In My Kitchen with Paula

Introducing Paula's Picks, a special series of archival episodes re-edited and re-released with updated context. This episode originally aired on March 13, 2025. 

Have you ever wondered what makes Goan cuisine so special? What if the secret ingredient isn’t just the spices, but the sun itself?

In this episode, Paula sits down with Lara Victoria, a food and wine expert with deep roots in both Bombay and Goa. Lara shares her journey from pastry chef to sommelier, weaving in the rich cultural influences that have shaped her love for food and hospitality.

Together, they explore the vibrant flavors of Goan cuisine, from the legendary Goan sausages to the Portuguese-inspired vindaloo. Lara explains the relaxed Goan way of life, known as Susegad, and how the region’s unique blend of Indian and Portuguese heritage has influenced its food, music, and traditions.

Paula and Lara also discuss the deep role of hospitality in Indian culture, the hidden gems of Goa’s food scene, and even the art of pairing wine with Indian dishes. Whether you’re planning a trip to Goa or just love learning about food from around the world, this episode is packed with flavor, history, and inspiration.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The must-try dishes of Goa, including chicken shakuti and chorizo pão
• The Portuguese influence on Goan cuisine and how it evolved over time
• How Lara transitioned from banking to hospitality and found her passion in wine education
• The beauty of Goan hospitality and why Sussegad is a lifestyle worth embracing

Grab a cup of chai (or a glass of wine!) and join Paula for a delicious deep dive into Goa’s food, culture, and history with Lara Victoria.

HELPFUL LINKS

• Lara's featured recipe: Ghosht Do Pyaza
• Lara's websites: cruclasse.ca and laravictoria.com
• Follow Lara on Instagram
• The Jordan Harbinger Show: 1076: Wine Fraud | Skeptical Sunday
• Get my free Travel Planning Tool

SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW

If you love this podcast and want to give me your support, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This goes a long way in helping me get in front of other culinary adventurers like you. 

Just open up the Apple Podcasts app and go to “In My Kitchen with Paula”. Or, in this episode, click on the 3 dots in the right corner and click on “Go To Show”. At the bottom of the show page, you can rate and review.

SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish, one story, one journey at a time, by exploring culture through food.  We do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me in one of three ways:

• Visit www.exploreinmykitchen.com to join our IMK Community of culinary adventurers.  More recipes, stories and fabulous podcast episodes.
• DM me on Instagram at @inmykitchenpaula 
• Email me at [email protected]

Introducing Paula's Picks, a special series of archival episodes re-edited and re-released with updated context. 

This conversation about the power of food as an act of resistance with Anna Voloshyna originally aired May 8, 2025 and since then her new book, Ukraine: Recipes and Stories from Kyiv to the Black Sea, has been released. 

What does it mean to fight a war—with food?

In this episode, we meet Anna Voloshyna: chef, cookbook author, and passionate culinary activist. Born and raised in Ukraine and now based in California, Anna shares how her deep love of Ukrainian cuisine has become a powerful tool for cultural preservation and resistance amid war.

From feeding soldiers on the frontlines in bulletproof vests to writing cookbooks that celebrate regional Ukrainian dishes, Anna’s story is a moving example of how food can connect, heal, and inspire action. Her journey is equal parts resilience, community, and unwavering pride.

We talk about:

• Ukraine’s food renaissance—and how chefs are modernizing traditional dishes
• What it’s like to cook for 50 soldiers near the frontline, explosions in the distance
• How Anna’s first cookbook BUDMO! became a fundraising tool before it even launched

Whether you're a food lover, cultural explorer, or just looking to understand the world through a more human lens, this episode will move you. Anna’s story reminds us that even in war, food can nourish both body and soul.

Host: Paula Mohammed 

Editor: Abigail Cerquitella

FEATURED RECIPE: UKRAINIAN RED BORSCHT

Click here for Anna's original recipe!

KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING!

Join the In My Kitchen newsletter for stories, recipes and reflections, plus updates on our Culture & Connection Club, where we gather online around food and meaningful conversation.

HELPFUL LINKS

📘 Check out Anna's first cookbook BUDMO!and second book Ukraine.

✨ Visit Anna's website to learn more about her projects

📸 Follow Anna on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW

If you love this podcast and want to give me your support, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This goes a long way in helping me get in front of other culinary adventurers like you. 

Just open up the Apple Podcasts app and go to “In My Kitchen with Paula”. Or, in this episode, click on the 3 dots in the right corner and click on “Go To Show”. At the bottom of the show page, you can rate and review.

SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish, one story, one journey at a time, by exploring culture through food.  We do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me in one of three ways:

• Visit www.exploreinmykitchen.com to join our IMK Community of culinary adventurers.  More recipes, stories and fabulous podcast episodes.
• DM me on Instagram at @inmykitchenpaula 
• Email me at [email protected]

What if the most meaningful journeys in life aren't about finding a new place, but about creating a place where others feel they belong?

