Welcome to Schmaltzy, our podcast about storytelling, food and everything in between.
Cookbook author Alison Roman shares a personal story about growing up “half Jewish” and finding a meaningful connection with her dad through food.
Israeli born Instagram star Idan Chabasov, aka The Challah Prince, had never baked anything until he moved to Berlin. Today, he credits making challah with bringing him out of a dark time and staying grounded.
Culinary historian and author Michael W. Twitty shares a preview of his new book Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew — and how he claimed his place at the table.
Hillary Reinsberg took German classes and later studied abroad in Berlin — even as some Jewish friends balked. But, for her, being a proud German Jew didn’t feel like a contradiction.
Artist Maira Kalman shares a preview of her upcoming book “Women Holding Things” and how she finds inspiration in everything from chocolate cake to broken hearts.
Nancy Spielberg grew up in Arizona often feeling like she was from another planet. But when her family moved to LA and opened a kosher restaurant, she found a way to fit in.
When Susan Alexandra’s grandmother, a Holocaust survivor, passed away, it felt like an earthquake. Susan persevered by channeling her spirit and forging a unique path in New York’s very competitive fashion industry.
Comedian and writer Robby Hoffman grew up in a strict kosher home, but after she caved to a McDonald’s craving in college, her relationship with Judaism would never be the same.
Social media maven Emily Schultz shares a funny and poignant coming-of-age story about Passover — and her very first Seder as an adult.
Before becoming a renowned chef and author of a new memoir, Peter Hoffman was just a young cook in the weeds, preparing a special meal for his mom. Was this the moment to finally take some help from his dentist dad Jules who always asked: “Can I make a suggestion?”
Peter’s family recipes can be found on the Jewish Food Society digital archive here.
Joshua David Stein missed the opportunity to say goodbye to his beloved grandfather because of a mismade coffee. Eventually, he realized there was more to life than a proper macchiato.
In the 1970’s, cookbook author Adeena Sussman’s parents knew something was missing from their Jewish community in Palo Alto, California. To fill the void, they opened the most unlikely shop in town.
Find Adeena’s family recipe for cheese blintzes on Jewish Food Society’s digital archive.
After Israeli writer Shifra Cornfeld left the Orthodox community she was raised in, she didn’t always see eye to eye with her father. But one thing that brings them together is pecan pie — if they can find the perfect one.
As a young child, Beejhy Barhany left her village in Ethiopia and traveled for three years to reach Israel. But, as she grew up, the Promised Land wasn’t quite as she imagined it. Today in New York City, she’s created her own Zion at Tsion Cafe.
Acclaimed Israeli baker Uri Scheft grew up in two worlds: a very proper Danish home, that just happened to be located in Israel. Here, there was a particular way to do everything — and it did not include becoming a baker...
Hariette Skidelsky’s Romanian grandmother added more water to the soup pot to stretch her recipe everytime she had a new child. As the next generations prospered, the soup grew robust — filled with chicken, vegetables, and matzo balls. That was, until Harriette tried to make it.
When cookbook author Jake Cohen started dating the nicest Jewish boy in 2015, he learned that Seder with his future-in-laws looked totally different than anything he ever imagined. Turns out, there was a lot more on the table than the food.
Cook Jake’s recipe for ghormeh sabzi brisket from the episode on Jewish Food Society’s digital archive.
To celebrate the finale of our first season of SCHMALTZY, we’ve got a double header featuring Israeli culinary icons Gil Hovav and Einat Admony. They share laugh out loud stories — of a shabbat bread called kubaneh and the fiery hot sauce zhug — that reflect on the complexities of growing up in 1970’s Israel with Yeminite heritage.
For Gil’s candied pomelo recipe + Einat’s holiday recipes head to our digital recipe archive.
Twenty years ago, Liz Neumark was a mother to four kids under 10 and was just getting her catering company off the ground. One night, the two youngest pleaded with her to abandon bedtime and make latkes. Liz couldn’t resist. Today, latkes and the memory of that night hold a deep meaning.
When Liz Alpern arrived at business school, she didn’t exactly fit in. She rocked a carefully styled lesbian haircut, smelled of onions, and professed a deep passion for her gefilte fish company. At her big presentation, she was met with blank stares from her straight (laced) classmates. For the first time in her life, Liz's path to success was brought into question.
During her childhood in Michigan, Umber Amhad was mortified when her mother served lamb pulao at playdates. Years later, the investment banker turned Mah Ze Dahr Bakery owner realized that the dish wasn't her kryptonite, but her superpower.
Jake Dell, the owner of Katz’s Deli on the Lower East Side, comes from a long legacy of deli owners. So, naturally, he planned to be a doctor. A gap year spent living in his grandfather’s footsteps and a moment with a 94-year-old customer changed all that.
“Man v. Food” host Adam Richman grew up as a not so typical Jewish kid in Brooklyn. He downed Carribean food, got deep into The Smiths, and rocked a bi-level haircut. Yet, every Yom Kippur, he followed the ritual of prayers, fasting, and bagels. As an adult, Adam felt lost, disconnected from his roots. On a filming trip one Yom Kippur, he found himself on a unique mission: to locate a traditional break-fast meal in Amish country. He ended up finding much more.
Acclaimed baker Zoe Kanan’s grandmother Helen was an unlikely Texan. A born-and-bred New Yorker, she moved to Houston to be near her daughter and granddaughter — and Jim, not the son-in-law she expected. One year, with a sprained wrist, Helen was forced to hand over the Rosh Hashanah cooking duties to 10-year-old Zoe and Jim, an Irish Catholic former punk rocker whose attempt at homemade gefilte fish included jalapeño.
Try Zoe’s riff on Helen’s honey cake recipe here.
Host: Amanda Dell
Producer & Editor: Ilan Benatar
Executive Producer: Naama Shefi
