Skip to Content
Talkhouse home
Talkhouse home
Podcast

109: Rick Martínez

Today on the show, Matt is speaking with Rick Martínez, a chef, Youtube food creator, and author of the wonderful New York Times Bestselling book Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture From My Kitchen in Mexico. We’ve long followed Rick’s career at Bon Appétit and Food52, but we got to know him a lot better during this candid conversation. We talked about what food was like growing up in Austin, Texas, and how he switched from working a high-flying career in advertising (and living a very Mad Men–style existence, by Rick’s account) to dropping everything to work in restaurant kitchens, including at ABC Kitchen. That’s when things got interesting. Rick began working in food editorial at the Food Network and later Bon Appétit, where he worked in and out of the test kitchen—and on and off camera. We also talk about his book, which makes a great cookbook and an even better travel book. Plus, we dig into some of the regional dishes he channeled in his fresh and flavorful recipe writing.  More from Rick Martínez:Regional Mexican Cooking, the Rick Martínez Way [TASTE]Author Rick Martinez on Traveling 20,000 Miles Through Mexico [CN Traveler]Rick Martínez Is on a Mission to Smash Misconceptions About Mexican Cuisine [Today]Diana Kennedy Says Goodbye to her Cookbooks [TASTE] Buy: Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture From My Kitchen in Mexico

Note: this podcast contains explicit content.

Episode Info

  • Episode109
Today on the show, Matt is speaking with Rick Martínez, a chef, Youtube food creator, and author of the wonderful New York Times Bestselling book Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture From My Kitchen in Mexico. We’ve long followed Rick’s career at Bon Appétit and Food52, but we got to know him a lot better during this candid conversation. We talked about what food was like growing up in Austin, Texas, and how he switched from working a high-flying career in advertising (and living a very Mad Men–style existence, by Rick’s account) to dropping everything to work in restaurant kitchens, including at ABC Kitchen. That’s when things got interesting.Rick began working in food editorial at the Food Network and later Bon Appétit, where he worked in and out of the test kitchen—and on and off camera. We also talk about his book, which makes a great cookbook and an even better travel book. Plus, we dig into some of the regional dishes he channeled in his fresh and flavorful recipe writing. More from Rick Martínez:Regional Mexican Cooking, the Rick Martínez Way [TASTE]Author Rick Martinez on Traveling 20,000 Miles Through Mexico [CN Traveler]Rick Martínez Is on a Mission to Smash Misconceptions About Mexican Cuisine [Today]Diana Kennedy Says Goodbye to her Cookbooks [TASTE]Buy: Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture From My Kitchen in Mexico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

Related Stories

Episode 342-2026 Mid-Year Review

June 25, 2026

Mike Campbell

The legendary Heartbreakers guitar player talks meeting most of his heroes, the “it’s just the normal noises” intro to the Heartbreakers classic “Even the Losers,” and gratitude.

June 24, 2026

Transmissions :: Don Was

Don Was on Detroit legend Ted Lucas and much more.

June 24, 2026