Ideal radio stations, podcasts and playlists for cooking
Cooking has an almost meditative character for me. Chopping, sautéing or stirring: It calms me down. I need the right soundtrack for that.
"Silent Cooking" was a programme on the Austrian TV channel "ORF". It featured a chef who conjured up a three-course meal - without words. The programme was accompanied by "house" music and the cooking steps were commented on with text overlays. The programme's concept was as simple as it was relaxing. No boring explanations of cooking techniques, no schoolmasterly instructions. Just cooking and music. "Silent Cooking" is long gone, but thanks to YouTube there are still a few episodes in a playlist. What I still like to do is listen to music or podcasts while I cook.
Old school: radio
I usually cook in the evening between 6 and 7 pm. That's exactly when SRF broadcasts "Echo der Zeit", one of the "oldest daily radio programmes in the German-speaking world" according to Wikipedia. Current information paired with background contributions, here you will be updated within 40 minutes. The programme is repeated at 6 pm (SRF 1) and 7 pm (SRF 2). Outside of these times, "SRF 4 News" always provides information on current events. If I'm not in the mood for "Gschnurr", I like to listen to "Couleur 3", the (musically) much better "SRF 3" from French-speaking Switzerland, or "SRF Virus".
Further recommendations
NTS Radio: Music off the charts from London and L.A.
Konbini Radio: "All pop everything" from Paris
BBC 1Xtra: "urban music" offshoot of the legendary BBC
Stories: Podcasts
Colleague Dominik Bärlocher has written about it, colleague Philipp Rüegg has one himself. Podcasts have been very successful for years, especially in English-speaking countries. The "radio programmes on demand" are also gaining more and more fans in Germany. Most well-known is "Fest & Flauschig" on Spotify. Jan Böhmermann and Olli Schulz discuss more or less chaotically what they are currently experiencing. In many cases, however, the podcasts are thematic. The podcasts from "Viertausendhertz" are recommended in German. If you understand English well enough, you can listen to exciting stories for the rest of your life.
Favourite podcasts in English
This American Life: Every week a topic is dealt with in an elaborate and creative way
99% Invisible: A podcast about the design of everyday things
Radiolab: Investigative and innovatively produced science podcast
Individualist: Spotify and co.
I can't always concentrate on stories and sometimes even my favourite radio stations don't play the music I want. That's when I rely on Spotify and the like. You can always find inspiration for new music on music sites like "Pitchfork". Even if the concept of the "album" is no longer up-to-date, take the time to listen to an album from A to Z very carefully. This should actually happen in a cosy armchair without any distractions, but I can just about get away with cooking. For anyone who needs inspiration, I open my "Cooking" playlist on Spotify. This will now be expanded at regular intervals.
Albums in the kitchen
"Discovery" by Daft Punk: Chopping to the beat of "One More Time" never gets old
"Music Has The Right To Children" by Boards of Canada: The instrumental, flat sounds are a warming companion in the kitchen, especially in winter
"Hounds Of Love" by Kate Bush: This album is perfect if you're planning an opulent multi-course meal
Whether radio, podcast or playlist: I can't do without my kitchen radio when I'm chopping, sautéing or preserving. How about you? What do you like to listen to while cooking? Write your recommendation in the comments.
When I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.