Schnitzel & Stories

Brazil is a land of rich diversity. Its landscape is a tapestry of rivers, wetlands, mountains, and the world's largest rainforest, the Amazon. But what truly sets Brazil apart is its unique blend of cultures. We had the chance to talk to renowned Brazilian chef Manoella Buffara, the proud owner of the award-winning restaurant Manu in Curitiba, who had been recognized as the Best Female Chef in La...

BBQ, a core culinary art in the United States, is celebrated for its deliciousness and is the cornerstone of many community events. Its highly nuanced cooking style, defined by various regions, is a delight for BBQ fans. The sauce and side dishes, unique to each region, serve as a culinary map, guiding us to the BBQ's place of origin. But who deserves credit for this mouth-watering invention? In h...

Italian immigrants brought more than just their culture to Chicago—they brought pizza. What started as a humble Neapolitan staple soon transformed in the hands of diverse migrant communities, evolving with new ingredients and local flair. Chicago, now famous for its deep-dish pizza, holds a rich and intricate history behind each slice. In this episode, Steve Dolinsky, a 13-time James Beard Award w...

Welcome to the first episode of Season 2 of Schnitzel & Stories. This season focuses on the impact of migration and its profound influence on food and culture. In this episode, we talk to Erkan Emre, a Turkish-German entrepreneur and the mastermind behind Kotti Berliner Döner Kebab in New York City. Erkan was born in Berlin to parents who came to Germany as "guest workers," a term used for imm...

You may know it as Börek, Burek, or even Borek. It may also be called by many other names, and that’s because it is one dish that found many new homes. In our last episode for this season, we bring in science and speak to Zafer Yenal. Zafer loves food and people, which lends itself well to his career as a professor of sociology at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul. We got to speak with Zafer about t...

"Spaghetti and Meatballs? I think it's Italian – but supersized!" Julian Mancuso, a Canadian chef with Italian heritage, lives in Berlin and is beloved for his amazing food and bold statements. We sat down with him to talk about his passion for cooking, deeply rooted in the recipes handed down from his Sicilian, Lazio, and Abruzzo grandmothers. We also discussed his Italian family, their immigrati...

Micha Heiden likes it smoky and spicy. Since the self-proclaimed Gringo fell in love with tacos, he first held a series of pop-ups and eventually opened Taqueria el Oso and Markthalle Pfefferberg in Berlin. Micha spends his free time hunting down the best bites in Mexico to bring them to Berlin! You might think this is cultural appropriation, but hold your cerveza and tune in. It's different than...

No matter if you like pineapple on pizza or not, did you know that the fruit is not even native to Hawaii? And that the most iconic meal from there is also a product of the island's history? In this episode, we dive into these tantalizing topics and more with Kiki Aranita, chef, columnist, and food entrepreneur. Known for her acclaimed restaurant Poi Dog in Philadelphia, Kiki now keeps the spirit...

Sachin Obaid set new standards when he brought the flavors he grew up with in India to Berlin. What was a pet project during the pandemic quickly became one of the city's most valued Indian restaurants. For many years, "Indian cuisine" in the German capital, and indeed in many other cities and countries, has been synonymous with "Punjabi cuisine." However, pioneers like Sachin are changing this pe...

Yevhen Klopotenko  is a powerhouse with the biggest heart. The Ukrainian chef and culinary ambassador is a hero fighting the war in Ukraine, but his frontlines are the kitchens of his restaurants. From winning MasterChef Ukraine to studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, Klopotenko has transformed Ukrainian cuisine. His numerous projects are also aimed at helping his home country. Notably, he su...

Noor Murad  is called “the Queen of Middle Eastern Cuisine” and thus is so much more. Until recently, the Bahraini-born chef headed Yotam Ottolenghi’s test kitchen and co-wrote many of his worldwide bestselling cookbooks and masterclasses. She might be considered the person who brought black lime onto a European pantry and claimed she could use them in any recipe, including dessert. Noor sat...

Austrian Chef and TV host Lukas Mraz prefers Cordon Bleu over Schnitzel, wants the guests of his Michelin-Restaurant to lick their plates and knows where to get the best food in Vienna. Also, his heart secretly beats for what he lovingly calls “sh*tty German food”. More about Lukas and a recipe that he gave us - in our show notes on our website!

Yet another food podcast? Yes! Join Arlene and Angelika and their shared love of Schnitzel and everything related to food and culture. Friends for over a decade, based in Berlin, their expertise spans food writing, photography, and hospitality. They explore iconic dishes' cultural roots, interviewing chefs worldwide, offering a unique blend of culinary insight and cultural connection.