Ayoade Bamgboye
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In this vibrant episode of Off Menu, James Acaster and Ed Gamble welcome comedian Ayoade Bamgboye, the award-winning Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer, for a deeply personal and hilarious exploration of food, identity, and the absurdity of modern life. Ayoade shares her dream menu with a rich blend of cultural pride and whimsy: a Scotch egg as a symbol of British-Nigerian heritage, smoky jollof rice inspired by Senegal, and a sticky toffee pudding drenched in treacle sauce. The conversation weaves through her spiritual visions, her love for Stephen Merchant, and her sharp wit on topics ranging from fecal clouds to the over-saturation of Biscoff. The hosts engage in their signature banter, with Ayoade’s warmth and vulnerability shining through, especially when discussing her journey from advertising to full-time comedy and her complex relationship with her Nigerian roots. The episode culminates in a joyful celebration of authenticity, creativity, and the power of food to connect people across cultures and generations.
Ayoade Bamgboye’s dream menu blends British and Nigerian cuisine, symbolizing her dual heritage and personal journey.
The Scotch egg is more than a starter—it’s a cultural emblem of resilience and joy.
Embrace imperfection: Ayoade’s vision of a 'dream restaurant' includes hidden kitchens and spirit workers, reflecting a playful, imaginative worldview.
Food can be a spiritual experience—Ayoade’s love for sticky toffee pudding is tied to emotional comfort and sensory delight.
Comedy is a form of survival: Ayoade writes to stay grounded, turning pain into art.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome to the Dream Restaurant
James and Ed introduce the episode with their signature humor, welcoming Ayoade Bamgboye to the Off Menu dream restaurant. They set the tone with playful banter, teasing about James’s butt-pointing habit and the controversial secret ingredient: Biscoff.
Ayoade’s Identity and the Foodie Paradox
Ayoade reflects on her identity as an 'eater' rather than a 'foodie,' embracing her love for comfort foods like Bulldack noodles and sausage bean and cheese melts. The hosts explore the cultural weight of food and the absurdity of modern food trends.
From Advertising to Comedy: A Life in Swings and Roundabouts
“I write to keep myself here. As soon as I write about it, it's basically like all of those things in one place.”
The Scotch Egg: A Cultural Icon
“This country is many things. Do you want to just list off a few? This country is many things. I nurse a colonial wound.”
Jollof Rice and the End of a Cultural War
“Chebudin, that's the original jollof rice. We're not arguing about Nigerians and Ghanaians anymore. Both of our jollof rices are second to the one they're doing in Senegal.”
“This country is many things. Do you want to just list off a few? This country is many things. I nurse a colonial wound.”
“Chebudin, that's the original jollof rice. We're not arguing about Nigerians and Ghanaians anymore. Both of our jollof rices are second to the one they're doing in Senegal.”
“I write to keep myself here. As soon as I write about it, it's basically like all of those things in one place.”
Hosts
Guest
James Acaster
person
Ed Gamble
person
Biscoff
product
Ayoade Bamgboye
person
Scotch Egg
other
Jollof Rice
other
Sticky Toffee Pudding
other
Stephen Merchant
person
Gordon Ramsay
person
Benito
person
Regé-Jean Page
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster • 1h 17m • 4/1/2026
John Mulaney
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster • 1h 21m • 4/8/2026
Brian Cox
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster • 59m • 4/15/2026
Graham Norton
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster • 1h 6m • 4/22/2026
Montaigne
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster • 1h 16m • 5/6/2026
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