Lights, Camera, Kitchen: 'Cars' at 20

Lights, Camera, Kitchen: ‘Cars’ at 20

September 23, 2026

Welcome to the very first episode of Geek Eats! Join hosts Mr. Daps and Sarah as they bring food and fandom together. In this first episode, the two geeks take a deep dive into Pixar’s Cars franchise. This comes as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. They share nostalgic memories of the films and analyze why the films still hold up today. They also geek out over the immersion of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure.

Then, it’s time to pivot from the screen to the stove! Mr. Daps and Sarah take on the challenge of crafting original, Cars-inspired recipes in their own kitchens, walking through their step-by-step cooking journeys, flavor profiles, and kitchen wins and challenges. We hope you enjoy this first episode of Geek Eats. Please share your own thoughts and ideas in the comments below!

Episode Highlights

Icebreaker Catch-Up: Sarah discusses making an un-veganized grilled avocado, burrata, and arugula sandwich while rewatching Disney’s The Sword in the Stone. Mr. Daps shares his autumnal Trader Joe’s-inspired pumpkin and burrata parpardelle dish and his thoughts on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Franchise Retrospective: A look back at 20 years of Pixar’s Cars—from Route 66 road-trip nostalgia in the original film, to the underrated spy-thriller fun of Cars 2, to the emotional gut-punch of Doc Hudson’s legacy in Cars 3.
Theme Park Immersion: Personal memories of stepping into Radiator Springs for the very first time, the magical sunset “Sh-Boom” moment, and favorite eats around Cars Land (including Cozy Cone popcorn and Flo’s V8 Cafe).
Sarah’s Recipe: Cozy Cone-Style Buffalo Ranch Popcorn — A quick, 5-minute flavor-packed copycat treat using Pop Secret movie-theater butter popcorn tossed in a custom dry buffalo and ranch seasoning blend.
Mr. Daps’ Recipe: Route 66 High-Octane Pit Stop Potatoes — An ambitious homemade comfort dish featuring slow-cooked Coca-Cola barbecue baked beans, crispy/fluffy baked potatoes, and tender skillet-seared steak burnt ends.

Featured Recipes & Where to Find Them:

Want to cook along with us? Find full ingredients, instructions, and photos for both original recipes at GeekEats.net.

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Mr. Daps

Mr. Daps is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Daps Magic, a premier Disney news community established in 2004. With over 20 years of experience as a journalist and media creator, he has become a trusted voice in the Disney fandom, appearing as an expert on KTLA, NPR, and the Orange County Register. Known for his signature trilby and bow tie, Mr. Daps provides optimistic, informed coverage of the Disney Parks, Pixar, and Marvel. He is the weekly host of Geeks Corner and a proud Her Universe Brand Ambassador. Follow his adventures on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads, or join the conversation live on the Daps Magic YouTube channel. If you see him at Disneyland, be sure to say hi!