Cost n' Mayor's Wildest Food Takes | Chompcuterie, Hot Mayo Pasta & Trader Joe's Dreams

0:00This is a controversial snack take. We eat cereal in bed. Interesting. Did someone say ooh? Welcome to Snacks Live, the show where we talk to your favorite stars about their craziest food obsessions. Today's guest I'm super excited about because you might recognize them from the literal billion views they've gotten on both TikTok and Instagram. But you also might know them from their off-Broadway show, which is running right now, 11 to midnight. Please welcome Austin and Meredith Tolanco, AKA Koston Major. And we'll be right back.

0:45Let's go. Dance, you gotta dance. Sorry. I know. There it is. There we go. Okay, first of all, I said, I think you guys are Major. and so I introduce you as Koston Major because I'm nervous as all hell. But also it's Mayor. And I need to know why Koston Mayor? Where did that even come from? Where's the name from? That's a great question. A while ago, when before we had even started Koston Mayor, we used to, just when we were hanging out, we would go to the park and play cards. And we would always have a score tally in the notes app on our phone. But when we made it, we would say, hey Siri make a note that says Aust and mayor because that's what we call each other for short but the closest real words are Austin and Meredith yeah but yeah Austin mayor for short so Siri the closest real words she knew was cost and that is hilarious yeah I there's a couple things I think we need to discuss one that you guys met during kovat which is amazing and then you just started dancing together.

1:53So we are going to get to the snacks portion of snacks, but can you tell us what, how, how did you guys end up together? Well, we, right before COVID, we booked the most glamorous dance gig you've ever heard of. It was a show called Dead Man's Party at Six Flags Great Adventure. They would literally airbrush us as zombies head to toe every night, and we would do like a 30-minute show three or four times an evening. Leading up to Halloween. Leading up to Halloween we were on that job for like two months and we both just booked that job we didn't know each other going into the gig and then we did that together and then we got back to the city we just kept hanging out we had so many mutual friends and then we started dating February 2020 isn't that the perfect time to start dating to meet a new person yeah yeah definitely you want to quarantine with a brand new person no it was perfection yeah and I said let's just go wait it out in North Carolina with my family and then we were stuck there for a year.

2:51Oh my gosh, I can't. All right, so let's get to the food part of the snacks, which is everybody's favorite part. I always tell everybody who I interview, this is the lowest stakes interview you'll have in your entire career because you can't not want to talk about food. Or at least I feel like that. Okay, so you grew up in North Carolina? Correct, Raleigh. Okay, and where did you grow up? I grew up in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, a small town, right between Harrisburg and Lancaster. Yes, I oddly know where that is. It's like, yeah, it's so, you know, I live in western New Jersey, so I kind of feel like I make my way that direction every once in a while.

3:24All right, food that sends you both immediately back to your childhood. Oh, my gosh. Growing up, my grandparents would always make fried squash. That is not an answer I've ever gotten on this show before. I always remember being at the beach with my grandparents and my nana, just, like, making fried squash. And me and my cousins would sit there, and she would take them out of the oil, and we would just eat them and eat them and eat them. fried squash like fried zucchini like slice it like they're like little like rounds rounds yeah what a treat the best tree i've never heard of them till i got to i love fried squash most people say gushers just to be clear like you're the first person to say something like i feel like a legit food but like i actually really envy that because fried i mean fried zucchini fried squash is delicious so good really good what's the food that sends you straight back i would think the The one that immediately comes to mind is putting like marshmallow fluff on Ritz crackers and making little like little sandwiches.

4:23I feel like Delish is just a test that we need to be doing in our kitchen. It's really good. Ritz and marshmallow fluff. Yeah. And how did that partnership happen in your house? I don't think I've ever tried that. I have no idea. I mean, you have like the classic fluffernutter with the bread, the peanut butter, and marshmallow. By the way, which Ritz has nothing to do with. No. Just to be clear. Yeah, nothing to do with that. But I don't know. I just I've always I as a kid loved the marshmallow fluff and I was like well I feel bad just like eating it by itself there's no way that's good for me okay well the clear you don't know it's a lash we love a spoon straighten of love all right let me ask but then because my next question is always did you grow up in a food a good food house and I feel like just the presence of marshmallow fluff indicates that you grew up in like a really fun food we had so much fun Really?

5:10I mean, fruit roll-ups, like, Pop-Tarts, yeah. Were you, like, the cool food house in your neighborhood? I have an envy of this, just so you know. I would think so. I kind of do, too. I would, yeah. I think every time I had friends over, it was like, we had some pretty good snacks. So do your parents still live there? Does your family still there? Do they still have good snacks? I mean, honestly, I don't think so. Well, I grew up on fried squash. I didn't grow up on the Fluffernutters. Did you have a good snack house? You know, I don't think when you're seven that fried squash is really selling it.