Barbara-jo McIntosh is a cookbook author, culinary entrepreneur, bookseller, and one of Canada's most respected voices in food and hospitality. After building an extraordinary career in Vancouver's culinary world, including founding the beloved Barbara-jo's Books to Cooks, she began a new chapter in rural France, where she now welcomes guests into her beautiful home, La Maison des Mots, in the medieval village of La Charité-sur-Loire.

In this episode, Barbara-jo shares the experiences that shaped her lifelong passion for hospitality, the courage to reinvent herself throughout her career, and why she believes it's never too late to begin again. Together, we also explore French culture, entertaining traditions, and the simple pleasures that make life around the table so meaningful.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why hospitality is about making people feel genuinely welcome rather than creating the perfect experience.
• How Barbara-jo built an extraordinary career by following curiosity, embracing change, and continually reinventing herself.
• The French traditions around food, entertaining, and everyday living that continue to inspire her life in La Charité-sur-Loire.

Helpful Links:

• Podcast Companion Page (recipe, reflections, resources and prompts for your own everyday life)
• Barbara-jo's website: Maison des Mots
• Barbara-jo's Substack: Diner Chez Moi
• Barbara-jo on Instagram

SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW

If you love this podcast and want to give me your support, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This goes a long way in helping me get in front of other culinary adventurers like you. 

Just open up the Apple Podcasts app and go to “In My Kitchen with Paula”. Or, in this episode, click on the 3 dots in the right corner and click on “Go To Show”. At the bottom of the show page, you can rate and review.

SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish, one story, one journey at a time, by exploring culture through food.  We do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me in one of three ways:

• Visit www.exploreinmykitchen.com to join our IMK Community of culinary adventurers.  More recipes, stories and fabulous podcast episodes.
• DM me on Instagram at @inmykitchenpaula 
• Email me at [email protected]

In this episode of In My Kitchen with Paula, I sit down with Palestinian chef, storyteller, and founder of Sacred Cuisine, Izzeldin Abdul Aziz Bukhari.

Speaking from the Old City of Jerusalem, Izzeldin shares the story of his family’s migration from Bukhara, Uzbekistan to Jerusalem in 1616, his Sufi roots, and how food became both a form of meditation and a powerful vehicle for preserving Palestinian culture and identity.

You’ll Hear About

• How food carries history, grief, connection, and hope across generations
• Memories of grandmother’s kitchens in Gaza and the role food plays in family connection
• The history and symbolism behind the Palestinian dish Rummaniyeh
• What it means to build and operate a culinary business as a Palestinian living under occupation
• Food as an act of cultural preservation and resistance

This is an unforgettable conversation about heritage, hospitality, identity, and the sacred role food plays in bringing people together.

HELPFUL LINKS

Sacred Cuisine:   www.sacred-cuisine.com
Izzeldin’s email:  [email protected]
Sacred Cuisine on Instagram: instagram.com/SacredCuisine
Izzeldin’s Rummaniyeh Recipe: Find it at exploreinmykitchen.com

SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW

If you love this podcast and want to give me your support, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This goes a long way in helping me get in front of other culinary adventurers like you. 

Just open up the Apple Podcasts app and go to “In My Kitchen with Paula”. Or, in this episode, click on the 3 dots in the right corner and click on “Go To Show”. At the bottom of the show page, you can rate and review.

SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish, one story, one journey at a time, by exploring culture through food.  We do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me in one of three ways:

• Visit www.exploreinmykitchen.com to join our IMK Community of culinary adventurers.  More recipes, stories and fabulous podcast episodes.
• DM me on Instagram at @inmykitchenpaula 
• Email me at [email protected]

What if the most memorable part of visiting Peru isn’t Machu Picchu… ?

In this episode, I sit down with Ericka La Madrid, founder of Delectable Peru Food Tours, a proud Peruvian who grew up surrounded by big family tables, Andean flavours, and the kind of culinary traditions that carry stories across generations. Today, she helps travellers experience Peru through its kitchens, markets, and regional dishes.

Erica, is generously offering a 5% discount on when you book a tour with her, just mention the podcast episode and that you are following Delectable Food Tours and In My Kitchen on Instagram

You’ll hear about:

🍽️ Why the family table is central to Peruvian culture and how memories and meals are inseparable
 🌊 How Peru’s three regions: Coast, Andes, and Amazon shape its iconic dishes
 🍋 The magic of ceviche (plus why it’s not as simple as it looks!)
 🏡 What it’s really like to cook with locals in Lima, from tamale masters to home-kitchen chefs
 ✈️ Travel tips, cultural etiquette, and how to experience Peru safely and meaningfully
 🥔 Fun fact: Peru has over 3,000 varieties of potatoes — and Erica tells us why it matters

This episode will inspire you to travel with curiosity, savour new experiences slowly, and embrace the stories behind every dish.

