The Rice Table

In this episode, we unpack the rich, often misunderstood world of Indonesian and Indisch (Dutch-Indonesian) cuisines. Drawing from insights shared at the Indonesian Food Outside Indonesia symposium in the Netherlands, we tear down five persistent misconceptions blocking our view of diaspora food culture. From the royal Javanese roots of the famous rijsttafel to the deep personal mission of preserv...

De IndoBros zijn terug! Vanuit San Diego en LA schakelen Willem-Jan en Jeff met Nederland. Vandaag maken we een flinke bak riboet aan tafel met de dames van Riboet Verhalenkunst: Elsbeth Vernout en Wendy Ripassa. Met theater, spoken word en oral history brengen zij verhalen, herinneringen en onze geschiedenis tot leven. Vandaag leggen we de identiteitskaart op tafel en trekken hem genadeloos door...

In this episode of The Rice Table , we reflect on the life and legacy of Sri Owen, one of the most influential voices in bringing Indonesian cuisine to a global audience. Host Jeff speaks with Janice Gabriel, a London-based television producer, food writer, researcher, and curator whom he met at the symposium Indonesian Food Outside Indonesia in Leiden, the Netherlands. Janice moderated the openin...

In this episode of The Rice Table, we explore the connection between Indo-Dutch (Indisch) and Anglo-Indian cultures, two hybrid communities shaped by colonial history, migration, and identity. We are joined by Bridget White Kumar, an award-winning author and culinary voice known for preserving and sharing the stories and recipes of Anglo-Indian heritage. We discuss how food preserves cultural trad...

The Indo Bros zijn terug met een Nederlandstalige aflevering. Vanuit San Diego en Los Angeles schuiven Willem-Jan Brederode (MERAH) en Jeff Keasberry (Chef Jeff) aan, samen met bijna-vaste gast Jess Anthonio uit Almere. Met een knipoog — “Ik zag vanochtend een Italiaan in de spiegel…” — duiken ze meteen een grotere vraag in: wie ben ik eigenlijk? Ben ik Indo? Het gesprek draait om Indotiteit: iden...

In this episode of The Rice Table, we sit down with Francis Kuijk — Dutch chef, culinary author, and one of the most recognizable voices in Indonesian and Indisch cuisine in the Netherlands. Francis first captured national attention as a finalist on the TV-show Heel Holland Bakt in 2016, where her baking skills and storytelling through food made a lasting impression. Since then, she has become a p...

They say the spice trade changed the world — today, its legacy is shaping the streets of Paris. In this episode, we sit down with Eka Moncarre , the driving force behind La Maison de l’Indonésie , a cultural and culinary space bringing the flavors of the Indonesian archipelago to France. From her Peranakan Bangka roots to the release of her celebrated new cookbook, we trace a modern spice route co...

Helena Smit is a Dutch-Indonesian culinary heritage professional, entrepreneur, and storyteller who sees food as culture, memory, and connection. She is the founder and director of Stichting Eating Habits , exploring the shared food cultures of the Netherlands and Indonesia. She leads Indofoodtours in The Hague , bringing Indo and Indonesian history to life through taste and storytelling, and is t...

Episode in Dutch - 13 In deze speciale aflevering duiken de Indo Bros en Sis in de vraag: Hoe versiert een Indo eigenlijk? Is Indo love language simpelweg: koken = liefde? En gaat liefde van de man echt door de maag… of moeten we zeggen: van de mens door de mond — en de volgende dag weer naar buiten? We praten over waarom Indo’s opvallend vaak géén Indo daten. Over veranderende tijden, social medi...

In this episode of The Rice Table , we explore what happens when Indonesian cuisine travels far from home — into a place where bold flavors aren’t always immediately understood. Host Jeff Keasberry welcomes Andita Schirmacher to the virtual rice table. Originally from Indonesia and now based in Germany, Andita discovered her passion for Indonesian cooking after moving abroad and has since made it...

In this Catch-Up episode of The Rice Table , we welcome back Indonesian-American culinary powerhouse Diana Widjojo . Five years after our last conversation, Diana shares her journey from Hardena to Rice & Sambal , where she brings Indonesian dining traditions to modern urban tables. Her Rijsttafel is sometimes offered as a Mini Rijsttafel — a scaled-down, contemporary take on the historical Du...

Food is never just food. It’s memory, habit, comfort — and identity. In this special New Year episode of The Rice Table , host Jeff Keasberry shares a personal Dutch-Indonesian story about growing up in the kitchen, learning to cook by tasting, and carrying food traditions across generations and continents. This episode explores Dutch-Indonesian heritage cooking , the meaning of gezelligheid (warm...

