Nov 26 2024 41 mins
Despite facing significant discrimination in the male-dominated culinary industry, Chef Rossi transformed her rebellious upbringing and passion for food into a successful career as a pioneering chef and author. Her journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and living authentically. Chef Rossi is the catering director, owner and executive chef of the Raging Skillet, a cutting edge catering company known for breaking any and all rules. She has earned a reputation as the one to call when it's time to do something different. Rossi, who credits America as her hometown, grew up in a camper wedged on the top of a Ford pickup truck, and had visited most of the United States by the time she was 10. She has a wacky sense of humor, loves international food fusions that reflect her Hungarian Yiddish background, and her love of all things. Rossi has been published in outlets including the Daily News, New York Post, Time Out New York, and McSweeney's to name a few. She has been the food writer of the Eat Me column for Bus Magazine since 1998. Hosting her own hit radio show on WOMR and WFMR in Cape Cod, now in its 19th season, Rossi has been featured on the Food Network, NPR and has been a popular blogger for Huffington Post. Her first memoir, The Raging Skillet, The True Life Story of Chef Rossi, was published by the Feminist Press to rave reviews. It was adapted for the stage, and has been a smash hit touring the country. In addition to the memoir, Rossi has written two full length plays, a number of one act comedies, and a one woman stage adaptation of Queen of the Jews. Her new memoir, the Punk Rock Queen of the Jews was released this spring.
What You Will Hear in This Episode:
02:54 Rossi's Rebellious Beginnings
06:17 The Birth of a Chef
13:18 Challenges of Being a Female Chef
19:20 Standing Up to Discrimination
23:21 Starting a Zen Kitchen
28:19 The Essence of Kosher Food
33:30 Living in a Hasidic Community
37:02 Parental Perceptions and Success
Quotes
“I do love a chance to hang out with other bad ass babes.”
“I think I might've started rebelling from birth.”
“Food equals love.”
“Once you use the F bomb and the S bomb and the MF bombs.”
Mentioned:
IG: @ChefRossiNYC
Fb: Chef Rossi NY
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