The Sporkful Creators & Guests

Dan Pashman is the creator and host of WNYC's James Beard Award-nominated food Podcast The Sporkful. He is also the host of Cooking Channel's James Beard Award-nominated web series You're Eating It Wrong.

Aviva DeKornfeld is a journalist and audio producer, currently working as an Associate Producer for "his American Life."Previously, DeKornfeld was a producer for the NPR show "Rough Translation," and, before that, "Planet Money." Her writing has been featured on the Feminist Wire and in the Daily Palette.DeKornfeld received a B.A. in Sociology from Pitzer College, and is a graduate of the Transom Storytelling Workshop.

Zach Stafford is the Editor in Chief of The Advocate Magazine.Prior to working for The Advocate, Stafford served as the Chief Content Officer for Grindr. He was Editor-at-Large for Out Magazine, and before that he was a writer for The Guardian. He is the co-editor of "Boys: An Anthology."Stafford received his B.A. in Women's & Gender Studies from DePaul University.

James Kenji López-Alt, often known simply as Kenji, is an American chef and food writer

Paul F. Tompkins is an American comedian, actor, and writer. He gained recognition for his work on the sketch comedy show Mr. Show with Bob and David and as a frequent guest on shows like Best Week Ever. Tompkins is also well-known for his extensive work in podcasting, including hosting The Pod F. Tompkast and co-hosting the popular Spontaneanation podcast. He has appeared in films like There Will Be Blood (2007) and television shows such as BoJack Horseman, where he voiced the character Mr. Peanutbutter.

Aasif Mandviwala is an actor and comedian. He began appearing as an occasional contributing correspondent on The Daily Show.

Kumail Nanjiani, born May 2, 1978, is a Pakistani-American actor, comedian, and writer known for his sharp wit and diverse talent. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Dinesh Chugtai in the critically acclaimed HBO series "Silicon Valley." Nanjiani co-wrote and starred in the semi-autobiographical romantic comedy "The Big Sick," which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay and was praised for its heartfelt and humorous storytelling. He further showcased his versatility by transforming his physique for the role of Kingo in Marvel's "Eternals," expanding his presence in the superhero genre. Nanjiani's work consistently highlights his range as an actor and his ability to blend humor with poignant storytelling.

Pete Wells is the restaurant critic for The New York Times.

Ed Gamble is a British stand-up comedian, known for co-presenting The Peacock and Gamble Podcast and his regular appearances on Mock the Week.

Dessa (real name Margret Wander) is a rapper, singer, and essayist.Dessa has performed around the world as a member of the Doomtree hip-hop crew and as a solo artist.Dessa's work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota Monthly, and several literary journals. She has published two short collections of poetry and essays.

Samin Nosrat is a chef and food writer.

Bettina Makalintal is a food and culture writer who covers food through the lens of pop culture, history, and cultural criticism. Currently, she is a senior reporter at Eater.Previously, Makalintal was an associate print editor at Bon Appétit and a staff writer at Vice’s Munchies.

Gary Gulman is a seasoned stand-up comedian recognized for his incisive observational humor and articulate commentary. He has produced several acclaimed comedy specials, including "The Great Depresh," which thoughtfully addresses mental health. Gulman has made numerous appearances on late-night television and is a regular performer at major comedy festivals, establishing himself as a respected figure in the comedy industry.

Sean Rameswaram is the host of the daily Vox news podcast, Today Explained. He has a correspondent for Radiolab's More Perfect, and he has made radio for the CBC, NPR, and WNYC, where he hosted the fondly remembered Sideshow podcast for Studio 360.

Roy Wood Jr. is an American comedian, actor, and writer, widely recognized for his role as a correspondent on The Daily Show. His sharp, socially conscious humor has earned him a reputation for tackling complex issues such as race and politics. Wood has released several stand-up specials, including Father Figure and No One Loves You, and appeared in numerous TV shows and films such as Sullivan & Son and Confess, Fletch. He has also hosted This Is Not Happening on Comedy Central.

Christopher Kimball is an American chef, editor, publisher, and radio/TV personality.

Dan Savage is an author, media pundit, journalist, and activist for the LGBT community.

Emily V. Gordon is a writer, producer and podcast host. She is well known for co-writing the 2017 romantic comedy film The Big Sick.