Best Chef Emme Podcasts (2025)

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Soulful Recipes, Hard Truths: Angela Davis, The Kitchenista, on Food, Culture & Independence 53:24

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4h ago53:24

53:24

In this episode of Dishing Up Diaspora, Chef Emme sits down with the incredible Angela Davis, better known as The Kitchenista—a chef, food blogger, cookbook author, and award-winning voice behind The Kitchenista Diaries. Since 2012, Angela has built a devoted following with more than 300 bold, soulful recipes, celebrated for blending creativity, cu…

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Joy as Resistance: Chef José Garzón on Kitchens, Culture, and Identity 54:37

6d ago54:37

54:37

What does it take to break into some of the toughest kitchens in America, reinvent yourself from musician to chef, and build restaurants that challenge everything we think we know about food, culture, and work? In this episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, Chef Emme sits down with Chef José Garzón — the Ecuadorian-born creative force behind Seattle favor…

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The Truth About Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Skyler Mapes — and How Social Media Changed Everything 55:24

13d ago55:24

55:24

In this episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, Chef Emme sits down with Skyler Mapes, co-founder of EXAU Olive Oil and one of the only Black women producers in the global olive oil industry. Named to Forbes 30 Under 30, featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things, and recognized by the Official Index of the World’s Best Olive Oils, Skyler has built a brand with a…

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From Oaxaca to the James Beard Stage: Bricia Lopez on Food, Family & Fearless Ambition 45:08

20d ago45:08

45:08

What does it take to leave your home, your friends, and everything familiar—at just 10 years old—and start over in a country where you don’t speak the language? In this powerful episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, Chef Emme sits down with the incomparable Bricia Lopez—James Beard Award–honored restaurateur, best-selling author, cultural ambassador of O…

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The Truth Isn’t Always Tasty: Tan Vinh on Food, Culture, and Criticism 1:08:31

29d ago1:08:31

1:08:31

In this episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, Chef Emme sits down with acclaimed food journalist Tan Vinh, whose decades-long career at The Seattle Times has helped shape the way Seattle eats, drinks, and thinks about dining. From the rise of cultural cuisine in mainstream media to the ethics of restaurant criticism, Tan opens up about the complexities o…

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Culinary Roots & Radical Reimaginings: A Conversation with Chef Lana Lagomarsini 36:41

1M ago36:41

36:41

In this powerful episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, host Chef Emme sits down with the brilliant and bold Chef Lana Lagomarsini, a Bronx-born culinary force who’s redefining what it means to cook through the lens of the African diaspora. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Lana has worked in acclaimed kitchens like Blue Hill at Stone Barns…

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From Immigrant Roots to Culinary Icon: Fariyal Abdullahi's Unapologetic Rise to the Top 35:39

4M ago35:39

35:39

In this dynamic episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, I sit down with the trailblazing Fariyal Abdullahi—James Beard Award nominated chef, creative, philanthropist, and one of the very few Black women at the helm of some of the most high-profile kitchens in the industry. Fariyal’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Born in Ethiopia, she shares ho…

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The Religion They Tried to Erase Still Feeds Us: Food, Faith, and the Resistance of Candomblé 27:01

4M ago27:01

27:01

In this powerful solo episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, Chef Emme takes you on a deep and flavorful journey into the sacred world of Candomblé, the Afro-Brazilian religion where food is a divine offering—not just nourishment. This episode explores how Bahian cuisine, African spirituality, and ancestral resilience intersect in powerful, soul-stirring …

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These Sisters Built a Bookstore for Black Food and Stories: The BEM Books & More Journey 33:30

4M ago33:30

33:30

In this episode I sit down with Danielle and Gabrielle Davenport — the sister duo behind BEM Books & More, a groundbreaking Black-owned bookstore that celebrates the intersection of Black food, literature, and diaspora stories. We dive deep into how their family’s food traditions and storytelling shaped the vision for BEM — a space dedicated to coo…

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Torn Between Two Worlds: Gino Garcia on Preserving Identity Through Food 51:32

5M ago51:32

51:32

In this episode of Dishin' Up Diaspora, I’m joined by Chef Gino Garcia for a deeply personal conversation about identity, immigration, and the stories food can tell. As a first-generation American, Gino grew up torn between two worlds—navigating the tension between assimilation into American culture and preserving his family's rich Mexican heritage…

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What Do Brazil, West Africa, and Southeast Asia Have in Common? Tapioca. 29:28

5M ago29:28

29:28

Tapioca is trending. From boba tea shops to gluten-free recipes, it’s everywhere. But where did it really come from? In this solo episode, Chef Emme peels back the layers of a misunderstood ingredient and traces its true roots—not to Asia as many assume, but to the Indigenous Tupi people of Brazil. Before it was chewy pearls in your drink or a side…

