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Host Peter J. Kim is joined by content creator Carolina Gelen and author Irina Georgescu to talk about mamaliga, pickles, and Romania's super juicy sausages, as well as how communism shaped the family dinner table. Peter also discusses the musical influence of Romania's Romani people with Henry Ernst, manager of the energetic brass band Fanfare Ciocărlia.

Host Peter J Kim takes a trip to the United Kingdom to explore puddings, PFCs, and the mysterious saveloy dip. Food Network host Mary McCartney invites us into her home to talk about the importance of Sunday roasts, and food and music memories with her father Paul McCartney. Jonathan Nunn, the founder of Vittles, guides us through the most important food on the streets of London—and it's not fish and chips. Through it all, listen to music by British rapper, Hyphen, who accurately describes his style as "sexy lounge rap."   Our next episode is coming out in just a couple of weeks, but in the meantime, check out Counterjam on Spotify for Peter's playlist of the wonderful musicians from this and past seasons. 

The current crisis in Ukraine is a nightmare. While we may try to quantify its toll in the number of lives lost, we also need to consider the culture that is being threatened. In this episode of Counterjam, host Peter J Kim goes course by course through a festive Ukrainian meal with Anna Voloshyna, chef and author of the forthcoming cookbook Budmo!  Lviv-based band Odyn v Kanoe provides a truly moving soundtrack.   Our next episode is coming out in just a couple of weeks, but in the meantime, check out Counterjam on Spotify for Peter's playlist of the wonderful musicians from this and past seasons. 

Host Peter J. Kim rings in Persian New Year with stories, laughter, and dancing alongside some truly incredible guests. Emmy-award-winning actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, Top Chef judge and former Food & Wine editor in chief Nilou Motamed who both talk to Peter about why rice is fundamental to the Iranian culinary experience, and Yvette Massoudi, the singer and founder of the band Mitra Sumara who's music facilitates a truly irresistible urge to dance.    Our next episode is coming out in just a couple of weeks, but in the meantime, check out Counterjam on Spotify for Peter's playlist of the wonderful musicians from this and past seasons. 

With the help of dancehall legend Shaggy and reggae legend Ziggy Marley, host Peter J. Kim looks at Jamaican cuisine and culture: from patties to patois, the origins of toasting and (quite possibly) the smoothie, the underlying current of personal and societal revolution that pulses through reggae, and what a Jamaican restaurant menu can tell you about the country's multicultural history. That's a wrap for Season 3—we'll be back in a bit, but in the meantime, check out Counterjam on Spotify for Peter's playlist of the wonderful musicians we couldn't quite squeeze into this season. 

Host Peter J. Kim looks at the beauty and energy of Brazil, and reflects on issues related to home and scarcity with musician Bebel Gilberto, and Woodspoon chef Natalia Pereira. Music is by the rapper Kunumi MC. Check out Counterjam on Spotify for more tracks to groove along to.

Host Peter J. Kim will get into sinigang, adobo, lechon, and all that good stuff, but we’ll also explore the interplay of names, language, menus, and the immigrant experience with chef and author Dale Talde, filmmaker and educator Evelyn Obamos, and hip-hop artist Ruby Ibarra, whose bangin’ album Circa91 will be the soundtrack to this episode. For bonus tracks from Filipino and Filipino-American artists, check out Counterjam on Spotify.

And, we're back with season 3 of Counterjam, Food52's podcast that explores culture through food and music! Host Peter J. Kim digs into Indian culture with the help of musician and podcast producer Hrishikesh Hirway (whose new song Between There and Here debuts today!), chef Maneet Chauhan, and multi-instrumental musician Sunny Jain. Check out Counterjam on Spotify for more tracks from Sunny, along with other Indian and Indian-American artists we couldn't squeeze into this episode.  

Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast, author of 'Crying in H-Mart') rags on Peter's instant ramyun preferences, they discuss a few tracks off 'Jubilee,' and debate dream ssam combos. Referenced in this episode: Crying in H-Mart "Savage Good Boy" and "Be Sweet" from Michelle's newest album, Jubilee Counterjam will be back for season 3 in the fall, but you can keep the party going by tuning into Peter's Counterjam playlists on Spotify.

Host Peter J. Kim looks at Ethiopian culture with chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Serkaddis Alemu, and spins a few tracks by Kibrom Birhane. Here's Marcus's wife's sister's recipe for Kitfo on Food52—one he's, as you'll learn in the episode, not allowed to prepare himself. Thanks for tuning into season 2; we'll be back with season 3 in a bit! In the meantime, queue up the Counterjam playlists on Spotify for more from Kibrom Birhane, among other wonderful Ethiopian artists.

Host Peter J. Kim digs into French culture with three phenomenal guests: pastry genius Dominique Ansel, Top Chef France star Mory Sacko, and one of the most distinguished individuals in Peter's life, Stéphanie Jacquemont (aka his wife). Check out the accompanying Counterjam playlist on Spotify for more from Lindigo, and other wonderful French artists.

This episode, Peter speaks with 19-year-old food whiz and social media sensation Eitan Bernath; actress, comedienne, and Broad City creator Ilana Glazer; and renowned chef and author Einat Admony on Jewish holiday foods: there's the seder plate, matzah and maror, and of course, grandma's chicken matzo ball soup. All music is by Gitkin. As always, keep the party going by checking out this episode's accompanying playlist on Spotify, or chef Einat's recipe for pre-Shabbat-friendly aruk, or light Iraqi potato & herb patties, here.

We are kicking off the new season by looking at one of the most diverse cultures out there: Mexican culture. You'll hear about the anatomy of a perfect taco, what it was like when Grupo Enrique Olvera chef-owner Enrique Olvera first encountered "Mexican" food in the U.S., and comedian Felipe Esparza's love of fideo and mafiosos. Music is by the incredible electronica-norteño ensemble Nortec Collective.  Keep the party going by checking out the Counterjam playlists on Spotify, while you try chef Enrique's recipe for Frijoles Puercos.

In the meanwhile, catch up on Season  1, or check out the show's accompanying Spotify playlists which feature all the hidden-gem tracks from legendary and need-t0-know artists that we couldn't squeeze into the show.

Self-proclaimed fufu-head Peter J. Kim sits down with comedian Ego Nwodim and Afrobeat pioneers Femi and Made Kuti to discuss ultimate jollof, Nigerian religi-pop, and the beloved ball of cooked starch that goes by many names. That's a wrap on season 1 of Counterjam. We'll be back in May with season 2. In the meantime—follow Counterjam on Spotify for bonus playlists, and subscribe to the show so you don't miss a thing.

Relationships with teriyaki, sushi stereotypes, and the immigrant hustle—host Peter J. Kim looks at Japanese-American cultural identity with comedian Yumi Nagashima, rapper G Yamazawa, and producer Dan the Automator. Check out Counterjam on Spotify for bonus playlists featuring tracks from Yumi, G, Dan and so many other wonderful Japanese-American artists!

This episode is all about the city that never sleeps and always eats. Host Peter J. Kim looks at the undefinable cuisine of New York City, with the help of A Tribe Called Quest founding member Jarobi White and multiplatinum artist, chef, and fashion icon Kelis. Referenced in this episode: Are you, too, a sauce person? Check out Kelis's Skillshare on the stuff. Peter is still going with his Tribe. Check out Counterjam on Spotify for bonus playlists like this one featuring evitaN, Nickodemus, and so many other wonderful artists from NYC!

Host Peter J. Kim looks at Korean-American food culture—with chef Roy Choi, comedian Margaret Cho, and his mom (!)—in all its stinky, fermented, fishy beauty. Referenced in this episode: Peter's Instant Ramyun “Carbonara” Follow Counterjam on Spotify for more tracks from  CLARA, DANakaDAN, Omega60, and so many other wonderful Korean-American artists that we couldn't squeeze into this episode.

From Food52's podcast network and hosted by Peter J. Kim, Counterjam is an auditory feast of interviews and hot tracks, exploring cultural identity through food and music.