Podcast Summary: Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster – Ep 299: Katherine Parkinson (Live in London)

Podcast Information:

• Title: Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster
• Hosts: Comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster
• Description: Ed Gamble and James Acaster invite special guests into their magical restaurant to choose their favorite starter, main course, side dish, dessert, and drink. It’s an exploration of dream meals and personal culinary preferences.
• Episode: Ep 299: Katherine Parkinson (Live in London)
• Release Date: July 7, 2025

Introduction and Context

[04:20] Ed Gamble:
The hosts announce this episode as a bonus live recording from their final show at the London Palladium. They express excitement about the guest, Catherine Parkinson, highlighting her as a "legend" and praising her work.

[04:39] James Acaster:
James shares his admiration for Katherine, mentioning his prior work experience with her and expressing genuine excitement for the episode.

[05:07] James Acaster:
He humorously warns listeners that some jokes in the show reference earlier segments that might not make sense without attending the live show. He encourages listeners to attend future shows and engage with their content on social media for clarifications.

Guest Introduction: Katherine Parkinson

[05:28] Ed Gamble:
Ed introduces Katherine Parkinson as the guest, mentioning that the audience selected "sardines" as the secret ingredient, tying it back to her role in the first episode of Inside No. 9.

[05:40] Ed Gamble:
He playfully describes the "Off Menu" ideology, blending humor with food imagery, setting a light-hearted tone for the conversation.

[06:18] James Acaster:
James reiterates the premise of Off Menu, emphasizing the creation of dream menus with guests. He introduces Catherine as the current guest, setting the stage for the forthcoming culinary discussions.

Dream Menu Discussions

Starter: Mackerel Pâté

[35:57] Katherine Parkinson:
Katherine discusses her dream starter as mackerel pâté, particularly praising her mother-in-law's version. She shares a heartfelt story about a memorable dinner in Bath where she experienced a beautifully executed chocolate fondant.

Notable Quote:
"I really, really like mackerel pâté and particularly made by his mum. So it kind of... I don't really know if I can truly say I like mackerel pâté." [36:34]

Main Course: Dover Sole off the Bone with Creamed Spinach

[36:10] Katherine Parkinson:
She selects Dover Sole off the bone with creamed spinach as her main course, highlighting its elegance and her appreciation for its taste balance without feeling overly full.

[37:08] Ed Gamble:
Ed adds his own preference for mackerel pâté, reinforcing the shared appreciation for seafood.

Notable Quote:
"My dream main would be Dover Sole off the bone, with creamed spinach. It just seems so elegant and balanced." [36:28]

Side Dish: Skinny Chips with Mayonnaise

[46:52] Katherine Parkinson:
Katherine chooses skinny chips with mayonnaise as her dream side dish, expressing a clear preference over traditional sides like green beans.

[47:00] Ed Gamble:
Ed humorously suggests dyeing the fries green to mimic green beans, adding levity to the discussion.

Notable Quote:
"That is my absolute dream side. I'd like to say green beans, but I'd just be lying." [46:54]

Dessert: Chocolate Fondant with Extra Sauce

[62:24] Katherine Parkinson:
Her dream dessert is chocolate fondant with extra sauce poured on top, recalling a vivid memory of enjoying this dish in Bath. She describes the sensory experience and the emotional impact it had on her.

[63:21] Ed Gamble:
Ed praises the dessert, highlighting its presentation and the indulgent experience.

Notable Quote:
"It's the pouring molten chocolate into it. It was so wonderful. It's really special." [63:21]

Drink: Champagne

[53:42] Katherine Parkinson:
Katherine opts for champagne as her dream drink, expressing a desire for high-quality, fizzy beverages. She mentions a transition from earlier preferences like white wine and Fanta to more sophisticated choices, albeit with a humorous note about her palate.

[54:54] Ed Gamble:
Ed humorously reiterates his fondness for champagne, linking it back to Meghan Markle in the conversation.

Notable Quote:
"I want champagne, please. And more expensive, the better." [54:48]

Personal Stories and Insights

Career and Personal Experiences

[12:35] Katherine Parkinson:
Katherine delves into her early career experiences, sharing anecdotes from her time working at TGI Fridays. She humorously recounts challenges like handling desserts under pressure and dealing with hair issues in the kitchen.

Notable Quote:
"I got put back of house and then I got put... I was in charge of the desserts, which is a really hard job." [16:11]

[18:31] Katherine Parkinson:
She discusses her high-sugar diet during her time working in the restaurant industry, humorously linking it to her dental issues and confectionery theft.

Notable Quote:
"I'm on this WhatsApp group and every day it's like everyone, the number of days they've been without it... it's one of the most depressing things that's ever happened to me." [62:57]

Health and Personal Life

[35:05] Katherine Parkinson:
Katherine shares a personal story about her husband's severe allergic reaction to seafood, which led to the discovery of his lupus. She explains how this experience has influenced their dietary choices and her emotional connection to certain foods.

Notable Quote:
"So we found out he had it [lupus]. But that if fillers had been a thing, I'd have gone, you know, look at my husband. And they'd have been like, yeah, wow, beautiful." [35:15]

[43:45] Katherine Parkinson:
She reveals her fear and disappointment regarding her husband's allergic reactions, intertwining humor with heartfelt sentiments about their relationship and dietary restrictions.

