For The Culture

For The Culture

For the Culture is a podcast about how food shapes us - and how we shape food. Hosted by food writer Jess Ho, this six-part series explores how migration, memory, and the politics of the plate invite us to rethink what “Australian food” really is. Each episode questions the myth of authenticity and other fictions we feast on. Part cultural critique, part history lesson, and part food tour, the series brings together voices challenging how we see and taste food - asking how they’re doing it "For the Culture."

Episodes

Bad Taste: A podcast about who we are through the foods we eat

May 10, 2022 • 4 mins
Everybody eats, but who gets to define what good food is? Join food writer Jess Ho on a journey through their pantry to dissect how Australian palates came to be. Meet expert eaters, farmers, researchers and chefs fighting to have their voice recognised - through the ingredients they champion, the aisles they stock, the prices they charge and the people they hire. People who dare to think differently and are all curious about the s...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Bad Taste: Spam: yuck or yum?

May 17, 2022 • 30 mins
People either love or hate Spam, but its popularity is undeniable. Find out why it is in such high demand in this episode of Bad Taste.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Bad Taste: Will native grains be key to saving Australia’s water?

May 24, 2022 • 35 mins
Farmers have grown grain in Australia on a commercial scale for years, but none of it is indigenous to our country. We talk to industry experts Bruce Pascoe and Jacob Birch about the potential of native grain crops and the impact they can have on Australia.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Bad Taste: That fabulous funk: The story of Kimchi

May 31, 2022 • 30 mins
Fermented food is a growing industry thanks to wellness warriors and celebrity chefs, but is what you’re eating actually anything like the real thing?
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Bad Taste: What is East African lasagne?

June 7, 2022 • 20 mins
When we think of colonisation and its impact on cuisine, Italy invading Africa probably doesn’t come to mind first. In this episode of Bad Taste we unpack the messy history of a dish that's much-loved by the East African diaspora.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Bad Taste: How much should bánh mì cost?

June 14, 2022 • 21 mins
Everyone loves bánh mì because they’re cheap and satisfying, but have you ever thought about what the human cost is in keeping the price so low?
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Bad Taste - Instant noodles: junk food or delicacy?

June 21, 2022 • 24 mins
Instant noodles are notoriously easy on the wallet and simple to prepare. But why is this affordable staple turning into a luxury item?
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Introducing For The Culture with Jess Ho

March 11, 2026 • 3 mins
What does 'Australian food' really mean - and who gets to define it? For the Culture host and foof writer Jess Ho introduces this six-part podcast series exploring migration, memory, and the stories behind what we eat.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Fusion or Regional Expression?

March 18, 2026 • 31 mins
Jess Ho investigates the myth of authenticity and takes a look at what Cantonese food is in the diaspora. They visit renowned Melbourne restaurant Flower Drum to eat pearl meat and explore how migration affects a regional cuisine. In conversation with New York food writer Francis Lam, Jess asks 'When does regional expression become fusion?' and in this context, ‘What IS the food of my people?’
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Not Mauritian Enough?

March 25, 2026 • 28 mins
Jess Ho sits down with Mauritian-Australian chef Nagesh Seethiah to unpack the tension between cultural expectation and creative expression in food. Through his hatted restaurant Manzé, Seethiah has created a space that reflects his vision of culture, community and care. But what happens when your food doesn’t meet the expectations of the community it comes from? Why are some cuisines given more freedom to evolve than others?
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Redefining Filipino Cuisine

April 1, 2026 • 32 mins
Award-winning chef John Rivera has long reimagined Filipino cuisine through a fine-dining lens, yet it’s ube that has become an unexpected global sensation. In this episode, Rivera joins Jess Ho to unpack how one ingredient came to symbolise an entire culture in the West, and what that kind of spotlight means for Filipino chefs navigating visibility, identity and the ongoing push for recognition in Australia.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Who Gets To Experiment?

April 8, 2026 • 28 mins
Australia is full of white chefs who often receive critical acclaim for cooking cuisines they have no personal connection to, while migrant chefs are expected to stay in their lane. Why do some chefs get the creative freedom to experiment while others are seen as gatekeepers of tradition? Who is allowed to play and innovate? Jess Ho chats with chef Eun Hee An, owner of Moon Mart, to examine the structural barriers that limit who ge...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Balancing Acts

April 15, 2026 • 32 mins
After years of cooking in some of the world’s most celebrated kitchens chef Lorcán Kan is intimately aware of the predominantly white audiences they serve. As the head chef of Etta, Kan weaves Malaysian flavours into a Melbourne institution, balancing culture with approachability. How much can you challenge your diners without alienating them? Where’s the line? Kan joins Jess Ho to reflect on what it means to cook for an audience t...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Food Without Borders

April 22, 2026 • 31 mins
Jess Ho gets lost - metaphorically and literally - while exploring Indian cuisine with chef Helly Raichura. After leaving her successful corporate career, Raichura began cooking for people in her home, on a mission to raise awareness of what Indian cuisine is and reimagine what it can be. Through storytelling, history and cooking her work create ties between Indian and Australian cuisine. And in our fast-paced, commercialised, and ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Hey Jonas!

    Hey Jonas!

    Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Wearables

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices