Taste Buds With Deb

Епизоди

• Purim and Sweet & Savory Hamentaschen with Pam Stein 25.02.2026 21мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Pam Stein, founder of In Pam's Kitchen. Stein loves to experiment with flavors and textures. And there's no better time for it than creating fun hamentaschen for Purim.   "The traditional filling for hamantaschen is the poppy seed, because they were originally called… mohn," Stein explains. "Prune became the second [most popular flavor], because of the popularity of prunes at the time and the availability of them."   Modern times call for creativity in the kitchen. You could do anything with hamentaschen, sweet or savory - and in all different sizes. Stein's new flavors this year: bourbon chocolate chip pecan pie hamantaschen and tacotaschen.   No matter what your hamentaschen, the base is fundamentally the same. And you can add a glaze or toppings after it bakes.   "For the bourbon chocolate chip pecan pie… I also put some bourbon in the dough," she explains. "I topped the tacotaschen with a spicy corn salsa."   Pam Stein shares tons of hamentastchen tips, along with recipes for bourbon chocolate chip pecan pie hamantaschen and tacotaschen, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts. Happy Purim!   For more from Pam Stein, follow @InPamsKitchen on Instagram. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month, "A Different Spirit" & Papaya Boats with Elaine Hall 18.02.2026 22мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Elaine Hall, founder of The Miracle Project and contributor to "A Different Spirit: Creating Meaningful B'nai Mitzvah for Children with Disabilities."    The Miracle Project is a fully inclusive theatre, film and social program for neurodivergent, autistic, disabled and non-disabled individuals. "A Different Spirit" addresses creating a similar, but different type of community experience.    The book, compiled by Howard Blas and Ilana Trachtman, offers guidance around celebrating b'nai mitzvah for youth who experience the world differently. It brings together educators, parents, and advocates — including Hall — to share models of ceremonies that are creative, accessible, and personal.    "I had created one of the first b'nai mitzvah programs for autistic youth a number of years ago, called Nes Gadol, through Vista Del Mar," she explains. "My son, Neal, was the first bar mitzvah, so they asked me to share my ideas."    Celebrations are often built around food, but Hall believes they should also be built around awareness. When planning a b'nai mitzvah or any large gathering, she encourages families to think beyond tradition.    "Each child is different; each person is different," she says. "Tune into what that child wants and what makes them happy … If the child loves French fries … even though that may not be typical at a celebration, make sure there's French fries on that table."   Inclusion is not just something to recognize during February for Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM); it is something to practice all year long.    "To be inclusive is really natural," Hall says. "It takes 60 seconds to be open, willing, and curious."   Elaine Hall talks about "A Different Spirit," and offers her recommendations for inclusion and belonging for B'nai Mitzvah, as well as everyday gatherings, and living a life of harmony. She also shares her recipe for papaya boats, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.    Learn more about Elaine Hall at TheMiracleProject.org, get a copy of "A Different Spirit" and/or contact CoachE@CoachEProductions.com. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• Valentine's Day, Cake Love & Chocolate Ganache with Michelle Heston 11.02.2026 23мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Michelle Weissman Heston of Heston Cakes. A cake artist with a passion for designing, building, and presenting showstopping desserts, Heston says, "Ultimately, all cake … in my mind should be chocolate."   From hyper-realistic cakes shaped like sneakers, Big Macs, and lox and bagels to simple but dramatic Valentine's Day chocolate cakes, Michelle offers tips for adapting any recipe (yes, even box cake), mastering chocolate ganache, and decorating with intention. She also shares easy ideas for Valentine's flair — including candy-heart surprises baked right into the cake.   "It is my great passion to design, build, and present cakes," she says. "I love talking about cake, I like thinking about cake, and I really like eating cake."   Michelle Heston talks about how food has always been a common thread in her family, why dessert gets the spotlight, and why a truly special cake should tell a story — whether through flavor, filling, or over-the-top décor. She also shares her recipe for chocolate ganache, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   For more cake inspiration, follow @HestonCakes on Instagram. