Forget about chasing the loudest food trends! In 2026, the real movement is quieter, more personal, and a lot more meaningful.

Mike Kostyo of Menu Matters is back to kick off the new year, and this time he's zooming out. As a Trendologist who studies what we're eating now and what we'll be eating later, Mike explains why the next wave of food culture is less about viral ingredients and more about authenticity, intention, and connection. Think smaller batch, clearer sourcing, and brands choosing what truly fits them instead of jumping on every bandwagon. I've got to say, I'm pretty psyched!

In this episode, we talk about how consumers are craving food that feels real, where it comes from, who made it, and why it exists. We also discuss how this shift shows up in restaurants, grocery stores, and home kitchens, and what it means for how we cook and eat week to week.

Mike also shares one of his favorite breezy weeknight dinners that fits perfectly with this mindset. Fish en papillote is simple, flexible, and quietly elegant, letting ingredients shine without a lot of fussiness. It's proof that cooking well doesn't have to be complicated to taste great.

If you're curious about where food culture is heading next and how to bring those ideas into your own kitchen, this conversation will leave you inspired and grounded heading into the year ahead.

Mike's Links:
https://www.menumatters.com
LinkedIn: @MrKostyo
Instagram: @menu.matters

Christine's Links"
Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
Our Recipe of the Day Facebook Group

Email Me! [email protected]
Subscribe to the Podcast
Join the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or Instagram
Websites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.com
Christine’s Newsletter
The All New Chicken Cookbook (#ad)

Looking for deeper flavor in your baked BBQ chicken legs? Pull the skin back before seasoning and then let the high heat take care of the rest. Instructions are given for delicious skin-off chicken legs as well. Recipe: Baked BBQ Chicken Legs from TheCookful.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
Baked BBQ Chicken Legs
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs
Crispiest Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Youtube Video For Skinning Raw Chicken Drumsticks
BBQ Grilled Chicken Thighs
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.

Join my COOKforTWO Community here!

Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest
Newsletter: CookTheStory.com
Websites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.com

Have a great day! -Christine xo

Need a quick protein for dinner? Chicken tenderloins cook in the air fryer in about 10 minutes and don’t need a breading, just simple seasoning for flavor and color. They’re juicy, fast, and perfect for busy nights. Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins from TheCookful.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.

Join my COOKforTWO Community here!

Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest
Newsletter: CookTheStory.com
Websites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.com

Have a great day! -Christine xo

Forget the idea that meal planning has to be rigid or boring. Angela Pittman is here with a real-life, flexible approach that makes weeknight dinners easier and more delicious, especially when school and routines kick back in.

Angela has been a professional in the food industry for decades, and she's also my sister-in-law! With all of her cooking skills, and practical life skills, she has figured out how to plan meals in a way that actually works for her busy family. In this first episode of the new year, it's time to get back into our routines and this episode will help.

Ang also shares her delicious homemade tomato sauce, that is also a great way to never waste fresh veggies.

Links:
Quarry Oaks Golf Course
Garlic Brie
Pork Chops and Sauerkraut

Email Me! [email protected]
Subscribe to the Podcast
Join the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or Instagram
Websites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.com
Christine’s Newsletter
The All New Chicken Cookbook (#ad)

Want the cozy and classic combo of tender pork chops and tangy sauerkraut quickly? Thin pork chops cook in minutes, and apple adds a touch of sweetness. And the sauerkraut too, of course! Recipe: Pork Chops and Sauerkraut from COOKtheSTORY.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
The All New Chicken Cookbook
Pork Chops and Sauerkraut
Pork and Sauerkraut
Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut
How To Cook Thin Pork Chops Perfectly
Smothered Pork Chops

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.

Join my COOKforTWO Community here!

Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest
Newsletter: CookTheStory.com
Websites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.com

Have a great day! -Christine xo

If you’re having friends over for New Year’s Eve, a delicious and festive drink solution is to serve a Champagne punch. Pour the ingredients into a pretty bowl and get ready for the countdown! Recipe: Ginger Basil Champagne Punch & Cranberry Champagne Punch from COOKtheSTORY.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
Ginger Basil Champagne Punch
Cranberry Champagne Punch
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.

Join my COOKforTWO Community here!

Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest
Newsletter: CookTheStory.com
Websites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.com

Have a great day! -Christine xo

Think oysters are only for fancy restaurants or fearless eaters? Lisa Lotts from Garlic and Zest is here to show you why oysters deserve a spot at your New Year’s Eve table, and how easy they can be to enjoy at home.