HELPFUL LINKS

🧑🏽‍💻 Delectable Peru Food Tours: https://delectableperu.com
📸 Erica’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delectableperu_food_tours
📧 Book a tour / contact Erica: [email protected] or text/call:  ( 703) 725-0616
🍋 Erica’s Ceviche Recipe: Find it at exploreinmykitchen.com

SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW

If you love this podcast and want to give me your support, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This goes a long way in helping me get in front of other culinary adventurers like you. 

Just open up the Apple Podcasts app and go to “In My Kitchen with Paula”. Or, in this episode, click on the 3 dots in the right corner and click on “Go To Show”. At the bottom of the show page, you can rate and review.

SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish, one story, one journey at a time, by exploring culture through food.  We do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me in one of three ways:

• Visit www.exploreinmykitchen.com to join our IMK Community of culinary adventurers.  More recipes, stories and fabulous podcast episodes.
• DM me on Instagram at @inmykitchenpaula 
• Email me at [email protected]

What if your morning cup of coffee carried a century-old story of family, community, and connection?

In this episode, I sit down with Cristina Dias, founder of Mogiana Coffee in Vancouver, Canada whose family has been farming coffee in Brazil since 1890. We talk about legacy, sustainability, and how a simple cup of coffee can hold the spirit of a place, from the red soil of Minas Gerais to a roastery in Burnaby.

You’ll hear about:

☕ How Mogiana Coffee bridges Brazil and Canada through mindful business
 🌱 The social and environmental heartbeat of a family-run coffee farm
 🔥 The ritual of “cafezinho” and why Brazilians never say no to a drop-in coffee
 🇧🇷 Travel inspiration for exploring Brazil beyond Rio — from coastal towns to the coffee highlands

This episode will make you look at your morning brew a little differently; as an invitation to slow down, savour, and connect with the people and places behind every bean.

HELPFUL LINKS

🧑🏽‍💻 Visit www.mogianacoffee.com  to obtain your 20% discount on your first online order of Mogiana Coffee, use promo code: IMK2025
☕️ Resource:  Mogiana Coffee Learn page for step by step recipes, at exploreinmykitchen.com
🍽️ Casa Mineira: The Brazilian Sausages Cristina mentions (for our Canadian listeners)
📖 Read the beautiful article on Mogiana Coffee in Edible Magazine

SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW

If you love this podcast and want to give me your support, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This goes a long way in helping me get in front of other culinary adventurers like you. 

Just open up the Apple Podcasts app and go to “In My Kitchen with Paula”. Or, in this episode, click on the 3 dots in the right corner and click on “Go To Show”. At the bottom of the show page, you can rate and review.

SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish, one story, one journey at a time, by exploring culture through food.  We do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me in one of three ways:

• Visit www.exploreinmykitchen.com to join our IMK Community of culinary adventurers.  More recipes, stories and fabulous podcast episodes.
• DM me on Instagram at @inmykitchenpaula 
• Email me at [email protected]

Have you ever been invited to “eat from your triangle”? 

In this episode I sit down with Moroccan culinary expert and guide Siham Lahmine to explore the real Morocco—the one you taste and sit inside. From family kitchens in Fez to late-night medina vibes during Ramadan, Siham shares how hospitality, daily rhythms, and regional dishes reveal the country’s open-minded surprises and deep food heritage.

You'll hear about:

🏠 How Siham curates in-home culinary experiences with local women outside tourist areas.
☕ Everyday meal rhythms (including the beloved cascrot—“second breakfast”)
🔺Respectful visiting: modest dress tips, how to interact in souks, and “eat from your triangle” at shared plates
🌙 Ramadan travel rhythms (start early, pause late afternoon, then feel the city re-ignite at night)

I suggest you pair this episode with a comfy cushion, and a cup of mint tea.

HELPFUL LINKS

Siham’s company: moroccotravelorganizer.com
Email Siham: [email protected]
Instagram: @moroccotravelorganizer
Article in Forbes magazine

Visit exploreinmykitchen.com for Siham's Chicken Tagine recipe

SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW

If you love this podcast and want to give me your support, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This goes a long way in helping me get in front of other culinary adventurers like you. 

Just open up the Apple Podcasts app and go to “In My Kitchen with Paula”. Or, in this episode, click on the 3 dots in the right corner and click on “Go To Show”. At the bottom of the show page, you can rate and review.

SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish, one story, one journey at a time, by exploring culture through food.  We do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me in one of three ways:

• Visit www.exploreinmykitchen.com to join our IMK Community of culinary adventurers.  More recipes, stories and fabulous podcast episodes.
• DM me on Instagram at @inmykitchenpaula 
• Email me at [email protected]

What if preserving a recipe was the key to preserving a culture?

