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 how her immigrant experience shaped her resilience and hunger for more. We talk about how she initially pursued a degree in psychology to meet ...

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 ways. Rooted in West African spiritual traditions and shaped by centuries of resistance and adaptation, Candomblé is more than a relig...

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 cookbooks by Black authors, memoirs, historical texts, and fiction that honor Black culinary history and the richness of diasporic voices. Daniell...

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. We dive into his parents’ immigration story, the sacrifices they made, and the complex choices many immigrant families face when trying to build ...

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 dish on your plate, tapioca was sacred knowledge passed down by Brazil’s first peoples, who learned how to extract this starch from the cassava ro...

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 Cooks! Chef Kristi shares her inspiring journey—from starting out in catering to becoming one of the most celebrated chefs in the Pacific Northwest...

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 storytelling through food. In this episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, Jaine shares her extraordinary journey—how her family ended up deep in the heart of the ...

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 impossible regulations to carving out a space for the gluten-free community—despite not being gluten-free herself—Sara is challenging the ind...

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 wellness—especially in Black and brown communities that have historically faced food apartheid and systemic barriers to healthy eating. Nyema shares...

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 barriers. She grew up in Alaska, where farm-to-table wasn’t just a trend—it was a way of life. With access to fresh, locally sourced ingredients, she ...

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 experiences—and the people who shaped her understanding of food—have influenced her journey as a chef and storyteller. One of the most powerful pa...

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 discusses her guiding philosophy of staying true to herself and choosing partnerships that align with her values, even when it means making tough decisi...

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, where respect for tradition meets boundary-pushing creativity. Chef Reginald and Pitmaster Denzell take us through their individual culinary journeys, ...

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 individual experience shaped by personal journeys. He reflects on his impactful work teaching cooking classes at San Quentin Prison, demonstrating how...

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. Efrem discusses how Boon Boona honors the rich traditions of the East African coffee ceremony while also innovating with specialty drinks, including a ...

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 journeys that keep culinary traditions alive in new places. It’s all about celebrating how food connects us to where we come from and to each other. O...