Every Bite

Grand tours for the aristocracy in centuries gone by were filled with art and architecture to fulfil the senses. But what would such a tour look like today if only places created in the 20th and 21st centuries were on the itinerary? Richard Weller is a landscape architect who has pondered this question in his latest book, To the ends of the earth- a grand tour for the 21st Century. This interview first aired in July 2024.

We hear about how Paris is transforming itself to tackle climate change, learn about the design history of the bicycle and take a tour for the 21st Century.

The city of Paris is about to enact an ambitious new climate Plan and at its heart is a commitment to building a cyclist friendly urban centre. This interview first aired in March 2024.

From the velocipede in the early 1800s to its more modern incarnation, featuring tubular metal frames, wire-spoked wheels, pneumatic tyres, and gears, design writer and critic Colin Bisset gives us a potted history of the development of the bicycle. This interview first aired in March 2024.

Exploring culture through food. Each week Jonathan Green serves up a new dish or ingredient, uncovering the rich layer of stories, traditions, and innovations behind it. From the origins and cultural significance to the science and economics of food, we explore how what we eat shapes and is shaped by our world. From humble street food to gourmet delicacies, discover the fascinating narratives that make every bite a story worth telling. Broadcast on ABC Radio National on Saturday at 11 am, repeated Friday at 8:30 pm and Sunday at 4:30 am

Can cemeteries be a boon for the living as well as a place for the dearly departed? Tania Davidge, Executive Director of Open House Melbourne, believes so. She argues that cemeteries can provide much needed open space in our crowded cities to be enjoyed across the generations. This interview first aired in June 2024.

What role has the colour black played in mourning fashions since the time of Queen Victoria? Dr Lorinda Cramer is a fashion historian at Deakin University. She charts the changing cultural meanings associated with this darkest of hues. This interview first aired in June 2024.

Chef Jamie Oliver selects the last meal he would have on this earth- his mum's roast dinner. Surrounded by friends and family, he believes a Sunday roast would be the best final meal, with all the trimmings. This interview first aired in June 2024.

Colin Bisset takes us on a tour of the some of the world's greatest commemorative monuments. From London's Albert Memorial to Berlin's November Revolution Monument, they speak of a desire to immortalise and elevate a particular viewpoint of history. This interview first aired in June 2024.

We explore the cultural meaning of black, celebrate cemeteries as public open space, take a world tour of monuments, and hear about Jamie Oliver's Last Supper.

Colin Bisset turns his attention to that iconic fashion item, the T-shirt. This segment first aired in May 2019.

Professor of architecture and host of Grand Designs Australia and Grand Designs Transformations Anthony Burke discusses our obsessions with home renovations and what it reveals about us. This interview first aired in May 2024.

Exposed brick, smashed avocado, hanging edison bulbs, the patina of industry and reclaimed wood furniture – this is what writer and critic, Kyle Chayka rails against in his book 'Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture'. This interview first aired in May 2024.

Angela Riechers, author of 'The elements of visual grammar: A designer's guide for writers, scholars and professionals', discusses the history of Neutraface and explains how and why this typeface became so ubiquitous. This interview first aired in May 2024.

We ask have algorithms flattened culture, look at neutraface as a gentrification font, explore our obsession with home renovation, and hear about the iconic history of the T-shirt.

Design writer Colin Bisset guides us through the evolution of modern cooking technology, from François de Cuvilliés's 1735 Castrol oven, to the contemporary convenience of the air fryer. This interview first aired in May 2024.

Niklas Ekstedt is a celebrated Swedish chef known for his pioneering approach to cooking over open fire. He gained international acclaim through his Stockholm-based restaurant, Ekstedt, where he showcases his expertise in reviving ancient culinary techniques to create exquisite dishes - all without the use of gas or electricity. This interview first aired in May 2024.

Shalamar Lane is a Los Angeles-based pitmaster renowned for her innovative approach to American barbecue. She comes from a long line of pitmasters in Alabama and Texas and is the creative force behind the popular restaurant My Father's Barbecue. This interview first aired in May 2024.

Lennox Hastie, the acclaimed chef celebrated for his mastery of wood-fired cooking, has a distinct preference when it comes to envisioning his last meal on earth. Known for his Sydney restaurant Firedoor, Hastie would choose a perfectly grilled whole fish, complemented with a side of fresh, seasonal vegetables. This interview first aired in May 2024.

We put some heat in the kitchen with Niklas Ekstedt, Shalamar Lane and Lennox Hastie and hear about the iconic design history of the stove.