This week we're very happy to be chopping it up with Cleopatra Zuli, educator, events curator, chef and one of the creative minds behind BLK PALATE, a production company and collective. Tune in as we talk about BLK PALATE's work to empower black queer folks through food and gathering, and the exciting new media project they're cooking up next.

Episode 39: Talking food, empowerment and for-us, by-us media with BLK PALATE's Cleopatra Zuli

Well read and well fed: Explore what co-hosts Amanda Dell and Kimberly Chou and their guests are reading, watching and listening to in and around the world of food. New and classic cookbooks, food memoirs, great reportage, TV, food on film — it's all fair game. Tune in as they talk to magazine editors, writers, chefs and other folks who bridge the worlds of culinary and literary about what's recommended now in food media as well as media, literature and culture that inspires food media makers.

Theme song: "Get Up" by Ryan Little (http://www.youtube.com/TheR4C2010)

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Today on Recommended Reading with Food Book Fair, Michelin-starred chef  Anita Lo joins us in the booth. Her new cookbook, "Solo" is a modern blueprint on cooking for one, peppered with humor and real life cooking affirmations and encouragement. We'll chat with Anita about life after Annisa, how a party of one can truly be a party, and much more.

Episode 48: Going Solo with chef Anita Lo

Christmas comes early to Recommended Reading! Food writer, chef, columnist and television presenter Yvette van Boven joins us in the booth and it's the best present we could ask for. Together with her husband, photographer Oof Verschuren, we're diving into their latest book ""Home Made Christmas"" and lots more. Merry merry!

Episode 47: Homemade Christmas with Yvette Van Boven and Oof Vershuren

On this week's show, Recommended Reading talks to Lebanon-born private chef and caterer Edouard Massih about what he's reading, watching and listening to — especially his recommendations for Middle Eastern food and his dreams for Lebanese-food in New York. Heads up to dairy-free listeners: This episode is dairy-forward (and delicious).

Episode 46: Edouard Massih on good eats and good reads

Bi-coastal PR maven Rachel Krupa of Krupa Consulting joins us in the booth to chat all about her new brick and mortar project, The Goods Mart. "I’m shaking up the archaic 7-11 model with a fresh, socially-conscious rethink of the convenience store" says Rachel about her urban version of the gas station Quick-Mart which opened in Silver Lake, CA this past April, and more recently in New York. From snacks to butter and toilet paper to shampoo, every item stocked at The Goods Mart has been hand-curated for amazing taste or function and ethical, eco-responsible practices — all by Krupa and her team. Kelvin Slushies for everyone!

Episode 45: It's all good with The Goods Mart founder Rachel Krupa!

We talk all things turmeric with Sana Javeri Kadri, founder (and "chief feelings officer") of Diaspora Co., the only direct-trade, single-origin turmeric company around. We chat about her new zine — "Cooking with Gold" — new products and what's new on her reading and watching lists.

Episode 39: Talking food, empowerment and for-us, by-us media with BLK PALATE's Cleopatra Zuli

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