Welcome to the award winning Comfortably Hungry podcast where yesterday’s dinner is tomorrow’s history. If you’re a peckish person who is curious about the history of food and drink, then you’re in the right place. I’m Sam Bilton a food historian, writer and cook and each season I will be joined by some hungry guests to discuss a variety topics centred around a specific theme. As a former supper club host I’m always intrigued to know what people like to eat. So to whet everyone’s appetites I have invited my guests to contribute a virtual dish with them inspired by today’s topic. <br/><br/><a href="https://comfortablyhungry.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">comfortablyhungry.substack.com</a>
Comfortably Hungry
Claim This Podcastby Sam Bilton
5.0(1 reviews)
65 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇬🇧
47
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality49
Social94
YouTube0
Engagement68
Podcast Overview
Welcome to the award winning Comfortably Hungry podcast where yesterday’s dinner is tomorrow’s history. If you’re a peckish person who is curious about the history of food and drink, then you’re in the right place. I’m Sam Bilton a food historian, writer and cook and each season I will be joined by some hungry guests to discuss a variety topics centred around a specific theme. As a former supper club host I’m always intrigued to know what people like to eat. So to whet everyone’s appetites I have invited my guests to contribute a virtual dish with them inspired by today’s topic. <br/><br/><a href="https://comfortablyhungry.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">comfortablyhungry.substack.com</a>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/31/2022
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47
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
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Social94
YouTube0
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45 episodes over 2.9 years
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Recent Episodes
June 11, 2026
S4E14: Gujarat's Stepwells
<p>In the last episode of Season 4 (sad but true) we plunge deep into the ‘underworld’, figuratively speaking, in our final quest for fresh water.</p><p>I chat to Niyati Kukadia about Gujarat’s ancient vavs, or stepwells, once vital for supplying drinking water to communities in one of India’s most arid areas. I discover that these architectural wonders were so much more than a source of water. Historically the vavs provided women with a space and the freedom to socialise away from the patriarchal gaze. Although many vavs fell out of use during the British colonial era, they are once again being looked at as a potential solution to water scarcity in this region.</p><p><strong>Show Notes</strong></p><p>* Niyati runs adventure, wildlife and cultural tours through <a target="_blank" href="https://www.soarexcursions.com/">Soar Excursions</a>, which include visits to the Rani ki Vav (Queen’s Well) mentioned in this podcast and pictured above. You can follow Soar Excursions on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/@SoarExcursions">YouTube</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/travelwithsoarexcursions/">Instagram</a>.</p><p>* Niyati also runs the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.dangforest.com">Dang Forest Retreat</a> in Gujarat.</p><p>* You can read about Hyderabad’s newly restored Bansilalpet stepwell in this <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/feb/26/ancient-stepwells-brought-back-india-run-out-water-day-zero">article</a> on the Guardian website.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/922/">Rani Ki Vav</a> (the Queen’s stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.archdaily.com/395363/india-s-forgotten-stepwells">India’s Forgotten Stepwells</a> by Victoria Lautman on the Arch Daily</p><p>* Robert Macfarlane’s book <a target="_blank" href="https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16372/9780241998212">Is A River Alive</a> is a troubling but important read if you want to learn more about the pollution of India’s waterways.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://events.bl.uk/events/much-ado-about-cooking">Much Ado About Cooking</a> event at the British Library Food Season Big Weekend on 13 June 2026. Even if in-person tickets have sold out you can buy an online ticket.</p><p>If you enjoyed the podcast you can become a paid subscriber to the <a target="_blank" href="https://comfortablyhungry.substack.com">Comfortably Hungry Substack</a> (which means you’ll receive additional content) or show your appreciation by leaving a small, one off <a target="_blank" href="https://ko-fi.com/sambilton90015"><strong>tip</strong></a> here. </p><p>Don’t forget you can follow me on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/mrssbilton/">Instagram</a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://bsky.app/profile/mrssbilton.bsky.social">Bluesky</a> @mrssbilton or find out more about my work on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sambilton.com">sambilton.com</a>.</p><p>A huge thank you to Thomas Ntinas of <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-delicious-legacy/id1494707127">The Delicious Legacy</a> for doing the sound mixing on this season of the podcast. Sound effects and music provided by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.zapsplat.com">Zapsplat</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pond5.com">Pond5</a>.</p><p><p>Comfortably Hungry is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://comfortablyhungry.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2">comfortablyhungry.substack.com/subscribe</a>
May 28, 2026
S4E13: A Pinch (or two) of Salt
