U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal shares her joy for food and cooking

In a live taping of 'Your Last Meal,' Jayapal shares how her experience as an immigrant and an organizer influenced her affinity for world cuisines.

U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal has represented Washington’s 7th district since 2016. A prominent member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, she focuses on immigration, income inequality and access to health care, among other priorities. 

But as part of the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival in late May, Jayapal took the stage with Rachel Belle, host of the Cascade PBS podcast Your Last Meal, to talk – mostly – about food. 

In this episode of the Cascade PBS Ideas Festival podcast, the two discuss why Jayapal still considers herself more activist than politician; why food is such a big part of organizing; Jayapal’s favorite foods growing up and what food she missed when she moved to the U.S. at age 16; and the strong relationship between the food Americans take for granted and the immigrants who brought it here.  

This conversation was recorded on May 31, 2025. 

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Credits

Host: Paris Jackson

Producer: Sara Bernard, Scot Michael

Production Engineer: Resti Bagcal

Event producers: Jake Newman, Anne O'Dowd

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