Chala June On Queerness In Food, Working At Bon Appétit, And Culinary Cannabis

Today’s guest is Chala June, the Congolese-American journalist who has made a name for themselves covering queerness in food and the intersection of cannabis and culinary for the likes of Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, Cherry Bombe, and Edible Manhattan. 

Chala shares how their love of food, magazines, and storytelling informed their career path; their thoughts on the future of journalism; what they learned at Bon Appétit; and why they’re rooting for the Condé Nast union. Chala also discusses their work on the groundbreaking 2023 Bon Appétit “Food Is Queer” package, and the personal reason behind their interest in food and cannabis.

Don’t miss their chat with host Abena Anim-Somuah or their voicemail to their future self!

Thank you to Kerrygold for supporting our podcast. Learn more about Kerrygold’s butter & cheese here.

More on Chala: Instagram, Food is Queer story on Bon Appétit
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Future Of Food Is You transcripts can be found here

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Hosted by Abena Anim-Somuah
Produced by Kerry Diamond and Catherine Baker
Edited by Jenna Sadhu
Editorial Assistant Londyn Crenshaw
Recorded at CityVox Studios in NYC

The Future Of Food Is You is a production of The Cherry Bombe Podcast Network