One Woman Kitchen

Author, Editor, and Culinary Scholar Darra Goldstein -Global Gastronomy

On One Woman Kitchen we explore the vital option that food has deep historic and emotional resonance. And no one understands this better than Darra Goldstein., award-winning author, culinary scholar, Russian Literature Professor, and Founding Editor of one of the food world's most noteworthy magazines, Gastronomica, The Journal of Food and Culture. Together, we celebrate together the publication of Darra's newest book Beyond the North Wind: Russia in Recipes and Lore, and share her remarkable journey to the far northern corners of Russia, to a land of culinary riches and extraordinary history. Darra shares her story with author and chef Rozanne Gold,  including how rugelach and cabbage rolls inspired an unimagined career path, how geography and history shape a country's culinary traditions, and how food can be a tool of peace building. And, how often do we get to talk about Horseradish Vodka and Twenty-Minute Pickles, and see buckthorn berries the color of the sun?

 

Food Stylist Mariana Velasquez - A Narrative Without Words

Mariana Velasquez is one of the world's foremost food stylists, who has masterminded shoots for a dazzling array of clients---from Michelle Obama at the White House to Lin Manuel Miranda's new movie "In The Heights". Her exquisite aesthetics are apparent in everything she touches, from editorial and advertising clients to a wide range of cookbooks, including Rozanne Gold's own book, "Radically Simple". You can almost taste her food just by looking at it. Raised in Bogota, Mariana left home when she was only 18 to pursue her dream of a life in New York and making a name for herself in the food world. Mariana joins author and chef Rozanne Gold to share her journey and how food styling creates a narrative without worlds, what it's like to take a job that may contradict your own moral compass,  about Mariana's own cookbooks, and her line of stylish fashion-statement aprons that everyone will want to have. This is Mariana's beautifully engaging and exquisitely styled story.

 

Beverage Director Julie Van Zant of Oceans New York - In Vintage Veritas

Naturally, we talk a lot about food on One Woman Kitchen. But something that goes with great culinary experiences is, of course, a wonderful selection of well-matched cocktails and wine. The value of a skilled sommelier cannot be overstated, and Julie Van Zant, Beverage Director at Oceans, New York's fantastic and globally inspired seafood restaurant, is one. She brings her considerable knowledge and expertise literally to the table. Julie shares her journey with author and chef Rozanne Gold, including how Julie’s background as a dancer has inspired a kind of choreography in her work; how the wine world is attracting great women to work as sommeliers, wine masters, and buyers; a look at how interest in orange wine, saki, sherry, and wine from lesser known places is growing; the power and prestige of building a 550 bottle wine list; and how it is possible that pregnant women make the best sommeliers, even if they don't drink.

 

Chef/Cookbook Author/TVPersonality Sara Moulton - For the Love of Soup

Sara Moulton is one of the food world’s most beloved chefs, authors and personalities, with a career spanning 4 decades and boasting more than 1,500 television episodes, as well as a tenure as executive chef for Gourmet Magazine.  Not to mention "Cooking Live" on the Food Network, "Sara’s Weeknight Meals", and "Milk Street Radio". Sara shared her journey with author and chef Rozanne Gold, including her quite unusual path to culinary school which culminated from which she graduated graduating second in her class; about her decision to choose children over the restaurant business; her unique relationship with none other than Julia Child; and why she credits her mother, her great study habits, and a love of soup as keys to her unparalleled success. This is Sara’s fantastic story.

Food Writer and Podcast Host Korsha Wilson - A Mandate for Self-Reliance

Korsha Wilson is an up-and-coming food writer and storyteller, as well as an advocate for equity and political change in the industry.  From devouring her first food magazine at 10 years old to learning about the world of food through her mother's love of restaurants, Korsha’s destiny was obvious. She writes for impressive publications, about a wide range of topics. She also hosts the Heritage Radio Network show “A Hungry Society”. Korsha shares her story with author and chef Rozanne Gold, including why some of Korsha’s best and most inclusive experiences have been in restaurant pop ups; how her grandmothers from different parts of the world influenced her love and knowledge of food; Korsha’s mandate for self reliance; the importance to Korsha, as a woman of color, of diversity in restaurant leadership; and, the web of women who have inspired her.