In this heartfelt and flavor-packed episode, I sit down with Ivy Chen—longtime cooking instructor, co-author of Made in Taiwan, and the force behind Ivy’s Kitchen in Taipei.

You’ll hear about:

🍚 Why sticky rice dishes like oil rice are central to Taiwanese celebrations
🏮 The cultural rituals that surround food—from ancestor offerings to baby blessings
🎥 What it was like filming with Phil Rosenthal for Somebody Feed Phil

Whether you’re a curious home cook or someone tracing your roots through food, Ivy’s stories will leave you hungry for more—especially a ticket to Taiwan.

HELPFUL LINKS

👩‍🍳 Sign up for a class with Ivy at Ivy’s Kitchen
📖 Order Made in Taiwan by Clarissa Wei and Ivy Chen
🍚 Get Ivy’s oil rice recipe at exploreinmykitchen.com
📺 Watch Ivy on Somebody Feed Phil - Season 7, Episode 7 on Netflix

SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW

If you love this podcast and want to give me your support, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This goes a long way in helping me get in front of other culinary adventurers like you. 

Just open up the Apple Podcasts app and go to “In My Kitchen with Paula”. Or, in this episode, click on the 3 dots in the right corner and click on “Go To Show”. At the bottom of the show page, you can rate and review.

SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish, one story, one journey at a time, by exploring culture through food.  We do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me in one of three ways:

• Visit www.exploreinmykitchen.com to join our IMK Community of culinary adventurers.  More recipes, stories and fabulous podcast episodes.
• DM me on Instagram at @inmykitchenpaula 
• Email me at [email protected]

What if the immigrant story you’ve heard is only half the truth?

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Shiva Reddy—sommelier, food columnist for CBC Vancouver, and host of the acclaimed docuseries Not Your Butter Chicken. We talk about identity, heritage, and the power of food to connect us to our culture and the women who shaped it.

Shiva shares the deeply personal story behind the series, inspired by her mother’s dementia and her own journey to reclaim the flavors and traditions of her Indo-Fijian roots. From hustling samosas as a teen to becoming a celebrated wine expert, Shiva’s story is full of resilience, tenderness, and a lot of flavor.

You’ll hear about:

🍛 The role of sewa and community in South Asian culture
🧵 Why the stories of immigrant women often go untold
🍷 Her unique philosophy on wine

This conversation left me thinking about the women in my own family—the ones who passed down recipes, love, and history through food. I hope it does the same for you.

HELPFUL LINKS

• Watch Shiva's new docuseries, Not Your Butter Chicken, now on CBC Gem and Telus
• Try Shiva’s dal recipe at exploreinmykitchen.com

SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW

If you love this podcast and want to give me your support, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This goes a long way in helping me get in front of other culinary adventurers like you. 

Just open up the Apple Podcasts app and go to “In My Kitchen with Paula”. Or, in this episode, click on the 3 dots in the right corner and click on “Go To Show”. At the bottom of the show page, you can rate and review.

SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish, one story, one journey at a time, by exploring culture through food.  We do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me in one of three ways:

• Visit www.exploreinmykitchen.com to join our IMK Community of culinary adventurers.  More recipes, stories and fabulous podcast episodes.
• DM me on Instagram at @inmykitchenpaula 
• Email me at [email protected]

What if you could supercharge your travel experiences, with just a little perspective?

In this episode I wrap up the four-part series 'Flavourful Bonds' by delving into the character strengths of humility, gratitude, and legacy within the culinary traditions of Pakistan, Mexico, and Croatia. I share personal anecdotes, cultural insights, and practical exercises to help travelers and food enthusiasts recognize and practice these strengths through food. 

You will learn about:

✈️ How these strength helps us to have a more immersive travel experience
🍲 Traditional dishes like Peka, Sarma and pasticada
💫 Paula’s personal story around what it means to be humble

SUBSCRIBE, RATE & REVIEW

If you love this podcast and want to give me your support, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This goes a long way in helping me get in front of other culinary adventurers like you. 

Just open up the Apple Podcasts app and go to “In My Kitchen with Paula”. Or, in this episode, click on the 3 dots in the right corner and click on “Go To Show”. At the bottom of the show page, you can rate and review.

SAY HELLO

In My Kitchen creates connections one dish, one story, one journey at a time, by exploring culture through food.  We do this through unique culinary workshops, speaking engagements, and of course, this podcast.

I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me in one of three ways:

• Visit www.exploreinmykitchen.com to join our IMK Community of culinary adventurers.  More recipes, stories and fabulous podcast episodes.
• DM me on Instagram at @inmykitchenpaula 
• Email me at [email protected]