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• Oy Bar & Jeff's Table, LA Food Culture & Deli Dills with Chef Jeff Strauss 04.02.2026 30мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Chef Jeff Strauss, the creative force behind Oy Bar and Jeff's Table, about his journey from Hollywood comedy writer to LA food innovator.   "I have cooked with joy and passion and love for most of my life," he says.   For more than 30 years, Strauss worked as a writer and producer on shows like Friends, Dream On, and Reba, all while quietly nurturing a lifelong love of cooking and bringing people together through food. Encouraged by his wife, who was also in the biz, he finally took the leap , opening Jeff's Table in 2019 and Oy Bar in 2022.   Jeff Strauss talks about his Jewish and food-lover roots and chef origin story. He also dives into his deep appreciation of global flavors - and how they inform his cuisine, his love of Los Angeles' multicultural food scene, and his philosophy that "food is a way that cultures speak to each other, even when sometimes the cultures themselves won't talk." The chef also shares his recipe for Emergency Jewish Deli Dill Pickles, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   Learn more at OyBarLA.com and JeffsTableLA.com, and follow @OyBarLA and @Jeffs___Table on Instagram. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• "Your Last First Date," Matchmaking and Jewmaican Beef Patties with Jaydi Samuels Kuba 28.01.2026 19мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with matchmaker, dating coach, and TV writer Jaydi Samuels Kuba, author of "Your Last First Date: Secrets from a Hollywood Matchmaker."   Food, dating, and Jewish tradition are all connected. They compliment each other. There's a right and wrong way to choose venues and food for first dates; like finding someone's perfect match, there's an art and craft to it.     For Kuba, matchmaking was a natural progression for her personality; it leaned into her love for connecting people to what - or who - they need.   "I always would help people find new friends, find new jobs, find a roommate, whatever people were searching for in their life," she explains. "As I started getting older, and there was more of a need around me, whether it was friends … co coworkers or colleagues looking for love, I just … started matching people in that way."    Kuba was working as a TV writer for "Family Guy" when she started her matchmaking side hustle, which turned into a full-blown business and passion. It's also how she met her husband, who she matched five times before they started dating. Her book, which she began working on during the writers strike, started as a "how to" before her publisher suggested she changed to a narrative style. In it, she gives dating advice to the characters in the book; info anyone reading can learn from.    Jaydi Samuels Kuba shares her matchmaking journey, what she hopes readers will get out of "Your Last First Date," and lots of dating advice, especially as it relates to restaurants and food recs. She also talks about her bubbe's beloved Jewmaican beef patties recipe, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   Learn more about Jaydi Samuels Kuba at LJMatchmaking.com, follow @MatchMadeinHollywood on Instagram and  TikTok, listen to the My podcast: Match Made in Hollywood podcast, and get a copy of "Your Last First Date" at your favorite place to buy books.   For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• Going Dry, Sober Curiosity & Non-Alcoholic Margaritas with Hilary Sheinbaum 21.01.2026 21мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Hilary Sheinbaum, a journalist and the founder of GoingDry.co, a non-alcoholic (N.A.) events and menu curation company. She is also the author of "Going Dry: A Workbook: A Practical Guide to Drinking Less and Living More" and "The Dry Challenge: How to Lose the Booze for Dry January, Sober October, and Any Other Alcohol-Free Month."    Ten years ago, Sheinbaum participated in Dry January for the first time. She had no idea it would change her life!   "I made a very spontaneous, silly bet with one of my guy friends on New Year's Eve," Sheinbaum, who was working as a red carpet entertainment journalist at the time - and also wrote articles on beer, wine and spirits, explains.    The first one to take a sip of alcohol in January lost. Her friend lasted around three weeks, Sheinbaum made it through the entire month.    "That was New Year's Eve 2016, and here we are 10 years later, 10 dry Januarys later," she says. "I won a very expensive dinner at a Michelin star restaurant, but honestly the impact that it has had on my life for the past 10 years is worth so much more."   Hilary Sheinbaum talks about going dry: the reason, the trend, and the community aspects. She also talks about her origin story, sober curiosity, and her favorite non-alcoholic margarita recipe, which you can get at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   "There is dry January, there is sober October; you can really go dry at any point in the year or for more than a month if you like," she says. "It's not about putting pressure on yourself to be [perfect], it's really about seeing how reducing alcohol in your life can make it better on a day-to-day basis."    Learn more at HilarySheinbaum.com and GoingDry.co. Follow @hilarywritesny and @goingdry.co on Instagram. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• BagelUp, BagelFest & New York Bagels with Sam Silverman 14.01.2026 21мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with bagel-tarian Sam Silverman, founder and CEO of BagelUp and the creator of New York BagelFest.   "From the earliest memories that I have, bagels were always a part of our life, a part of our household," Silverman, who grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, says. "When I moved to New York 10 years ago, and I had my first New York bagel, [I] realized that I'd been eating bagel-shaped bread my entire life."   This ignited his passion to explore New York through the lens of finding the best bagels. When he discovered New York didn't have a bagel festival, Silverman started BagelFest. This was seven years ago. And led to the launch of BagelUp.   "BagelUp is all about celebrating bagels, the culture and the people behind them," says Silverman, nicknamed "the New York bagel ambassador" by Utopia Bagels. "This food evokes such amazing nostalgia and comfort and feelings of joy and excitement, it's [easy] to find other people who feel [the same] way."   Sam Silverman shares his love of bagels, bagel history, and the origins of BagelUp and BagelFest. He also talks about his schmear hack, the secret to making good bagels, and his favorite bagel recipe, which you can find at https://JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   National Bagel Day is January 15. Happy Bagel Day to all who celebrate!   Learn more at BagelUp.com and BagelFest.com. Follow @bagelambassador on TikTok and Instagram, and connect with Sam on LinkedIn. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• Jewish Joy, Kids Entertainment & Pickle Latkes with Monty Pickle & Halle Stanford 17.12.2025 25мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Halle Stanford, executive producer and co-creator of "The Monty Pickle Show" and Monty Pickle himself.   A kosher dill with a lot of personality, Monty Pickle is the first-ever series aimed at introducing kids to the Jewish experience and Jewish joy. Monty's YouTube channel has videos of him performing the new Hanukkah song "8 is Great" with Kosha Dillz, as well as cooking episodes: solo and with celebrity chef Duff Goldman.    "I think that kids not only love food, they love seeing how food is made," Monty says. "[They] like a little peek behind the curtain."   "Monty's amazing," says Stanford, a primetime and children's Emmy award-winner, who produced content for the Jim Henson Company for more than 30 years. "What better way to introduce [children] to [the Jewish experience] than through an amazing pickle puppet."   Stanford teamed up with former "Sesame Street" EP and creative director Benjamin Lehmann and world-renowned puppeteer Victor Yerrid to create Monty. They then went out and recruited colleagues from the kid's content world, including Emmy-nominated children's TV showrunner and writer Elise Allen, Emmy Award-winning producer Jill Hotchkiss and Emmy Award-winning producer, Jewish educator and founder of Hebrew Helpers Todd Shotz, to bring him to life.   "There's a lot of children's media that does celebrate Jewish characters," says Stanford, who created the show, "Sid, the Science Kid;" the first Jewish preschooler. "And you can even think of your favorite episode [in a specific show.]"   However, Monty is the first actual series that dives "deep into the pickle barrel of all kinds of Jewish cultural experiences," she explains. " You instill empathy and joy for the Jewish experience in all children globally, that's gonna carry on."   Monty Pickle and Halle Stanford talk about the show's origin story and its purpose: to get kids and their parents laughing out loud together and celebrating being Jewish. They also share their recipe for pickle latkes, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   Learn more at TheMontyPickleShow.com, subscribe to @MontyPickleShow on YouTube and follow @MontyPickleShow on Instagram and @Monty_Pickle_Show on TikTok.   