The Food Chain

BBC World Service
  • 5.0 (6)
  • FOOD
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    How to eat well in the cold

    How do you eat well in freezing the cold? When you live in some of the coldest places on earth, what you eat, and how much, really matters. Ruth Alexander hears advice from a scientist, who goes on expeditions to study the body’s reaction to sub-zero temperatures, and talks to people living in the Arctic circle. What do they cook, and what is their favourite food and drink to keep them warm in the winter? She hears how they find fresh ingredients when all around the ground is frozen – and how freezing temperatures can spark culinary creativity. Producer: Julia Paul and Lexy O'Connor Sound engineer: Hal Haines If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected]

    26 min

  2. 27 NOV

    To tip or not to tip?

    Ruth Alexander explores the art and etiquette of tipping and how it varies around the world. She hears from staff and customers in countries where tipping is essential and in places where it can be taken as an insult. Ruth also talks to servers and bartenders about what your gratuity means to them and how tipping can sometimes bring out the best and worst in their customers. Producer: Lexy O’Connor and Rumella Dasgupta Sound mixing: Hal Haines Image: A jar full of coins and notes has the word “tips” written on it. It floats on a red background. Credit: Nikola Stojadinovic / Getty

    26 min
  3. The servers: The highs and lows of waiting on tables

    20 NOV

    The servers: The highs and lows of waiting on tables

    What are the highs and lows of waiting on tables? Ruth Alexander speaks to restaurateurs from London, New York and Mumbai to find out about the inner workings of one of the hardest jobs in the business. Ruth hears from French celebrity Maitre D, Fred Siriex, Mumbai based restaurateur Gauri Devidayal and Michael Cecchi-Azzolina, the New York based author of Your Table Is Ready. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected] Image: The torso of a waitress, carrying two plates of food, against a purple background. Credit: Maria Korneeva/Getty Images)

    26 min
  4. Food by drones?

    13 NOV

    Food by drones?

    From pizza delivery to emergency aid, are autonomous aircraft the future? Ruth Alexander looks into whether drones are a feasible alternative to delivery drivers and traditional air drops. We hear how fast food and groceries are being delivered into suburban back gardens in Helsinki and Dublin and to a waterside collection point in Hong Kong. Is this technology something we might see everywhere soon? Ruth looks at its advantages and limitations and finds out how drones are carrying essential food to remote communities in Madagascar. Taking part were Danny Vincent, BBC Hong Kong reporter, Ville Lepalä, the CEO and co-founder of Huuva foodhall, Bobby Healy, the CEO of Manna Aero, Santanu Chakraborty, chief executive officer of Bal Raksha Bharat – Save the Children India and Hedley Tah from the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service, which is run by the World Food programme. Produced by Rumella Dasgupta. Image: A drone is flying against a stylised blue sky background. It is holding a white box which says Food Delivery on it in black letters. (Credit Getty Images/ sarawuth702)

    31 min
  5. Turmeric: The golden spice

    6 NOV

    Turmeric: The golden spice

    Turmeric has been revered for thousands of years, not just for its mellow taste but for its golden colour and its supposed health giving properties. Rumella Dasgupta looks at its history, its uses in food and medicine and talks to scientists who have studied the spice. She finds out what they've learned about its fabled medicinal qualities and whether it's really worth paying for expensive turmeric lattes and turmeric supplements. Featuring Dr Kathryn Nelson, Prof Amit Garg, Ragini Kayshap and Seema and Sarla Nagpaul. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email [email protected] Producer: Lexy O'Connor Sound mix by Annie Gardiner (Image: a teaspoon of golden turmeric powder sits on a spoon, against a bright green background. Credit: G/ Getty Simonkr)

    26 min
  6. The chefs

    30 OCT

    The chefs

    You've got to be full of passion to make it as a top chef. It's a highly skilled and physically demanding job that comes with long hours. Ruth Alexander talks to three celebrated and talented chefs from three different continents about the highs and lows of their careers. They tell Ruth why they love the job so much and whether chef culture has changed in the years they've been working in kitchens. Featuring May Chow, Chantel Dartnall and Sean Kenworthy. If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected] Image: A chef in a white jacket sharpens a big knife in a professional kitchen. Credit: Getty images / Fertnig.

    26 min
  7. The coffee habit: Why do we love it so much?

    22 OCT

    The coffee habit: Why do we love it so much?

    For millions of us around the world, the day hasn't begun until we've had our first cup of coffee. Ruth Alexander traces our love affair with coffee back through history, to the wilds of Ethiopia where it was first discovered. She experiences some of the ancient traditions built around coffee which still endure today and asks why this bitter drink has always had such a hold over us. And does it matter if we enjoy a coffee or three every day? Ruth finds out what's it doing to our brains and bodies, and whether we really need to worry about kicking this ancient habit. Produced by Lexy O'Connor If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected] Image: Three roasted coffee beans float on a light green background. Credit: Getty/Jose A. Bernat Bacete

    28 min
  8. The power of pepper

    15 OCT

    The power of pepper

    Pepper is ubiquitous at the dining table, but arguably most of us don’t know much about it. In this programme John Laurenson finds out about the pepper plant – how it is grown and harvested and the range of flavours it can offer. He learns about the history of this spice and why it was once so revered, and the ways in which you can use it today to make your food not just tastier, but also healthier. If you’d like to contact the programme you can email [email protected]. Produced and presented by John Laurenson. Image: a cartoon wooden pepper mill with specks of ground pepper coming out of it, floats on a blue background. (Credit: Getty/yurumarukko)

    26 min
See All (520)

Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Food Chain examines the business, science and cultural significance of food, and what it takes to put food on your plate.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC World Service
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2025
  • Episodes
    520
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    The Food Chain

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