Congressman Jared Polis traces his family’s history through recipes passed down from his great-grandmother, grandmother and mother and recorded in community cookbooks and even encased in plastic in a Rolodex.
Following the Crumbs of Family History
About the Author
Jodi Ochstein is a social media strategist web developer and owner of Ochstein Strategies. She is a longtime activist and has worked for Jewish nonprofit organizations and volunteered for over 10 years. Jodi currently serves as VP of Education and Programming for Adas Israel Sisterhood. She co-founded a Potluck Shabbat group and started a social group for Jewish adults called L’Chaim v’Yayin (To Life and Wine).
The James Beard Stars Align
Zachary Engel, the chef de cuisine at Shaya in New Orleans, is the latest Jewish chef cooking Israeli food to win the prestigious James Beard Award, following mentors Michael Solomonov and Alon Shaya.
A Star is Cooked Up
What an exciting year it’s been for Alon Shaya! A James Beard Award for his eponymous restaurant, cooking at SOBEWFF and more. Jodi caught up with him to get the scoop.
What Does Freedom Taste Like?
After spending five years in a Cuban prison and losing 110 pounds and many teeth, Alan Gross is the first to tell you that freedom is bliss—and what it tastes like.
The Jewish Don Draper and Passover in the US
If you watch “Mad Men,” you’re familiar with Don Draper. But did you know that behind the famous Jewish American tradition of the Maxwell House Haggadah, there was a clever Jewish ad man?
Israeli Cuisine is Here to Stay
For the first time ever, Miami’s famous South Beach Wine and Food Festival included a kosher dinner (“Exploring Israel”) featuring Israeli-cuisine champions Michael Solomonov, Alon Shaya, Ashley Christensen and Zak the Baker.
Israel through the “Lens” of Food
Filmmaker Roger Sherman didn’t know quite what to expect when he accompanied Joan Nathan on a food-focused press trip to Israel. What he encountered: one of the world’s hottest food scenes.
The Tasty Journey of “Jewban” Cuisine
Inspired by a friend who recently discovered Jewish roots in her Cuban family, Jodi set out to learn more about Cuban-Jewish cooking and ended up at Samy Sapayo’s table in Miami.
The Clean Cooking Congresswoman
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has added one more thing to her (already jam-packed) agenda: clean and healthy eating. Jodi chatted with the congresswoman about changes she’s made and how she keeps her family healthy.
Dad Knows Best (Re: Food, Too)
On Father’s Day, Jodi looks at some of the foods favored by Jewish fathers in the DC area and around the country. Oh, and contrary to what some might think, it’s more than just eggs and barbecue.