In this episode, Jeff sits down with Pat Tanumihardja for a relaxed catch-up, exploring how her world has evolved since their first conversation. From food and travel to writing and storytelling, Pat reflects on her journey as a respected food, travel, and lifestyle writer and the bestselling author of beloved cookbooks such as The Asian Grandmothers Cookbook , Farm to Table Asian Secrets , Asian...

In this special edition of The Rice Table , host Jeff reconnects with celebrity chef Farah Quinn for a fast, festive catch-up. They revisit their 2021 conversation, explore what’s changed in Farah’s world, and talk comfort foods, sweet cravings, kitchen trends, and what flavors define 2025. Light, fun, and full of personality, this is a perfect quick listen to get you into the holiday spirit. Grab...

Get ready for a culinary journey straight from the Indonesian archipelago! This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Petty Elliott , an award-winning chef, cookbook author, and culinary storyteller, joining us all the way from the UK. Petty has captivated audiences worldwide by sharing the rich, vibrant flavors of Indonesian cuisine, combining deep respect for tradition with a fresh, modern twist . Fro...

Get ready for a culinary journey like no other! In this episode of The Rice Table, we sit down with Chef William Wongso, Maestro of Indonesian gastronomy, to talk about the magic behind Rendang, the slow-cooked, caramelized beef dish that has captured the world’s taste buds.  Chef William shares his personal journey and the secrets behind authentic Indonesian flavors. Together with business partne...

In this flavorful episode, host Jeff Keasberry dives into one of Indonesia’s most beloved dishes — Gado Gado , a vibrant mix of vegetables, tofu, eggs, and rich peanut sauce that represents harmony in diversity. Special guest Dr. Crane , culinary enthusiast and passionate home cook, joins Jeff to share his own delicious take on Gado Gado — revealing how he makes it, why it’s one of his favorite di...

We’re back baby! Na negen maanden stilte keren de Indo Bros terug, in een fris jasje en met een speciale gast. Verwacht weer die vertrouwde mix van verhalen, inzichten en die onmiskenbare  Indo-flavour. Ze duiken diep in hun Nederlands-Indische roots en brengen het geheel op smaak met humor en levendige discussies. Dit keer met een primeur: de eerste vrouwelijke gast en niet zomaar een gast; het i...

Listen to the new episode of The Rice Table! Bagus Ruswandi, founder of Studio Bumi in NYC, shares how his journey from an Instagram meal-prep service to communal dinners with rotating chefs is reimagining the way food connects people — turning big-city loneliness into shared tables, flavors, and friendships. Tune in now! Check the photo album:  https://keasberry.com/podcast/cooking-up-community-t...

Welkom bij The Rice Table Podcast – een speciale Nederlandstalige aflevering vol nostalgie, familieverhalen en culinaire geschiedenis. We halen dierbare herinneringen op aan mijn Oma Keasberry. Dankzij haar maakten veel mensen in Nederland voor het eerst kennis met de smaken van de Indische keuken. In dit tweede deel hoor je haar opnieuw zélf aan het woord. We delen fragmenten uit een bijzonder in...

Why do noodles have such a hold on us? In this episode, we twirl our forks (and chopsticks) into the comforting, cross-cultural world of noodles. From Italian spaghetti to Chinese lo mein, we explore how these slippery strands bring us warmth, nostalgia, and even a little emotional release. We’ll talk about the science of food cravings, the ritual of slurping, and why noodles might be the most com...

What do you get when you combine a Hollywood commercial actor, a love for canned meat, and an ever-growing guest list? You get Norman De Buck’s legendary annual SPAM party . In this episode, we sit down with Norman to talk about his eclectic acting career, how he became the face you didn’t know you knew, and why a can of SPAM becomes the star of the show every year. Get ready for a crispy conversa...

I’m excited to share an excerpt from a conversation between online hosts Alice and Ian as they dive into my new cookbook, Dutch Indonesian Heritage Cooking . Their discussion explores the flavors, stories, and heritage behind the recipes, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their insights. Tune in for a taste of what makes this cookbook so special! Join the waiting list to be among the first to re...

Maak je klaar voor een spetterende aflevering van “Indische Nederlanders in Amerika – Indo Bros in the USA” ! Deze keer gaan de Spice Boys weer los met verhalen, inzichten en die unieke Indo-flavour . Ze duiken diep in hun Nederlands-Indische roots, delen scherpe observaties over het leven in de VS en daarbuiten, en kruiden het geheel met humor en boeiende discussies. Wat kun je verwachten? Een mi...

Discover the remarkable story behind Marieke Gouda in our latest podcast episode! Growing up on a dairy farm in the Netherlands, Marieke Penterman’s love for cheese was practically in her DNA. But it wasn’t until she moved to Wisconsin and longed for the taste of authentic Dutch Gouda that her extraordinary journey truly began. From mastering cheesemaking in her homeland to crafting world-class Go...