<p>In this episode I head to the midlands town of Droitwich which was once a powerhouse in the English salt production industry (and arguably still is) on account of its brine springs. Helping me explore the town’s heritage are local historian Paul Jones LRPS and Steve from Churchfields salt works.</p><p>If you enjoyed the podcast you can become a paid subscriber to the <a target="_blank" href="https://comfortablyhungry.substack.com">Comfortably Hungry Substack</a> (which means you’ll receive additional content) or show your appreciation by leaving a small, one off <a target="_blank" href="https://ko-fi.com/sambilton90015"><strong>tip</strong></a> here. </p><p>Useful Links</p><p>* For more details on the products produced by Churchfields visit their <a target="_blank" href="https://www.droitwichsalt.com">website</a></p><p>* Paul Jones’ books include <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amberley-books.com/droitwich-spa-the-postcard-collection.html">Droitwich Spa The Postcard Collection</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amberley-books.com/droitwich-through-time.html">Droitwich Through Time</a> co-authored with Helen and Roger Peberdy.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.droitwichspaheritagecentre.org.uk">Droitwich Heritage Centre</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="http://saltfestdroitwich.co.uk/saltfest">Droitwich Salt Festival</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ludlowfoodfestival.co.uk">Ludlow Food Festival</a> September 2026</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://events.bl.uk/events/much-ado-about-cooking">British Library Food Season 2026</a> (I’ll be taking part in a panel discussion on food in Shakespeare’s plays on 13 June at 4pm)</p><p>Don’t forget you can follow me on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/mrssbilton/">Instagram</a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://bsky.app/profile/mrssbilton.bsky.social">Bluesky</a> @mrssbilton or find out more about my work on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sambilton.com">sambilton.com</a>.</p><p>A huge thank you to Thomas Ntinas of <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-delicious-legacy/id1494707127">The Delicious Legacy</a> for doing the sound mixing on this season of the podcast. Sound effects and music provided by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.zapsplat.com">Zapsplat</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pond5.com">Pond5</a>.</p><p><p>Comfortably Hungry is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://comfortablyhungry.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2">comfortablyhungry.substack.com/subscribe</a>
May 14, 2026
S4E12: Fetching the Rains
<p>In this episode we’ll be journeying to pre-Colombian Mesoamerica with Dr Gabrielle Vail, Research Collaborator in the Department of Anthropology, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to explore why the worship of rain gods like Chaak was so crucial to the Mayans and discover the role that food played in these ceremonies.</p><p>You may also want to go back and listen to the <a target="_blank" href="https://comfortablyhungry.substack.com/p/s2-episode-1-day-of-the-dead?r=bi6lb">first episode of Season 2</a> where I discuss the Day of the Dead celebrations with Maite Gomez-Rejón. </p><p>If you enjoyed the podcast you can become a paid subscriber to the <a target="_blank" href="https://comfortablyhungry.substack.com">Comfortably Hungry Substack</a> (which means you’ll receive additional content) or show your appreciation by leaving a small, one off <a target="_blank" href="https://ko-fi.com/sambilton90015"><strong>tip</strong></a> here. </p><p>Useful Links </p><p><a target="_blank" href="http://mayacodices.org/">The Maya Hieroglyphic Codices</a> website features a searchable translation and analysis of four codices (screenfold books) painted by Maya scribes before the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century. The codices contain information about Maya beliefs and rituals, as well as everyday activities, all framed within an astronomical and calendrical context.</p><p>Gaby’s co-authored books include:</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.oupress.com/9780806192215/the-new-catalog-of-maya-hieroglyphs-volume-two/">The New Catalog of Maya Hieroglyphs, Volume Two</a> By Martha J. Macri And Gabrielle Vail (2023)</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.oupress.com/9780806197418/the-new-catalog-of-maya-hieroglyphs-volume-3/">The New Catalog of Maya Hieroglyphs, Volume 3</a> By Matthew Looper, Yuriy Polyukhovych, Martha J. Macri And Gabrielle Vail (Out November, 2026)</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.eu/d/0e67KpKT">Madrid Codex: New Approaches to Understanding an Ancient Maya Manuscript (Mesoamerican Worlds: From the Olmecs to the Danzantes)</a> Edited by Gabrielle Vail and Anthony Aveni (2009)</p><p>Gaby also contributed a number of chapters to <a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.eu/d/07WFA05b">Chocolate: History, Culture, and Heritage</a> edited by Louis Evan Grivetti, Howard-Yana Shapiro (2008)</p><p>You can find out more about the Mayan Melipona Bee Sanctuary Project <a target="_blank" href="https://mayanmeliponabee.org/">here</a>.</p><p>Suggested Reading</p><p>* ‘<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ejst.tuiasi.ro/Files/81/12_Lorenzo%20&%20Campos.pdf">Water Rituals and Offerings to the Maya Rain Divinities</a>’ by Cristina Vidal Lorenzo and Patricia Horcjada-Campos in the European Journal of Science and Theology, April 2000, Vol.16, No.2, 111-123</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://archive.org/details/chocolateinmesoa0000unse/page/516/mode/2up">Chocolate in Mesoamerica : a cultural history of cacao</a> ed. Dr Cameron McNeil (2006)</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/water-beings">Water Beings: From Nature Beings to the Environmental Crisis</a> by Veronica Strang (2023)</p><p>* ‘Rain and Fertility Rituals in Postclassic Yucatan Featuring Chaak and Chak Chel’ by Gabrielle Vail and Christine Hernandez in <a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.eu/d/600vSLY">The Ancient Maya of Mexico: Reinterpreting the Past of the Northern Maya Lowlands</a> ed. Geoffrey E. Braswell</p><p>Don’t forget you can follow me on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/mrssbilton/">Instagram</a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://bsky.app/profile/mrssbilton.bsky.social">Bluesky</a> @mrssbilton or find out more about my work on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sambilton.com">sambilton.com</a>.</p><p>A huge thank you to Thomas Ntinas of <a target="_blank" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-delicious-legacy/id1494707127">The Delicious Legacy</a> for doing the sound mixing on this season of the podcast. Sound effects and music provided by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.zapsplat.com">Zapsplat</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pond5.com">Pond5</a>.</p><p><p>Comfortably Hungry is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.</p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://comfortablyhungry.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2">comfortablyhungry.substack.com/subscribe</a>
65 total episodes available
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Kevin Geddes
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Ami Bouhassane
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