off menu
When the world’s most-in demand actor chooses to go on a British podcast to discuss her love of mash and Pret banana cake, it’s time to sit up and listen. Stylist explores how Off Menu went from two friends in a basement to a cultural phenomenon
words: Fiona Cowood
photography: DENNIS PEDERSEN
What do Ed Sheeran, Florence Pugh, Paul Mescal and Lily Allen have in common – aside from the awards, red-carpet appearances and collective net worth that would make your eyes water? They have all been guests on , a podcast by James Acaster and Ed Gamble that started as niche food chats with fellow comedians and is now reeling in the world’s biggest stars. The premise is simple: guests are invited to the ‘dream restaurant’, where they talk through their ideal three-course meal. Though Gamble and Acaster are talented comedians, their joint brainchild seems to have transcended all their expectations, with 187 episodes, live tour, including a night at the Royal Albert Hall. Something about the two of them together, talking to people about food they love, has captured the world’s imagination and is luring in big-name celebrities. But what is their secret ingredient? “This is fandom you cannot manufacture. It’s grown organically so that listeners and guests all feel connected, like they’re part of this hilarious, food-obsessed gang,” says ’s entertainment director Helen Bownass. The podcast has its own merch, spin-off social media accounts, interactive maps of foodie recommendations and a whole subreddit of 30,000 ‘Acasternauts’ and ‘Gamblers’ discussing everything from favourite clips to their own attempts at ‘iconic’ recipes. Superfan Ellie Perry, a content and marketing executive from Sutton, started listening in lockdown: “I love food and getting trusted restaurant recommendations. For my 30th birthday, I visited Shack Fuyu in Soho specifically because it was recommended by Ed and James.I love their friendship; there are so many in-jokes that you feel as if you’re part of their club.” Gamble is getting ready to fly to Australia and New Zealand to continue his stand-up tour when we speak on the phone. It’s the week that Florence Pugh’s episode aired, in which the Oscar-nominated actor talked about her career while also revealing her love of “big creamy mashed potato” and Pret banana cake.As the UK’s most in-demand actor right now, the conversation has generated headlines around the world, but I’m keen to take Gamble back to the early days, when the podcast was just an idea. “For a couple of years beforehand, [James and I] would text each other about meals we were having and send each other pictures. We’re both obsessed by food, it’s very much what our friendship is based on,” says Gamble. “I texted James and said it would be good to do a food podcast and he replied, ‘Oh yeah, we could call it and chat to guests about their favourite courses.’ It was literally in the space of a five-minute text conversation. I guess sometimes that’s how the best things happen – completely organically, they fall into your lap.” Gamble, who recently graced the cover of ’s 600th issue, says neither of them had any notion of the success that lay ahead, with Acaster in particular thinking it wouldn’t last more than a single series. Fast forward five years and is rarely off the top spot of the comedy podcast charts. “I am constantly amazed and grateful for the reaction the podcast gets and how much people seem to connect with it. It’s a wonderful thing,” says Gamble.
