Late last year, Robin Sussingham, senior editor at WUSF Public Media, decided she wanted to throw her hat in the ring and create a food podcast, The Zest. Each episode is geared toward giving listeners a taste of Florida’s rich food culture of the past and present while highlighting local talent and giving helpful tips to home cooks and non-cooking foodies alike.
Sussingham is no stranger to the world of podcasts, hosting her first nearly a decade ago and a second called Florida Matters More, an extra bit she would do after WUSF’s Florida Matters.
The editor called in a favor to associate producer and co-host of WEDU Arts Plus on Tampa Bay’s PBS, Dalia Colon.
Colon joined the team late last year as The Zest’s producer and has realized that the behind-the-scenes editing of a podcast isn’t as easy as it sounds.
“We realized making a podcast is a lot of work, as a listener, you take that for granted,” Colon says with a laugh.
Colon was instantly on board; she’s a foodie, but she also thinks Sussingham’s vocals are what will keep listeners coming back for more each week.
“I love working with Robin, her voice is so soothing to me. It’s like a mom’s back rub.”
Anyone who listens to podcasts knows the host’s voice is pivotal to a loyal audience. Let’s just hope they keep the ASMR with the vocals and steer clear from chewing and whispering segments.
But what makes The Zest different from any other food podcast out there?
“Florida has diverse neighborhoods, very different places with different cuisines and the food scene is evolving,” says Sussingham.
Which means loads of untapped content from around the state and in our own backyard.
The two also brought Janet Keeler, former Tampa Bay Times journalist and cookbook author, on board to host segments interviewing cookbook authors and sharing recipes.
It is as easy as subscribing and allowing push notifications to alert you for new episodes, or simply check in every Thursday for a new interview, recipe or local historical foodie tidbit.
The first episode of the podcast debuted last Thursday and was packed with information about Tampa Bay’s rich history and current food culture. The 29-minute episode kicks off with a seasonal gem you’ll want to take notes on while Colon gets a lesson in mojito-making from the fifth-generation owner of Florida's oldest Spanish restaurant, the Columbia. The episode also features Sussingham checking in with former Times food writer Laura Reiley about the city’s burgeoning food scene, followed by Keeler on cookbooks, and a rundown of Tampa Bay’s history of beer and brewing from a local historian.
Buckle up — you’re about to get educated on all things food in Tampa Bay and beyond.
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This article appears in May 2-9, 2019.