A tasty science showdown pits Onions against Corn
This preview is based only on the episode’s published notes. The episode sets up a playful food debate between onions and corn, with two University of Georgia researchers arguing for their favorite staple and inviting listeners to vote.
Based on the show notes alone, this episode looks like a light, family-friendly debate built around two familiar dinner-table favorites: onions and corn. The setup promises a mix of food fun and real expertise, with each side represented by a researcher who studies the crop they’re defending. Team Onions is backed by Brian Kvitko, an Associate Professor of Molecular Plant Bacteriology at the University of Georgia and, as the notes emphasize, an actual onion researcher. Team Corn is represented by Jason Wallace, also at the University of Georgia, whose work spans quantitative genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and crop microbiomes—and who is described as an actual corn researcher. If you like episodes that turn everyday topics into spirited matchups, this one seems designed to be both playful and smart. The notes lean into the foods’ versatility—grilled, sautéed, or tossed into salads—while framing the episode as a contest to decide which staple deserves the trophy. A good reason to listen: the contrast between two beloved ingredients and the chance to hear experts make the case for each one. A good reason to skip: if you’re not in the mood for a debate-format episode, even a deliciously themed one. If it sounds fun, the notes also point listeners to smashboom.org to cast a vote after hearing the arguments.
About this episode
I hope you are hungry, because today’s debate is serving up two staples of the dinner table. Grill ‘em, saute ‘em, mix ‘em in salads. They’ll both taste great. But only one can take the trophy. It’s Onions vs Corn. Here to slice and dice for Team Onions is Brian Kvitko. He’s an Associate Professor of Molecular Plant Bacteriology at the University of Georgia and an actual Onion researcher! Sounding the horn for corn is Jason Wallace. He’s also at the University of Georgia where he’s an Associate Professor of quantitative genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and crop microbiomes. And he is an actual corn researcher! Get ready for a debate as smart as it is tasty. And head to smashboom.org to vote for your favorite dinner time delight.Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate!