Join us for a conversation with Zoe Adjonyoh, chef, author and food justice activist from London. Zoe is the founder of Zoe's Ghana Kitchen, the UK's first contemporary West African dining concept (2010) and has a cookbook by the same name published by Mitchel & Beazley (2017). Zoe is also the co-founder and the Creative Director of Black Book (blackbook-global.com) a platform for delivering true representation and diversity across the food industry and lives between New York and London. Zoe...
Dec 03, 2020•42 min•Ep. 147
Join us for a conversation with Sebastian & Guillermo, the duo behind acclaimed food photography studio SOGA Design Collective . SOGA Design Collective is a multidisciplinary design studio in Brooklyn, New York. The studio was conceived in Miami, Florida in 2008. SOGA makes music for your eyes. Their studio combines purposeful eclecticism and nuanced design to create colorfully charged compositions utilizing all disciplines. A Miamian at heart, Guillermo is a detail-oriented obsessive who se...
Nov 29, 2020•39 min•Ep. 146
Join us for a conversation with Barkha Cardoz , wife of the late Chef Floyd Cardoz and architect of the new line of Floyd Cardoz Legacy Masalas in partnership with Ethan's spice company Burlap & Barrel. Barkha received her culinary training at The Institute of Hotel management in Mumbai, India and worked in the Development department at St. Peter’s Preparatory School in Jersey City, NJ. With her husband, she managed their Bombay Bread Bar in New York City from 2016 to 2019 and oversaw fundra...
Nov 12, 2020•51 min•Ep. 145
Join us for a converstaion with An Dao and Peter Wei, spouses and cofounders of Pantry by Nature and Tiger Sate. They both have a medical research background, but when work was halted during the pandemic, they decided to use this unexpected free time to launch Tiger Saté, a Vietnamese-style lemongrass chili sauce for health-conscious foodies. An grew up in Vietnam and learned cooking from my grandmother, from starting the wood stove to helping cook the family dinner. In Vietnam, everyday food is...
Oct 29, 2020•44 min•Ep. 144
Join Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with John deBary , co-founder and board president of the Restaurant Workers Community Foundation , a nonprofit focused on improving the quality of life of hospitality employees. He got his start in the hospitality industry bartending in 2008 at PDT, the world-famous and James Beard Award-winning New York speakeasy. He joined the acclaimed Momofuku restaurant group a year later, where he was the group’s bar director until 2018. John is now the CEO and fou...
Oct 15, 2020•51 min•Ep. 143
Join us for a conversation with Kristen Miglore , Founding Editor of the website Food52. Kristen abandoned a career in economics in 2007 to work in food media, tackling a master's degree in food studies from New York University and a culinary degree from the Institute of Culinary Education along the way. She is the author of the award winning cookbooks Genius Recipes and Genius Desserts. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Why Food? by becoming a mem...
Oct 08, 2020•48 min•Ep. 142
Join us for a conversation with Tiffany Langston ! Tiffany is a storyteller, content creator, and digital strategist with over a decade of experience at the intersection of the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. She is on the board of Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation and volunteers with the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, and Meals on Wheels. She’s also a James Beard-nominated food writer, and in her spare time, she plays poker and figure skates. Heritage R...
Sep 24, 2020•49 min•Ep. 141
Join us for a conversation with Sylvie Charles and Liselle Pires, founders of Just Date Syrup . Sylvie is a medical doctor who, after experimenting with low-sugar achaars and chutneys, turned the dates into a syrup, and realized she had struck on something powerful and decide to build a company around it. Liselle started her career in tech, and while at Microsoft, realized that she wanted to make a bigger impact on health - to shift how the masses thought about and consumed food every day. Herit...
Sep 17, 2020•49 min•Ep. 140
Join us for a conversation with Kim and Vanessa Pham, sisters and co-founders of Omsom , a new brand of Asian pantry staples. As first-generation Vietnamese-Americans and the daughters of refugees, Vanessa and Kim are reclaiming the cultural integrity of Asian cuisines too often diluted on grocery shelves in the ‘ethnic’ aisles and increasingly inaccessible in everyday life. The New York-based Pham sisters have tapped the talents of estimable, iconic chefs to exclusively collaborate on each star...
Sep 10, 2020•51 min•Ep. 139
Join cohost Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with Simone Cormier , National Spice Coordinator for Allegro Coffee, a subsidiary of Whole Foods Market. Simone is a chef, writer, avid traveler and Whole Food's resident "spiceommelier" Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Why Food? by becoming a member ! Why Food? is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not...
