The Racist Sandwich Podcast

BONUS: That's a Wrap! Apr 29, 2020

When we relaunched in October 2019, we had no idea what kind of a season it would be. Looking back at our episodes, we’re proud of the work we’ve done – just the two of us (and Jess!). And we’re so bummed that we’re leaving you right now, when all this *gestures wildly* is still unfolding, and while many of you may be hurting and needing respite in podcasts the most. We’ll be back in no time, promise. With more conversations, stories and collaborations.

In the meantime…you can always catch us on Twitter and Instagram (@raceandfood), where we’ll continue to amplify critical discussions happening online and dole out a few of our signature side-eyes.

We’ll also be releasing some bonus episodes this summer – from when we were in Bermuda, meeting the locals who are reclaiming the island from the picture-perfect tourist pamphlets much of the (rich, white) world exclusively wanted to see.

You can also hang out with us (over Zoom) at the PRX Podcast Garage’s Virtual Wine Down on Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m. ET, where we’ll listen to our favorite episodes, talk food justice, answer your questions, and make several toasts to the people who sustain us (psst, that’s you!).

Don’t be a stranger! We can’t wait to run into you on the Internet – and one day – out in the world. Be well, friends. See you Fall 2020.

E79: We Will Rise (w/ Zahir Janmohamed, Serena Maria Daniels, Martina Guzmán & Devita Davison) Apr 15, 2020

It's often said that the Coronavirus does not discriminate. This is true, but how the virus affects communities varies depending on the resources a community has access to and what that community has historically faced. This is especially true in Detroit, where, according to CNBC, "African Americans make up about 14 percent of Michigan’s population, but 33 percent of its coronavirus cases and 40 percent of all COVID-19 deaths."

In this special episode, we welcome back co-founder and former co-host Zahir Janmohamed. He interviewed three fellow Michigan residents: Serena Maria Daniels, of Tostada Magazine, about food shortages created by COVID-19; Martina Guzmán, of Wayne State University, about how thousands of Detroit residents still don’t have access to running water; and finally, Devita Davison, about how this pandemic is disproportionately affecting black-owned businesses and how Detroit, as it always does, will fight back.

Produced by Zahir Janmohamed, Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions.

E78: People Need Community (w/ Candice Fortman) Mar 25, 2020

This week has been rough y'all. But we're finding small comfort in this conversation with Candice Fortman, a Detroit-based journalist (Outlier Media, MuckRock) and founder of Ladies Who Pizza – a social group for women to have fun, be vulnerable, be free and, as the name suggests, eat pizza. The concept sounds simple, but Candice says the stories and experiences that have come out of it have made an indelible mark on their lives, especially in a world where women are often made to bear the brunt of the burden at home, at work, etc. This is a safe space, free from the "male gaze," for women – most of whom are strangers – to find community. Stephanie and Candice talked about a lot – from Detroit's resilience in the face of crisis to increasing media transparency for people who lack access – and it all came back to the importance of community.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions.

E77: What Do You Write? (w/ Javier Cabral) Mar 11, 2020

This week, we sat down with The Glutster a.k.a. Javier Cabral — Editor-in-Chief of the LA Taco, co-author of Oaxaca: Home Cooking from the Heart of Mexico, and associate producer of Netflix's Taco Chronicles — to talk about code-switching, food writing, and the diversity of Mexican food in Los Angeles. Javier tells us how his rebellious teenage years and eating disorder lead him to write about food and why he decided to focus on Oaxacan food, in particular. He also gives us a brief Mexican migration history into Los Angeles and how that helped shaped Cal Mex food in the area. But first, Stephanie and Juan discuss COVID-19 and its ramifications on Asian communities across the U.S. and the West: how xenophobia surrounding the virus has affected small Asian-American businesses and how we respond to the virus says a lot about divisions in social class and privilege.

Produced by Juan Ramirez and Stephanie Kuo. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions.

RERUN: Erasing Black Barbecue (w/ Johnny Walker, Adrian Miller, Daniel Vaughn and Brent & Juan Reaves) Feb 26, 2020

Whoa, it's been a full year since Racist Sandwich switched off the lights and took what was, then, an indefinite hiatus. We're so glad we made the decision to come back. We may be down two essential members, but we're stronger and hungrier than ever! To celebrate how far we've come, we wanted to highlight one of our proudest moments of the past year: getting nominated for a James Beard Award for our episode on the erasure of barbecue's Black roots in America.

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We're talking barbecue. It's delicious, it's trendy, it's decidedly American. But barbecue's story today has pretty huge holes. Over the past several years, joints like Franklin Barbecue in Austin have commandeered the barbecue narrative, and mainstream food media have fallen over themselves to give Aaron Franklin and Central Texas pit masters like him their spotlight – largely ignoring the regional diversity of barbecue in Texas (and across the South) and ultimately erasing the Black and Brown folks who created it and built its legacy. For this reported episode, Stephanie talks to Soul Food Scholar Adrian Miller, Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn; Brent and Juan Reaves, co-owners of Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que in Dallas; and Johnny Walker, owner and pitmaster at Momma Jean’s BBQ in Lampasas, Texas.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo. Music by Robert Earl Keen, Pierce Murphy, AF the Naysayer, Blue Dot Sessions and Brad Turner.

E76: Black Vinegar is Art (w/ Stephanie H. Shih) Feb 12, 2020

This week, it's the Stephanie show! Stephanie Kuo talks to artist Stephanie H. Shih about her collection of Asian pantry items. She hand-makes everything from ceramic Chinkiang black vinegar bottles and Yakult containers to Morinaga caramel boxes and packets of instant Indomie. Through her work, Stephanie hopes to free Asian imagery from the Western gaze, which rests on clichés (ahem, the Chinese takeout box). Stephanie and Stephanie talk about childhood memories, making art that's "for us by us," and connecting to the Asian diaspora through the mundane and private items in their pantries.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions.

E75: I Know a Bodega When I See One (w/ Quizayra Gonzalez) Jan 30, 2020

This week, we're talking bodegas. What's a bodega? Well, for a lot of us (New Yorkers, especially), it's a corner store that sells food and other household goods. But for our guest, Quizayra Gonzalez, who grew up in a bodega, they're a lot more than that. She and Stephanie talk about how bodegas are such a thriving nexus of cultural and economic activity, how they anchored immigrant communities in the U.S., and how they're being gentrified out of their neighborhoods today. But first, Stephanie and Juan recap his epic trip to Mexico, which sparked the inevitable conversation about one of the worst books ever written.

Produced by Juan Ramirez and Stephanie Kuo. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions. Photo by Stephanie Nortiz.

E74: Bad Kimchi (w/ Noah Cho) Jan 15, 2020

This week, we're talking about Korean food with Noah Cho, who writes "Bad Kimchi," a column on the online magazine Catapult. The name of the column says a lot: the most egregious crime against Korean food, he believes, is getting kimchi wrong. But the title also signals some of Noah's struggles with his identity as a biracial person, who didn't feel Korean enough to cook or write about Korean food "authentically." He and Stephanie talk about what it means to let go of those expectations and to make your culture and its food your own – like putting American cheese on Shin Ramyun :) But first, Stephanie and Juan talk about a party they threw together.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions. Photo by Andria Lo.

