The As Told By Podcast

Kahja Elliott
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Biweekly

Food. We all love it. But how much do we know about the people who’ve made it their business? Join food enthusiast and host Kahja Elliott as she talks to some of the industry’s most influential voices, from celebrated chefs and restaurateurs to voices in food media, rising culinary stars, innovative and iconic brands, and food industry thought leaders and discovers the stories of how they’re helping shape culinary culture. As someone who’s always loved the adventure and wanderlust of food, Kahja has also been drawn to the backstories; what makes people choose this as a career, and how do they bring communities and cultures along with them? With the rise of food TV focused on storytelling beyond just recipe or competition shows, The As Told By Podcast highlights the creative and the business sides of the industry, from leading culinarians who are informing what’s on your plate, to CEOs, food justice and entrepreneur-based organizations, and food writers crafting the the paths and stories of how it gets there. We all have a role in the system of food, so join Kahja for a behind the scenes taste of the people helping to make it happen!

  1. 5d ago

    The Business of Biscuits: As Told by Chasity Barwick of Town Biscuits (S7/E6)

    Coming onto Oakland's breakfast scene with a Southern staple, Town Biscuits is inviting people to slow down, sit down, and chow down! With their menu of mouthwatering buttermilk biscuits, owners Chasity Barwick and Will Kovach are proving the allure of classic food done right is alive and well in the Bay! This week, Kahja talks with Chas about Southern beginnings and growing up with visibility to different culinary worlds; the methodology of mass producing quality biscuits, finally settling Kahja's questions about using cheap butter, the landscape of Southern food in the Bay and the influence of regional migration, focusing on nostalgic hospitality versus the standard grab-and-go model, finding scaling support through Laney College, why food doesn't always need to be re-imagined, the breakfast gap in Oakland, the strategy of using a shared space and having true support in growing a food business, and their plans for a biscuit takeover in the Bay. Recorded on location in Oakland, CA. Town Biscuits @townbiscuits Register for the START THE PODCAST workshop on Sun, June 7th in Oakland, hosted by Kahja!  Be sure to leave a 5 star review if you enjoyed this episode! For advertising or sponsorship opportunities, visit kayinthebay.com. Wanna keep up in between episodes? Follow Kahja on IG at @heykayinthebay Intro music by Diff Works

    53 min

  2. May 19

    East Africa to East Oakland: As Told By Daniel Aderaw Yeshiwas of Cafe Colucci & Brundo Spice Company (S7/E5)

    Founded in the early 90s by Fetlework Tefferi, Cafe Colucci started with a mission to reflect Ethiopian culture, first through music and then food, making it a favorite of Oakland's restaurant scene! Led by General Manager Daniel Aderaw Yeshiwas, they're going beyond just what's on the plate, cultivating community and access, and bringing East African heirloom spices to the masses with Brundo Spice Company, proving the impact restaurants can have far beyond their doors. This week, Kahja and Daniel talk about the history of cafes and Ethiopian food, founder Fetlework Tefferi's goal to create a gathering space for the culture, how the cuisine naturally meets a wide variety of diner needs, building the infrastructure for Brundo Spice Company from sourcing and manufacturing to employment and distribution, closing the gap between access to global ingredients and cultural know-how, a chef residency program for local culinary talent to address the nuances of access to brick and mortar formats, meeting diners' desires for authentic food and third spaces, and the duality of celebrating the joy and pain of immigrant food businesses in the current socio-political moment.  Recorded on location in Oakland, CA. Cafe Colucci Brundo Spice Company  @cafecolucci @brundospices Register for the START THE PODCAST workshop on Sun, June 7th in Oakland, hosted by Kahja!  Be sure to leave a 5 star review if you enjoyed this episode! For advertising or sponsorship opportunities, visit kayinthebay.com. Wanna keep up in between episodes? Follow Kahja on IG at @heykayinthebay Intro music by Diff Works

    41 min

  3. May 5

    Checked and Balanced: As Told By Wine Expert, Author, and Host Leslie Sbrocco (S7/E4)