5:40No. You know what I mean? I mean, I loved it. Yeah. But it wasn't like, hey, come over. We're having fried squash. So, I mean, me and my cousins were obsessed. But it wasn't hot on the presses or anything. What was in your lunchbox? Like, what kind of cool stuff? You know, my mom would always send me, like, lean cuisines for lunch. Like, it's something. Stop. Is that crazy? No, it's amazing. Are you kidding me? Like, that's like real food. Yeah. That is so funny. It was great. I love that. I never batted an eye. I loved it. All right. So now you guys dance like crazy. So what is your actual day?

6:14Like, what does a day look like in the, I mean, the Talenko house? You know, it depends on what we're working on. Right now we're doing a show off-Broadway downtown. It's called 11 to Midnight. It's at the Orpheum Theater. Can we get a round of applause, please? Let's go. It looks so cool. And you guys have had really amazing guest stars. Yes. Really cool people. It's been amazing. We've had Heather Morris from Glee. Right now we've got Nia Sue from Dance Moms. We've got Connor Levitt. And we, where is the actual theater? It is on St. Mark's and 2nd and 1st. So fun. Yeah, it's amazing. The energy in the East Village is so much fun.

6:48We're going to show up to work tonight and everyone's going to be out and about and we're going to be like schlepping it to work. But it's amazing. It runs through the end of May and we've been open since January. It's been really, really fun. But when we're not doing stuff like that, our days are different depending on what we're working on. But we're always creating something new and usually something dance-driven. I mean, and honestly, it's actually really impressive because you guys have had partnerships with, I mean, Oscar Mayer, which, by the way, is the best dance I've ever seen and hilarious.

7:19I'm also an awful dancer. I often watch her videos, and I'm trying to do them with my daughter, and she's like, please, please stop. Please, like, everything you're doing is awful. How old is she? She's 12 at right about the age of like so and in COVID she was like coming up with you guys in a lot of ways So she definitely knows your your stuff But but you guys have done partnership with Cheetos You've done Panera a lot of really good food brands a lot of good food brands We love to eat and what was your I I we asked on your pre interview What your dream partnership is and I do feel like this audience is gonna appreciate it.

7:52You want to tell them? Well, I don't even know if they do partnerships, but I have you ever heard of Trader Joe's I mean, I feel like everybody wants a Trader Joe's partnership. Have they ever done a partnership? I don't think they even do it. When we were brainstorming, he was like, they don't do that. And I was like, not yet. Not yet. Not until we put it out there. We try to manifest here. We really do. And I've had a few stars look dead in the camera and be like, hey, you brand, send me money and send me stuff. What is your Trader Joe's go-to? Ooh. There's a lot of things, honestly. We love it.

8:25That is not an answer. I know. specific specificity you know how much you can do with those freezer pot stickers oh my god many things those are my favorite too you know and we're in the because we're doing the show sometimes we we eat at like 4 because you don't want to eat right before the show all right and so then when we get home at 10 30 I'm ready for second dinner yes and I need something that's not a whole cooking ordeal no and a pot sticker will do it for me every time but second dinner I love that you have enabled this because I also love second dinner so you answered my next question which is going to be what do you eat right before you go on so nothing oh because you can't you know I have really sensitive stomach so I have like a short list of things that are like safe to eat before show what's on that list um I can eat half of a Jersey Mike's sub oh I can still do Mike's way but only half I can also we're right next to the Selka you You ever been to Vasilka?

9:23No. Oh, my gosh. So, everyone, please go to Vasilka. Go to Vasilka. It's so good. They have one of the most bomb chicken noodle soups I've ever tasted in my life. Oh. They also have these short rib pierogies boiled. Ah. Boiled. Both of those safe. Boiled. Okay. Safe. Not in bulk. I love that you did the test of this and have a little list. There's a lot of things that are unsafe. Those are two go-tos. I also can get chicken salad from the deli with, like, a wheat thin. Oh, yeah. Oh, a little dipping. I like that. Yeah, what about you? What do you we usually do the same thing? He just has to eat whatever I eat Right, right, right.

9:56There's no I get it. Yeah, you're all along for the ride. It's logistical. I understand Gotta stay safe. And then when you're done I mean this is something that we talked to because we've had a few people from Saturday Night Live on the show and not talking about that late night eating Like when you're done wrapping there's often late night dinner and it's often like steak Which is something that's so gross to me the idea of that at 1 in the morning is what sounds good at midnight Well, after you've been hustling, I'm sure. After you've been hustling, it's not like you want to come eat. Well, Austin has a sweet tooth, and I'm more of a savory girl.