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Don’t Box Me In: Kristi Brown on Food, Critics, and Freedom 44:31

5M ago44:31

44:31

What does soul food look like when it’s born in Seattle? And how do you build a food empire rooted in love, community, and unapologetic creativity? In this episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, I sit down with the visionary Chef Kristi Brown, the force behind Seattle’s award-winning restaurant Communion and the founder of the food empire That Brown Girl …

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No English, No Plan, No Problem: Jaine Mackievicz’s Wild Journey from the Amazon to Food Network 36:40

5M ago36:40

36:40

What does it mean to manifest the life you want? For Chef Jaine Mackievicz, it meant dreaming beyond the Amazon rainforest, falling in love with French cuisine from afar, and teaching herself English by reading cookbooks. Today, she’s a rising star in the culinary world, known for her infectious joy, fearless ambition, and deep passion for storytel…

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Breaking the System: How Sara Upshaw is Defying the Odds as a Small Restaurant Owner 44:29

5M ago44:29

44:29

The restaurant industry is brutal, but what happens when the system feels like it’s set up against you? On this episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, we sit down with Sara Upshaw, owner of Ohsun Banchan & Bar, to talk about her unconventional journey into the food world and what it really takes to survive as a small restaurant owner. From navigating impo…

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Urban Farming, Food Sovereignty And Empowering Communities with Nyema Clarck 37:42

6M ago37:42

37:42

What does it mean to truly take control of your food, health, and community? In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant and passionate Nyema Clark, a leader in urban farming, food sovereignty, and community empowerment. As the founder of Nurturing Roots and Avenue South, Nyema is dedicated to reshaping the way we think about food, access, and w…

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Persistence and Building a Culinary Legacy with Sabrina Tinsley 39:54

7M ago39:54

39:54

On this episode of Dishin' Up Diaspora, I sit down with the incredible Sabrina Tinsley, chef and co-owner of Osteria La Spiga, a Seattle institution that has been serving authentic Northern Italian cuisine for over 20 years—a remarkable feat in the ever-changing restaurant industry. Sabrina’s journey is one of passion, persistence, and breaking bar…

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Lisa Dupar On Southern Food Traditions & Navigating Authenticity in Storytelling 54:06

7M ago54:06

54:06

In this episode of Dishin' Up Diaspora, I sit down with chef, restaurateur, and author Lisa Dupar for a thought-provoking conversation about Southern food traditions, cultural storytelling, and the complexities of authenticity. Raised in the South, Lisa grew up surrounded by the rich culinary heritage of the region. She reflects on how her family's…

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Rejecting Bro Culture and Embracing Authenticity: Bella Rangi's Food Business Journey 46:14

7M ago46:14

46:14

This episode features a heartfelt conversation with Bella Rangi, founder and owner of Sri Bella Foods, a company disrupting the $160 million CPG industry with authenticity and bold innovation. Bella shares her journey as a child immigrant raised in Canada and how her experiences shaped her approach to business and life. In this episode, Bella discu…

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Balancing Flavors and Attitudes: Chef Howell and Pitmaster Johnson on Their Kitchen Chemistry 44:12

7M ago44:12

44:12

In this episode of Dishin' Up Diaspora, I sit down with Chef Reginald Jacob Howell and Pitmaster Denzell Johnson, the powerhouse duo behind Grann, a restaurant that seamlessly blends Indian, BBQ, and Creole cuisines to create a bold and innovative dining experience. Their collaboration is a testament to the power of culinary fusion done right, wher…

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Chef Tu David Phu on Breaking Cultural Constucts and the Power of Food to Unite 48:38

8M ago48:38

48:38

This episode features a conversation with Chef Tu David Phu, who blends his Vietnamese heritage and Oakland upbringing to tell stories through food. Chef Tu’s culinary journey highlights the connections between identity, culture, and community. In this episode, Chef Tu delves into the question of what culture truly means, framing it as a deeply ind…

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How East African Coffee Traditions Inspired a Growing Coffee Brand — Efrem Fesaha’s Story 53:46

8M ago53:46

53:46

This episode features a conversation with Efrem Fesaha, founder and owner of Boon Boona Coffee, as he shares his journey of building a coffee business rooted in East African tradition and innovation. Starting in 2011 as a wholesaler of green coffee beans, Efrem has since expanded Boon Boona into four thriving cafes in the greater Seattle area. Efre…

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Dishin' Up Diaspora: Trailer 0:45

9M ago0:45

0:45

I’m Chef Emme, and I’m bringing you an exciting new podcast, Dishin’ Up Diaspora! This is where food meets culture, history, and identity. Each week, I’ll sit down with people shaping the food world—chefs, writers, food entrepreneurs, farmers and more —to explore the flavors of diasporas. Together, we’ll share stories of food, heritage, and the jou…