E73: There's Never Been Anyone Else Like Me (w/ Soleil Ho) Jan 01, 2020

Happy New Year! We kick off 2020 with someone you may already know: our fearless founder and friend, Soleil Ho. She's about to celebrate her first anniversary at the San Francisco Chronicle, and she sits down with Stephanie and Juan to reflect on the year as the paper's new and revolutionary food critic. They talk about her favorite (and most ruffling) pieces, what it's like to eat out 350 times in a year, and how she's coped with people who aren't *ready* for her hot takes. But before all that, Stephanie and Juan have some exciting news about their travel plans this spring.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions. Art by Wendy Xu.

E72: A Tortilla is Not a Blank Slate (w/ José Ralat) Dec 11, 2019

This week, we're talking to José Ralat, the taco editor at Texas Monthly and author of the forthcoming book, American Tacos: A History and Guide. It sounds like arguably the best job in the country (and yes, it is), but it's not just about eating great tacos. José has committed the position to being as much about the history, the culture, and real voices as it is about the food itself. Juan and José chat (for a long time) about what makes for the perfect taco, the gentrification of tacos in the U.S. as well as the cost and labor behind them – which is why they deserve all the respect.

And if you contribute to our Patreon at the $15/month level or higher, you can listen to a bonus minisode (we told you they talked for a long time) on the great "Burrito vs. Taco" debate.

Produced by Juan Ramirez and Stephanie Kuo. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions.

E71: Nourishing the Soul (w/ Karla T. Vasquez) Nov 27, 2019

Juan catches up with Karla T. Vasquez, a food justice advocate by day and a food historian by night, on a journey to preserve Salvadoran culture one recipe at a time with SalviSoul. When a Google search turns up just two existing cookbooks and just as few narratives, Vasquez says "documentation is power." Vasquez is currently researching and writing a Salvadoran cookbook, highlighting the stories of Salvadoran women. She and Juan talk about learning from her mother, the power of cookbooks to pass on stories and the obstacles she’s faced trying to get her book published. But first, Stephanie and Juan discuss the state of subway policing and what that means for food vendors.

Produced by Juan Ramirez and Stephanie Kuo. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions. Photo by Marisa Sarto Photography.

E70: Avec Rien, On Peut Faire Quelque Chose (w/ Dany Hellz Kitchen) Nov 13, 2019

This week, Racist Sandwich is going international. Juan interviews Dany, who’s cooking up spectacular meals from inside his prison cell in France. He makes everything from Moroccan tagine to tiramisu with nothing more than a small induction burner and a few items from the prison commissary (and sometimes a little something extra smuggled in from the outside). They talk about Dany’s passion for cooking, how his Instagram page went viral, the politics of prison life and his plans to start a career in food when he gets out. But first, Juan and Stephanie discuss the state of podcasting and check some jerks on the Internet.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions.

E69: We're Back!!! Bringing Kale and Quinoa to Portland's Strip Clubs (w/ Nikeisah Newton) Oct 30, 2019

Hello listeners! We’re back after a long break, with more conversations about the intersection of food, race, gender and class,. in the first part of the episode, Stephanie and Juan (your new co-hosts) catch up, reflect on the podcast’s successful past and discuss how they plan to move the project forward into a successful future.

In the second part of the episode, Juan speaks with Nikeisah Newton, a Portland, Oregon-based chef and owner of Meals 4 Heels — a food delivery company that caters specifically to sex workers. Portland, the strip club capital of America, lacks healthy late-night foods – so Newton created Meals 4 Heals to fill this void, and personally delivers healthy food options to sex workers working late nights.

Listen to extra audio from this interview by becoming a Patron of the podcast today!

EP68: This Is Not A Goodbye (w/ Soleil Ho & Zahir Janmohamed) Feb 20, 2019

We have big news. Our beloved hosts are starting amazing new chapters in their lives: Soleil is settling in as food critic for The San Francisco Chronicle, and Zahir is now in his first year of fiction writing at the University of Michigan. What does that mean for Racist Sandwich? For now, we'll be taking some time off to reflect and to plan for the future of the podcast. We (co-producers Stephanie and Juan) are working hard to figure out how we can continue to bring you all more conversations about food, race, class and gender. Thank you for being a listener, a supporter and a friend. Stay tuned!

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like our Facebook page.

E67: Talking Toronto Food Justice (w/ Vanessa Ling Yu, Paul Taylor & Hywel Tuscano) Feb 06, 2019

In the final installment of our Toronto series, producer TK Matunda sits down with three community organizers to unpack Toronto's food justice scene. This episode, we hear from Vanessa Ling Yu, Director of caterToronto; Paul Taylor, Executive Director of FoodShare Toronto; and Hywel Tuscano, Co-Operator of Nish Dish.

Produced by TK Matunda. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions. Photo by Vanessa Ling Yu.

E66: I'm Not Leaving (W/ Ruben Ramos, Karla Quiñones, Abner Roldán, and Tony Ayala) Jan 23, 2019

In this episode, Juan travels to Puerto Rico and interviews people affected by Hurricane Maria. He reminisces on his own encounters with hurricanes and how Hurricane Maria’s destruction reminds him of these experiences. First, Juan visits the town of Utuado to meet with Ruben Ramos, owner of a coffee plantation. The Puerto Rican coffee industry suffered a devastation from the hurricane. Mr. Ramos was among the hardest hit. Then, in San Juan, in the Santurce District, Karla Quiñones and Abner Roldán—owners of Cafe Comunión—tell us how the shortage of Puerto Rican coffee due to Hurricane Maria is affecting its quality. Finally, Juan sits with Tony Ayala—co-owner of Aqui Se Puede bar— in Old San Juan. He recalls how his community came together during the days following the hurricane.

This episode is produced by Juan Ramirez. Music is by Blue Dot Sessions, AF the Naysayer, Bandurriator, and Ray Baretto.

LINKS DU JOUR

E65: Los Angeles is Brown (w/ Daniel Hernandez) Jan 09, 2019

Happy new year, everybody! You know what they say…new year, new episode. New hosts? Producers Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez take over the mic this week to bring you this episode on the diversity of food media in Los Angeles. But first, in part one, Juan and Stephanie talk about big life changes in 2019. Then in part two, Juan sits down with Daniel Hernandez, editor of LA Taco, to talk about everything from the decimation of true local LA media, Latinx identity, immigration and how going to Mexico helped him realize what food means to him.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by Blue Dot Sessions and AF the Naysayer.

E64: Toronto Truths (w/ Foodies of Colour) Dec 26, 2018

Producer TK Matunda sits down with four Foodies of Colour to unpack what's going on in Toronto's food scene.

The Panel:

Eden Hagos – Founder of Black Foodie

Ryan Hinkson – Curator behind Eat Famous

Andrew Do – Curator behind 6ixspots

Aisha Silim – Curator behind Salt & Saffron

Foodies of Colour is a Toronto-based network that brings together people of colour who are passionate about food. They are a community of bloggers, writers, photographers, and food enthusiasts — and every once in a while, they get together to roam the city on fantastic food tours, organize dinners at restaurants, and host guest speakers and chefs who have great stories to tell. Visit www.foodiesofcolour.com for more information on our 2019 event series.

Produced by TK Matunda. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E63: Eating our way through Toronto (w/ Suresh Doss) Dec 12, 2018

Producer TK Matunda tours the Toronto suburb of Scarborough with food and drink writer Suresh Doss. They talk about Toronto's food scene, being seen by food media and the difference between the downtown core and the suburbs. And this is all while eating delicious food.