For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• Duff's Deli, Holiday Baking & Russian Tea Cakes with Duff Goldman 10.12.2025 35мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with celebrity chef, cookbook author, and TV personality Duff Goldman, Charm City Cakes, in honor of baking season!   "There's so much more baking that happens than other times of the year," he says. "It's our time to shine!"   He also has a bunch of new projects. A few months ago Duff, who is known for making ginormous cakes that come alive, started the Topanga Woodworks Etsy shop. " I built cakes that move, which got me into building toys," he says. "Working with wood, things don't fall apart as much."    Plus, he also just opened his first restaurant, Duff's Deli + Market, in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The chef, who is constantly working and traveling, saw the need to put a restaurant representing familiarity into an airport hub.   "As somebody who grew up in delis, [there's something] centering that happens when you get a nice bowl of chicken soup or a pastrami sandwich or a brisket with tiger sauce on it and a Dr. Brown's black cherry soda," Duff says. "It's not the thing you expect to find at an airport, but it's the thing you want in an airport."    He adds, "Travel can be stressful, and I find that [having] something good and yummy really helps; it's nice."    Duff Goldman talks about Duff's Deli + Market, Topanga Woodworks, and his thoughts on life, learning, and kindness. He also shares the recipe for his great-grandmother's Russian tea cakes, which you can get at JewishJournal.com/podcasts, along with other baking tips.   "If you have the time, it usually behooves you to try to bake it once before you bake it for the big show," Duff says. "If everyone's coming over for Hanukkah, if you're going to make sufganiyot, make them once by yourself; make the mistakes."    You will be confident in your ability to make them when the time comes.   Learn more at Duff.com, check out Topanga Woodworks on Etsy and subscribe to @Duff-Stuff on YouTube.   For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• The Passionistas Project, the Jewish-Italian Connection & Pizza Dolce with Amy & Nancy Harrington 03.12.2025 20мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with sisters Amy and Nancy Harrington, cofounders of The Passionistas Project, a global community of women.    "It's all about elevating women who don't often get the support and attention that they need," Amy explains. It's also about helping them tell their stories.   Storytelling and food go hand-in-hand, especially in the case of the Harringtons, who have Italian and Jewish roots.     "That's really embedded in both cultures," Nancy says. "And I think that the best way to learn anything from each other is to tell stories and listen."   The sisters, who were raised in an Irish Italian Catholic family - Sunday dinners, a big pot of spaghetti and testing the pasta to make sure it was cooked - recently discovered that they were Jewish. They weren't too surprised, as they already had plenty of Jewish connections.    And then there's the food.   "There's noodle kugel and then there's the Italian pastas; there's just so much overlap," Amy says. "I always associate New York Jews with New York cheesecake, and in Italy we have pizza dolce, which is just a sweeter, less tart version." You can get the recipe at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   Amy and Nancy Harrington share The Passionistas Sisterhood backstory, how they discovered their Jewish heritage, and their connections to Judaism over the years. The sisters also mention Santa Monica's Cafe Lovi owner Benedetta Jasmine Guetta and her cookbook, "Cooking Alla Giudia: A Celebration of the Jewish Food of Italy," as well as the crossover between Italians, Jews, and community.    Learn more at thepassionistaproject.com and follow @ThePassionistasProject on Facebook and Instagram. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• NYBD & Bakery, It's a Sweet World & Italian Rainbow Cookies with Lenny & Adaeze Rosenberg 26.11.2025 21мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Lenny Rosenberg and Adaeze Nwanonyiri Rosenberg, owners of New York Bagel Deli and Bakery - aka NYBD and Bakery. The husband-and-wife team also own Bea's Bakery in the Valley, as well as star in "It's a Sweet World" on JLTV and have a cookbook by the same name.     NYBD and Bakery combines Lenny's Jewish, baking and restaurant roots with Adaeze's Nigerian culture and design (interior, exterior, presentation) expertise.   "It's a really classic bakery that's based with Jewish products, but also is multicultural," Lenny explains. "We wanted to merge cultures; that's what we're all about."    He adds, "We realized, going through all the bakery products that I've made over the years, they're all multicultural: rainbow cookies are Italian, Danish are from the Danish … almost every single recipe is from another culture."   These foods all have a story behind them, along with cultural significance. For instance, the kola nut in their red velvet cupcakes are from Adaeze's Nigerian background, and it is as significant in their rituals as breaking bread (challah) is in the Jewish culture.   Whether you are embracing different cultures or getting ready to bake, it's important to be open-minded, curious and always willing to learn.    "Our brand is It's a Sweet World," Adaeze says. "Always think positive … live, laugh and eat."    Lenny and Adaeze Rosenberg share the NYBD and Bakery backstory, as well as some of their favorite multi-cultural treats and tips for baking success. They also share their recipe for Italian rainbow cookies, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   Learn more at ItsASweetWorld.com and JLTV.com, get It's A Sweet World at your favorite book store and follow @Its_a_sweetworld and @nybdbakery on social media.   For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• Manny's Deli, Old-School Food & Noodle Kugel with Dan Raskin 19.11.2025 19мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Dan Raskin, the fourth-generation owner of Manny's Cafeteria & Delicatessen. The legendary Chicago institution, started by his grandfather and great uncle, has been serving classic deli fare since 1942.    "[When the deli first opened] our customers were primarily Jewish - I would say 95 or even 100 percent," Raskin says. "And now maybe 10% of our customers are Jewish."    Raskin believes that's likely common for the delis in larger cities, like Chicago and Los Angeles, and he attributes it in part to a love of old-school European, house-made food.   "I see a lot of the different cultures come in here, not just for corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, but for the short rib and the liver and onions and the dishes that are homemade that you can't get everywhere," he explains. "I think that people want to continue to have this type of food, but they want to make sure it's authentic and the highest quality."    Then there's the nostalgia factor.   "Everybody is happy when they're eating, especially when [it's] something that's nostalgic to them," Raskin says. "Whether you're eating a bowl of matzo ball soup here, or eating it at home, you think of the people that surrounded you when you ate it."   Even growing up, Raskin, one of four siblings, knew he really wanted to follow in his family's footsteps. He definitely has mustard - never ketchup - running through his veins.    Dan Raskin talks about Manny's origin story, his deli favorites, and their commitment to creating consistent quality food. He also shares his recipe for sweet kugel, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.    Learn more at MannysDeli.com and follow @MannysDeli on Instagram and TikTok and @MannysChicago on Facebook. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• "Everything is Soup," Stirring the Pot & Stu's Stew with Melanie Lutz 12.11.2025 18мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Melanie Lutz, author of "Everything is Soup: Sicilian Wisdom, Nourishment and Recipes for a Delicious Life."    In the book, Lutz combines her Sicilian and Jewish roots, along with her love of storytelling.   "Soup is life," author Melanie Lutz believes. "When we make a delicious soup that we can serve, we're sharing what we love and we're showing that we care."   With more than 18 seasonal soup recipes, handwritten notes, and ancestral sayings, the mixture of food memories and wisdom is as filling as it is fulfilling.   While there is clearly a huge Sicilian component to the book, Lutz also included a nod to her Jewish roots in honor of Stuart Norman Levy, a member on her Jewish side, who passed away while she was writing the book.   "His recipe … Stu's stew is a hodgepodge of everything that you love," Lutz says. "[It] supports you and is there for you … he served it up and made it just magic for anyone who sat down and, and shared a bowl with him." Get the recipe at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   Melanie Lutz talks about the origin story behind "Everything is Soup" and why she loves soup so much. She also shares the meanings behind "stirring the pot," tips for becoming more at one with soup, and more.   "The vortex of a bowl of soup and the fact that we're largely made up of water … when you stir the pot, you create this alchemical experience of opening the heart," she explains. "Any soup that you put together becomes … this way that we connect through generations of the earth's elements."   Learn more at MelsLoveLand.com and grab a copy of "Everything is Soup."   For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• "Sesame," Seeds & Miso Peach Crumble with Rachel Simons 05.11.2025 23мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Rachel Simons, author of "Sesame: Global Recipes + Stories of an Ancient Seed," co-founder of Seed+Mill, based in New York City's iconic Chelsea Market.    The book - and the conversation - talk about the seed's metaphor and connection.   "Seeds are the beginning of life; that's how everything starts: vegetables, fruits, humans, animals, ideas," says Simons, who believes the book is not just about food, but life, travel, and history."   After Simons, who has lived around the world, moved to New York, she saw an opportunity to open a business around a product - mainly Tahini - that hadn't yet had its moment to shine.    "It was an underrated, underappreciated condiment or ingredient, and we wanted to throw our energy behind, you know, doing something fresh with it," she says. "We're nearly 10 years old and we honestly had no idea that this little shop would just turn into a business which would turn into a brand and eventually now a cookbook."   "Sesame" answers is a clear, approachable guide to the world of sesame, from halva and tahini to togarashi, gomasio and furikake. Whether it's in the form of a seed, tahini (a ground sesame paste), sesame oil, or halva (a soft, fudge-like candy made from sesame paste), readers can incorporate it in 100 traditional and modern global recipes.   " I wanted to make the book feel very global, very international, and very embracing," she says. "I wanted the book to be an umbrella where everybody could see a part of their food identity."   Rachel Simons shares her backstory - and the seeds that led her where she is today - as well as her history with and the origins of tahini. She also talks about her love of food, the value of  that connection, and her recipe for sesame and peach miso crumble, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.    Learn more at SeedandMill.com, follow @SeedandMill on Facebook and Instagram, and get a copy of "Sesame" at your favorite bookstore. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.   Note:  Anyone who counts the correct number of times the word "seed" is said in the podcast, will get a free Tahini ice cream from Rachel at Seed + Mill in New York.  
• Good Karma, Chocolate & Ceremonial Cacao Drink Recipe with Matthew Jonas & David Foerstner 29.10.2025 24мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Matthew Jonas and David Foerstner, co-founders of Good Karma Chocolate. Good Karma offers small batch bean-to-bar chocolate, drinking cacao, cacao blend-ins, and plenty of positive vibes.   "Dave and I share a passion for all things dark chocolate," Jonas explains. "Most of the [bean-to-bar and cacao] brands out there are very serious, and we thought, when you get a chance to taste really good chocolate in your life, that is a moment of joy."   Jonas said that while they are serious about how they make it - and are ethical in its production - they also want people to feel good when they eat it, to really enjoy the experience.   Jonas had been seeking an alternative to drinking coffee, when, two years ago, he discovered drinking cacao. He didn't like the products that were commercially available, so Jonas bought some beans and began experimenting. Then, he reached out to Foerstner, a food scientist and founder of Food Forward Consulting, to see if he wanted to partner on making a cacao drinking product.   "I think your exact words were, 'You need to talk me out of doing this chocolate,'" Foerstner recalls. His reply, "I'm the wrong guy to talk you out of things. … I'm the guy that makes you do things or helps you do things."    Foerstner said he'd do it on one condition: "I've always wanted to make chocolate."   Matthew Jonas and David Foerstner talk about Good Karma Chocolate's origin story, their mission, and their recipe for making - and customizing - ceremonial drinking cacao, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcast. Jonas also shares the parallels he has found between the chocolate and the Jewish communities.    "This idea of … trying to make a better impact on the world, leave it better than I found it, I take that from my experience of … choosing to become active in my Judaism," he says.    