Podcast Summary: Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster – Episode 263: Josh Widdicombe

Release Date: September 18, 2024

In Episode 263 of "Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster," comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster welcome special guest Josh Widdicombe into their whimsical dream restaurant. The trio embarks on a delightful journey to uncover Josh's ultimate dream meal, exploring his favorite starter, main course, side dish, dessert, and drink. True to the show's comedic essence, the conversation is rich with humor, personal anecdotes, and playful interactions.

Introduction to Josh Widdicombe

[02:24] Ed Gamble: "Welcome to the Off Menu podcast. Taking the chips of conversation and adding the cheese of humor."

[05:02] Josh Widdicombe: "Delighted to be here."

Ed and James introduce Josh as a "wonderful man and a wonderful comedian," emphasizing their long-standing friendship and collaborative history. They tease Josh about his upcoming tour titled "Not My Cup of Tea," hinting at humorous content related to tea.

Food Preferences and Humorous Banter

The hosts delve into Josh's simplistic yet beloved food choices, beginning with a playful disagreement over poppadoms and toast.

[37:07] Josh Widdicombe: "But I don't want to get sliced bread, so."

[38:32] Josh Widdicombe: "Like cutting a tree and seeing the rings. You can see how many cups you've had for rings of tea."

The conversation highlights Josh's deep affection for toast, describing it as a symbol of homeliness and security. Ed and James engage in light-hearted mockery, joking about the intricacies of slicing toast and the absurdity of associating toast with fancy culinary presentations.

Notable Quote: [38:50] Josh Widdicombe: "There's a homeliness to it, isn't there? There's a feeling of safety, there's a feeling of security, of being at home."

Josh's Culinary Experiences and Preferences

Josh shares humorous stories from his past, including an incident in Rio where he accidentally ate a meat sub, leading to an aversion to meat after recovering from swine flu.

[11:03] Josh Widdicombe: "At the Paralympics when I was really drunk and me and Alex Brooker picked up the wrong subways."

He discusses his lifelong vegetarianism, his disdain for certain foods like falafel, and his appreciation for paneer and sag paneer as vital components for vegetarians.

[54:34] Josh Widdicombe: "The existence of those two does a lot of the work for where meat disappears."

Drink Choices and Rituals

Josh's passion for tea is a central theme, revealing his dependency on tea as a comforting ritual akin to a relationship. He humorously contrasts this with his past struggles with coffee and alcohol.

[60:03] Josh Widdicombe: "So I'm gonna have tea."

[60:41] Josh Widdicombe: "I was a big tea drinker, but now it's like relationship someone has with smoking."

The hosts poke fun at Josh's elaborate tea rituals, including his use of a water carbonator to enjoy sparkling water without the guilt of plastics.

Notable Quote: [21:49] Ed Gamble: "You do not need to ask in future, Josh."

Main Course: Franco Manka Pizza Number Five

Josh's main course choice, Franco Manka Pizza Number Five, sparks a vivid discussion about pizza toppings, restaurant experiences, and the commercialization of beloved eateries.

[45:00] Josh Widdicombe: "Franco Manka pizza number five. No anchovy, but with chilies instead."

He reminisces about the early days of Franco Manka in Brixton Market and laments how popular establishments can lose their unique charm when they expand.

[45:50] Josh Widdicombe: "So that's capitalism. That's capitalism for you."

Side Dish: Saag Paneer and Poppadoms

Josh selects Saag Paneer as his side dish, praising its role in vegetarian cuisine. The conversation extends into a humorous critique of standard side options like falafel, emphasizing Josh's preference for authentic, straightforward flavors.

[53:46] Josh Widdicombe: "I'd like a sag paneer, please."

[54:37] James Acaster: "And I think we're gonna be here for eight hours."

Dessert: Christmas Chocolates

Josh's dessert picks include a variety of Christmas chocolates, with a particular fondness for Lindt balls and After Eights. The hosts engage in a spirited debate over chocolate varieties, packaging annoyances, and seasonal spikes in chocolate sales.

[66:15] Josh Widdicombe: "And I'd like some matchmakers as well."

[67:00] Ed Gamble: "You have to throw it in. That's the reason the lids."

Their banter extends to discussing the overabundance of chocolate during Easter and its impact on households.

Promoting Josh's Tour: "Not My Cup of Tea"

Throughout the episode, Ed and James seamlessly integrate promotion for Josh's upcoming "Not My Cup of Tea" tour. They highlight Josh's comedic prowess and hint at new material inspired by their conversation.

[75:34] James Acaster: "And this because it's improv. Over. I go to touch Ed's bum hole again."

The hosts encourage listeners to purchase tickets, promising an engaging and humorous experience grounded in Josh's unique comedic style.

Conclusion and Final Remarks

As the episode wraps up, the trio reflects on their dynamic interactions, Josh's distinctive preferences, and the laughter shared over seemingly mundane topics. They reiterate their appreciation for Josh's participation and tease future episodes featuring other guests.

[76:20] James Acaster: "Thank you very much for listening to Off Menu. We will see you again next time."

Highlights and Notable Quotes:

• Josh on Toast:
  "[38:50] Josh Widdicombe: There's a homeliness to it, isn't there? There's a feeling of safety, there's a feeling of security, of being at home."

• Josh on Tea Rituals:
  "[60:21] Josh Widdicombe: I've got quite worrying. Not worrying. Because it's tea."

• Ed on Poppadoms and Bread:
  "[30:12] Josh Widdicombe: The yogurt. Y one's. That's your top."

• James on Culinary Preferences:
  "[68:18] James Acaster: But they kind of know that if they make too big a deal of it, people just start asking questions."

Final Thoughts: Episode 263 of "Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster" offers a hearty serving of humor intertwined with Josh Widdicombe's personal culinary preferences and anecdotes. The episode stands out for its engaging dialogue, relatable food discussions, and the seamless blending of comedy with genuine conversation, making it a must-listen for fans of the hosts and Josh alike.