10:27So I'm usually like, let's get a steak or a potsticker. And he's like, I could eat cereal or ice cream. And I'm like, no. I need mashed potatoes and green beans. It doesn't matter. That's another favorite question of mine. Cereal. What's your go-to cereal? I feel like cereal says everything about who you are as a person. Reese's Puffs. He is like the spokesperson for Reese's Puffs. That's fine. Yeah, a Reese's Puffs. That's honestly another partnership. Where's the camera? Right there. Straight Reese's. Call him. Your guy. Do you want to know something controversial? Yeah. This is a controversial snack take.

10:57Always. We eat cereal in bed. Interesting. Someone say ooh. Because that's fair. Somebody definitely said ooh. No, it's a really, really hot take. Is it Reese's Puffs in bed or you have a different cereal? It depends. Sometimes I'm not as cereal driven, I would say. I also like Akashi or like something that, I don't know. I love Akashi. Yeah, that's not the same, but I get what you're saying. It's not the same, but yeah, sometimes I don't want to go all the way with the Reese's Puffs, but it's not the same. Reese's Puffs is one of those consistent favorites that everybody, and honestly, I don't think I even realized what a chokehold it had on the culture that people love it too much.

11:38It's true. Or just you. Maybe you're spreading the gospel, I don't even know. It's honestly true. And we'll be right back.

11:48All right, so I know that you guys are super slammed. I also know too that you guys have a big show to put on, so I don't want to keep you too much longer. But I do want to get to my favorite portion of the show, which is, and I have to keep an eye on the time. I do have to ask, is there something that you wish that like if you could bring anything to life backstage? Actually, I should say this. You have brought something to life that I think is fascinating. and you might actually start a real viral trend. Can you describe what we have here? Oh, I'd be happy to. Please. It'd be my pleasure. What we have here is something I have coined chomp cootery.

12:27Chomp cootery. Can you spell it? No, I'm just kidding. Actually, no, I cannot spell it. It's basically the... Chomps. Do you know what? And I actually expanded this last night. I have developments on this. You have a real chomp cootery. I have real-time developments on this. My usual go-to Chomp Cootery is a Chomp. Chomp, which is high-protein, grass-fed. This one's venison. What's your meat of choice? We usually go the green jalapeno one. They're like not the venison one. Or the original red. They just came out with some breakfast-y chicken ones that are interesting, too. Really good. All right.

13:04Chomps, I hope you're listening. Chomps, you know what? We've never done a partnership with Chomps. I know. Get on it. We're going to get it. If Delish doesn't get Chomp some Chomp money out of this, we really pay. It is a great campaign angle. Just saying. I think so, too. But you got some Baby Bell here, too. Chomp plus Baby Bell. Chomps plus pickle. Okay. Plus pickle equals Chomp Cootery. Equals Chomp Cootery. Although, I feel like the Delish team took it a little extra. There's fruit here. They did a little bit. There's a gherkin. Last night, speaking of Trader Joe's, you ever gotten the corn chili?

13:34Yeah, yeah, yeah. Corn salsa stuff from Trader Joe's? Yes. I got desperate last night. We got off a plane, and I ate a Baby Bell with corn. With a little corn stuff on it. Salsa on it. Sounds like rushing into the room. Babe. I didn't have any chomps. It was so good. New development. New development. But I can't imagine if you haven't eaten before you get on that stage. You have to eat something. Sure. Am I correct? And so like the protein, I'm sure. Are you like in a... This is a good safe snack. I imagine. Also, I need to know if the audience has the same nostalgic feeling about Baby Bells because this, like unwrapping one of these in school.

14:09Can anybody... This is a really tough crowd today. I'm really sweating up here. Does anybody remember? I know someone out there has to feel something about Babybel. Anyone? Okay, thank you. Okay, geez, Louise. I remember these, because they had just come out when I was in school, so that will only age me a little bit. And we used to squash up the wax. And then I would usually make stuff out of it. Oh, yeah, play them into class. People would take them into, I mean, now that I think about cheese wrapping and somebody taking it into math class is disgusting. But the chomp cootery, I do think we're going to have to make this a viral snack it's alish so good okay so i have a few fast questions that we like to ask at you know as we're sort of wrapping things up um okay you you kind of already answered but like the last meal what is your what is your go-to last meal whoa i know i know it's always a dark one but people we do get a lot of good answers you know jersey mikes we've already established maybe Maybe half a Jersey rice.

