One Woman Kitchen

Niki Russ Federman is an extraordinary ambassador for one of New York City’s most legendary food stores, Russ & Daughters. In part, that’s because she’s actually a fourth regeneration "Russ daughter". She, with her cousin Josh, runs the original store, now in its 105th year. And they are the curators of two Russ & Daughters restaurants, and the fabulous new Russ & Daughters bakery and take out shop in Brooklyn’s sprawling Navy Yard. Niki’s success is also thanks to a strong work ethic, creative strategy, and a commitment to balancing tradition with innovation. Within the NY food community Niki is already one its most prolific entrepreneurs. Niki shares with author and chef Rozanne Gold how Russ & Daughters began, how their bagels continue to share more than a century of history, and why Niki initially walked away --  then returned and never looked back. This is Niki’s inspiring, and very delicious, story.

Lauren Deen is a storyteller, innovator, NY Times best-selling cookbook author, and one of the food industry's most successful TV producers -- with four Emmy Awards to her name.  She’s worked with luminaries from Martha Stewart to Bobby Flay, and created numerous TV shows, including the hit "The Next Food Network Star".  Her richly textured career has been built around giving others a chance to shine. And she’s done all this as a self supporting single mother of two teens. With warmth, humor, and a generous heart, she’ll tell you it’s grit that’s got her through. This is Lauren’s really cool story.

Danielle Hartog is a remarkable young woman whom author and chef Rozanne Gold first met when she was 11 years old— reading a Japanese cookbook on the floor of the Kitchen Arts and Letters Bookstore. Rozanne knew immediately Danielle had a passion for, and future in, food. Today at 25 Danielle is the chef and co-owner of Newbrook Kitchen and Artisan Market, an acclaimed cafe in Westport, CT, specializing in the paleo diet — and simply delicious food. From her bone broth bar, to wildly imaginative dishes and exquisite plating, Danielle has already become a chef to watch and created a conversation and community of food lovers. This is both Danielle’s story, and the most charming restaurant story Rozanne has ever heard.

Mei Chau’s first passion was to be an artist. She set out from her small Malaysian fishing village to experience New York’s art world head on. After waitressing in Chinese restaurants to support her way through art school, she and her French husband combined forces, and cultures, to open a French-Malaysian Bistro in Tribeca. And, although Mei never let go of her artist’s dream, one of her greatest creations might just be her newest restaurant, the remarkable Aux de Spice —  another French-Malaysian Bistro where the food is Asian, the vibe is French, and the menu is like a trip round the world. Mei calls it the greatest job —people come to say hi, they eat, and they pay her. Mei shares her story with author and chef Rozanne Gold, including why being a Kung Fu Master matters in the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant; how Mei has insisted on an all-woman kitchen, and why she prefers her staff be diamonds in the rough; about spice vs. spicy; and, the dish that promises ten thousand flavors.

For anyone whose had a creative dream, Natalie  Eve Garrett tells us how to make it happen. A dream dinner party inspired this writer, now editor, to create her just published book: Eat Joy - Stories and Comfort Food from 31 Celebrated Writers.  Natalie joins author and chef Rozanne Gold to share her story and how food is a way into the heart of a story; how dark times can be healed through food; why food can be a metaphor for loss, healing, and homecoming; and how brownies to congee to applesauce cake can be the stuff that memories are made of.

Leiti Hsu is a joy to know, and blast to spend time with. A contributor to Forbes Women, Leiti lives at the intersection of food and travel, and believes in the power of storytelling. Originally from Taiwan, she shares a poignant memory about beef noodle soup, her mother's death, and what it means to fight for yourself. She is the ultimate connector of people, recipes, chefs, and their stories, and believes that everyone has their own brand of cool that's scalable. Her own very cool company, Journy, makes travel more magical than it has ever been before. Leiti is an ambassador of millennial style, risk taking, and verve. She shares her story with author and chef Rozanne Gold.

Ellie Krieger brings joy to the world of food and everything she cooks, and strikes a great balance between healthy and delicious. She is a rockstar NY Times Bestselling author of seven cookbooks, is also a TV host ---and registered dietitian nutritionist to boot. She has a brand new cookware that accompanies her latest cookbook: Whole In One. Ellie shares her story with author and chef Rozanne Gold, including how she believes  the key to well being is the balance, not elimination, of  ingredients, and how a slice of melon at her grandmother’s table played an important role in inspiring a love of food, family, and ritual.

Liz Neumark is the creator and owner of Great Performances, the largest independent female owned catering company in America. Yet, Liz’s heart is most deeply involved in the mission of nourishing the world, one child at a time, and strengthening communities through food activism and education. Liz has educated thousands of school children about the goodness of agriculture, her gardens, and where food comes from. She was named one of the most powerful women in NY by Crains Business, and celebrates the 40th anniversary of her own business this year. From feeding her chickens freshly popped corn, to "growing lasagna" on her farm, she has truly innovative ideas about life. Liz shares her story with author and chef Rozanne Gold.

With the variety of ways she's worked ing the food industry, there's a special thread that runs through the many roles Elizabeth Weinstein has held -- from assistant to the famous cookbook author and founder of La Varenne, Anne Willan, to the creative food mind as a produce maven at Melissa's Produce. As early as childhood, she has a special appreciation for nature's bounty, especially for the things we eat. And -- even a romantic connection to trees. Elizabeth shares her story with author and chef Rozanne Gold.

Charlotte Robertson Is a force to reckon with. She's the Director of Operations for Chef José Andrés' ThinkFoodGroup, and she runs all the restaurants at Mercado Little Spain at New York's Hudson Yards.  She knows that restaurants evolve every single day, and to Charlotte, passion, compassion, and empathy are really important ingredients in a restaurant's success. Charlotte has lived all over the world, grew up in Japan, and all of this has helped her love the industry as few others do. She joins author and chef Rozanne Gold to share her story.