Chris Carbaugh reflects on his mother's love through the humble foods he grew up eating. Christine Venzon feels a warm embrace in the form of cold cake and Lori Barrett connects at the drive through.

Patricia Smith discovers and grapples with her mother's dementia through her recipes. Nathan Crawford discovers his love for fresh pasta after locking himself out of his apartment. And we revisit Jon's exploration of what it means to be Appalachian through a simple mantra.

Ellen Scolnic calls a hotline about tater tots. Rachel Gray recalls the evolution of her grandmother's cooking. And Ryan Wells remembers bartending in the UK. All far more exciting than they sound!

Season 6 of Dirty Spoon starts next month! To tide you over, we've got a collection of some of our favorite stories from the past five years. While in transition, Andy Winder learns about masculinity from reflecting on their father's behavior in the kitchen. Tricia Stearns learns to love her enemies -- and that they can often become your greatest teachers -- through brownie pie. We venture into the Hillbilly Vegan realm with Kim Freeman. And Shana Bestock rediscovers her connection with food by cooking for foster kids.

Smitha Murthy recalls the wonders of her mother's kitchen in Bangalore. Laura Brennan finds respite in home made soups while on tour. And Rebecca Brothers makes her peace with pie.

Sumitra Mattai explores the joy and sorrow of Pirate's Booty. Lydia Kwateng Eppic explores the deep story behind recipes. And Jeanine DeHoney recalls her father's red eye gravy and all that jazz.

Jon explores the strange and storied saga of the worlds most controversial seasoning, Mono Sodium Glutamate, chatting with Chef Chris Koetke, and Dr. Tia Rains of Ajinomoto.

Our annual rebroadcast of our Holiday Special is an ever growing project. Each year we hear some of the same stories and music, while sprinkling in a few new ones. Happy Holidays!

Erica Goss recalls life lessons from learning to make zucchini bread as a child in a commune in San Francisco. Mackenzie Jackson looks back on the ever-evolving family dinners in her family. And Rachel Bucci pays tribute to the often overlooked British staple -- beans on toast.

Christine Venzon explores the roots of comfort food. Jon talks with Chef Steven Goff about the legacy and future of the Tastee Diner, a restaurant with nearly eighty years of history in Asheville, and just why the hell anyone would take on the responsibility of a legacy restaurant?