For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• Genna Rosenberg: Being a Changemaker, the Toy-Cooking Connection & Matzo Brei 22.10.2025 25мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Genna Rosenberg, founder of GennComm and a major foodie! A 30-year toy, licensing and entertainment industry executive, she focuses on the intersection of social impact, consumer products, and business strategy   "When I was a little kid, some of my earliest toys were a play tea set or a pretend kitchen or plastic food," Rosenberg shares. "Then throughout my career I've had a lot of really fun connections with food-based toys."    Her love of cooking started at a young age.   "My mother said she cooked to provide food for us, but my father used to love to cook and to really create lots of different masterpieces in the kitchen, and I really follow suit with that," Rosenberg says. "I love to explore, I love to create new recipes and bring fabulous dishes to the table."   Creativity serves her well in the kitchen and as a publicist and changemaker in the toy industry. Last month, Rosenberg was named 2025 Wonder Woman Catalyst for Change by a global empowerment organization: Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment.   Cooking is one of the best ways to be creative, though many people prefer to follow a recipe.   "I might look at a recipe or I might look at three or four or five different recipes for the same thing," Rosenberg says. "Then I make it up my own way, because there's not really one way to do things."   Rosenberg talks about her social impact backstory, toy trends and fun projects, and her cooking philosophy. She also shares her love of Jewish food and her recipe for "make it your own way matzo brei," which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   Learn more about Genna Rosenberg at Genncomm.com and connect on LinkedIn. For more from Taste Buds,  subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• Everything Delish, Authenticity & Brisket with Jamie Milne 15.10.2025 27мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Jamie Milne, founder of Everything Delish. When Milne launched 12 years ago, she had no idea she would become a viral food sensation! Her Instagram has 820,000 followers, Pinterest has 255,00+ and TikTok has 2.5 million. You get the idea.   Whether she's demonstrating quick recipes, sharing tips or partnering with brands, Milne is all about making cooking delish, accessible and fun.   "From a really young age [I knew] that food and cooking are really at the heart of the table, and they bring so many people together," she says.   Everything Delish began as a creative outlet for Milne, who was substitute teaching in Jewish schools in Toronto at the time. She was the person everyone turned to for recommendations, and instead of answering everyone personally, she started an Instagram page, called Everything Delish.    Everything Delish has changed over the years; Milne is constantly pivoting and reinventing herself as certain life events happen. And it has grown beyond anything she could have imagined.   " I constantly tell my audience, when you do what you love, you'll succeed; I wholeheartedly believe in that," Milne says. "My passion has turned into my career, and I believe that if I can do it, anyone can, and it's never too late to start."   Jamie Milne talks about the origin of her love of food, the evolution of Everything Delish, and being authentic on social media. She also shared her brisket recipe - a twist on the traditional, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.   Learn more about Jamie Milne - and get recipes - at Everything-Delish.com. Follow @Everything_Delish on social media, including Instagram and TikTok, and subscribe to the Everything Delish Substack.   For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• The Whiskey Bible, Spirits & Penicillin Drink Recipe with Noah Rothbaum 08.10.2025 29мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Noah Rothbaum, author of "The Whiskey Bible: A Complete Guide to the World's Greatest Spirit," among others.    In the book - and in the interview - Rothbaum shares everything you ever wanted to know about whiskey, and more, including the pivotal role of Jewish immigrants in bringing whiskey to America.    "In many ways, American Jews invented whiskey in this country or at least helped popularize it, around the turn of the century, the late 1800s to 1900s," Rothbaum explains. Because of the laws of kashrut, Jews were accustomed to making their own alcohol in the old country; a skill they brought with them when they started emigrating to America and Canada.   "Fortunately the rules for making spirits are a lot simpler than the rules for making wine," he explains. "Most whiskey by its very nature is kosher … because there's only really three ingredients: water, yeast and grain. … The fourth ingredient is the barrel, because all whiskey comes off the still clear; the color and so much of the flavor comes from the barrel."   "The Whiskey Bible" contains more than 600 pages of knowledge, history, and stellar recipes from bartenders from around the world, including one from Sam Ross, called "penicillin."    When Rothbaum asked where the name came from, Ross said that when he was smelling the cocktail - the different kinds of notes from the whiskey and the honey ginger syrup and the citrus - it reminded him of chicken soup aka Jewish penicillin.   More than anything, Rothbaum wants to elevate people's knowledge of and confidence in drinking whiskey.    "I wanted folks to feel empowered and savvy." Rothbaum says. When someone hears something about whiskey, whether it's from their colleague, a know-it-all friend or they see a movie where somebody's drinking it, they can pull out "The Whiskey Bible, flip to that page or section and see what's what.   Noah Rothbaum shares his journey into the world of whiskey, numerous whiskey facts and points of history, and Sam Ross' penicillin recipe, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.    Get "The Whiskey Bible" at your favorite bookstore and follow @Noah_Rothbaum on Instagram. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• The Bagel Who Wanted Everything, Food Cartoons & the Comfort Zone with Alan Silberberg 01.10.2025 22мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Alan Silberberg, an award-winning author, cartoonist and children's TV creator, whose latest book is "The Bagel Who Wanted Everything." This funny, heart-warming story of a plain bagel's quest to see what else is out there in the world is the latest in his series of silly kids' books about Jewish food; other titles include "P is for Pastrami" and "Meet the Latkes."   When asked what it's like to be in his head, Silberberg says, ""It's like going up a really beautiful hill that sometimes you trip and then fall very fast into a big, splashy pool of chicken soup. I'm up, down, making things up … coming up with characters; it's a fun life."    Silberberg loves drawing food; it's the gateway to every kid, every family.    "It's like a muscle memory for your tummy," Silberberg says. "There aren't enough good funny stories about food, especially Jewish food; I have the Jewish funny food niche."   Silberberg shares his journey from loving to doodle, to working in kids TV, to author. He also talks about his favorite Jewish foods, bagel preferences, fun with food characters, and how to live an everything bagel kind of life.    "My books allow kids to enter the story and not identify as the kid, but go, 'Oh, I'm kind of like that bagel,'" Silberberg says. "There's something safe about … being able to connect [and identify] with a food."   To learn more about Alan Silberberg go to silberbooks.com and follow @alan_silberberg on Instagram. Read the article at JewishJournal.com/podcasts. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.
• Puerto Rican Jewish Heritage & Mofongo and Matzo Ball Soup with Trisha Pérez Kennealy 17.09.2025 19мин

  On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Trisha Pérez Kennealy, owner and culinary educator of the Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington, MA.    A proud Puerto Rican Jewish woman, Kennealy lived in Puerto Rico until she was 12, at which time her family moved to Massachusetts. She says she is like "Juanita Epstein" from the "Welcome Back Kotter" TV show.   "What I love about both my Jewish religion and my Puerto Rican heritage is that they both are inspired by a diversity of experience," she says. "[As Jews], what we eat and how we celebrate is so tied to [our] family's [origin]; everything is so symbolic.    "Likewise, in Puerto Rico, we spend a lot of time around that [multigenerational] table … food is really an important part of the way we spend time together, the way we take care of one another."   Soup is a definite common ground between the cultures. "I am a big believer that everyone should know how to make chicken soup, because it's the base; chicken stock can be used to do so many different things," she says. "It really is good for you."   Kennealy talks about her background, heritage, and love for being a culinary educator - especially around the globe, along with tips for entertaining and hospitality. She also shares her recipe for mofongo and matzo ball soup, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts.    For more cooking inspiration, follow @trishaperezkennealy on Instagram. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.