivalry laid the groundwork for the radio homemaker movement, where women—usually the men’s wives and sisters—filled air time sharing step-by-step recipes, dispensing advice and becoming early social media influencers recording straight from their kitchens, with...

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Brand New Episodes of Proof Starting August 7th!

July 31, 2025 • 1 min

The new season of Proof is filled with food origin stories that you'll want to share at your next dinner party. We ask: What can we learn from trad wives and kitchen influencers from a century before? How do mushrooms make their journey from the hands of foragers to our dinner table? What even is a Chicago Style Gyro, and where does it come from? These are just some of the questions we dig into in Season 20 of Proof from America's ...

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As American as Pie

July 3, 2025 • 45 mins

While developing her award-winning cookbook, 50 Pies, 50 States, Stacey Mei Yan Fong was about to become a permanent American resident. As she navigated the application process, she researched, developed, and baked pies that represented all 50 states, and delivered them to recipients in each of those states. Now, Stacey will soon be eligible to apply for American citizenship. In this episode, Stacey revisits the pie recipes and rec...

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Love (and Food) Actually

June 5, 2025 • 50 mins

Proof contributor Aaron Pang wasn't sure if he'd find community and people to eat with when he arrived in Iowa to attend his creative writing program. In this episode, Aaron offers listeners a slice into his life today, and shares the mic with his ride-or-die culinary companion, Connie Chen. Make our version of Aaron and Connie's beloved "Filet-O-Fish" sandwich with our recipe for Crispy Fish Sandwiches! Get a 14-day free trial...

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Cracked Open: An Episode from the Feet in 2 Worlds Podcast

May 29, 2025 • 37 mins

Today’s story comes from The Hustle, the new podcast series from Feet in 2 Worlds about the ways immigrants navigate a changing economy — today and throughout history. In the face of oppressive working conditions and economic exploitation, thousands of predominantly Mexican American women in San Antonio took a stand against the pecan industry’s giants in 1938. Their determination and the strike’s eventual success serves as a remind...

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Return of the Ancient Brews

May 22, 2025 • 49 mins

We dig into Ireland's storied spirit, poitin, Peru's historic beverage, chicha and Uganda's traditional brew, malwa. What accounts for their staying power, and how has their popularity transcended time? Avery Thompson, Julie Carli, and Anne Kirya report. Turn this ⁠Irish Coffee⁠ into a Belfast Coffee by replacing the whiskey with poitin! Get a 14-day free trial for an America’s Test Kitchen digital subscription ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Lea...

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More Cheese Boat, Please!

May 15, 2025 • 40 mins

Proof's fact-checker sets off in search of Georgia's famed dish. Craving Georgian food now? Check out America's Test Kitchen's recipe for Adjaruli Khachapuri! Get a 14-day free trial for an America’s Test Kitchen digital subscription ⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom

May 11, 2025 • 44 mins

You may know our America's Test Kitchen colleague Sarah Ahn as the popular content creator behind the social media account, @AhnestKitchen. Sarah chronicles her mother Nam Soon's Korean recipes against the backdrop of her everyday, regular life at home. What you might not know is the backstory behind her social media account, and how it became the inspiration for her and Nam Soon's New York Times best-selling cook. Proof's Managin...

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Why Are Americans So Obsessed with Ice?

May 1, 2025 • 44 mins

Americans love ice, and it's no surprise given the food's (yes, you read that right; ice is a food) rich history and its start as an American invention. In this episode, we look at the history, science, and culture of ice and why it's such an iconic culinary item. Claudia Rosenbaum reports. If directional freezing is too much of a hassle for you, try our Reviews Team's favorite Countertop Ice-Makers! Get a 14-day free trial for ...

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Introducing: In the Test Kitchen

April 29, 2025 • 40 mins

We're excited to introduce Proof listeners to a new video podcast from America's Test Kitchen! Each episode of In the Test Kitchen is a mix of expert insights, personal anecdotes, and lively discussions with guests from the culinary world and beyond. The premiere episode features comedian Matteo Lane, who has comedy special called The Al Dente Special coming out on Hulu in May. He’s also just released a book called Your Pasta Suc...

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Can Science Brew a Better Cup of Tea?

April 24, 2025 • 36 mins

On his quest to brew the perfect cup of tea, reporter Jerome Campbell gathers insights from a tea historian and a chemist. Is loose-leaf really worth the hassle? What actually happens when you microwave tea? And can you fix a cup of tea that’s been brewed for too long? Join us in this week’s episode of Proof as we investigate tea truths and tea myths. If you are brewing your tea loose-leaf style, check out our Reviews Team's sugge...

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Why Do Meals Taste Better at Such Great Heights?

April 17, 2025 • 41 mins

Ever wonder why food tastes so much better after a long hike? Reporter Otis Gray climbs up the White Mountains in New Hampshire in search of answers at the Mizpah Hut, a lodge along the Appalachian Trail. Food Scientist Arielle Johnson makes an omniscient appearance. April 17 is the last day to vote for our miniseries '100 Proof' in the Best Limited Series categories for this year's Webby Awards! Hungry for the kind of roasted ch...

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A New Season of Proof Starts April 17!

April 10, 2025 • 1 min

How did content creator Sarah Ahn reconnect with her Korean identity through food? Why does food taste so good at the top of a mountain? Does salt really make tea taste better? We answer these questions and more on the new season of Proof from America's Test Kitchen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Proof

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}The Legacy of America's Culinary Founding Father (Part 3: The James Hemings Story)

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}The Bargain for Freedom (Part 2: The James Hemings Story)

The Man Who Commanded Jefferson's Kitchen (Part 1: The James Hemings Story)

America's Beef with Beef

Has Airplane Food Actually Gotten Better?

Was the Modern Gyro Invented in Chicago?

Brewing a Revolution: The Origins of Fair Trade Coffee

Tradwives and the Original Kitchen Influencers

Brand New Episodes of Proof Starting August 7th!

As American as Pie

Love (and Food) Actually

Cracked Open: An Episode from the Feet in 2 Worlds Podcast

Return of the Ancient Brews

More Cheese Boat, Please!

A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom

Why Are Americans So Obsessed with Ice?

Introducing: In the Test Kitchen

Can Science Brew a Better Cup of Tea?

Why Do Meals Taste Better at Such Great Heights?

A New Season of Proof Starts April 17!

Popular Podcasts

The Legacy of America's Culinary Founding Father (Part 3: The James Hemings Story)

The Bargain for Freedom (Part 2: The James Hemings Story)