 

Return Visit With Nasim Alikhani of Sofreh- Illuminating A Shared Humanity

We revisit this episode of One Woman Kitchen as an homage to Nasim Alikhani,  the chef and owner of the acclaimed Persian restaurant Sofreh, in Brooklyn. Nasim recently returns from Tehran visiting family and friends, says she has never seen her people in such despair, that these were truly the darkest of times. Nasim, who has lived through the revolution, the war between Iran and Iraq, the cultural revolution, and so much more, reminds us in this beautiful and poignant story that one woman's journey can illuminate a shared humanity. In this episode, originally aired May 29, 2019, Nasim connects us to happier times, and the beauty of Iran's culture through its food ways. Thank you, Nasim, for sharing your story then -- and now.

This might sound like a movie pitch:

A young woman leaves Iran after a revolution, comes to America to start a new life, becomes a mother, who was always cooking and more than 35 years later—with no professional training and against all odds, opens an acclaimed restaurant in New York at age 59, becoming the driver of a trendy new cuisine in Manhattan.

For now, it’s not a movie. It’s the life of Nasim Alikhani, founder of Sofreh. Nasim joins Chef Rozanne Gold.

 

Chef, Author, and Food and Wellness Advocate Ann Ogden Gaffney - Living with Nourishment

If you think of the perfect blend of generosity and philanthropy in the food world, one woman you should think of is Ann Ogden Gaffney. This chef and award winning cookbook author is also founder of the extraordinary nonprofit Cook for Your Life which brings the worlds of culinary and nutrition together. Classes and recipes (in both English and Spanish) help more than 150,000 people monthly, in a variety of communities, nourish themselves with style and grace. Ann joins author and chef Rozanne Gold to share how two cancer diagnoses transformed Ann from fashion industry star to a force of advocacy in food and wellness; why the idea of a one woman kitchen connects so strongly for her; and, how a minestrone soup her grandmother made (which she calls "jungle soup") informs almost everything she does. This is her inspiring story.

 

Chef Patricia Williams of Ten Chairs - Culinary Choreography

When Patricia Williams retired from her glamorous career as an accomplished  professional ballerina at just age 30, she had no clear plan for what was next.  So, she created one. She wanted to cook, and soon enough found herself in one kitchen after another, and eventually as executive chef of the four star Quilted Giraffe and ultimately other trendy New York restaurants. She’ll tell you she never got paid as much as the men she worked with, but she’s stayed true to herself in an industry dominated by men. There are very few people with the resume Patricia has accomplished, and she embodies everything there is to love about women chefs. Her process in constructing menus and meals is ironically like watching a great dancer perform. Patricia shares her amazing story with author and chef Rozanne Gold, including about her creation of lazy duck; why she has had friendships with so many great jazz musicians; why after moving from Texas to New York, she never went back; and a glimpse into her unique pop-up dining concept Ten Chairs that was created ahead of its time and is still going strong 12 years later.

 

Celebrity Chef, TV Host, Author & Restaurateur Lidia Bastianich - Teacher of Culture and Cuisine

It's the holidays, and what better gift than this very special conversation with the incomparable and celebrated public television host, chef, restaurateur, mother, grandmother, philanthropist, and one of the women author and chef Rozanne Gold admires most in the food world  — Lidia Bastianich ? Lidia Is also the winner of seven James Beard Awards, has been the chef for events at the UN, and has published 13 cookbooks. In addition to celebrating the holidays, Rozanne is here to celebrate the publication of Lidia's newest book Felidia: Recipes From My Flagship Restaurant. The book, which she wrote with her chef and her daughter, documents the tastes and spirit of the three star restaurant Felidia, considered one of the great Italian restaurants in America. In this conversation, Lidia shares with Rozanne her journey as a refugee from Italy to an ambassador of her culture and the ultimate teacher of her country's cuisine. This is Lidia’s incredible, inspiring, and delicious story. Happy Holidays!

 

Niki Russ Federman of Russ & Daughters - An Appetizing and Iconic 105 Year-Old-Startup

Niki Russ Federman is an extraordinary ambassador for one of New York City’s most legendary food stores, Russ & Daughters. In part, that’s because she’s actually a fourth regeneration "Russ daughter". She, with her cousin Josh, runs the original store, now in its 105th year. And they are the curators of two Russ & Daughters restaurants, and the fabulous new Russ & Daughters bakery and take out shop in Brooklyn’s sprawling Navy Yard. Niki’s success is also thanks to a strong work ethic, creative strategy, and a commitment to balancing tradition with innovation. Within the NY food community Niki is already one its most prolific entrepreneurs. Niki shares with author and chef Rozanne Gold how Russ & Daughters began, how their bagels continue to share more than a century of history, and why Niki initially walked away --  then returned and never looked back. This is Niki’s inspiring, and very delicious, story.