olive magazine podcast: meet the experts

Maunika Gowardhan – how to perfect Indian cooking

Maunika chats about her fascinating journey to a career in food writing and shares some of the secrets she’s learnt along the way. We find out why cooking onions properly is the Holy Grail of Indian cookery, how to balance dishes with different souring agents and why you don’t need cream to add richness to a dish.

Genevieve Taylor – raising your BBQ game

Gen is a cook, author and expert in cooking over fire and talks about budget and blowout equipment, correct technique, the best fuel to use and some really inventive ways to cook with veggies this summer, including a brilliant BBQ carrot salad.

Matt Hill from Cobble Lane Cured – a deep-dive into British charcuterie

Matt Hill, co-founder of British charcuterie specialist Cobble Lane Cured, talks about curing meat, covering his career in butchery, why ’nduja is the ultimate zero-waste ingredient (make your own ‘nduja with our recipe), and some tips on making, buying and storing salami.

Shivi Ramoutar – how your freezer can revolutionise your life

Shivi has written a new book, The Ice Kitchen, which aims to show you how to use your freezer to revolutionise your cooking and eating habits. Here, she talks about freezing as a way to make the most of seasonality and avoid waste and why everyone needs a freezer filing system.

Lucy Hall, editor of Gardeners' World – how to make the most of your kitchen garden

Lucy returns to the podcast to share her tips on making the most of your kitchen garden during lockdown. She talks about how you can grow in any size space, even if you only have window boxes or pots and gives some great hacks, including how to keep supermarket growing herbs alive and sustainable pest control without using damaging chemicals.

Romy Gill – cooking vegan and the growth of regional Indian food in the UK

British-Indian chef and Ready Steady Cook star, Romy Gill talks to us about how Indian food and veganism are natural partners.

Gennaro Contaldo – a masterclass in pasta making

You might not be able to visit Italy, but chef Gennaro Contaldo invited us to his East London home for a lesson in pasta making, plus he indulges us in some armchair escapism with his guide to the Amalfi Coast.

Lucy Hall from Gardeners’ World – how to enjoy your garden all year round

Spending lots of time in your garden? Learn how to look after it through the seasons with tips for pruning, planting and protecting garden wildlife.

Josh Niland – fish butchery and how it will change the way we eat

Get a lesson in sustainability with chef Josh Niland as he talks to us about the unusual subject of fish butchery. You'll also find out why his book may change the way we consume fish completely on its head.

Elizabeth Haigh – Singaporean food and drink

Travel to Singapore from your sofa with chef Elizabeth Haigh's stories and find out what inspired her to join the world of food in the first place.

US food writer Alison Roman – fuss-free food

Want to become a viral recipe sensation? American food writer, Alison Roman tells us about how she became an internationally acclaimed recipe writer and cookbook author, plus how to achieve her lo-fi cooking style yourself at home.

James Whetlor – why we should all be eating more goat

Escape to a farm via your earphones as James Whetlor talks to us about the goat world, and why we should all be eating more of this ethical meat. Try making goat ragu with our easy recipe.

Bob Curbishley – expert guide to vinegar and why it’s such a storecupboard star

Thought you knew your balsamic from your red wine in the world of vinegar? Think again! Bob Curbishley, product specialist at Belazu talks to us about the varieties of vinegar and new ideas for how to use them.

Author Niki Segnit – the secrets behind her success (and why lardy cakes are good for you!)

Making your way through your stack of cookbooks? Find out why The Flavour Thesaurus and Lateral Cooking should be top of your list as author Niki Segnit shares the secrets behind her success.

Josh Katz – perfecting your BBQ skills

BBQ-ing at home this spring? Chef Josh Katz shares his tips for cooking meat and veggies on the grill, including his legendary cauliflower shawarma recipe which you can try for yourself here.