Lunchbox Envy
- Episodes
- 90
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Oct 6, 2026
About the podcast
From the makers of QI and No Such Thing As A Fish: Gastronomically-minded QI researchers Jack Chambers and Manu Henriot join chef and food writer Rosie MacKean to unpack the world of food and drink, one lunchbox at a time.
Can you unboil an egg? Why would you milk a spider? How much Dairy Milk would it take to kill you? Dig in now to get answers to the questions you never knew you had.
2026 British Podcast Awards Finalist
Hosts: Rosie MacKean, Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 2025
Episodes 90
86: 🥂 The Real Widows Of Champagne Region
Who was the first person to pop out of a cake? Which supermarket's caterpillar cake has the most disappointing name? What's the best strategy to score the most canapés at a wedding?Farewell from Team Lunchbox! …
Show notes
Who was the first person to pop out of a cake? Which supermarket's caterpillar cake has the most disappointing name? What's the best strategy to score the most canapés at a wedding?
Farewell from Team Lunchbox! ❤️✨
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202585: ☢️ How The Experts Are Stocking Up For The Apocalypse
How do you open a can without a can opener? Who ended a military siege armed only with a fake loaf of bread? Why shouldn't you hire a private chef for your luxury fallout shelter?Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack …
Show notes
How do you open a can without a can opener? Who ended a military siege armed only with a fake loaf of bread? Why shouldn't you hire a private chef for your luxury fallout shelter?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202584: 🍞 When Bread Was Sold Stale...By Law
Is it OK to feed bread to the ducks or not? Where can you find Japanese English French toast? What's the difference between a trencher and a sop?Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex …
Show notes
Is it OK to feed bread to the ducks or not? Where can you find Japanese English French toast? What's the difference between a trencher and a sop?
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202583: ⭐ Why Some Chefs Hate Getting Michelin Stars
What five things do you need to nail to impress the Michelin judges? How did a garden shed end up at the top of the Google Review restaurant rankings? Which country did soldiers invade literally armed with a …
Show notes
What five things do you need to nail to impress the Michelin judges? How did a garden shed end up at the top of the Google Review restaurant rankings? Which country did soldiers invade literally armed with a restaurant guide?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202582: 🍍 Does Pineapple Really Make S**** Taste Nicer?
Why did SpongeBob's house have to be redesigned? How do you make a cocktail out of torpedo fuel? When you eat pineapple, does it eat you back?Hosts: Alex Bell, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© …
Show notes
Why did SpongeBob's house have to be redesigned? How do you make a cocktail out of torpedo fuel? When you eat pineapple, does it eat you back?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202581: 🛒 Walmart Employees Use Virtual Reality To Practise For Black Friday
Which supermarket divided Germany down the middle? Who's the sexist cereal mascot? Are you allowed to snack on the food while you shop?Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu HenriotProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
Which supermarket divided Germany down the middle? Who's the sexist cereal mascot? Are you allowed to snack on the food while you shop?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202580: 🤯 Is Your Local Chip Shop Faking Their Vinegar?
Why should you smother yourself in mustard? Which is the most Brexit-y condiment? What links James Bond to Gentleman's Relish?Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
Why should you smother yourself in mustard? Which is the most Brexit-y condiment? What links James Bond to Gentleman's Relish?
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202579: 🕊️ Eating Gourmet Scabs Off A Peasant's Foot
What's the secret jingle hidden in Da Vinci's Last Supper? Could you actually feed 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish? What happens when you get a mouse drunk on Buckfast?Hosts: Alex Bell, Manu …
Show notes
What's the secret jingle hidden in Da Vinci's Last Supper? Could you actually feed 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish? What happens when you get a mouse drunk on Buckfast?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Manu Henriot
Guest: John Mitchinson
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202578: 🌶️ The Hottest Ever Chilli Is Locked In A Secret Greenhouse
Would you eat a chilli placenta? Is there a better cure for chilli burn than milk? What's the secret to the perfect piri piri sauce?Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
Would you eat a chilli placenta? Is there a better cure for chilli burn than milk? What's the secret to the perfect piri piri sauce?
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202577: 🌋 Spain's Volcano-Powered Restaurant
What is every chef's secret weapon? How did a moustache start a waiters' strike? Would you like to have dinner 150 feet up in the air?Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu HenriotProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
What is every chef's secret weapon? How did a moustache start a waiters' strike? Would you like to have dinner 150 feet up in the air?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202576: 🍜 Pad Thai Is A Government Invention
Where can you ride a train powered by noodle broth? Who uses noodles as currency? When should you replace your pasta with noodles?Hosts: Alex Bell, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
Where can you ride a train powered by noodle broth? Who uses noodles as currency? When should you replace your pasta with noodles?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202575: 🥒 Why Disney Grew The World's Biggest Cucumber Plant
How did the Romans build their greenhouses out of stone? When is pickle juice mouthwash a good idea? Is cucumber juice actually any good for you?Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex …
Show notes
How did the Romans build their greenhouses out of stone? When is pickle juice mouthwash a good idea? Is cucumber juice actually any good for you?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202574: 🌽 XXX UNRATED Corn Smut NSFW [Explicit Farming]
Which animal pees popcorn flavour? When is someone else's saliva in your drink a delicacy? Why is Tom Cruise so good at eating corn on the cob?Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© …
Show notes
Which animal pees popcorn flavour? When is someone else's saliva in your drink a delicacy? Why is Tom Cruise so good at eating corn on the cob?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202573: 🌊 The Chef Who Caused A Tahini-nami
How do you smuggle meat into a vegetarian restaurant? Who needs a mochi attachment on their hoover? What's a goth's favourite food? With special guest, chef and food writer Helen GrahamHosts: Jack Chambers …
Show notes
How do you smuggle meat into a vegetarian restaurant? Who needs a mochi attachment on their hoover? What's a goth's favourite food?
