Want to know what Americans ate 250 years ago? Bennett Rea, featured this summer as the 140th dining stranger, is here to help. He’s the host of hit online series “Cookin’ With Congress,” where he makes often bizarre, occasionally disgusting yet always intriguing recipes from politicians and others from years…

The “Mistress of Melody” Lorraine Bowen, the 47th dining stranger, writes and sings quirky songs about unusual subjects, but also has experience playing in bands with the likes of Billy Bragg. She gained many fans on “Britain’s Got Talent” playing her one-of-a-kind song about cooking the dessert crumble — and…

Writer Jonn Elledge (the 131st dining stranger) is writing his next book, “The World as We Built It: A History of Civilisation in 31 Innovations.” Wildfire Books will be publishing it, slated for August 2026. Wildfire Books says in a press release, “The book tracks the ideas and inventions that…

Actor Michael Hitchcock (the 65th stranger I met) has a prominent role in the new FX television show “The Lowdown.” It’s described as a “Tulsa noir” and stars Ethan Hawke as a citizen journalist seeking to uncover corruption. Michael plays Ray, an antiques dealer of questionable trustworthiness who is a…

Growing up in England, one tradition was going to pantomimes, or pantos, around Christmas. These shows take fairy tales and similar stories, throw in a hundred and one puns and jokes even my dad would be embarrassed to tell and all with deliberately over-the-top acting and outfits. And a recent…

Radio presenter, actor, writer and all-around charming man Zeb Soanes (the 28th dinner stranger) has a new gig. He was recently selected as the University of Suffolk’s new chancellor. In a post on his website, Zeb said taking over the role from former Chancellor Dr Helen Pankhurst CBE is “a…

Joe Himali, the 133rd dinner stranger, is hosting the next of his regular History Salon lunches in Washington, D.C., later this month. It’s at Hill Center; a local landmark built in 1864 and originally designed under the orders of President Abraham Lincoln to be the city’s first Naval Hospital. For…

Personal trainer Raine Storm McKeython, the 134th dinner interviewee, is launching “Raine’s Strength Club” later this month. The event, in Washington, D.C., will feature him leading a group training, followed by guided meditation and then a cookout with a DJ to celebrate at the end (and make sure you eat…

Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery, featured together as the 116th dinner interview, are getting back on the road for another of their cabaret shows. This time, it’s “The Trouble With Angels” and described as “An evening of mischief and music from two very familiar faces. It’s like the Rat Pack…

The first Bee Lady Day took place in Hull, East Yorkshire, last week to honor the life of fundraiser Jean Bishop. Jean, featured as the 69th dinner stranger in December 2014, was renowned in the region for her work. For decades, she’d dress in an eye-catching bumblebee costume to raise…