Produced by TK Matunda. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E62: Sugar, Spice and Bananas with Rice (w/ Hamdi Ahmed) Nov 29, 2018

This episode is all about Somali food: sambusas, bananas with rice and...pineapple upside-down cake? In part one, Soleil sits down with Hamdi Ahmed to talk about a cookbook she co-wrote in high school. Soo Fariista (Come Sit Down) is a collection of family recipes and a portal to her childhood food memories. They discuss her favorite dishes, fusing Somali and American cuisine and how her cookbook is just one way Somalis are becoming more visible in Minnesota. In part two, we do something a little different. Racist Sandwich isn’t a cooking show, but for one day, and one day only, Soleil cooks sambusas for us! It definitely *sounds* delicious.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer, Lee Rosevere and Blue Dot Sessions.

E61: The Memory of Za’atar and a Free Palestine Nov 15, 2018

In this episode, we dive headlong into how the relationship between Israel and Palestine intersects with food politics. In our first segment, Food Book Fair co-director and organizer Kimberly Chou Tsun An speaks to chef and artist Amanny Ahmad about her advocacy work and about what she misses from Palestine. They also recap a dinner Ahmad cooked last year with Bay Area chef and restaurateur Reem Assil.

In our second segment, Soleil talks to chef and organizer Ora Wise about hummus, food media, and olive trees. Finally, we revisit a poem by George Abraham, “Ars Poetica in Which Every Pronoun is a Free Palestine,” recorded at the 2018 Kundiman writers’ retreat. We hope you enjoy this episode!

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E60: Sheet Pan Chicken With a Side of Social Justice (w/ Julia Turshen) Oct 24, 2018

For our 60th episode, Soleil speaks with the inspiring Julia Turshen, author of “Now & Again,” about how cookbooks can be an effective vehicle for social and political conversations. They also talk about Turshen’s work forging supportive communities as the founder of Equity at the Table (EATT). But first, Soleil and Zahir reunite! They haven’t hosted an episode together since August, and they have a lot to catch up on: Samin Nosrat’s new Netflix hit, changes to James Beard Awards submissions and a Puerto Rican Christmas dinner at the Beard House.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E58: Erasing Black Barbecue (w/ Johnny Walker, Adrian Miller, Daniel Vaughn and Brent & Juan Reaves) Sep 26, 2018

Hey y’all! We’re back in Texas with producer Stephanie Kuo, as she takes us on another tasty, tasty trip across her home state. This week, we’re talking barbecue. It’s delicious, it’s trendy, it’s decidedly American. But its story today has pretty huge holes. Over the past several years, joints like Franklin Barbecue in Austin have commandeered the barbecue narrative, and mainstream food media have fallen over themselves to give Aaron Franklin and Central Texas pitmasters like him their spotlight — largely ignoring the regional diversity of barbecue in Texas (and across the South) and ultimately erasing the Black and Brown folks who created it and built its legacy. For this reported episode, Stephanie talks to Soul Food Scholar Adrian Miller, Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn; Brent and Juan Reaves, co-owners of Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que in Dallas; and Johnny Walker, owner and pitmaster at Momma Jean’s BBQ in Lampasas, Texas.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo. Music by Robert Earl Keen, Pierce Murphy, AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

The Kundiman 2018 Series, Pt. 4 Sep 19, 2018

This is our final installment of the Kundiman Series, featuring poetry and prose recorded at the Kundiman writer's retreat at Fordham University over the summer. Each year, Kundiman brings upcoming Asian American writers together for a week of mentorship, workshops, and master classes. Today, we bring you the works of Sally Wen Mao, Leah Shlachter, Shankar Narayan and Catherine Flora Con.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo. Music by AF the Naysayer, Blue Dot Sessions and Lee Rosevere. Photo by JESS x SNOW.

E57: Chicago? Wine Not! (w/ Joseph Hernandez) Sep 12, 2018

In this episode, Zahir sits down with Chicago Tribune’s Deputy Food Editor Joseph Hernandez to talk about moving to Chicago from Southern California, what it means to be a queer food writer of color, and why people should not be intimidated by wine.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

LINKS DU JOUR

Make Cachupa Rica while learning some history.

The rarest eight dollar bottle in Chicago.

The Kundiman 2018 Series, Pt. 3 Sep 05, 2018

This is our third installment of poetry and prose that Soleil recorded when she stopped by the Kundiman writer's retreat at Fordham University this summer. Each year, Kundiman brings upcoming Asian American writers together for a week of mentorship, workshops, and master classes. This episode includes works by George Abraham, Meng Jin, Jason Bayani, and Susanna Kwan.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by Bad Snacks and Kevin MacLeod.

E56: The Most Interesting City in America (w/ Dan Q. Dao) Aug 29, 2018

For this episode, we welcome back producer Stephanie Kuo as guest host. She’s setting out on a journey to unpack the culinary legacy of her home state: Texas! And today, she sits down with Dan Dao, a NYC-based food writer who also hails from the Lone Star State. She’s from Dallas; he’s from Houston. And even though they grew up with very different Asian-American experiences, they agree that H-town is America’s next great food frontier. Yeehaw? First, though, they talk about the visibility of marginalized Asian communities, especially in the South, and how the lack thereof deprives them of support they may need. This was especially true for Cambodian spinach farmers outside Houston after Hurricane Harvey devastated their small town and their crop.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

The Kundiman 2018 Series, Pt. 2 Aug 22, 2018

On this bonus episode, you’ll hear the next installment of poetry and prose that Soleil recorded when she stopped by the Kundiman writer's retreat at Fordham University this summer. Each year, Kundiman brings upcoming Asian American writers together for a week of mentorship, workshops, and master classes. Today, we bring you the works of Kenji C. Liu, Jess Rizkallah, Paul Asta and Marie Avetria.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo. Music by AF the Naysayer, Blue Dot Sessions, Kaela Drew and Lee Rosevere. Photo by JESS x SNOW.

E55: Louisville’s Super Chef (w/ Darnell Ferguson) Aug 15, 2018

Guest interviewer Roxanne Scott chats with chef and television fixture Darnell Ferguson about what it means to be the only Black executive chef in Louisville, Kentucky. In this frank interview, Ferguson reveals his approach to mentorship and the work it takes to ensure his message of positivity gets to the people who need it.

The Kundiman 2018 Series, Pt. 1 Aug 08, 2018

This summer, Soleil stopped by the Kundiman writer’s retreat at Fordham University to record snippets of poetry and prose from this year’s writing fellows. Each year, Kundiman brings upcoming Asian American writers together for a week of mentorship, workshops, and master classes. On this bonus episode, you’ll hear the first of the 16 recordings she made, featuring Aurora Masum-Javed, Doreen Wang, Matthew Olzmann, and Janine Joseph.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by Lobo Loco, Les Cartes Postables Sonores and Rushmo.

E54: What the Duck (w/ Lillian Li) Aug 01, 2018

In today’s episode, Zahir interviews Lillian Li, the author of the critically acclaimed novel “Number One Chinese Restaurant.” Lillian discusses her relationship to the food she grew up eating, what she learned working at a Chinese restaurant and how she's trying to challenge the way we think about and tell immigrant stories in America. Plus: she reveals how her mother – who worked at a Chinese restaurant for many years – reacted to her novel.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E53: Eating Intuitively (w/ Heather Armstrong & Kimberley Wilson) Jul 25, 2018

In this second episode of a two-part series on mental health, Soleil speaks with Heather Armstrong and Kimberley Wilson on the links between diet and mental health. Armstrong, a blogger and writer also known as “Dooce,” tell us how her last attempt at veganism resulted in the worst depression of her life. Then, psychologist Wilson talks to us about her work busting myths about clean eating and dieting in the UK.

Produced by Juan Ramirez and Stephanie Kuo. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

LINKS DU JOUR

Read more about the state of prison food in this piece via Governing.
The science of serotonin—the chemical produced in the intestines—is fascinating!
Yes, the use of the word "superfood" in food marketing was banned in the EU.

Rerun: History on a Plate: The State of Filipino Cuisine (w/ Sarahlynn Pablo & Natalia Roxas) Jul 19, 2018

To commemorate our producer emeritus’ upcoming podcast for and about Filipino Americans, we’re re-releasing this great interview with Filipino Kitchen on the history of the cuisine. We want to send a big warm congratulations to Alan Montecillo for launching Balikbayan! The first episode drops July 24!

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For years, we've been hearing from the food media that Filipino cuisine is the "next big thing;" that it would only be a matter of time before it "arrived." To hash that all out, we talked to a bunch of Pinoys! First, our producer, Alan Montecillo; then we patched in Sarahlynn Pablo & Natalia Roxas of the website, Filipino Kitchen. They all walked us through the history of Filipino cuisine and the meaning it holds for Filipino Americans today. And of course, we went back and forth on the question of whether or not validation from Western society matters all that much, in the end.

E52: Tasting Something Other Than Shame (w/ Ijeoma Oluo) Jul 04, 2018

Today's episode is an important one for us at Racist Sandwich. We talk a lot about the intersection of food, race and culture, but we're also a podcast about class – because we know a lot of people aren't afforded the luxury of food as leisure. For a lot of people, food is survival. But prolific writer and self-proclaimed "internet yeller," Ijeoma Oluo says the poor deserve more than that. In this episode, Ijeoma joins producer Stephanie Kuo for a frank and emotional conversation about food and poverty and how society uses food to deny the poor their dignity and humanity. They're made to feel shame about their hunger, their choices and their desire to enjoy life and eat something decadent every once and a while.

Thanks to the pair of awesome people who donated to RAICES as part of our quick Twitter fundraiser last week. RAICES needs all the support it can get to help immigrant families who are being detained at the border. It's not too late to give! Donate here.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E51: Keeping It Together In The Kitchen (w/ Hannah Howard & Casey Rebecca Nunes) Jun 21, 2018

This is the first of a two-part series on mental health. Soleil sits down with author Hannah Howard and chef Casey Rebecca Nunes, who both open up about their own mental health struggles in the food industry. In the first part of the episode, Howard describes a scene from her new memoir “Feast: True Love in and Out of the Kitchen,” and talks about grappling with an eating disorder while working at a fine dining restaurant. Nunes then explains how she balances the pressures of being a chef with self-care routines.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E50: Detroiters are Fighters (w/ Devita Davison, Malik Yakini & Serena Maria Daniels) Jun 06, 2018

We're in Detroit for our 50th episode! And we're talking about the city's enduring food legacy. While a lot of food media often likens Detroit's food scene to a "Renaissance" of sorts, led predominantly by white chefs from the suburbs, the truth is it never went anywhere. People of color have been on the ground from day one, continuing to build upon generations of black and brown entrepreneurship, farming and food activism. And those Detroiters have been the ones who've refused to give up on Detroit – even when it seemed the rest of the world had. In this narrated piece, Zahir sits down with three Detroit food icons: Devita Davison, executive director of FoodLab Detroit; Malik Yakini, founder of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network; and Serena Maria Daniels, esteemed food writer who launched Tostada Magazine.

We've only just scratched the surface, but now that Zahir lives in Michigan, you can count on many more episodes out of Detroit. We can't wait!

Produced by Stephanie Kuo. Music by AF the Naysayer, Blue Dot Sessions and Loyalty Freak Music.

E49: Fighting Occupation with Food (w/ Reem Assil) May 23, 2018

In this episode, we hear the morning keynote address at the La Cocina food conference delivered by Reem Assil, the founder of Reem’s Bakery and the newly opened restaurant Dyafa. Reem speaks about the targeting of civilians in Gaza and how she uses food as a way to push back against the Israeli occupation and its attempted erasure of Palestinian lives. We also hear from one of Reem’s employees about how the design and decor of Reem’s bakery reflects their mission and philosophy.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

Bonus Episode: Racially Conscious Wallah Bro (w/ Khaled Beydoun) May 16, 2018

We have another special bonus episode to mark the start of Ramadan! Zahir travels to Dearborn, Mich., to sit down with Khaled Beydoun, a law professor and author of the newly released book, “American Islamophobia: Understanding the Roots and Rise of Fear.” Khaled shares his insights about growing up in Dearborn, how being a Muslim in America has changed for him, and why the Lebanese restaurant Al Ameer in Dearborn is so seminal.

Produced by Zahir Janmohamed and Stephanie Kuo. Music by Ehab Tawfik, Youssou N'Dour and Blue Dot Sessions.

E48: Food Stories That Don't Pay the Bills (w/Francis Lam) May 09, 2018

We're thrilled to have one of Soleil's food icons on the podcast this week! Francis Lam, host of The Splendid Table and food writer extraordinaire, joins Soleil for a conversation about telling the food stories that aren't "glamorous." They also talk about media gatekeepers, food as an entree into more difficult issues and how to be better allies. But before all that grand philosophizing, Zahir and Soleil celebrate the podcast's second birthday AND important James Beard Award wins for the POC food community.

A couple of announcements:

Applications are now open for the 2019 Vilcek Creative Promise Prizes in Culinary Arts until June 11. Learn more about the prizes and eligibility requirements here.

There's just a little under a week left to raise money for the "Family Style Zine: An AAPI Food Anthology" on Indiegogo. The creators hope to connect their audience to the diverse histories of AAPI food through writing and beautiful artwork. Check it out and consider donating!

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

Bonus Episode: The Cure for Yellow Fever (w/ Dakota Kim) May 02, 2018

Surprise! We have a special bonus episode for you after several requests to unpack the “Yellow Fever” debacle on Twitter. Writer and restaurateur Dakota Kim joins Soleil for this discussion about the Asian fusion restaurant in Long Beach, Calif. whose name has sparked a lot of controversy. It’s gotten us all wondering, “What the f*** were they thinking?” Soleil and Dakota try to answer that question and talk about respect for cultural identity, the sexualization and fetishization of Asian women, and whether the restaurant owner being a Korean-American woman changes anything.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

E47: Bird’s Nest (w/ Liana Aghajanian) Apr 25, 2018

In part one, Soleil, Zahir, and Juan meet for the first time at La Cocina Conference in San Francisco and Soleil shares some exciting news.

In part two, we commemorate Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day by interviewing journalist Liana Aghajanian about what it was like to come to the US as a refugee from Iran, how the Armenian genocide impacted Armenian food, and what exactly a dowel is.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by Blue Dot Sessions and AF the Naysayer.

E46: Kitchen Spanish (w/ Emily Hunsberger) Apr 11, 2018

It’s our first reported episode of the season! Emily Hunsberger, who hosts the Spanish-language podcast Tertulia, brings us this great story about Kitchen Spanish, the unique pidgin spoken among Spanish-speaking and English-speaking staff in restaurant kitchens. While interviewing food workers in Grand Rapids, Mich., Emily discovered that the ability and willingness to communicate across language barriers have become especially critical today in the United States where the immigration debate under the Trump Administration is escalating. Also in this episode: we hear from host Soleil about her own experience speaking Kitchen Spanish and about that one time producer Juan Ramirez got in trouble in school for saying a bad word.

