Summary of "Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster" – Episode 276: Emily Campbell
Podcast Information:
- Title: Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster
- Host/Author: Plosive
- Episode: Ep 276: Emily Campbell
- Release Date: January 29, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 276 of Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster, comedian hosts Ed Gamble and James Acaster welcome Emily Campbell, a decorated British weightlifter who has clinched medals in the last two Olympic Games. The episode blends insights into Emily’s athletic career with her personal love for food, all presented with the characteristic humor and banter of the hosts.
Guest Introduction
James Acaster warmly introduces Emily Campbell:
“If you watch the Olympics, you will know Emily Campbell. She is a medal-winning weightlifter...she loves talking about food. She's great fun.” ([03:11])
Emily expresses her excitement about being the first Olympian guest:
“Is this our first Olympian?... Yes, I believe it is our first Olympian, James.” ([04:08])
A Day in the Life of an Olympian
The Challenge of Queuing
Emily shares her frustration with British queuing habits, especially during travel:
“It's a very British thing... Everybody's queuing just for the sake of queuing.” ([06:23])
James humorously suggests using her Olympic status to navigate queues:
“You could just show your bronze medal and just be like, look, I win.” ([08:03])
Weightlifting Insights
Emily delves into the technical aspects of weightlifting, emphasizing the importance of technique over mere strength:
“It's so technique...when you have to do it in reverse, you have to really humble yourself.” ([37:48])
She explains the necessity of mastering movements:
“It's about drilling and keep going over and over again...once you've got that locked in, then getting strong is the easy bit.” ([38:16])
Training and Diet
Rigorous Dietary Regimen
Emily discusses the relentless eating schedule required for maintaining her weight class:
“It's a lot of food all the time...it's just... it's a chore.” ([12:23])
She highlights her love-hate relationship with food, rooted in her Caribbean heritage:
“I'm Caribbean, so food is like everything...I've grown up eating really great food and love food.” ([12:23])
Meal Frequency and Nutrition
Emily explains her meal timings and the role of her nutritionist:
“Sometimes it's just get it. I have a fantastic nutritionist...she keeps it exciting because we have to eat a lot.” ([13:45])
She touches upon the challenges of eating continuously:
“I literally still fall from the snack that you've just eaten and then it's lunch time and then you've got to eat another snack.” ([13:45])
Favorite Dishes on 'Off Menu'
Starter: Buttermilk Breaded Chicken Strips and Wings
Emily selects a hearty starter, emphasizing the importance of moist chicken:
“There is nothing worse in life than dry chicken.” ([27:31])
She describes her ideal preparation:
“Fried, seasoned well, and then tossed in the sauce so it's nice and hot, then with a garlic dip.” ([27:54])
Main Course: Seafood Boil
Emily’s main course choice is a communal and messy seafood boil, laden with various seafood and garlic butter:
“Loads of like garlic butter to dip your lobster and your crab and that in.” ([43:02])
She appreciates the interactive nature of the dish:
“Get a bib on, get your gloves on. Crack it all open...love it.” ([43:22])
Side Dish: Baked Mac and Cheese
Emily opts for a baked Mac and cheese with a perfect sauce consistency and crispy breadcrumbs:
“Good breadcrumbs on the top, nice melt, bit of parsley to finish it off.” ([48:38])
She shares a personal anecdote about perfecting the dish:
“Need to find out who that person is and track them down.” ([52:13])
Dessert: New York Cheesecake with Berry Compote and Ice Cream
Contrary to popular dessert choices, Emily avoids chocolate, favoring a classic New York cheesecake:
“I very controversially don't really like chocolate. If I do, it has to be white.” ([61:40])
She describes her perfect cheesecake presentation:
“With fresh fruit or a fresh compote... some form of like ice cream on the side.” ([61:40])
Drink: Mango Daiquiri Mocktail
Preferring non-alcoholic beverages, Emily selects a vibrant mango daiquiri mocktail:
“Anything really fruity, like tropical. Maybe pineapple juice, a bit of grenadine.” ([56:42])
She emphasizes her preference for mocktails over traditional cocktails:
“I don't really drink alcohol...I'd rather not drink.” ([56:42])
Humorous Exchanges and Banter
Weightlifting Mishaps
Emily and James engage in playful discussions about the dangers of weightlifting, including accidental barbell drops:
“If I go halfway through a competition and doze off, I'm in trouble.” ([14:30])
Mocktails and Dietary Humor
Their banter extends to the terminology of drinks and Emily’s aversion to certain foods:
“I don't think you can go wrong when the bread's warm as well.” ([24:15])
Protein Product Satire
Emily humorously critiques the over-promotion of protein in everyday foods:
“We don't need to make everything protein... it's a whole fad.” ([65:43])
Competitive Cooking
They share funny insights into competitive cooking scenarios, highlighting the pressure of culinary perfection:
“If these people don't like it, then this just basically threw everything out the window of what I believed in myself.” ([49:25])
Conclusion
As the episode wraps up, Emily and James recap her dream menu, blending her athletic discipline with her culinary passions. They reflect on the balance between rigorous training and the joy of food, underscored by their trademark humor and camaraderie.
Emily expresses gratitude for the engaging conversation:
“Thank you so much for coming on the podcast...What a great episode. Learned so much.” ([69:29])
James compliments Emily’s insights:
“She's so much fun...She's an honor.” ([69:22])
The episode concludes with plans for future collaborations and a light-hearted farewell, leaving listeners both entertained and informed about the life of an Olympian weightlifter.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- James Acaster: “If you watch the Olympics, you will know Emily Campbell. She is a medal-winning weightlifter...” ([03:11])
- Emily Campbell: “I'm Caribbean, so food is like everything...I've grown up eating really great food and love food.” ([12:23])
- Emily Campbell: “There is nothing worse in life than dry chicken.” ([27:31])
- Emily Campbell: “I very controversially don't really like chocolate. If I do, it has to be white.” ([61:40])
- Emily Campbell: “We don't need to make everything protein... it's a whole fad.” ([65:43])
- Emily Campbell: “Thank you so much for coming on the podcast...What a great episode. Learned so much.” ([69:29])
This episode of Off Menu offers a delightful blend of athletic discipline and culinary passion, enriched by the engaging and humorous interactions between Emily Campbell and the hosts. Listeners gain valuable insights into the life of an Olympian while enjoying the light-hearted banter that makes the show unique.