Belly Time Food Stories is where food, memory, and culture collide. Hosted by chef and storyteller Edmund Rek, this podcast brings you personal stories from chefs, home cooks, foragers, farmers, and passionate eaters around the world.
Every dish has a backstory—from wild honey and pawpaws to sourdough starters and garlic diplomacy. Explore food obsessions, traditions, sustainable practices, and the soulful side of cooking in conversations that blend storytelling, identity, and flavor. Whether you’re a culinary professional or a curious eater, you’ll find yourself savoring each episode.
Join us as we look back on the most memorable moments, delicious discoveries, and insightful conversations from Season 1 of Belly Time Food Stories. Whether you’re a long-time listener or just joining us, this recap is the perfect way to savor the journey and get ready for what’s next!
8 Feb 2024
Blue Bird Day Coffee
Over the past two decades Rwanda has been experiencing a rebirth of their coffee industry in ways that have not been seen before in this small East African Country. By focusing on single origin specialty coffee, promoting small family farms and coffee producing cooperatives, awards are being won and the coffee world is on notice. I had a wonderful conversation with Ryan and Armel who break down in detail the special qualities of Rwandan coffee. "A “bluebird day” is a perfect kind of day, where there isn’t a cloud in the sky. The sunrise warms your face, and the clear skies warm your heart. It's the feeling we aim to bring you with every cup of our coffee." https://www.bluebirddaycoffee.ca/ ( https://www.bluebirddaycoffee.ca/)
25 May 2023
They Set a Net
Today we speak to Natasha Akiwenzie who lives in Neyaashiinigmiing, an unceded First Nation, and is a co-founder of the Bagida’waad Alliance. Chippewas of Nawash, Saugeen and other Indigenous fishing families founded an environmental not-for-profit organization to research the waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay to better understand the contributions of climate change to the decline of the once prominent Whitefish population. A large part of the organizations advocacy is to encourage youth to hear the stories from the Elders and do more active stewardship of the lands and waters. https://bagidawaad.ca/
8 Apr 2023
800 Three Year Olds
By the age of 10, Andreas knew what he wanted to do - raise happy sheep. And he and Nicole are doing exactly that on their farm in Ontario. After visiting New Zealand, where there are 5 times more sheep than people, his destiny was set. Listen to their story and how after learning through trial and error their business, and herd, continues to grow, feed and nurture their customers. https://www.buschbeckfarms.ca/
2 Apr 2023
Top Cook
Carl Heinrich, the chef-owner of Richmond Station in Toronto, is a man deeply in love. His immense passion for cooking was nurtured in his childhood while cooking for his siblings, which eventually led him to work with the renowned French Chef Daniel Boulud, and ultimately winning the prestigious Top Chef Canada competition in 2012. (Though he refers to as “Top Cook”) Apart from his love for cooking, Carl has also developed a deep admiration for Brent and Gillian of the New Farm and their way of life. His fondness for farmers has grown so strong that he has kinda become one. Along with Carl’s commitment to regenerative agriculture, which is a sustainable approach to farming that focuses on soil health and biodiversity, his down-to-earth and humble personality sets him further apart from other chefs. Listening to Carl speak will make you appreciate his passion for cooking, farming and finding a “Top Cook” in all of us. https://richmondstation.ca/ https://thenewfarm.ca/
30 Mar 2023
For the Love of Garlic
So common and yet so misunderstood - I cannot think of a more polarizing food. Now, bread I can understand. Believe, or not people have coveted their grandmother's sourdough starter and have kept it going for decades. And the tradition of waiting for the dough to rise, and the hearth to heat up, it is all very poetic. But after speaking to Daniel of the Cutting Veg Farm and founder of The Global Garlic Project, I think garlic deserves a spot near the top of the list of most influential foods. Don't take my word for it. Listen to Daniel tell his story about how garlic's tasty and magical powers can humbly connect people from all over the globe. https://www.thecuttingveg.com/garlic-recipes/
17 Mar 2023
Where the Wild Things Grow
This week we speak to Seth from Forbes Wild Foods who tells us everything we ever wanted to know about maple syrup and how his happiest place is in the woods, or at a farmers market.
24 Feb 2023
The Unbearable Lightness of Beekeeping
Every question about bees, pollination, or how honey is made it will be answered in this episode thanks to John and his family from Bees Universe. We have a lovely chat, at his kitchen table, where he reminisces about bear attacks and how he is still marveled by - and inspired to - live a sweet life within the community his bees. https://www.beesuniverse.com/
24 Feb 2023
A Garden of Inches
I am a big fan of watching movies. One of the best motivation pep talks given by a football coach is by Al Pacino in the movie "Any Given Sunday". In this episode, Shannon, an urban gardener and educator from Montreal, channels her inner Pacino and inspires us to enjoy the intrinsic benefits of planting a garden, even in the city.
20 Feb 2023
The Pope of American Cuisine
A recent winner of James Beard's Lifetime Achievement and known as the Pope of American Cuisine, Patrick O' Connel's jewel of a restaurant (in Little Washington, Virginia) has been satisfying diners since 1978. Listen to his story in this episode, as we read the introduction from his first cookbook, The Inn At Little Washington - A Consuming Passion.
17 Dec 2022
Sabrina Sells Seafood by the Lakeshore
Sabrina doesn't hold back any punches when fighting for sustainable seafood. She explains how fresh frozen is not an oxymoron and how smoked trout is the new bacon. https://www.fisherfolk.ca/
13 Dec 2022
Barefoot in a Mango Tree
Urban Farmers Katie Ann and Alvis, reminisce about their childhoods and favorite foods from back home and how it influences their food identity and what they choose grow. https://deeperrootsfarms.com/
30 Nov 2022
People Want Bread
Listen to Carole, from MotherDough Bakery, describe her incredible story of how using a simple bus kitchen and a stone mill she tells a complex story of food sovereignty and why bread matters.
11 Nov 2022
Origins of Oysters Rockefeller
We read excerpts from a cookbook from New Orleans’ very own Antoine's Restaurant. Published in 1975, we learn about the 5 generations who have owned and operated Antoines, the restaurant’s history and culinary influences from France. Not to mention the author's great grandfather created the recipe for Oysters Rockefeller on a whim when snails weren’t available.
6 Nov 2022
The Last Paw Paw of the Season
Today we speak with Paul from Toronto who has a Paw Paw obsession going on for 30 years. He has gone so far as to hand pollinate it's flowers, to climbing onto the roof of his house just get a taste of North America's only native tropical fruit.
5 Nov 2022
Belly Time Food Stories (Trailer)
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5.0 / 5
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
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