Note: Because this episode is about the unique kind of Spanish that’s spoken in restaurants, there are long stretches of Spanish dialogue throughout the piece. Emily paraphrases and interjects wherever she can, but we wanted to preserve those conversations as much as possible.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E45: Becoming an American Writer (w/ Alexander Chee) Mar 28, 2018

In this episode, Zahir interviews the award-winning writer Alexander Chee about his new essay collection “How to Write an Autobiographical Novel.” Alexander speaks about his visit to Korea, what it was like to wait tables before writing his novel, and why he felt like an impostor while living in a plush New York apartment. Also on this episode, Soleil talks about her trip to Hawaii and Zahir gushes about his experience at Kundiman.

Produced by Juan Ramirez and Stephanie Kuo. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

LINKS DU JOUR

E44: Hell in a Bread Basket (w/ Samin Nosrat) Mar 14, 2018

In this episode, new producer Stephanie Kuo joins Zahir to discuss an op-ed she wrote for the Dallas Observer about her complicated relationship with white-owned Asian-fusion restaurants, shame and respect for cultures outside our own. In part two, Soleil interviews the spectacular Samin Nosrat, who is a New York Times Magazine contributor, author of the bestseller Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, and all-around badass cook and teacher. They talk about Samin's new TV series, imposter syndrome and her five favorite condiments. Tune in to hear more!

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E43: Eat Pickles Get Ripped (w/ Carmen Maria Machado) Feb 28, 2018

We are excited to kick off season two of our podcast! In part one, Soleil and Zahir talk about missing Taco Bell and gush about our roller coaster ride of a Kickstarter campaign. In part two, guest interviewer Emilly Prado interviews Carmen Maria Machado, the National Book Award-nominated author of the short story collection, Her Body and Other Parties. Carmen and Emilly discuss body image, policing food, villainesses, and pickles. Tune in to hear more!

Produced by Juan Ramirez and Stephanie Kuo. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

Bonus Episode: Ohio Against the World (with Hanif Abdurraqib) Jan 05, 2018

Zahir interviews poet and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib about his new collection of essays called “They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us.” Hanif speaks about growing up in Ohio, how the city’s Black population has been displaced, and why Black-owned restaurants are critical at a time in which, to quote one of his poems, “the Black boy already begins to disappear from head-to-toe.”

E42: Break Time Dec 16, 2017

After a long and popping first season, we’re taking a short break to recharge, relax, and raise funds for season two! Thank you for listening to Racist Sandwich, and huge thanks to the collaborators, guests, and friends who all helped us along the way. It has been an incredible run for these first-time podcasters.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

E41: Only White Men Get to Be Geniuses (w/ Jen Agg) Dec 06, 2017

Today’s guest is the one, the only Jen Agg—the Toronto, Canada-based restaurateur who, in a lot of ways, has been imposed with a sort of Cassandra role in the food media. She’s been sounding the alarm on the toxic and often violent masculinity that infests the food industry for years. She even went so far as to organizing a one-night conference on patriarchy in the restaurant world in 2015. She describes herself as “vigilantly pro-conflict”—her memoir, which came out earlier this year, is literally called, I Hear She’s a Real Bitch. And yet… what has changed for women in the food industry since she started ringing that bell? Tune in as we hash out all this and more!

E40: The Pav to Success (w/ Preeti Mistry) Nov 29, 2017

Soleil catches up with Oakland chef and restaurateur Preeti Mistry, and they chat about culinary school, how the food industry falls short of its meritocratic ideals, the culture of abuse in restaurants, and what it means to live your politics. Zahir gets really into the punniness of Mistry’s book, The Juhu Beach Club Cookbook.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by Blue Dot Sessions and AF the Naysayer.

LINKS DU JOUR

Dear White Chefs: Stop Talking, Start Listening

White Man Gets on Soapbox

How a Culture of Aggression Blinds the Restaurant Industry to Abuse

EP39: Namaste Motherfucker (with Mitali Desai and Naben Ruthnum) Nov 15, 2017

In this episode, we address the politics of the word “curry.” In part one, Barnard College student Mitali Desai shares her poem “Chicken Tikka Masala” about being bullied at her predominantly white school. In part two, we interview the Toronto based writer Naben Ruthnum about his new book “Curry” which unpacks the history, and the limitations, of the word “curry.”

EP38: Ice Cream vs Anti-Semitism (w/ Jared Goodman) Nov 01, 2017

Zahir interviews Jared Goodman, the founder and director of Morgan Street Theater, which organizes ice cream theater events in Portland, Oregon. Jared talks about him about his Jewish identity, his anxieties about raising Jewish children in an age of Trump, and why he loves making challah bread.

Guest produced by Eric Klein.

Bonus Episode: F**k the Patriarchy Oct 25, 2017

BONUS EPISODE: FUCK THE PATRIARCHY. Soleil and Zahir discuss the sexual harassment allegations against the famous restauranteur John Besh, as well as their own experiences encountering sexual harassment in their respective work environments. They also discuss the complicity around sexual harassment and why more is not been done to combat this problem.

LINKS: From Glassdoor: Besh Restaurant Reviews

EP37: Minnesota Nice (w/ Amalia Nicholson, Aubry, and Kale Walch) Oct 19, 2017

How much do you know about Minnesota? In this episode, Soleil digs into the state, going both on and off the beaten path.

She talks with Amalia Nicholson, lifelong Minnesotan, and host of the Borrowed Interest podcast, about punk rock brunch and Garrison Keillor; dives into the Minnesota State Fair in search of pickle-flavored beer; and interviews Aubry and Kale Walch, the sibling owners of The Herbivorous Butcher, the world’s first vegan butcher shop—which happens to be in Minneapolis.

Produced by Soleil Ho with lots of help from Juan Ramirez and Chris Farstad. Additional music by Johnny Cash and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

LINKS DU JOUR

Borrowed Interest podcast, on being black women in the advertising business

The Herbivorous Butcher

Twin Cities Businesses Ask Why Professionals of Color Leave (via the Star Tribune)

EP36: Eating Big Macs in Qatar (with Omar El Akkad) Oct 04, 2017

Zahir interviews Omar El Akkad, author of the critically acclaimed novel "American War," at an Egyptian shawarma stand in Portland, Oregon where they talk about sci-fi literature, what Ramadan means in a time of Islamophobia, and why McDonald's was such a huge hit in Doha. They also touch on what it is like to be a person of color in Portland and why writers of color should work against the impulse (and pressure) to write only for white readers.

This episode was made possible by our guest producer by Eric Klein

EP35: Puchica in the Midwest (w/ Victor Interiano & Sita Kuratomi Bhaumik) Sep 20, 2017

Soleil and Zahir meet in the Midwest—sort of. They catch up on their adventures as Soleil prepares to depart to Mexico once again.

In this episode, we speak with Victor Interiano, creator of Dichos de un bicho, a blog centered on issues that concern Central Americans and Latinidad. Interiano is also the creator of a left-of-center charismatic cartoon cat named Puchica Puchin.

We also run a story on Sita Kuratomi Bhaumik that was previously published on Raw Material an arts and culture podcast by SFMOMA. Sita Kuratomi Bhaumik is a conceptual artist working with craft and food to tell the stories of migration that is based in Oakland, California.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions. additional production is by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Geraldine Ah-Sue with music from Podington Bear (source: free music archive)

LINKS DU JOUR

Dichos de un bicho
People's Kitchen Collective
In the light of the Mexican earthquake consider donating here

Bonus Episode: Waking Up From The Dream; A Post DACA Conversation Sep 10, 2017

The day after President Trump announced his plans to rescind the DACA program, the three of us--producer Juan, co-hosts Soleil and Zahir--recorded a podcast together about what we were feeling. Juan is a former DACA recipient himself and we reflected on what this means for this country's 800,000 undocumented individuals, as well as how the food industry can protect Dreamers.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

LINKS DU JOUR

E34: Queering and Melanating the Comic World (w/ Taneka Stotts) Aug 31, 2017

When was the last time you saw yourself reflected in the art that you love? For Portland’s Taneka Stotts, comic writer and editor, the answer was never. So she co-founded Beyond Press, a small-scale publisher that releases comic books featuring queer-identified and minority artists. In today’s episode, Soleil talks with Taneka about representation, Sonic the Hedgehog, and milkshakes.

In our intro, Juan and Soleil discuss the Portland Taco Festival fiasco and answer some listener questions.

LINKS DU JOUR

Beyond Press

Love Circuits, Taneka’s webcomic

The milkshake incident

E33: Southern Food and the Table of Brotherhood (w/ John T. Edge and Amanda Yee) Aug 11, 2017

Who owns Southern food? In this episode, we tackle the concept of cultural stakes, ownership, and the character of Southern regional cuisine. Zahir talks to author and Southern food scholar John T. Edge about his new book, The Potlikker Papers.

In the second segment, you’ll hear from Amanda Yee, a Chinese, Norwegian, and African-American chef who, in her words, pulled a James Baldwin and set out to bring Southern cuisine to Scandinavia. According to Amanda, battling locals’ preconceived notions is half the battle. We hope you enjoy the show.

LINKS DU JOUR

Racist Sandwich is a finalist in the 2017 Saveur Magazine blog awards. Vote for us!
Amanda Yee’s upcoming restaurant, The Blues Woman
Who Owns Southern Food? in the Oxford American
An Open Letter to Paula Deen by Michael Twitty

E32: Because I Don't have Papers (w/ Armando Ibañez) Jul 27, 2017

Juan speaks with Armando Ibañez, an undocumented queer filmmaker who produces Undocumented Tales, a web series that is loosely based on Armando's experience as a waiter in LA. Armando talks about what is like to be undocumented in the US while working as a server in the food industry and how his love for film helped him feel comfortable about his sexuality.

"Sometimes I ask my self, How have I last 16 years in the restaurant industry? and then I answer myself--because I don't have fucking papers!", says Armando.

We also dive into the violence street vendors become victims of. A recent incident sparked controversy after a man flipped over Benjamin Ramirez's cart.

Links Du Jour

E31: Lose Hate, Not Weight (w/ Virgie Tovar) Jul 12, 2017

This episode, which features author, activist, and fat discrimination expert Virgie Tovar, continues our conversations about body image, fatness, and thin privilege in the food world. We discuss the complexities of being a fat foodie and think about the ways in which patriarchy and capitalism inform diet culture and fatphobia.

But first, we begin with a story by Dr. Lisa Knisely about navigating restaurants as a fat person. Then, Virgie and Soleil compete to see who has the wackiest laugh. Virgie also lays out the history of diet culture, which includes a really interesting detour into the sordid origin of Graham Crackers.

LINKS DU JOUR

Bonus Episode: Pride month Jul 01, 2017

"In part one, we interview John Birdsall, the acclaimed food writer who is working on a book about James Beard and specifically Beard's queer identity. Birdsall also opens up about why he made the decision to talk about food in relation to his own gay identity. In part two, we interview people of color at Portland's Pride march; in part three, Soleil talks about how anime helped her understand her own queer identity."

Produced by Juan Ramirez and guest producer Jack Saturn. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions

LINKS DU JOUR

Follow John on Twitter.
Information about the LGBTQ community in Portland.
Catch up on Sailor Moon.

Episode 30: Squid and Prejudice (w/ Viet Thanh Nguyen) Jun 21, 2017

RS interviews Pulitzer Prize winning author and USC professor Viet Thanh Nguyen about his new short story collection, what it was like working at his parents’ Vietnamese grocery store, and why he doesn’t write for white readers.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions. Additional music by Mobb Deep

Links du jour

You can more information on Viet HERE
Follow Viet on Twitter @viet_t_nguyen

Bonus Episode: The Pushback against White Supremacy in Portland Jun 11, 2017

Racist Sandwich covers the recent white supremacist rally in Portland; in part one, we interview people of color at the counter-protest, as well as a Trump supporter and anti-fascist activists; in part two, we cover the fundraiser and tribute for the three heroes who stood up to white supremacy

Produced by Zahir Janmohamed and Juan Ramirez.

Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E29: Anh Luu Gives You Wings May 31, 2017

Zahir starts off with some thoughts on the recent deadly white supremacist violence in Portland, and talks a bit about his thoughts on Portland in general.

The core of this episode is our funny and thoughtful interview with Anh Luu, the chef/owner of Portland’s Tapalaya restaurant. Anh talks with us about growing up Viet in New Orleans, working her way up through its kitchens, and the windy road that brought her to Tapalaya.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions. Additional music by Tikopia Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Tapalaya
Zahir's Article, Portland isn't as liberal as you think
The Slow Melt

E28: The Cacahuate Diaries (w/Daniela Perez and Soleil Ho) May 18, 2017

Katherine Quince interviews Daniela Perez—a mentor gardener based in Portland, Oregon—and chat about the successes and failures of gardening. Also, Soleil sits down and talks to us about what is like to open a restaurant in Puerto Vallarta over an awesome audio diary. Be sure to check out her recently published essay, where J uan gets reminded of an old childhood snack—cacahuates!

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions. Additional music by Nujabes, Tupac, and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs

LINKS DU JOUR

"Bonus Mother's Day Episode: Zahir interviews his Mom." May 14, 2017

Zahir's mom dishes on Indian food in Tanzania, how she defines fusion food, and why she mischievously leaves out ingredients when people ask her for recipes.

E27: Planting Seeds Among Concrete (w/ Wanda Stewart) May 03, 2017

We celebrate our first anniversary by having guest producer Cristina Kim takes us to Oakland, Ca to talk with Wanda Stewart on the joys and challenges of teaching gardening and community farming at Hoover Elementary. Wanda welcomes us into her classroom and opens up about her goal to dismantle the negative connotations many of her students and their parents-- especially from the African American community--have with getting dirty and growing food. In a time where it's hard to know how to best be active and engaged, she reminds us that the way forward may be as simple as working like ants.

Produced by Juan Ramirez and Cristina Kim. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

LINKS DU JOUR

E26: Coffee Level Over 9000 (w/ Nick Cho) Apr 19, 2017

Nick Cho will teach you how to make coffee—we won’t say in the “best way,” but certainly with way more knowledge and control than you’re used to having. While both Zahir and Soleil are probably top-tier coffee ignoramuses, we had a great conversation with Nick about the meaning of specialty coffee and its misconceptions, the work of managing a coffee shop, and how the American coffee industry can improve its internal dialogues about race and identity.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

LINKS DU JOUR

Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters
Follow then on Twitter @wrecking_ball
Check out Culture Trip

E25: Do What You Wanna (w/ Ruby Tandoh) Apr 06, 2017

The theme of this episode is food and all the ways people use it to mess with us. Well, it’s about a bit more than that, but that’s the gist of it. First, Soleil and Zahir chat about the Great Kimchi Incident of 2017 and the high psychological price of getting good chai in Portland. (“How do they drink chai in the Far East, Zahir?”) Then Soleil gets on the phone with food writer and British baking genius Ruby Tandoh to discuss her upcoming mental health zine, the toxicity of wellness culture, and the healing power of food writing.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer, Blue Dot Sessions, Alimony Hustle and The Rebirth Brass Band.

E24: Stop Asking Me About Kabobs (w/ Persian cookbook author Yasmin Khan) Mar 21, 2017

Yasmin Khan’s Twitter bio reads: “Challenging stereotypes of the Middle East, one pomegranate at a time.” With her new cookbook, “The Saffron Tales,” Khan has not only delivered a beautifully written book about Persian food but has also challenged us to think about Persian food in entirely new ways.

Khan set out in 2013 to write her book because she was fed up with people in making assumptions that Iran equals bombs, nukes, and fanatics. She wanted to show the texture and the beauty she experienced during her own visits to the Iranian countryside. What she could not predict is that the antagonism between the “West” and Iran would only grow greater, especially with the US election of Donald Trump.

In this episode, Khan speaks about meeting artisanal chocolatiers in Iran, why London doesn’t have great regional Persian restaurants, and why she was denied a visa to the US during the Obama administration.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

E23: Combating Hunger with Hawaiian Musubi (w/ Darrell Yuen) Mar 08, 2017

One in five people in Portland are food insecure, according to the Oregon Food Bank. It’s a statistic Darrell Yuen knows well. He spent years fighting hunger, including a stint at the Oregon Food Bank. But in 2016, he called it quits and decided he would fight hunger by starting a restaurant instead.

The result is Musubi, a small restaurant in Southeast Portland that serves Hawaii snack food. Darrell contributes a portion of every purchase to combat hunger and he sees his role not as a restaurateur but as a social entrepreneur. In this episode, we talk about how restaurants owners can give back to communities and how Darrell sees his restaurant as a way for him to embrace his Hawaiian identity.

Produced by Juan Ramirez. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

Bonus Episode: (Not) Feeding the Trolls (w/ Celeste Noche) Mar 07, 2017

Do you remember our smash hit episode on racial signifiers in food photography featuring photog Celeste Noche? Since episode 14 came out last November, CBC has rerun the episode and Celeste has been interviewed about the subject by Quartz, the BBC, and Mic. And with greater exposure, the trolls have come out from under their bridge, showering Celeste and us with a lot of indignation over us claiming that eating tacos or using chopsticks is racist. (Hint: we never did.) We caught up with Celeste for a quick follow-up interview to talk about what the backlash is getting wrong and why she will, nevertheless, persist.

(We definitely suggest re-listening to episode 14 or reading some of the linked articles to refresh your memory of what initially discussed.)

E22: Traveling Better With Bani Amor Feb 23, 2017

In part one, we talk about Soleil's new restaurant Bonito Kitchen in Puerto Vallarta and Zahir's hard hitting investigative journalism about Portland's best shawarma. In part two, Soleil interviews Bani Amor, a queer travel writer, photographer and activist from Brooklyn by way of Ecuador. Amor explores diasporic identities, the decolonization of travel culture, and the intersections of race, place, and power.

E21: New Look, Same Great Taste (w/ Alan Montecillo & Juan Ramirez) Feb 09, 2017

It was bound to happen someday. Our killer founding producer and editor, Alan Montecillo, is leaving us (and Portland) to work as a producer on the 21st, a news and culture talk show from Illinois Public Media. We always knew his talents and Hufflepuffiness would take him somewhere great, and we're so excited to watch his career progress from afar.

In this episode, we say goodbye to Alan and introduce our new producer and editor, Juan Ramirez. Like Alan, Juan is an Oregon Public Broadcasting alum, and we first encountered his work through a piece he did for Think Out Loud. Called, "DACA Now: Returning To Mexico For The First Time In 17 Years," the gorgeous segment features Juan recalling a visit to his birthplace in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, to visit his relatives and ailing father. All of this is colored by the fact that Juan is a DACA grantee: an undocumented immigrant granted administrative relief from deportation because he was brought to the US as a child. Think Out Loud was generous enough to allow us to replay that segment on our show, and we think you'll love it just like we did.

One more thing: this didn't make it into the episode, but we're excited to announce that we've been nominated for a Digital Media: Culinary Audio Series award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP)! Woohoo!

E20: Talking in New Orleans in the Age of Trump (w/ Maurice Ruffin) Jan 25, 2017

On our twentieth(!) episode, we continue our two-episode-long trend of having individual people share their stories. Maurice Ruffin is a writer and restauranteur in New Orleans. Here, he shares his essay "Talking in New Orleans in the Age of Trump," originally published in Lithub.

E19: Soleil's First Restaurant Job Jan 12, 2017

A new episode is here! We did something a little different. Soleil shares a story of the first time she ever waited tables, and how it changed her life (but also, how it didn't).

She told this story at the Holocene in Portland, Oregon back in November. This recording was done by Pamela Santos at KBOO Community Radio. Enjoy!

P.S. We're still working out the kinks of recording a remote show, but rest assured we will be back to Peak Audio Quality soon.

E18: Fries Before Guys (w/ Randa Jarrar) Dec 29, 2016

It's our last show of 2016! Soleil and Zahir (recording remotely for the first time) begin by distracting you from the news with their top five favorite things they ate this year.

Then, Zahir interviews Arab-American writer Randa Jarrar, author of the new collection of short stories Him, Me, Muhammad Ali. Randa has a lot of insightful things to say about Palestinian food, growing up in Kuwait during the First Gulf War, body image and what it means to be a fat femme, and much more.

E17: Hari Kondabolu Eats Beef Dec 15, 2016

We're really excited about this one. Zahir and Alan (don't worry, Soleil will be back on the show soon!) interviewed Hari Kondabolu when he was in Portland. If you're not familiar with Hari and his work, fix your damn life and get on it!

We cover a lot of ground in this episode, including: the food at Bowdoin College, calling out racism in the age of Trump, and why Hari doesn't like being described as an "activist comedian." Plus, Hari unpacks an old joke he once told about vegan soul food, and talks about what he'd change.

E16: And You Tried to Change, Didn't You? (w/ Salimatu Amabebe) Dec 01, 2016

How does it feel when your body doesn't fit the definition of "desirable," when no one around you looks the way you look, when taking up space seems like an insult toward the people around you? For this episode, we wanted to consider these questions in the context of eating disorders and how living in a racialized body complicates the mainstream narrative of who gets them. Our guest, Portland-based pop-up chef and caterer Salimatu Amabebe, was kind enough to speak with us about her experience with eating problems and how it informs her own body consciousness, her feelings about desirability, and her career as an independent chef. (Thank you for the title, Warsan Shire.)

Produced by Alan Montecillo. Music by AF the Naysayer and Blue Dot Sessions.

Want to help us continue to make more episodes like this? Support us on Patreon!

Links du jour

Eating Disorders Do Not Discriminate via Slate
N ot All Black Girls Know How to Eat
Mixed Fat Chick
Diagnosing the Asian American Eating Disorder via Mochi Mag
Nalgona Positivity Pride
Trans Folx Fighting Eating Disorders

Why This Show Matters Nov 24, 2016

We've launched another crowdfunder! Instead of talking about why you should open your wallet for us, Alan collected three of his favorite clips from our podcast.

P.S. On this holiday, please also consider giving to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

E15: The Stories We Tell (w/ Isaac Fitzgerald) Nov 17, 2016

In this episode, we interview Buzzfeed Books Editor Isaac Fitzgerald about his new book, Knives & Ink: Chefs and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos. The book, which features beautiful illustrations by Wendy Macnaughton, is out now. Isaac and Soleil share tattoo stories, both of which you don't want to miss. In addition to talking about the book, we grill Isaac on what it takes to be a good ally and gatekeeper in the publishing industry, which is so very homogenous

We also have a few big announcements packed into this episode: Soleil is moving to Mexico to open a restaurant (and will continue hosting the show from abroad), AND we're starting a Patreon help make the podcast more sustainable!