Lisa is the creator of GarlicandZest.com, where she shares bold, approachable recipes that make cooking feel exciting but doable. In this episode, we talk about why oysters are such a classic celebration food, how to buy and store them with confidence, and what makes them perfect for ringing in the new year.

She walks us through how to serve oysters at home in a way that feels special, fun, and totally doable, whether you’re hosting a crowd or celebrating quietly. It’s all about starting the new year with something a little indulgent and a lot delicious.

Lisa's Links:
Oysters Rockefeller
Lisa's Indispensable Oyster Guide
Rappahannock Oyster Company
Old Fashioned Sausage and Oyster Dressing
Classic Oyster Stew
Cut-Resistant Oyster Gloves (#ad)
Oyster Shucking Knife with Cut Gloves Kit (#ad)
Lisa on Instagram @garlicandzest
Lisa on YouTube

Christine's Links:

Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
Broccoli Cheddar Pickle Dip
Garlic and Red Pepper Baked Brie
12 Days of Dip
Champagne Punch (Ginger Basil)
Cranberry Champagne Punch

COOKforTWO Gift Membership with Adorable Wooden Spoon :)

Email Me! [email protected]
Subscribe to the Podcast
Join the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or Instagram
Websites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.com
Christine's Newsletter
The All New Chicken Cookbook (#ad)

If you’re a garlic lover, this Garlic Roast Pork is for you. Coated with a simple blend of garlic, herbs, and olive oil, this pork loin roast is delicious! Recipe: Garlic Pork Roast from COOKtheSTORY.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
Garlic Pork Roast
How to Brine Pork Loin
Homemade Pork Gravy
Juicy Pork Loin Recipe
Pork Butt Roast
Roasted Pork Shoulder
Perfect Pork Rib Roast
How to Make a Pork Crown Roast
Baked Pork Tenderloin That Isn’t Dry
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.

Join my COOKforTWO Community here!

Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest
Newsletter: CookTheStory.com
Websites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.com

Have a great day! -Christine xo

This Christmas Coffee Blend is easy to make and tasty to drink. It’s ground coffee flavored with cinnamon and other spices. Recipe: Christmas Coffee Recipe from COOKtheSTORY.

Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #ad
Christmas Coffee Recipe
Mulled Wine Recipe
The All New Chicken Cookbook

Here's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.

Join my COOKforTWO Community here!

Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest
Newsletter: CookTheStory.com
Websites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.com

Have a great day! -Christine xo

What do a vegan cookbook author and a New Yorker cartoonist have in common? More than you might think! Listen as Nava Atlas and The Bob join forces in a conversation that is creative, cozy, and yes, a little bit purrfect.

Nava is a longtime vegan author and illustrator, while Bob Eckstein is a celebrated cartoonist whose work you have almost certainly seen. Together, they've created the charming illustrated book Inspired by Cats: Writers and Their Mews(es). In this episode, we talk about how this unexpected partnership came together, why it actually makes perfect sense, and how cats, creativity, and friendship weave through their work.

Of course, we also talk about food! Nava shares a warming and fun Vegan Taco Soup from her cookbook Vegan Soups and Stews for All Seasons, and Bob talks about one of his favorite Nava recipes, a bright and satisfying Pear Couscous Salad. It's a conversation about inspiration, collaboration, cats, and good food, all on the Recipe of the Day podcast this week.

Taco Soup Photo by Theresa Raffetto

Inspired by Cats: Writers and Their Mews(es) by Nava Atlas and Bob Eckstein

Bob's Links:
The Bob (Bob's substack)
Footnotes from the World's Greatest Bookstores by Bob Eckstein
Footnotes from the Most Fascinating Museums by Bob Eckstein

Nava's Links:
Nava's Literary Ladies Guide
Literary Ladies Guide newsletter on Substack
The Vegan Atlas
The Vegan Atlas newsletter on Substack
NavaAtlasArt.com
Vegan Soups and Stews for All Seasons by Nava Atlas
Vegetariana: A Rich Harvest of Wit, Lore, & Recipes
Vegan Holiday Kitchen

Christine's Links:

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Should You Poke Holes in Sausages?
Homemade Pierogies
Cabbage Rolls (Ukrainian Holubtsi)
Easy Homemade Borscht Recipe
Homemade Mushroom Gravy
12 Days of Dips
12 Days of Roasts