Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster
Guest: Amanda Seyfried
Release Date: February 4, 2026
Main Theme:
Comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster welcome actor Amanda Seyfried to their “dream restaurant” to select her ultimate starter, main, side, dessert, and drink, while also delving into her latest film, memories, and food-related stories.
Episode Overview
This episode brings Amanda Seyfried into the magical Off Menu restaurant to select her fantasy meal and discuss her life and career. The conversation blends sparkling humor, discussions of British and American culture, and deep dives into Amanda’s new film, The Testament of Ann Lee (The Woman Clothed by the Sun with the Moon Under Her Feet). Throughout, Amanda shares personal stories, quirky facts about her life on a farm, her relationship with food, and how her career has shaped her outlook.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Welcoming Amanda & The Secret Ingredient
- Amanda is introduced warmly, with references to her films (Mamma Mia, Mean Girls, Mank, and her new feature, The Testament of Ann Lee).
- The hosts joke about the “secret ingredient”—Calteen Bars from Mean Girls—which, if mentioned, would get Amanda kicked out (05:07).
- Quote:
Ed Gamble: “The secret ingredient this week is Calteen Bars.” (04:14)
James Acaster: “So probably unlikely … don’t think it’s a real thing.” (04:21)
- Quote:
2. Amanda’s Britishisms & Tattoos
- Amanda discusses adapting to British slang and culture during her time living in the UK.
- She learned words like “queue,” “quid,” and “minj”—the latter becoming a term of endearment and even a tattoo.
- Quote:
Amanda Seyfried: "My handle on Instagram is Minji ... and I have it on my foot, tattooed on my foot ... It's just a nickname." (08:04)
- Quote:
3. Family History, Ancestors, & Pretzels
- Amanda shares a darkly comic story about discovering a great-great-great grandfather who was murdered in his pretzel shop (11:04).
- Quote:
Amanda Seyfried: “My great, great, great grandfather was murdered in cold blood in his pretzel shop … Like they lived ... in Allentown, Pennsylvania ... from the mid-1800s.” (11:04)
- Quote:
4. The Testament of Ann Lee — Amanda’s New Film
- Amanda discusses her role in the film, focusing on the real-life Ann Lee, founder of the Shaker movement. Emphasis is placed on Ann Lee’s progressive feminism and leadership.
- Amanda: “You would have thought ... a feminist who was able to create the biggest utopian society in American history would have been at least mentioned once or twice in school and nothing … she was an icon.” (12:36)
- The film's quick shoot (34 days), its musical and movement elements, and the chance to bring an unknown story to the public are explored.
5. The Dream Menu — Amanda’s Food Choices
Still or Sparkling Water? (16:46)
- Amanda chooses still water without hesitation:
- Amanda: “Still, still, still, still.” (16:46)
- She shares her obsession with hydration:
Amanda: "I've never met somebody who drinks as much water as I do." (17:13) - Amanda talks lovingly of her personalized Nalgenes.
Pub Snack (30:59)
- Late addition to the menu!
- Amanda: “Castelvetrano olives. Pitted.” (31:15)
Bread Course (22:57)
- Sourdough with salted butter, especially from Zurich.
- Amanda: “Sourdough. Salted butter.” (23:06)
- Zurich sourdough is her favourite, discovered while traveling with her daughter and director Mona.
Starter (30:36)
- Chopped Tuscan kale salad with extra virgin olive oil and shredded Parmesan, cut long like "spaghetti noodles" and massaged with oil.
- Amanda: “A kale salad, chopped kale salad Tuscan, finely chopped ... gently massaged ... and shredded Parmesan cheese.” (30:36)
Main Course (35:55)
- Toasted plain bagel from Zabar’s (NYC), medium cream cheese, sliced avocado on the side, plus homemade applesauce.
- Amanda: “Very, very fresh cut and toasted plain bagel … medium amount of cream cheese ... some sliced, really deliciously sliced avocado separately ... applesauce ... homemade.” (35:57, 36:42)
Side Dish (41:06)
- Sautéed apples.
- Amanda: “You know, like sautéed apples.” (41:10)
- Affinity for apple-based foods, reflecting her home region’s apple orchards.
Dessert (55:20)
- Homemade rice pudding, served cold with cinnamon.
- Amanda: "Rice pudding … homemade … cold with cinnamon.” (55:27-55:53)
- Nostalgic memories of eating canned and snack-pack puddings growing up, but now preferring homemade.
