Advertise on podcast: The Side Dish from America’s Test Kitchen

Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes at America’s Test Kitchen? Julia reveals how TV food comes to life, Bridget dishes on the moments the cameras missed during a fish sauce segment, and together they take you on an insider’s tour of the studios and test kitchens in Boston.  ATK Recipes and Reviews mentioned in this episode: The World of Fish Sauce The Best Supermarket Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Pollo al Mattone (Chicken Under a Brick) Hot-Honey Chicken Lemon Pepper Wings Hawaiian-Style Fried Chicken Extra-Crunchy Fried Chicken Koji Fried Chicken Chili Crisp Pickle-Brined Fried Chicken Sandwiches

Pineapple on pizza? Ketchup on a hot dog? Bridget and Julia tackle food’s most divisive debates, defending their hottest takes and settling culinary scores. Plus, hotline callers put them on the spot to settle the score on Illinois’ official sandwich and decide whether one oft-gifted holiday staple really deserves its bad reputation. ATK Recipes mentioned in this episode: Barbecued Beef Brisket on the Charcoal Grill Hot-Smoked Whole Side of Salmon Barbecued Pulled Pork on a Charcoal Grill BBQ Beer-Can Chicken on a Charcoal Grill Chicago Italian Beef Sandwiches Caesar Green Bean Salad Beef Tacos

From lunchbox favorites and after-school snacks to clever solutions for picky eaters, Bridget and Julia serve up kid-food inspiration for every age. Whether you’re feeding little ones or craving nostalgic classics, you’ll leave with plenty of delicious ideas and practical tips ATK Recipes mentioned in this episode:Sheet-Pan Pizza Spaghetti with Turkey-Pesto Meatballs Skillet Macaroni and Cheese Guide: Make Sure Your Marinade Contains These Three Ingredients Classic Beef Burgers The Best Shrimp Cocktail Foolproof Spaghetti Carbonara Chicken Cutlets 101 Seattle Chicken Teriyaki Easy Blueberry Cobbler Classic Hummus Cheese Fondue Texas Chili One-Pan Pork Tenderloin with Green Beans and Potatoes Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies Miso-Marinated Salmon Fastest, Easiest Mashed Potatoes

From test cooks to longtime buds, Bridget and Julia take a walk down memory lane. They reveal the friendship origin story, dream up the ultimate steakhouse spread, and put years of friendship on the line with a blindfolded tasting of treats inspired by each other. ATK Recipes mentioned in this episode: The Best Fresh Margaritas French Onion Potato Gratin Creamed Spinach Cast Iron Steaks with Herb Butter Baguettes Basque Cheesecake for Two Chocolate-Espresso Dacquoise Classic Lemon Tart Individual Pistachio-RaspberryBuckles Irish Coffee Quick Collard Greens with Hot Pepper Vinegar

Grab a ticket and a snack–it’s state fair season! Bridget and Julia swap their favorite fair memories, spotlight fair-inspired ATK recipes, and put their knowledge to the test with food festival trivia.  ATK Recipes mentioned in this episode: Apple Cider Doughnuts Apple Fritters Dutch Apple Pie Smoked Double-Thick Pork Chops on a Gas Grill Blueberry Pie Eight-Hour Pizza Dough

Julia and Bridget are stranded…on separate deserted islands. Armed with nothing but their imaginations, they reveal the albums they’d want on repeat and the dishes they’d dream of eating. Then, the music buffs tackle a listener’s question about packing food for a wilderness adventure. ATK recipes and equipment mentioned in this episode: Manual juicers Electric citrus juicers Microplanes and graters Cleavers Immersion blenders Serrated utility knives Stand mixers All-purpose whisks

Bridget and Julia unpack the quirky kitchen collectibles, foodie mementos, and travel treasures they’ve gathered over the years. Plus, America’s Test Kitchen gadget guru Lisa McManus calls into the hotline to share her ultimate show-and-tell item. ATK Recipes mentioned in this episode: Cracklin' Cornbread Cast Iron Pan Pizza Cast Iron Oven-Fried Chicken

Midnight cravings call for comfy slippers, snacks, and zero judgment. Bridget and Julia slip into their evening wear to swap stories about their favorite late-night bites and drinks, from nostalgic regional specialties to scrappy retro snacks. Plus, listeners reveal the foods they reach for when it’s snack o’clock. ATK Recipes mentioned in this episode:Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Julia and Bridget fire up the grill with a discussion about their go-to meats—while Julia tries to get the full details on Bridget’s pulled pork recipe. Along the way, they discuss the right (and safe) way to oil your grill, share some strong opinions on baby back ribs, and give plenty of smoky shade. ATK Recipes mentioned in this episode: Barbecued Pulled Pork on a Charcoal Grill, Paella on the GrillBarbecued Beef Back Ribs, Quick Collard Greens with Hot Pepper Vinegar

From nostalgic sweet treats to over-the-top cravings, Bridget and Julia dive into the foods they simply can’t resist and hear from listeners about their own indulgences. They match celebrities to their favorite guilty pleasures, swap stories of decadent dining, and reveal just how far they’d go for the perfect donut, barbecue, or wedge of cheese.

It’s out with the old and in with the new in this episode, where Julia and Bridget offer listeners spring cleaning tips and take a peek at each others’ junk drawers.  ATK Recipes mentioned in this episode: Weeknight Pasta Primavera Chicago-Style Giadiniera

In this episode, Bridget and Julia break down what it takes to cater or host a large gathering. They also debate the best way to cut sandwiches, whether or not pineapples go on pizza, and why a fork may be superior to a spoon when eating mac and cheese. ATK Recipes mentioned in this episode: Best Potluck Macaroni and Cheese Banana Pudding Chocolate Pots de Creme Caesar Green Bean Salad Murgh Makhani (Indian Butter Chicken) Quick Beef Burgundy

In this episode, Julia and Bridget reminisce about jobs past and how they learned to be hosts on camera. Plus, they offer advice on work-night meal prepping, and Julia brings in the resume she used to apply to her job at America’s Test Kitchen.

In this episode, Bridget’s travel hack sandwich makes a grand cameo. Julia and Bridget also dish about their favorite restaurants, share the on-stage antics at their PBS road shows, and weigh in on what is–and isn’t–acceptable in-flight etiquette. Check out our website for our take on the Best Chef's Knives!