Reem Assil Of Reem’s California On Food, Community, And Social Justice

Radio Cherry Bombe

The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network

Restaurants, 591312, Business, Arts, Food Radio, Interviews, Kerry Diamond, Female Chefs, Radio Cherry Bombe, Entrepreneurs, Society & Culture, Women, Careers, Women In Food, Food, Cherry Bombe Magazine, Talk Radio, Chefs, Restaurateurs

4.6 • 592 Ratings

🗓️ 1 August 2022

⏱️ 56 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

When the former community organizer Reem Assil opened Reem’s California in Oakland, she knew she wanted to do things differently. But she never could have imagined what was to come. There were protests and death threats, but also industry accolades; a heavy mix for anyone, but especially a new mom and new restaurateur. Reem joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the early days of Reem’s, her time with La Cocina’s incubator program, and how social justice continues to permeate everything she does. They also discuss Reem’s debut cookbook, "Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora," a tribute to the food at Reem’s and the Arab hospitality she grew up with and champions today. This episode is supported by Talea Beer Co. For locations and more info, check out taleabeer.com. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Our theme song is by the band Tra La La. Subscribe to our newsletter and check out past episodes and transcripts here! More on Reem: Instagram, Reem’s California, Arabiyya, La Cocina

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi,
0:02.0	Hi, everyone, you're listening to Radio Cherry Bomb, and I'm your host, Carrie Diamond, coming to you from Rockefeller Center in the heart of New York City. Each week we talk to the coolest culinary personalities around, the folks shaping and shaking up the food scene. Joining me today is Ream Asseal, who I think is one of the warmest and bravest folks in the food world,
0:40.5	so I'm thrilled we get to know her a little better.
0:43.2	Ream is the founder of Reims, California, which was inspired by her Palestinian and Syrian heritage,
0:49.4	and located in the Bay Area.
0:52.1	She is also the author of Ara Bea, Recipes from the Life of an Arab and Diaspora.
0:57.6	It's her debut cookbook, and it is filled with the beautiful seasonal food you can find on the menu at Reims.
1:04.3	Today's show is presented by Talea Beer Company, the only exclusively woman-owned and woman-founded production brewery and taproom in New York City.
1:14.3	I love that.
1:15.5	Talaya was founded in 2019 by Bomb Squad members Tara Hankinson and Leanne Darling, who met after leaving their corporate jobs in tech and media to join the beer industry.
1:26.7	Talea is all about pushing the envelope on flavor,
1:29.9	like with their indigo crush, a sour, slightly salty, Gosa-style beer, that's Gosa, G-O-S-E.
1:37.4	If I'm pronouncing that wrong, please DM me. That is brewed with more than two pounds of
1:41.6	fruit per gallon and has a beautiful rich violet color
1:44.9	from blackberries and blueberries. I personally love a fruit forward beer, so I can't wait to try
1:50.6	that. If you're more of a traditionalist, you will enjoy Aldente, an Italian-style Pilsner
1:56.5	that's crisp and floral with hints of honey and herbs that pairs well with just about everything.
2:02.5	Talea has three locations in New York City. There's Telaia's flagship taproom and brewery.
2:08.0	Brewery is a tough word to pronounce, just FYI. And brewery in Williamsburg, their brand new
2:13.6	Cable Hill taproom and the Tilea summer pop-up at Grand Central Station.
2:18.5	Want to join their beer club or book one of their tap rooms for birthdays or bridal showers,
2:23.2	visit Talea Beer.com.
	...

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