The Food Granny: Grit, Jam, and a Cat Named Milo

The Food Granny: Grit, Jam, and a Cat Named Milo

Author: Matthew Gray - 50TastesOfGray May 8, 2026 Duration: 46:32
Christine Smith — better known as The Food Granny — joins me for a conversation seasoned with grit, jam, humor, and the kind of lived‑in wisdom that only comes from a life cooked slowly. Born in post‑war Yorkshire and shaped by ration‑era kitchens, Christine learned to cook by watching her grandmothers move through a kitchen like it was a language. She talks about simple food, wooden spoons, jam that forces you to slow down, and why Italian food is “peasant food done properly.” We explore her unexpected journey: breaking her arm in Vietnam, writing a book with one finger on her phone, and accidentally turning her cat Milo into an AI‑generated internet celebrity. We also dive into language, grit, Aussie‑isms that “rip her knitting,” and the joy of embracing who you are instead of performing for the world. This episode is warm, grounded, funny, and full of the kind of small truths that sneak up on you. Pull up a chair. Pour a cup of tea. Let Milo sleep on the stool next to you. You’re going to love this one. #TheFoodGranny #50TastesOfGray #CookingStories Christine Smith – The Food Granny Website: thefoodgranny.com.au Instagram: @thefoodgranny Book: Granny’s Gripes Follow Matthew: 🎙️ 50 Tastes Of Gray — Broadcasting from Honolulu. One guest. No rules. 📸 Instagram: @50tastesofgray 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/50TastesOfGrayPodcast 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthew-gray-hawaii ✍️ Substack: 50TastesOfGray.substack.com 🌺 HawaiiFoodTours.com ▶️ YouTube: @50TastesOfGray  

Aloha from Hawaii! I’m Matthew Gray, a lifelong chef and radio guy, and this is 50 Tastes Of Gray. Think of this podcast as a long, comfortable table where smart conversation is always on the menu. Each episode is built around a generous helping of stories and laughter, served with genuine warmth, a sharp wit, and just a dash of mischief. I sit down with fascinating people from all corners of the creative world-chefs, artists, musicians, thinkers, and anyone with a compelling story about how they live. Naturally, we talk about flavor and food, but the discussion always expands to explore what truly feeds the soul: curiosity, creativity, and the messy, beautiful connections that define our relationships and culture. You'll hear unexpected insights that blend the arts, comedy, and observations on society, all flowing from relaxed, in-depth chats. This isn't a lecture or an interview checklist; it's the kind of talk that happens when interesting people are given the space to dig into what matters, finding the humor and humanity in everything from a perfect meal to a life-changing idea. Tune in for a podcast that feels like a great dinner party-nourishing, unpredictable, and deeply human.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

50 Tastes Of Gray
Podcast Episodes
Is God a Boy or a Girl? Gina Barreca Explains [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:51
In Is God a Boy or a Girl? Gina Barreca Explains, Gina Barreca joins Matthew Gray for a witty, thought‑provoking conversation about love, food, and humor. From debating the gender of The Supreme Being to her love of mash…
6 Steps to Fewer Days That Suck || Deborah Mallow Visits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:20
Deborah Mallow, author of Six Steps to Fewer Days That Suck, joins Matthew Gray to share her inspiring journey from classic overachiever to finding true balance and happiness. In this conversation, Deborah explains how s…
The Perfectly Impossible Crime Plot with Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:30
Cartoonist Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell joins Matthew Gray on 50 Tastes Of Gray to plot The Perfect Murder: Death By Cheese — A Culinary Conspiracy. From Gruyere as a deadly weapon to finger foods at a wellness retreat, th…
The Art of Vegan & Plant-Based Cooking with Chef Adina [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:06
In this engaging conversation, Chef Adina Mullen discusses her journey into vegan cooking, the differences between vegan and vegetarian diets, and her approach to creating delicious plant-based dishes. She shares insight…
Danielle Blum: Fragments, Finger Paint, and Fifty Flavors of Truth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:18
Danielle Blum doesn’t just write stories—she builds worlds where truth, chaos, and affection collide. In this full episode, she opens up about life in Portugal, the creative breakthroughs behind Fragments of Affection, a…
Inside the Restaurant Underbelly with Cellar Rat Hannah Selinger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:32
Step inside the restaurant underbelly with "Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly" author Hannah Selinger. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Hannah shares food confessions, personal memories, and the emoti…
Dining Out Is a Skill: The New Rules You Were Never Taught [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
In this conversation with host Matthew Gray, Adam Reiner discusses his new book, 'The New Rules to Dining Out,' exploring the evolution of dining etiquette, the complexities of the restaurant economy, and the importance…
Jay Heinrichs: Master of Persuasion | with Promo Bloopers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:31
In this engaging conversation, Jay Heinrichs, a New York Times best selling author and an expert in rhetoric and self-persuasion, shares insights on the art of persuasion, the science of happiness, and the role of rhetor…
Devour First, Apologize Never | Infidelity Rules [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:27
“Infidelity Rules” is Joelle Babula’s unapologetic guide to desire, danger, and emotional arson. Quinn doesn’t ask permission. She sips the wine, breaks the rules, and devours you like dessert. Host Matthew Gray reveals…
Sweet Endings From The Two Bit Tart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:26
In this episode, Matthew Gray interviews Julie Seyler, The Two Bit Tart, and author of Gluten for Punishment, a baking memoir that turns heartbreak into humor and sweet endings, and just the right amount of spice. Julie…