Life on a Plate, the podcast from Waitrose that shares people’s stories through food, is still available to listen to wherever you get your podcasts. Join acclaimed writer, broadcaster and cookbook author Yasmin Khan and Waitrose food and drink editor Alison Oakervee as they lift the lid on the foodie secrets of their celebrity guests.
Looking for Dish, the new podcast from Waitrose? Find out more here.
LATEST EPISODEs
Season 4 sponsored by Belazu
SEASON 4 EPISODE 8
ashley jensen
2 December 2021
For this episode, Yasmin and Alison talk to the brilliant, funny and down-to-earth Scottish actor Ashley Jensen, known for her roles in Extras, Ugly Betty, Catastrophe – and star of the Waitrose 2021 Christmas ad! She chats about Heston’s mince pies and her taste for sprouts (with pancetta), and shares tales of growing up in Scotland in the 1970s, enjoying her grandmother’s mince and tatties and a range of classic crisps including Frazzles and Monster Munch. She describes her no-nonsense response to Hollywood glitz and glamour (and her rejection of the idea that actresses must ‘stay young’) and also expresses her admiration for footballer and campaigner Marcus Rashford and his work tackling child food poverty.
SEASON 4 EPISODE 7
Reggie Yates
25 NOVEMBER 2021
Actor, DJ, presenter, photographer, author, acclaimed documentary-maker and now a feature film director – there aren’t many things that Reggie Yates can’t do! In this episode, he talks to Yasmin and Alison about his career to date and how important it has been to stick to his guns when it comes to authenticity and speaking in his own voice. He reminisces about the West African food he grew up with, as well as revealing some interesting ideas about how to eat crisps and chocolate (at the same time) and the great plantain pronunciation debate. Reggie also chats about his brilliant new film, Pirates, launched on 26 November, which celebrates UK Garage culture at the turn of the Millennium.
You can follow Reggie on Instagram and Twitter @regyates
SEASON 4 EPISODE 6
Diana Henry
18 November 2021
We're thrilled to welcome the incredible Diana Henry to Life on a Plate for this episode. She is one of our most beloved food writers, delivering a steady stream of delicious recipes into homes across the land via her cookbooks (including Simple and How to Eat a Peach), Telegraph columns and daily Instagram posts. Legendarily hard-working and prolific, Diana experienced severe illness during the past two years: it slowed her down a little but has not dimmed her spirit one bit. In this conversation with Yasmin Khan and Alison Oakervee, she talks about those frightening times, but also about her childhood in Northern Ireland, her first experiences of cosmopolitan London in the 80s, and the people, places and ingredients that inspire and delight her now.
You can read Diana’s weekly column in Waitrose Weekend and follow her on Instagram and Twitter @dianahenryfood.
PREVIOUS EPISODES
meet the hosts
YASMIN KHAN
Yasmin is an author, broadcaster and campaigner who's passionate about sharing people's stories through food. Her best-selling and critically-acclaimed cookbooks The Saffron Tales, Zaitoun and Ripe Figs chronicle her culinary travels through Iran, Palestine and the Eastern Mediterranean. Yasmin has worked as a presenter for BBC Radio 4 and CNN, and writes for publications such as the Guardian, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Bon Appetit. Prior to pursuing a writing career, she trained in Law and worked as human rights campaigner for a decade, running national and international campaigns on global justice issues with a special focus on racism, poverty and militarism. You can read some profile pieces about her in the Guardian and New York Times.
Alison Oakervee
Alison Oakervee is Waitrose & Partners’ much-respected, longstanding food editor. She has worked for Waitrose for nearly two decades, and brings an unrivalled expertise on the practicalities of food and cooking – from bread to barbecues, and everything in between. Relaxed and friendly, she is particularly knowledgeable about baking (and is renowned for her lemon drizzle cake).
Alison is also the author of Share: The Women for Women Cookbook, a collection of recipes and stories from women in war-torn countries, alongside contributions from international chefs and humanitarians.