    With years as a respected voice in wine, a published author, and an award winner, Leslie Sbrocco used her unique strengths and talents to connect the stories and culture of food, wine, and travel. As the host of KQED's Check, Please! Bay Area, now in its 21st season, along with 100 Days, Drinks, & Destinations, she created her career her way, triumphing over a colon cancer diagnosis, and proving that success is possible through grace, fortitude, and the joy of living out your passions! This week, Kahja talks with Leslie about recognizing your gifts early, curiosity and willingness to learn as a strategy, how one career moment sets up the next one, being part of one of the most watched food shows in the region, the joy of merging food, wine, and travel for her own show, the current landscape of reviewing food, lessons learned through a cancer diagnosis, and the power of leveraging a positive mindset to overcome adversity. Recorded on location in Petaluma, CA. LeslieSbrocco.com @lesliesbrocco Check, Please! Bay Area on KQED 100 Days, Drinks, & Destinations on KQED Watch Kahja on Check Please, Bay Area Support KQED Be sure to leave a 5 star review if you enjoyed this episode! For advertising or sponsorship opportunities, visit kayinthebay.com. Wanna keep up in between episodes? Follow Kahja on IG at @heykayinthebay Intro music by Diff Works

    1h 21m

  4. Apr 21

    The Buzz on Beans: As Told By Steve Sando of Rancho Gordo (S7/E3)

    Redefining the narrative around a pantry staple, Steve Sando went from being a home-based bean grower to the CEO & Founder of Rancho Gordo, expanding the market's perceptions of beans!  An alternative to the standard grocery store fare, Rancho Gordo merges the agricultural prowess of growing regions in the US and the Americas, exposing consumers to heirloom beans with varieties deeply rooted in indigeneity, simplicity, and flavor.  This week, Kahja talks with Steve about leveraging unconventionality, the actual definition of heirloom beans, experiences that unknowingly lead to your passion, building sourcing relationships based on trust and mutual benefit, ex-pat theory and the impact on regions, partnering with communities for the long haul, allowing beans to be the star of a dish, curating an informed shopping experience, challenging customer perspectives around beans from a food of resource to one of refinement, the Bean Club waiting list that's grown to 20k+ people, creating an attraction in Napa beyond wine, and why your later success just might be your best act yet.  Recorded on location in Napa, CA. RanchoGordo.com @rancho_gordo Find Rancho Gordo products near you! Be sure to leave a 5 star review if you enjoyed this episode! For advertising or sponsorship opportunities, visit kayinthebay.com. Wanna keep up in between episodes? Follow Kahja on IG at @heykayinthebay Intro music by Diff Works

    1h 4m

  5. Apr 7

    Candy Reign: As Told By Channon "Chay" Powell of Chay J's New Orleans Candies (S7/E2)

    New Orleans is renowned for its marriage of culture and food from savory to sweet, and Chay J's New Orleans Candies is helping to keep those vows intact! With an assortment of creative confections, owner Channon "Chay" Powell is honoring her family's traditions in both business and the kitchen bringing classic flavors and fun twists to her sweet New Orleans-themed treats! In this episode, Kahja talks with Channon about early exposure to being a business owner, unintentionally becoming an entrepreneur, the growing pains of growth, the implications of scaling, experiencing the Keith Lee effect, progression in business disguised as setbacks, and building a business to serve as a cultural legacy.  Recorded on location in Atlanta, GA. Watch Keith Lee's Chay J's review! ChayJs.com @chayjs Be sure to leave a 5 star review if you enjoyed this episode! For advertising or sponsorship opportunities, visit kayinthebay.com. Wanna keep up in between episodes? Follow Kahja on IG at @heykayinthebay. Intro music by Diff Works

    1 hr

  6. Mar 24

    Napa's New Voice: As Told By Jeremy Jackson of the Meet Me In Napa Podcast (S7/E1)