Notable Quote:
"I just didn't think about it. But can you edit it out, then? The story?" [42:44]

Culinary Preferences and Habits

[26:09] Katherine Parkinson:
Katherine expresses her love for bread, describing her preference for salt and vinegar crisps over poppadoms. She humorously laments her childhood diet and the impact of high sugar consumption on her dental health.

Notable Quote:
"I love bread. There was a stage a few years ago when actors and actresses were giving up bread. No way." [20:31]

[37:08] Katherine Parkinson:
She discusses her affinity for mackerel pâté, especially her mother-in-law's version, and shares a humorous take on how her hair might reflect her seafood indulgences.

[45:56] Katherine Parkinson:
Katherine responds to questions about gout, linking it to her love for mackerel pâté, and delves into historical anecdotes about Henry VIII's health issues for comedic effect.

Notable Quote:
"I think of that every time I stuff my face with absolute massive chunks of mackerel pate." [37:24]

Hobbies and Interests

[50:08] Katherine Parkinson:
She shares her passion for classics, highlighting her degree and interest in historical subjects like Pompeii. Katherine humorously addresses misconceptions about her interests, clarifying her fascination with history rather than inappropriate attractions.

Notable Quote:
"I get excited about... the Tragedy of Pompeii. It's fascinating." [57:23]

[58:07] Katherine Parkinson:
Katherine introduces the hobby of mud larking, describing it as a form of amateur archaeology where enthusiasts search riverbanks for historical artifacts. She shares a personal experience of finding a groat, adding depth to her character beyond culinary interests.

Notable Quote:
"It's like you're time traveling, but it's very interesting." [58:09]

Humorous Interludes and Banter

Throughout the episode, Ed Gamble and James Acaster engage in playful banter with Katherine, injecting humor into the conversation. They joke about topics ranging from dry ice, cigarette hat policies at TGI Fridays, to the technicalities of bread makers.

[08:20] Katherine Parkinson:
"I don't actually peel. I peel." ([08:20])
— Katherine humorously clarifies the proper way to handle Terry’s Chocolate Orange, debunking the myth perpetuated by advertisements.

[57:33] James Acaster:
"What a scene you've created here." ([67:35])
— James playfully directs Katherine in an improvised skit about offering a desk, showcasing their comedic chemistry.

[71:15] Ed Gamble:
"Thank you to the great Benito." ([71:15])
— Ed humorously acknowledges their stage crew, adding a layer of behind-the-scenes humor to the episode.

Conclusion

[71:03] James Acaster and Ed Gamble:
The hosts wrap up the live show with heartfelt thanks to Katherine Parkinson and the crew. They reflect on the memorable moments from their London Palladium run, expressing gratitude to their team and audience.

[72:00] Ed Gamble:
Ed humorously mentions future live shows at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2026, promoting upcoming opportunities for fans to engage with their content.

[72:54] James Acaster:
James shares a light-hearted remark about not needing to text him every week, adding a humorous touch to the conclusion.

[73:21] Ed Gamble:
A final advertisement is delivered succinctly, maintaining the episode's flow despite transitioning from content to sponsorship.

Key Takeaways and Insights

1. Personal Connections to Food:
   Katherine Parkinson shares how her personal experiences, such as her husband's health issues, shape her culinary preferences and memories. This intertwining of personal life with food choices adds depth to her character and provides relatable content for listeners.

2. Humor in Storytelling:
   The episode balances heartfelt stories with comedic elements, showcasing the hosts' ability to blend humor seamlessly into meaningful conversations. This approach keeps the audience engaged while delivering authentic insights.

3. Culinary Preferences as Reflection of Personality:
   The discussion of Katherine's dream menu reveals her taste preferences, background experiences, and emotional connections to certain foods, painting a vivid picture of her personality through culinary choices.

4. Behind-the-Scenes Humor:
   The playful exchanges between the hosts and Katherine offer a glimpse into their dynamic and the light-hearted nature of the show, enhancing listener enjoyment through spontaneous humor.

5. Engagement with Audience through Social Media:
   The hosts encourage audience interaction by directing them to social media platforms for clarifications and engaging content, fostering a community around the podcast.

6. Balancing Content with Advertisements:
   The episode skillfully navigates between content and advertisements, maintaining the flow and ensuring that sponsorship messages do not detract from the main conversation.

Notable Quotes:

• Katherine Parkinson:
  "I really, really like mackerel pâté and particularly made by his mum. So it kind of..." ([36:34])

• James Acaster:
  "I think being a foodie is just enjoying eating food. It's just like, just appreciating and loving food and thinking about it." ([13:20])

• Katherine Parkinson:
  "It's like you're time traveling, but it's very interesting." ([58:09])

• Ed Gamble:
  "Give it up for Catherine Parkinson, everybody. Thank you so much for coming to the show." ([70:53])

This episode of Off Menu with Katherine Parkinson offers a delightful blend of personal anecdotes, culinary discussions, and humor, providing listeners with an engaging and insightful experience. Katherine's candid storytelling, paired with the hosts' comedic flair, makes for a memorable installment in the Off Menu series.