Produced by Alan Montecillo. Music by AF The Naysayer, Blue Dot Sessions, and Brown Bird.

We Just Need A Minute Nov 10, 2016

We needed to turn off social media and talk out our post-Election Day feelings. If you want to let us know how you're doing, leave us a voicemail at (971) 800-1389, or email us at racistsandwichpodcast@gmail.com

E14: What's So Political About Food Photography? (w/ Celeste Noche) Nov 02, 2016

Food photography is just about showcasing food...right? In this episode, we talk with freelance photographer Celeste Noche about how an art as "neutral" as modern food photography can actually be loaded with signifiers of race, gender, and class. We discuss the strange positioning of chopsticks in photos of Asian food, the slow trickling down of the Kinfolk aesthetic, and all the things we lose when we divorce food from its cultural context.

E13: Food Tech Goes Home (w/ Charley Wang) Oct 19, 2016

Episode 13 is here! Charley Wang, the CEO of Josephine, an up-and-coming food tech company, explains how his version of the sharing economy can bolster home cooking, empower small-scale entrepreneurs, and combat gentrification. He believes that food tech can do more than simply provide a product in an ultra-convenient and commodified way, and that there's room for food justice and labor rights, too.

This is a sprawling and fascinating conversation about food justice, the tech world, empathy, and gentrification. We also drag Blue Apron and Soylent a bit. (A lot.)

E12: It's Time For Solutions (w/ Nicole Taylor) Oct 05, 2016

On this episode, we talked with food writer and cookbook author Nicole Taylor about popularity of Southern food, and its roots in black history that are often erased in a trend-driven food landscape. We also delve into the homogeneity of food media itself, by talking through actionable steps we need in order to move the race and food conversation forward.

E11: Pho is the New Pho (w/ Jenny Yang) Sep 21, 2016

Or, #NeverPhogetNeverPhogive! Soleil embarked on our first OFF-SITE INTERVIEW and caught up with comedian and writer Jenny Yang this past weekend. She produced and starred in "PBJ is the New Grilled Cheese," a brilliant send-up of that pho video that everyone's been talking about. (AKA the food media's regularly scheduled announcement that they don't give a fuck about us!) Soleil and Jenny talk about community, staying in touch with one's culture, and what it means to respond to racism with art.

E10: Mexican Food Is Already Elevated (w/ Abel Hernandez and Jaime Soltero) Sep 08, 2016

For our tenth(!) episode, we talked with Abel Hernandez and Jaime Saltero. They are, respectively, the head chef and owner of Tamale Boy in Portland, Oregon. Abel and Jaime shared their stories about starting their restaurant, designing the space, and making dishes that break American stereotypes about Mexican cuisine. They also dropped some serious knowledge about the history of the tamale, and its close link with indigenous cultures in Mexico.

E9: The New Culinary Workforce (w/ Jamaal Green, Greg Schrock, & The Portland Kitchen) Aug 25, 2016

Anyone in Portland can tell you that we've been experiencing a huge increase in restaurants and bars this year. What we sought to find out in this episode was whether that same increase has meant more opportunities and financial stability for food service workers—the people who form the backbone of our growing service economy.

E8: Writing About Race, Family, & Food (with Amy Lam) Aug 10, 2016

On this episode, we explore food from a slightly different angle. We talked with Amy Lam, associate editor at BITCH Magazine and co-founder of the group "Portland Creatives of Color" — which is the reason why we met and started this podcast in the first place. Amy talked to us about her relationship with food, and how the gendered expectations she was raised with shaped the way she sees cooking. From there, all three of us share what it means to be writers and children of immigrants at the same time.

BONUS: Your Stories About Filipino Food Jul 28, 2016

For our Filipino food episode [E7], we asked our listeners to call in to our Google voice number to talk to us about their relationships with Filipino food. And y'all really rose to the occasion! We got a lot of voicemails, so we put our favorite ones together. The messages form a really beautiful narrative about the cuisine and the place it has in people's hearts; one that we think everyone can relate to in some way.

E7: History on a Plate: The State of Filipino Cuisine (w/ Sarahlynn Pablo & Natalia Roxas) Jul 28, 2016

For years, we've been hearing from the food media that Filipino cuisine is the "next big thing;" that it would only be a matter of time before it "arrived." To hash that all out, we talked to a bunch of Pinoys! First, our producer, Alan Montecillo; then we patched in Sarahlynn Pablo & Natalia Roxas of the website, Filipino Kitchen. They all walked us through the history of Filipino cuisine and the meaning it holds for Filipino Americans today. And of course, we went back and forth on the question of whether or not validation from Western society matters all that much, in the end.

E6: "It's Double Trouble": On Being a Vegan of Color (with Emiko Badillo) Jul 13, 2016

We start with a brief conversation about Pokemon Go, #BlackLivesMatter, and the place of politics in food media. Then we interview Emiko Badillo, one of the owners of Food Fight, the first vegan grocery store in Portland. She also started Vegans of Color and is a COOL LADY DRUMMER! She talks to us about lifestyle veganism vs. political veganism, the "double trouble" of being a racial as well as a political minority, and how human-centered social justice can have a place within veganism, too.

E5: Food & Femininity (with Dr. Kate Cairns) Jun 29, 2016

Dr. Kate Cairns, an Assistant Professor of Childhood Studies at Rutgers University, joins us remotely to share her research on how foodwork—the researching, buying, and preparation of food—plays into modern ideas of what it means to be a good, responsible woman. She talks about what she learned after interviewing more than a hundred women for her study, and about how race and class inform the way people moralize women's food choices for themselves and their families. Food and Femininity, the book she coauthored with Josée Johnston, came out last year via Bloomsbury.

E4: Sneakers & Coffee (with Ian Williams of Deadstock Cafe & Gallery) Jun 15, 2016

On this episode of Racist Sandwich, we talk with sneaker maven Ian Williams, who owns and operates Deadstock Coffee, a sneaker-themed coffee shop in downtown Portland. We discuss what it means to take up space, why sneaker culture is integral to urban life, the ways in which Portland has changed since Ian's childhood, and the whiteness of the coffee scene here. And of course, a little bit about basketball too!

E3: Pop-ups, Dudebros, and Indian-Mexican Fusion (with Kusuma Rao) Jun 01, 2016

Zahir and Soleil are back! In our intro, we discuss the food media's new obsession with poke, Anthony Bourdain in Vietnam, and chaat. After that, Portland chef Kusuma Rao of Ruchikala talks to us about the pop-up life, growing up Indian in Tucson, dudebros and the sexualization of food, and identifying as "miscellaneous brown.

E2: Bringing Korean Food To The Masses (with Han Ly Hwang) May 18, 2016

Han Ly Hwang, the chef and owner of Portland's Kim Jong Grillin food truck, joins us in the studio to talk about the Korean-American food revolution, being on Chopped, what it means to cook your own food, and the Sisyphean task of gaining parental approval.

E1: I Make Wine Because I'm A Hustler (with Bertony Faustin) May 04, 2016

Our podcast begins with a discussion about the difficulty we often have connecting food to the broader issues of race, gender, and class. Bertony Faustin, an Oregon winemaker and documentarian, joins us in the studio to talk about breaking into the wine industry and defying expectations as the first Black winemaker in the region.

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