    We're back with new episodes for Season 7 and are kicking things off in Napa with Jeremy Jackson, host of the Meet Me In Napa Podcast! Bringing a fresh perspective and vibrant energy to what's already known about the region, Jeremy is talking to people creating the ecosystem of business, industry, and community in the valley! In this first episode of the new season, Kahja and Jeremy talk about the influence of San Francisco's early 2000's hip-hop scene on the podcast, church kid beginnings steeped in family and fellowship, wine as a conduit to broader impactful conversations centering Napa, trusting a team to help bring your vision to life, the business and logistics of podcasting and organic growth, doubling down on learning the industry, celebrating milestones, and being a representation of new voices in the region. Recorded on location in Napa, CA. @meetmeinnapapodcast Meet Me In Napa Podcast on YouTube Be sure to leave a 5 star review if you enjoyed this episode! For advertising or sponsorship opportunities, visit kayinthebay.com. Wanna keep up in between episodes? Follow Kahja on IG at @heykayinthebay. Intro music by Diff Works

    1h 13m

  7. Mar 3

    (RE-RUN) Charleston In Charge: As Told By Alyssa Maute Smith of Charleston Wine & Food Festival

    ReE-RUN; originally released April 1, 2025 It's time for Season 6, and we're kicking things off in Charleston, South Carolina at the Charleston Wine and Food Festival with Executive Director Alyssa Maute Smith! Held annually in March, CHSWF has become one of the preeminent food festivals in the country, with its week-long celebration of all things, culinary, culture, and community! This week, Kahja talks with Alyssa about her Carolina upbringing and the responsibility of showcasing the best of her hometown, the rigors of event management, Charleston's growing designation as a multi-ethnic culinary destination, leveraging the power of teamwork to prioritize the visitor experience, and the excitement of looking forward to celebrating the festival's 20th celebration in 2026! Recorded on location in Charleston, SC. Learn more about Charleston Wine & Food Festival! Follow Charleston Wine & Food on IG @chswineandfood! Check out my Substack review of North Charleston's King BBQ, named one of Bon Appétit’s Best New Restaurants of 2024! Be sure to leave a 5 star review if you enjoyed this episode! For advertising or sponsorship opportunities, visit kayinthebay.com. Wanna keep up in between episodes? Follow Kahja on IG at @heykayinthebay Intro music by Diff Works

    39 min

  8. Feb 17

    (RE-RUN) "And For My Next Act....": As Told By Craig Murli of June's Pizza

    *RE-RUN; originally released October 2, 2024 What do you do when what you know suddenly shifts and you need to make something happen? You take your fine dining background, a few good people, and your entrepreneurial hustle, and you create one of Oakland's most buzzed about pop-ups in recent years, June's Pizza (@junes_pizza)!  Initially opening during the pandemic to acclaim and customer demand, Craig Murli prioritized growth by focusing on simplicity, with a pared down menu featuring nothing but wood-fired Margherita pizza plus a special, and their notorious dusting of Grana Padano! Recalibrated and recently reopened, June's Pizza is living in the paradigm of delayed, not denied. In this episode, Kahja talks with Craig about the frustration of hustling for someone else's dream, bringing a "soigné" approach to restaurant work and life, leaving marketing to the people who love your product, not waiting until you have all the answers to move forward, brand transference, and remaining humble on the way back up after experiencing the pitfalls of being a business owner. Recorded  in West Oakland, CA June's Pizza Wanna keep up in between episodes? Follow Kahja on IG at kayinthebay.com and @heykayinthebay.

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Food. We all love it. But how much do we know about the people who’ve made it their business? Join food enthusiast and host Kahja Elliott as she talks to some of the industry’s most influential voices, from celebrated chefs and restaurateurs to voices in food media, rising culinary stars, innovative and iconic brands, and food industry thought leaders and discovers the stories of how they’re helping shape culinary culture. As someone who’s always loved the adventure and wanderlust of food, Kahja has also been drawn to the backstories; what makes people choose this as a career, and how do they bring communities and cultures along with them? With the rise of food TV focused on storytelling beyond just recipe or competition shows, The As Told By Podcast highlights the creative and the business sides of the industry, from leading culinarians who are informing what’s on your plate, to CEOs, food justice and entrepreneur-based organizations, and food writers crafting the the paths and stories of how it gets there. We all have a role in the system of food, so join Kahja for a behind the scenes taste of the people helping to make it happen!

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