Sep 03, 2020•45 min•Ep. 138
Join Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with husband-and-wife pastry chef duo Miro & Shilpa Uskokovic . They met as students at The Culinary Institute of America, and when NYC restaurants closed because of COVID-19 restrictions, they launched Extra Helpings , a community micro kitchen from their home in Queens. We'll talk about the state of NYC's restaurant scene, entrepreneurship and pivoting during during a pandemic. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast networ...
Aug 27, 2020•56 min•Ep. 137
Join Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with Loren Cardeli, Founder and President of A Growing Culture , an organization that promotes ecological agriculture across the globe. Loren believes the key to fixing our food system lies in giving farmers a prominent seat at the table–a seat that is currently threatened by the industrialization of agriculture. Through his work at AGC, Loren promotes farmer-led research, innovation, and knowledge sharing, helping farmers throughout the world create sus...
Aug 20, 2020•53 min•Ep. 136
Join Ethan for a conversation with Auria Abraham, founder of Auria's Malaysian Kitchen . Auria was born and raised in the small town of Seremban, Malaysia where she grew up surrounded by multi-ethnic culinary inspiration and cuisine, a cornerstone of Malaysian culture. In the 22 years that she has been in the US, alongside an impressive career in music production for TV commercials. In 2013, Auria began working towards making authentic Malaysian food available to the American public. She launche...
Aug 07, 2020•45 min•Ep. 135
Join cohosts Vallery and Ethan for a catch-up with former Why Food? cohost Jenny Dorsey . Jenny is a professional chef, author and speaker specializing in multi-platform storytelling fusing food with social good. She leads a nonprofit community organization named Studio ATAO and runs her own culinary consulting business. Jenny is a former management consultant and Columbia MBA who decided to completely pivot her career and pursue the world of food; she worked at various Michelin-starred restaura...
Jul 30, 2020•50 min•Ep. 134
Join co-hosts Vallery and Ethan for a very special conversation with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams . Born and raised in Brownsville, Borough President Adams was drawn to a career in public service from an early age and had a 22-year career in the NYPD, rising to the rank of Captain. While in the NYPD, Adams was a leader of his fellow Black police officers and an outspoken critic of police violence. In 2016, while serving his first term as Brooklyn Borough President, Adams was diagnosed w...
Jul 23, 2020•30 min•Ep. 133
Join Vallery & Ethan for a conversation with Auzerais Bellamy , pastry chef and founder of Blondery . Auzerais is classically trained pastry chef, the former pastry sous-chef at Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery. She trained at Per Se and Daniel in New York and The French Laundry in Napa Valley before launching Blondery, her seasonal blondie collection. Blondery is a nod to her experience in fine-dining and her modest beginnings as a home baker. In March, HRN began producing all of our 35 weekl...
Jul 16, 2020•48 min•Ep. 132
Join cohosts Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with Jennifer Crawford . Jennifer has been cooking non-stop their whole life, especially since getting sober in early 2018 and subsequently winning MasterChef Canada in 2019. They're a desk jockey turned food writer, chef, aspiring pro wrestler, and moon mist ice cream enthusiast. In their My Queer Kitchen online show and column with Xtra Magazine, they focus on the intersections of food, feelings, identity and courage. In March, HRN began produc...
Jul 09, 2020•47 min•Ep. 131
Join cohosts Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with Adrian Miller , aka The Soul Food Scholar. He's a recovering lawyer and former special advisor to President Bill Clinton, who changed careers to pursue his interests in African heritage food (especially soul food), barbecue, the intersection of faith and food, and presidential foodways. He is the James Beard Award-winning author of Soul Food and The President's Kitchen Cabinet. In March, HRN began producing all of our 35 weekly shows from ou...
Jul 02, 2020•38 min•Ep. 130
Join cohosts Ethan & Vallery for a conversation with Gaïana Joseph and Allegra Massaro, co-founders of Fuel the People , an organization in NYC and DC guided by the belief that food is the fuel for the revolution. They work to provide nourishment to protestors on the front lines, support local Black and POC-owned restaurants and businesses, and donate to local organizations who work tirelessly to support Black liberation. Allegra is a Philadelphia native currently living in Washington, DC. S...
