The Passionate Palate

Hi Foodies, What happens when a coffee lover is forced to quit caffeine… and unexpectedly falls into the world of Japanese matcha? In this episode of The Passionate Palate , I have an interesting conversation with Adam Elhalaby, founder of Zenbumi, and talk about his journey from the elevator industry to curating authentic Japanese matcha and tea. We dive into why so many people think they don’t l...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode I interview Tahmid Kayum, the founder of CO2 Sips, a beverage company specializing in halal dirty sodas. Tahmid shares his journey from a late-night TikTok scroll to launching his business, discussing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of community support, the c...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode I talk with Nora Termanini, a high school psychology teacher and personal growth consultant, to explore the intricate connections between cultural food, psychology, fashion, and identity. We discuss how clothing influences confidence, the emotional ties to cultural foods, and the importance of authenticity i...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! My guest today is Sarah Elkholy, the owner of Fresh Feteer in New Jersey. Sarah is an engineer who turned her love for baking into a small business,specializing in egyptian feteer, a delicious buttery and flaky pastry that is very dear to her heart and egyptian roots. Sarah makes her delicious feteers at food festivals in N...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another fun and interesting episode of The Passionate Palate! My guests today are the founders of Jersey Halal Spots, one of New Jersey's most Famous and Favorite Halal Food Community Groups. They have changed how muslims in NJ discover places to eat and helped countless halal restaurants survive especially during the pandemic. Prior to Jersey Halal Spots they started Muslim...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another fun and flavorful episode of The Passionate Palate! My guests today are two brothers-in-law from New Jersey who turned their love of barbecue into a booming halal smoked meat business called Holy Smokes. They’re known in their family as the Pitmasters and they do catering and food festivals. One comes from the world of construction, the other from business management...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another fun and flavorful episode of The Passionate Palate! The guest on this episode is the extremely talented Tabitha Gessling who is a licensed cosmetologist, hairstylist, bridal specialist, and content creator who inspires people to embrace their own beauty. And guess what? She’s also a foodie at heart! We talk not only about beauty and makeup but also the importance of...

Hi Foodies, Life served me something I didn’t order… a fractured foot. I’ll be taking a short break from The Passionate Palate podcast while I rest, heal, and catch up on some comfort food. But don’t worry—new episodes and foodie conversations will be back as soon as I’m back on my feet (literally)! In the meantime, I’ll still be posting food content, funny skits, and behind-the-scenes stuff on Ti...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another fun and flavorful episode of The Passionate Palate! This episode is very special to me because my guest is my beautiful daughter Liyana Illyas! Liyana is a Junior in College and double majoring in journalism and political science! She hopes to be a lawyer one day and I’m super proud of her for all her hard work and achievements. Liyana is a foodie like her mama and l...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another fun and flavorful episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode,my guest is mi amiga colombiana y mi profesora de español, Karly Gutierrez!   Karly is a foodie like me and reminisces about her life in Colombia and coming to America and we talk about the grandeur of Colombian food, art, music and dances!  Check out @karly.gu on Instagram and Tiktok and give her a...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another flavorful and inspirational episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode,my guest, Tatiana Nuñez, reminisces about how her grandma founded the Famous John’s Fried Chicken in NY in the 1970’s. It’s an absolutely beautiful and inspirational story about a young dominican woman who came to America and founded a Fried Chicken Empire! Please check out @johnsfriedchick...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another delicious and thrilling episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I have a very interesting, informative and educational conversation with Siraj Salahudeen. We talk about his early days as a restaurateur, event planner and motorcycle rider in Sri Lanka to all his achievements today here in the US, most importantly his goal to ride all 50 states! Please check...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I have a sweet and wonderful conversation with my twin friends Dilu & Jini Kulatungam, who own Joy Cupcakes and Lulu & Me Cheesecakes in Melbourne, Australia!. We take a walk through memory lane from our days in middle school in Sri Lanka to when they moved to Australia and started their baking care...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I have a very interesting and Insightful conversation with Jaffar Wahdat, the founder and owner of Juicy Platters in NJ who also recently opened his Burger joint. We take a walk through memory lane where Jaffar talks about how and why he started his popular chicken and gyro restaurant, the ups and downs of...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I have a very interesting and flavorful conversation with Sri Lankan Restaurateur and Entrepreneur David Cruse who resides in Melbourne, Australia. We talk about his love and passion for food and cricket! If you haven’t tried Sri Lankan food I highly recommend that you do! I guarantee you’d fall in love!  I...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I have a fun and flavorful conversation with my daughter in law, Sumaiya, about her journey as a food blogger and influencer! If you’re a foodie and would like to start your own foodventure, then you gotta watch this!  Check out Sumaiya’s Instagram & Tiktok handles @sumsventures If you love delicious co...

Hi Foodies, Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I chat with Imran Khaja about his smoked meats and restaurant reviews and we explore the flavors, stories, and the culture behind it. Whether you’re a foodie, a home cook, or just love discovering new dishes, this one’s for you! Check out Imran’s Smoking and Grilling skills and restaurant reviews  @Imran Kh...

Hi Foodies! Today's episode is about Cinnamon, not just any Cinnamon but True Cinnamon or Ceylon Cinnamon! Let me know in the comments if you're a Cinnamon lover and use it in your cooking and baking. If you enjoyed this episode please like and share this with your family and friends. Don't forget to follow me on Youtube, Tiktok and Instagram! Love, Zai.

Hi Foodies, I would love to wish all my muslim brothers and sisters a beautiful and blessed Eid! I hope you enjoyed watching this episode and would love to know how you celebrate Eid! What are your popular dishes? What do you like to cook? Drop them in the comments! Please subscribe to my channel and follow me on Instagram and Tiktok for some behind the scenes fun and be a part of this delicious f...

Hi Foodies, This episode features my oldest son Zaki who is a Gym Rat! But with it being Ramadan Zaki has learned over the years to balance his Fitness goals and still maintain a healthy and protein rich diet! I hope you guys enjoy this episode and if you have any questions, please leave a comment here and I will be more than happy to answer! Please subscribe to my channel and share this episode w...

Hi Foodies, I hope you enjoy watching this podcast about Ramadan! Please share this episode with your family and friends and subscribe to my channel. If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments! Please follow me on Instagram and Tiktok @thepassionatepalate for some fun and behind the scenes clips! Ramadan Kareem, Love, Zai

Hi Foodies, My son Isa is a foodie like me and I'm so happy to have him as the 1st ever guest on my show! I hope you guys enjoy listening to our soup stories! Please subscribe to my channel and share this with your family and friends! Love, Zai

Hi Foodies! Thank you for being here! The Passionate Palate is not just a food podcast but a Community where food lovers unite to have delicious discussions about Food. I hope you enjoy my 1st episode about a dessert that's near and dear to my heart! Please subscribe to my channel and share this with your family and friends! Love, Zai

Hi Guys, Welcome to The Passionate Palate ! This podcast is for Foodies, and anyone who loves to cook, bake and eat! This isn't just a food podcast, it's a celebration of food culture and the people behind the plates. I'm your host Zai! I hope you enjoy watching my trailer episode! Please share this with your family and friends, subscribe to my channel and follow me on Instagram and Tiktok @thepas...