Reem Assil

Reem Assil, a Palestinian American chef and owner of the acclaimed bakery Reem’s in Oakland, shares her journey of building community through the rich flavors of Arab cuisine. She explores the cultural significance of bread as a connector and reflects on her transformative trips to Lebanon. Winning a James Beard award is surreal for her, but she emphasizes the importance of cooking as a form of healing and activism. Reem’s story intertwines culinary heritage with her family's resilience, showcasing food's power to foster connection and cultural identity.

The podcast explores preserving Palestinian cuisine as a form of resistance, reclaiming cultural identity through food, and the emotional significance of food in connection to one's cultural identity. It delves into the appropriation of Palestinian food by Israel and the importance of showcasing the entirety of Palestinian heritage.