15:10Jersey rice is so good with a salt and vinegar chip and a little sody. Yeah. Salt and vinegar. Salt and vinegar specifically. For like a side of fried squash. Side of fried squash. I mean, God bless. What a combo. Mike doesn't do that. So random. Austin, what's your top, top, top meal that you would need to have? I would probably say Chick-fil-A. I am a... Oh. What's your order? Oh, my gosh. Spicy chicken sandwich with extra pickles, pepper jack cheese, fries, and a Coke. Wow, that's very, very serious. It's down. I'll just say, hot take, that Chick-fil-A fries, I think, are like unsung heroes.

15:47Everybody gets the chicken there, but the fries are so good. They're a little inconsistent, not to beef with you, Chick-fil-A. They're inconsistent, but when you get a good one, it's a good one. We are very into fry beefs on this show. Just so you know, we've had multiple people complain about In-N-Out fries, which are the worst. Worst, yes? Worst. love in and out in and out is great but the fries are like give me a break Willa I know that's you for god sakes I can't even see you and I know it's you but that's the editor in chief of Cosmopolitan and you don't want to start shit with her I'm just going to tell you straight up I really like she's going to come for you what's the best fry?

16:26what is the best fry? in and out come on what do they call it an animal style? you want an animal style? I do like an animal style, but I think animal style fries is the only way to get their fries. But so much stuff on top. Are we the fry? It's a lot. We have. We've given a lot. I know we have. We poured a lot on. But the best, I would say the best fast food fry. Can we agree on? What do you think is the best? Everyone say what you think on three. Ready? On three. Wait, wait, wait. Austin has to get one in his head. On three, we're going to say best fast. The best fast food fry. This isn't the last meal.

17:05Just this isn't like last. We're going to say it on the count of three. Ready? One, two, three. McDonald's. Thank you. Good job. Good job. Yes. Can we get enough watch for that? Yeah. She's laughing. Although I will also say I could, I love a Wendy's too. I'm just going to say. I love a Wendy's. Wendy's fries. And five guys. Let's just, we're going to just call this fries. We're going to change the name of this podcast to fries. Welcome to fries. Welcome to fries. All right. So then my actual last thing now that I because I to be honest with you, I thought we were going to get to last things. I thought we had less time than we do, but we had a little time.

17:40So now we have time and I can ask you one more question, which is. Our final thing is called snack attack, where you have to go on a 30 second rant about something you either are obsessed with or something you absolutely can't stand. I have a few things in here that I have done on done research on that. I can pitch you, or if you have a hot take and you want to just take it away, what do you want? You want me to feed you something, or you want to? I already gave you my cereal in bed. I didn't hold on to that long enough. All right. I got to ask you about, then I'm going to ask you about your college pasta salad, because my delish team needs to know about your college pasta salad.

18:19Please tell this audience. You're going to throw tomatoes at me for this. Yes. You are absolutely going to. So I honestly took this from my mom. This is crazy. Just hear me out. You're in college. I'm going to paint. Let me just set the scene. Where'd you go to college, by the way? UNC Charlotte. Okay. When you're in college and you don't have any money, right? But you are, you got to hankering for a pasta salad. No one does. All you need is pasta, salt, pepper, some mayo. Okay, but, okay, hot pasta. Okay, so it doesn't start with hot pasta. When I, when we started doing this, it was like, okay, if you just need a quick snack.

18:56Just make the pasta, little mayo, little salt pepper, let it cool pasta salad. Don't knock it until you try it. I can see your faces, but seriously, it's not bad. But then one day I was really in a hurry, so I just ate it hot. I'm so sorry. I didn't have time for the pasta to cool off. I just ate it hot. Still fire. I just have to say, you guys are a very cute couple. Austin might be done with you after this. I don't know. His face is not okay. I can't sit idly by. I've tried it and it's good. Okay. I was skeptical too. All right. We're going to have to try this. A lot of pepper. A lot of pepper.

19:32The Delish team will try this and we will report back and we will tag you and you need to make sure. You have to. I 100 % promise. Okay. Austin, I'll let you take us home though. Do you have any hot take, what you're obsessed with, something you missed from your childhood, something like a forlorn food item that you wish still existed? somebody on my show yesterday brought up something called doodads which I didn't even know was the thing yeah just we can't we'll talk we'll hear about it some other time I don't know I mean I will I mean I miss my my marshmallow fluff on its crackers it has been a minute since I've had those I also don't think you've ever had a fluffernutter every time I bring up a fluffernutter I I fear the marshmallow fluff is getting like phased out of society a little and there lies the problem there lies the problem i will tell you though that like i was just in where was i i was somewhere for a conference and i was in paris actually in a really big supermarket and there was an america section and there were like two things in the america section one was craft mac and cheese and the other was marshmallow fluff so i and if the world thinks honestly that is what the world thinks of which i'm just like that's the thing i mean at the very least jersey you mics could have been in that place but you're so right um thank you so much for being here and thank you guys for listening we really appreciate it we'll see you guys soon