Drinks (49:08)
- Glass of Midleton whiskey (neat) to start, a perfect Manhattan with one or two cherries during dinner, and Hungarian/Austrian “natural” wine.
- Amanda: “Glass of Middleton, no ice ... One Manhattan during dinner ... and then probably a natural Hungarian or Austrian wine. And that would be three drinks, and I’d be plenty hammered.” (49:08, 50:08)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Ann Lee:
"To lead through love and compassion ... instead of power and fear is an extraordinary thing."
— Amanda Seyfried, (13:00) -
On Food Guilt:
"If they're not [healthy things], then you might as well go to hell and just accept that cancer is coming to you."
— Amanda Seyfried, humorously on food guilt and information overload (54:46) -
On Loving Milk:
“I love milk. I love a cappuccino more than your average guy. And I can't drink them anymore. No, I did have one yesterday.”
— Amanda Seyfried (58:41) -
On Career Impact:
“Barely a day goes by where I'm not like, how the fuck did I get here? It's just so cool and magical.”
— Amanda Seyfried (24:48) -
On Awards Campaigning:
“You make it less icky. But at the end of the day, it's better to get a nomination than not to. So I have to show up. And I'm proud of my work.”
— Amanda Seyfried (47:57) -
Favorite Films & Acting Inspirations:
“The Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes should have at least gotten nominated for Romeo and Juliet. It's my favorite movie growing up. It's like why I became an actor.”
— Amanda Seyfried (45:39) -
Farm Life:
“Mostly rescue animals ... they're all ... it's called a sanctuary ... now a tax deductible charity ... horses and goats ... they're just lopsided, one-eyed animals.”
— Amanda Seyfried (33:49-34:20)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Amanda’s Britishisms & Tattoos: 07:55 – 08:28
- Family & Pretzel Shop Story: 10:04 – 11:29
- About Ann Lee & New Film: 12:32 – 15:09
- Dream Menu Begins: Water: 16:46 – 20:07
- Drinks, Alcohol Habits, Social Life: 20:07 – 23:02
- Bread/Sourdough, Zurich Story: 23:02 – 24:13
- Mean Girls & Film Nostalgia: 24:17 – 25:44
- Farm Sanctuary Story, Rescue Animals: 33:49 – 35:10
- Starter: Kale Salad: 30:36
- Pub Snack: Castelvetrano Olives: 31:06
- Main Course: Bagel, Avocado, Applesauce: 35:55
- Side: Sautéed Apples: 41:10
- Dessert: Rice Pudding: 55:27
- Drinks Sequence: 49:08
- Career Reflection & Awards: 45:19 – 47:57
- Closing and Menu Recap: 59:20 – 61:08
Additional Fun & Noteworthy Moments
- Amanda’s Favorite Cocktail: Homemade Manhattan with Luxardo cherries and a “block of Manchego cheese” as a nightcap during her theater days. (39:39)
- Balancing Guilt and Food Joy: Honest confessions about balancing love of carbs and dairy with health and guilt, often in a humorous tone.
- 3D-Printed & Caricatured Menus: The team jokes about having a 3D-printed dream menu or hiring a caricature artist for the next show. (61:27)
- Realization: Amanda only realizes the hosts are comedians at the very end—"Are you guys comedians?" (62:32)
Overall Tone
Playful, warm, candid, self-deprecating, with sharp wit from both Amanda and the hosts. Amanda shows vulnerability, humor, and deep thoughtfulness about her work, her food, and her past.
For Listeners:
Why Listen?:
This episode offers a delicious blend of Amanda’s charm, behind-the-scenes tales from Hollywood, reflections on self-care, family, and food, and the signature banter and surreal turns Off Menu fans love. You’ll laugh, maybe crave a bagel, and definitely want to rewatch Mean Girls or check out The Testament of Ann Lee.
Bonus:
Amanda’s Dream Menu (Quick Reference)
- Water: Still, always, from a beloved personalized Nalgene
- Pub Snack: Castelvetrano olives, pitted
- Bread: Sourdough from Zurich, salted butter
- Starter: Chopped Tuscan kale salad with EVOO, shredded Parmesan
- Main: Toasted plain bagel (Zabar’s), medium cream cheese, sliced avocado, homemade applesauce
- Side: Sautéed apples
- Drink: Midleton whiskey (neat), perfect Manhattan (1-2 cherries), natural Hungarian/Austrian wine
- Dessert: Homemade rice pudding, cold, with cinnamon