Jun 29, 2020•57 min•Ep. 129
Join cohosts Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with Jesse Szewczyk , food writer and author of the cookbook Tasty Pride! We'll discuss his career in food media, his thoughts on the ongoing shifts in the industry and the complicated history of Queer advocacy and allyship in the larger struggle for equality. Image courtesy of Taylor Miller In March, HRN began producing all of our 35 weekly shows from our homes all around the country. It was hard work stepping away from our little recording stud...
Jun 18, 2020•51 min•Ep. 128
Join cohosts Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with Rochelle Oliver, founder and editor of IslandAndSpice.com , an online magazine about food, culture and the Caribbean. HRN will be donating 10% of our membership drive proceeds from now until June 15 to the Philando Castile Relief Foundation. Visit heritageradionetwork.org/donate to make your gift. Why Food? is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-...
Jun 11, 2020•46 min•Ep. 127
In the days after George Floyd’s death, cohosts Vallery and Ethan sit down for a conversation about the Black Lives Matter movement, the role of food businesses in making change, and opportunities for anti-racist education and accountability. As black squares cover our social media feeds and corporations release statements virtue signaling their alignment with activists, Vallery and Ethan ruminate on what meaningful change should look like and what trends are falling short. They discuss the impo...
Jun 04, 2020•41 min•Ep. 126
Join Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with Stephen Satterfield , cofounder of Whetstone Magazine . A self-proclaimed "origin forager, Stephen is a food writer, multimedia producer, podcast host ( Point of Origin on iHeartRadio), and a sommelier in recovery. Why Food is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jun 03, 2020•53 min•Ep. 125
Join co-hosts Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with Zaid and Haifa Kurdieh, owners of Norwich Meadows Farms . We'll discuss the long road to starting their farm, how they've grown (literally and figuratively) a market for rare and special vegetables, and how they've pivoted since COVID-19 shut down NY's restaurant industry. Why Food? is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
May 26, 2020•49 min•Ep. 124
Join Vallery & Ethan for a conversation with Steve Sando , founder of Rancho Gordo . Steve's career has spanned radio, writing and restaurants before he found his way to launching Rancho Gordo. His business has a cult following and changed the way that Americans think about beans. Image courtesy of Steve Sando. Why Food is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
May 07, 2020•51 min•Ep. 123
Join Ethan & Vallery for a conversation with Simran Bindra, co-founder of Kokoa Kamili. Kokoa Kamili , based in Tanzania, is one of the world's best cacao companies, emphasising ethical sourcing and exceptional beans. They supply many of the US' most highly regarded chocolate makers, including Dandelion and Raaka. Why Food is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Apr 30, 2020•46 min•Ep. 122
Join co-hosts Ethan and Vallery for a conversation with Laurie Woolever , food writer and editor. For nearly a decade, Laurie was the right-hand to author, TV host and producer Anthony Bourdain, with whom she co-authored the cookbook Appetites. She co-hosts a podcast, Carbface for Radio, with Chris Thornton, will publish World Travel: An Irreverent Guide, a book co-authored with Bourdain, in fall 2020, and is currently at work on an oral biography of his life. Why Food is powered by Simplecast ....
Apr 23, 2020•55 min•Ep. 121
Join co-hosts Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with the baker Bryan Ford (recorded pre-coronavirus, but so relevant today!) Bryan shares his story of leaving accounting to become a baker, incorporating his roots and family background into his breads, and some of the challenges of becoming a professional baker. Why Food? is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Apr 17, 2020•46 min•Ep. 120
Alexander Smalls is a James Beard Award winning chef, author, and raconteur, and the visionary co-owner of renowned restaurants Minton’s and The Cecil, which was named “Best New Restaurant in America” by Esquire in 2014. His new book, "Meals, Music and Muses: Recipes From My African American Kitchen" was published in February 2020 from Flatiron Books. Smalls is also a world-renowned opera singer and the winner of both a Grammy Award and a Tony Award for the cast recording of Porgy and Bess, by G...
Apr 09, 2020•47 min•Ep. 119
Join cohosts Vallery and Ethan for a conversation with Ori Zohar and...Ethan Frisch! Cofounders and Co-CEOs of Burlap & Barrel, the country's first and only comprehensive single origin spice company. Ori's career has taken him from advertising, to founding a Silicon Valley mortgage startup, to Burlap & Barrel, and Ethan's career path has gone from restaurant kitchens to the mountains of Afghanistan. We'll talk about how they launched Burlap & Barrel, their unique sourcing model and t...
Apr 02, 2020•55 min•Ep. 118