With special guest, chef and food writer Helen Graham
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Guest: Helen Graham
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202572: ✈️ The Great Sandwich War Of 1958
Who needs a gyroscopic kitchen? How do you save $500,000 by slicing limes? What actually is the deal with airline food? Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu HenriotProducer: Alex Bell© Quite Interesting Ltd 2025
71: 🌋 The World's Most Expensive Pistachios Come From A Volcano
Why did pistachios used to be bright red? Where in the world do pistachio trees need police protection? How could a pistachio help you survive a car crash? Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie …
Show notes
Why did pistachios used to be bright red? Where in the world do pistachio trees need police protection? How could a pistachio help you survive a car crash?
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202570: 🔐 Why The Recipe For [REDACTED] Is Locked In A Vault
Why doesn't Coca-Cola have to list their secret ingredients on their packaging? How do you break out of prison with peanut butter? What happened to the mythical Roman spice silphium?Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack …
Show notes
Why doesn't Coca-Cola have to list their secret ingredients on their packaging? How do you break out of prison with peanut butter? What happened to the mythical Roman spice silphium?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202569: 💦 Could You Cook With Human Oil?
Why should you beware of Chinese gutter oil? Which oil is the healthiest to fry with? Does snake oil actually work?Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© Quite Interesting Ltd 2025
68: 🫛 Ozempic For Medieval Peasants
Why are frozen peas better than fresh peas? How do you use a pea as an alarm clock? Whose constipation can be cured with a single pea?Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
Why are frozen peas better than fresh peas? How do you use a pea as an alarm clock? Whose constipation can be cured with a single pea?
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202567: 🍬 Why They Set Fire To Your Sugar
When is it a good idea to set fire to your sugar cane field? Why would you sprinkle sugar over a bee? Do you prefer your sugar in cubes or loaves? Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu HenriotProducer: Alex …
Show notes
When is it a good idea to set fire to your sugar cane field? Why would you sprinkle sugar over a bee? Do you prefer your sugar in cubes or loaves?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202566: 🐔 Why Chickens Need Spectacles
Why would you put spectacles on a chicken? What's the secret to a perfect roast chicken? Do chickens find you beautiful?Another bite of the drumstick with cook and writer Ed Smith.Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu …
Show notes
Why would you put spectacles on a chicken? What's the secret to a perfect roast chicken? Do chickens find you beautiful?
Another bite of the drumstick with cook and writer Ed Smith.
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Guest: Ed Smith
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202565: 🌱 Screaming For Asparagus Ice Cream
Why shouldn't you snap your asparagus in half? Who was known as The Giant Asparagus? How can you make a knife out of asparagus?Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
Why shouldn't you snap your asparagus in half? Who was known as The Giant Asparagus? How can you make a knife out of asparagus?
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202564: 🐑 Why Are Doner Kebabs Cone Shaped?
What's the difference between dagging and redding? Why are doner kebab spits cone-shaped? What makes mint go so well with roast lamb?Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
What's the difference between dagging and redding? Why are doner kebab spits cone-shaped? What makes mint go so well with roast lamb?
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202563: 🥭 India's Magical Million Mango Tree
Who was the Indiana Jones of mangoes? What's the best way to mail a mango? Do you know the Mango Man? Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© Quite Interesting Ltd 2025
62: 🍴 Buckingham Palace's Upside-Down Forks
Why are the forks in Buckingham Palace placed face down? Are spoons making us uglier? How do you flirt with a butter knife?Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu HenriotGuest: Tim HaywardProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
Why are the forks in Buckingham Palace placed face down? Are spoons making us uglier? How do you flirt with a butter knife?
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Guest: Tim Hayward
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202561: 💃🏻 Victorian Girl Dinners
What does a Victorian girl dinner look like? Why is the plough to blame for gender inequality? What's gay about quiche?Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu HenriotProducer: Alex Bell© Quite Interesting Ltd 2025
60: 🎨 The $6.2 Million Banana
Why did the Romans decorate their dining rooms with leftovers? How do you sell a banana for $6.2 million? Where can you eat dirt for fun? Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu HenriotProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
Why did the Romans decorate their dining rooms with leftovers? How do you sell a banana for $6.2 million? Where can you eat dirt for fun?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202559: 🥥 Performing Brain Surgery With A Coconut
Why would you inject coconut water directly into your bloodstream? How can a coconut help in brain surgery? What do octopuses use coconut shells for?Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer …
Show notes
Why would you inject coconut water directly into your bloodstream? How can a coconut help in brain surgery? What do octopuses use coconut shells for?
Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKean
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 202558: 🥣 The Best Place To Smear Yoghurt On A Hot Day
Whose testicles grow when you feed them yoghurt? Which animal would give you the highest protein yoghurt?Hosts: Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot, Rosie MacKeanProducer: Alex Bell© Quite Interesting Ltd 2025
57: ☠️ The Deadliest Dishes Of History
Which food do you need a licence to prepare? When are you at risk of Margarita burn? Why should you never accept marzipan from the Pope?Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu HenriotProducer: Alex Bell© Quite …
Show notes
Which food do you need a licence to prepare? When are you at risk of Margarita burn? Why should you never accept marzipan from the Pope?
Hosts: Alex Bell, Jack Chambers, Manu Henriot
Producer: Alex Bell
© Quite Interesting Ltd 2025
These are the latest 40 of 90 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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