The As Told By Podcast
Food. We all love it. But how much do we know about the people who’ve made it their business? Join food enthusiast and host Kahja Elliott as she talks to some of the industry’s most influential voices, from celebrated chefs and restaurateurs to voices in food media, rising culinary stars, innovative brands, and food industry thought leaders and discovers the stories of how they’re helping shape culinary culture.
As someone who’s always loved the adventure and wanderlust of food, I’ve also been drawn to the backstories; what makes people choose this as a career, and how do they bring communities and cultures along with them? With the rise of food TV focused on storytelling beyond just recipe or competition shows, The As Told By Podcast highlights the creative and the business sides of the industry, from leading culinarians who are informing what’s on your plate, to CEOs, food justice and entrepreneur-based organizations, and food writers crafting the the paths and stories of how it gets there. We all have a role in the system of food, so join me for a behind the scenes taste of the people helping to make it happen!
- Update frequency
- every 13 days
- Average duration
- 55 minutes
- Episodes
- 71
- Years Active
- 2022 - 2025
Down For The Town: As Told By Chef Nelson German (S5/E24)
When people think of leaders in the culinary community in the Bay, Chef Nelson German is one of the first names that comes to mind. Top Chef alum and owner of two of Oakland's most beloved restaurant…
Sugar and Salt: As Told By Malaka Hampton (S5/E23)
"Start a business," they say. "I wanna be my own boss," they say. "It's gonna be amazing," they say. But what happens if it's not? As a self-taught baker, Malaka Hampton transformed her love of the k…
The Last Shall Be First: As Told By Ryan Royster and Byron Hughes of Last Supper Society (S5/E22)
The experience of food converged with music, art, and storytelling makes it that much richer, and Last Supper Society (@lastsuppersociety) has mastered the format! Led by Sacramento natives Ryan Roys…
Redefine Your Wine: As Told By Meryl Muldoon of French Bloom (S5/E21)
Alcohol-free wine is one of the fastest growing markets in the beverage category, and in just over 2 years after their US launch, French Bloom is carving a niche around a new experience of elegance a…
Legacy Lens: As Told By Clay Williams (S5/E20)
Photography captures moments and movements in time, and with representation and visibility of diverse people across the food industry higher than ever before, Clay Williams is front and center chroni…
"And For My Next Act....": As Told By Craig Murli of June's Pizza (S5/E19)
What do you do when what you know suddenly shifts and you need to make something happen? You take your fine dining background, a few good people, and your entrepreneurial hustle, and you create one o…
For The Love of Oakland: As Told By Kim Bardakian and Kim Vasgerdsian of Town Love (S5/E18)
It takes work to turn a town into a community, and with the launch of Town Love, friends turned business partners Kim Bardakian and Nicole Vasgerdsian are doing exactly that, corralling some of Oakla…
InKind Is The Best Kind: As Told By Johann Moonesinghe (S5/E17)
While the restaurant industry may have survived the events of the last few years, without resources and support to help create sustainable environments, success can feel far off. Since launching in 2…
Coming In Hot: As Told By Alex Hill (S5/E16)
With the launch of her cooking blog in 2017, Just Add Hot Sauce, Alex Hill set out to build a platform based on her love of food, fun, friendship, and spice! Her down to earth, relatable approach to …
The Joy of the Jikoni: As Told By Kiano Moju (S5/E15)
On the heels of a successful career as a recipe developer, food writer, and producer/director, Kiano Moju is adding author to that list with the release of her new cookbook, "AfriCali: Recipes From …
Cross Colors: As Told By Patty Dingle (S5/E14)
With multiculturalism informing so much of how we eat today, our experiences of food and family are a huge influence on our approach to diversity in the world, and as a Black and Japanese Queer woman…
That Girl: As Told By Courtnee Futch (S5/E13)
It's often said that you can taste the love in food, and if that's true, then expect to be served up nothing but deliciousness at the hands of Courtnee Futch (@courtneefutch)!
Take formal training as…
Stay Hungry: As Told By Cecilia Phillips (S5/E12)
What does it look like to go confidently in the direction of your dreams? It looks like Cecilia Phillips, Coordinating Producer and Reporter for one of KQED's most popular shows, Check Please, Bay Ar…
Wine Country Winning: As Told By Chef Rogelio Garcia (S5/E11)
Our unique histories are a primary driver of our culinary sensibilities, and adapting culture, regionality, and access to develop a style of cuisine is a process! As the James Beard nominated Execut…
If You Can Stand The Heat, Get In The Kitchen: As Told By Leticia Landa of La Cocina (S5/E10)
With food businesses being some of the most complex to start, the need for guidance and support is vital to success, and since 2005, La Cocina has helped to champion and launch many of the Bay Area's…
G, As In Green House: As Told By Rachel Caygill of Green House Bakery (S5/E9)
Baking is a science, but as important as weights and measurements are, so is a love of the art, and Rachel Caygill has transformed her love into Green House Bakery, one of Oakland's favorite pop-ups …
Big Bronx Energy: As Told By Jermaine Stone of Street Somm (S5/E8)
Building on a 20 year career in the wine industry, and with the success of Street Somm, the Emmy and James Beard nominated show on Tastemade, Bronx native Jermaine Stone is fusing the worlds of wine …
The Bronze Age: As Told By Keem Hughley of Bronze (S5/E7)
With the landscape of Black fine dining experiences present now more than ever, DC native and James Beard Award nominee Keem Hughley is proving that you don't have to go off to new places to create t…
Balasinor To Besharam: As Told By Chef Heena Patel (S5/E6)
With San Francisco being known for its global food scene, a restaurant centered around creating a dining experience that highlights authentic Indian flavors alongside fun and flair is a great find, …
Mob Mentality: As Told By Toriano Gordon of Vegan Mob (S5/E5)
While it's true that vegan food is around every corner in the Bay, what isn't around every corner is a San Francisco native, first known as a rapper, now known for creating classic soul food and BBQ …