Podcast Summary: Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster Featuring Stevie Martin

Episode Information:

• Title: Stevie Martin
• Release Date: August 6, 2025
• Hosts: Ed Gamble and James Acaster
• Guest: Stevie Martin

1. Introduction and Guest Welcome

[03:40] Ed Gamble:
Ed warmly welcomes listeners to the episode, expressing his excitement about having Stevie Martin as the guest. He humorously references past episodes and sets a light-hearted tone for the discussion.

[04:11] James Acaster:
James introduces the premise of the podcast, explaining that they own a dream restaurant and invite guests to choose their favorite starter, main course, side dish, dessert, and drink. This week, Stevie Martin is the featured guest.

2. Guest Background: Stevie Martin

[04:27] Ed Gamble:
Ed praises Stevie's comedic talents and her online presence, mentioning her involvement in the "Nobody Panic Podcast" alongside Tessa Coates. He highlights her versatility both online and offline.

[04:46] James Acaster:
James elaborates on Stevie's participation in "Taskmaster," expressing enthusiasm about her appearance and predicting entertaining moments based on her personality.

3. Dream Meal Discussion

Stevie Martin takes the listeners through her ideal meal, detailing each course with Ed and James providing playful commentary and reactions.

a. Starter

[31:36] James Acaster:
James prompts Stevie to share her dream starter, leading to a humorous back-and-forth about the challenges of selecting the perfect appetizer.

[32:07] Stevie Martin:
Stevie expresses her preference for a robust bread platter over traditional starters, emphasizing her love for bread and dips.

"I just sort of would want some more bread. Maybe with oil and balsamic this time."

• Stevie Martin [32:07]

[33:10] James Acaster:
James reflects on the irony, noting that many guests find bread too filling for a starter, whereas Stevie disagrees.

"I've never had anywhere close to good vegan nachos anywhere."

• Stevie Martin [56:30]

b. Side Dish

[43:08] James Acaster:
James inquires about Stevie's ideal side dish, leading her to innovate on traditional options.

[45:03] Stevie Martin:
Stevie introduces her unique take on side dishes, proposing Padron pepper poppers filled with vegan cream cheese and breaded to perfection.

"Padron pepper poppers. That's good."

• Stevie Martin [45:03]

c. Main Course

[35:07] James Acaster:
James asks Stevie about her main course, which she enthusiastically describes as a hearty plate of nachos, tailored to her vegan preferences.

"Nachos. Okay, I'll stick with them. Nachos."

• Stevie Martin [35:07]

[39:09] Stevie Martin:
Stevie delves into the preparation of her dream nachos, emphasizing the importance of reducing the chili con carne to prevent sogginess and ensuring each chip retains its structure.

"It's all about the reduction of the chili con carne. You've got to reduce that. So it's like it's not got any liquid bubbling around, it's almost dry."

• Stevie Martin [39:09]

d. Drink

[46:50] James Acaster:
James shifts the focus to Stevie's preferred beverage, prompting her to share her love for extra dry, dirty vodka martinis. She recounts a humorous anecdote about ordering her desired martini at a Soho House.

"I really like vodka martinis that are extra dry. So very, like, very little vermouth."

• Stevie Martin [46:58]

e. Dessert

[53:13] Stevie Martin:
Stevie concludes her meal with a decadent vegan apple pie accompanied by cold custard. She describes the perfect balance of sweet and sour notes, highlighting the importance of the custard's temperature to complement the hot pie.

"Piping hot, lukewarm, I think. I don't want it too hot because then everything just melts immediately and you're like, bleh."

• Stevie Martin [54:57]

4. Insights into Stevie’s Comedic Style and Tour

[17:09] Stevie Martin:
Stevie discusses her upcoming tour with her show "Clout," expressing excitement and sharing her experiences with touring, including her preference for efficient performances and her newfound love for snacks like crisps.

[18:12] Stevie Martin:
She humorously reveals her late discovery of enjoying flavored crisps, emphasizing her evolving food preferences during the tour.

"This is your thing this year?"

• Stevie Martin [18:46]

5. Challenges and Changes in the Meal

Throughout the episode, Stevie grapples with balancing her meal choices, occasionally expressing frustration with the initial suggestions and adjusting her preferences to better suit her tastes and dietary needs.

[59:08] Stevie Martin:
In a candid moment, Stevie reflects on her initial discomfort with the menu, ultimately adjusting her choices to align more closely with her real preferences.

"I don't like it. It's just that I was either that or like, a roast dinner."

• Stevie Martin [58:54]

[60:12] Stevie Martin:
She creatively merges her love for nachos with a desire for a more substantial meal, showcasing her ability to innovate within the constraints of the Dream Restaurant’s menu.

"Full size Roast dinner. And then. Oh my God, that's amazing. Thank you for having me."

• Stevie Martin [61:30]

6. Concluding Remarks

[62:00] Ed Gamble:
Ed wraps up the episode by reflecting on Stevie’s unique menu creation, acknowledging her self-doubt and the humorous twists during the discussion.

[62:52] Stevie Martin:
Stevie humorously apologizes for the menu mishaps, thanking Ed and James for their hospitality despite the chaotic ordering process.

"I messed that up so badly, but thank you for having me."

• Stevie Martin [61:50]

[62:37] James Acaster:
James offers consolation to Stevie, reassuring her that not all aspects went wrong and highlighting Stevie’s successful tour with "Clout."

[63:00] Ed Gamble:
Ed teases future episodes, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for more entertaining discussions and guest interactions.

"See you next week."

• Ed Gamble [62:50]

Notable Quotes:

• "I have a real issue with starters, but I don't want to."
  - Stevie Martin [31:42]

• "It's all about the reduction of the chili con carne."
  - Stevie Martin [39:09]

• "I really like vodka martinis that are extra dry."
  - Stevie Martin [46:58]

• "I don't like it. It's just that I was either that or like, a roast dinner."
  - Stevie Martin [58:54]

• "I messed that up so badly, but thank you for having me."
  - Stevie Martin [61:50]

Key Takeaways:

• Stevie Martin's Unique Culinary Preferences:
  Stevie's ideal meal deviates from traditional starters, favoring a hearty bread platter and a robust nacho main course tailored to her vegan lifestyle.

• Innovation in Meal Preparation:
  Her approach to preventing soggy nachos and her creative side dish ideas, like Padron pepper poppers, showcase her culinary ingenuity.

• Humorous Interactions:
  The dynamic between Stevie, Ed, and James adds a layer of humor, especially when navigating the complexities of creating a personalized dream meal.

• Personal Insights:
  Stevie shares personal anecdotes about her touring experiences, evolving food tastes, and challenges faced in maintaining dietary preferences while on the road.

• Final Reflections:
  The episode concludes on a light-hearted note, emphasizing the camaraderie between the hosts and their guest despite the playful chaos of menu creation.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the podcast episode, highlighting Stevie Martin's journey in crafting her dream meal, her comedic insights, and the engaging interactions with hosts Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Whether you're a fan of the podcast or new to it, this episode offers a delightful blend of humor, culinary creativity, and personal storytelling.