In this episode of Dishin' Up Diaspora, I’m joined by Chef Gino Garcia for a deeply personal conversation about identity, immigration, and the stories food can tell. As a first-generation American, Gino grew up torn between two worlds—navigating the tension between assimilation into American culture and preserving his family's rich Mexican heritage.

We dive into his parents’ immigration story, the sacrifices they made, and the complex choices many immigrant families face when trying to build a new life without losing their roots. Gino shares how food became a powerful bridge back to his ancestry, and how reclaiming traditional flavors and recipes helped him reconnect with his culture on his own terms.

Before his journey into the culinary world, Gino worked in social services, serving marginalized communities. He reflects on how that experience shaped his worldview and his approach to food, community, and storytelling. Today, Gino describes his work as culinary anthropology—using food as a lens to explore, preserve, and celebrate cultural identity.

We also talk about his exciting project writing The Official Disney’s Coco Cookbook, a celebration of the traditions, memories, and spirit of family that inspired the beloved film. Through it all, Gino's story reminds us that food is more than sustenance—it’s history, resistance, and love passed from one generation to the next.

In this episode, we explore:

• Growing up first-generation in America
• The battle between assimilation and cultural preservation
• Finding identity and healing through food
• His early work in social services and community advocacy
• His philosophy of culinary anthropology
• Writing The Official Disney’s Coco Cookbook and connecting food to memory
• Honoring his family's legacy while forging his own path

If you love stories about food, identity, immigration, and creative journeys, this conversation will stay with you long after you listen. Make sure you are subscribed and share with your family and freinds!

Follow Gino Garcia @mextizopnw

Follow @dishinupdiasporapodcast and @chefemme_

Tapioca is trending. From boba tea shops to gluten-free recipes, it’s everywhere. But where did it really come from? In this solo episode, Chef Emme peels back the layers of a misunderstood ingredient and traces its true roots—not to Asia as many assume, but to the Indigenous Tupi people of Brazil. Before it was chewy pearls in your drink or a side dish on your plate, tapioca was sacred knowledge passed down by Brazil’s first peoples, who learned how to extract this starch from the cassava root—a root that holds deep cultural, culinary, and historical significance.

This episode isn’t just about food—it’s about truth, memory, and the stories ingredients carry. You’ll learn what tapioca actually is (spoiler: it’s not just “those balls in bubble tea”), how it became a global ingredient, and why knowing the origin of what we eat matters more than ever. From the rainforests of Brazil to West African kitchens to Southeast Asian desserts, tapioca reveals an unexpected connection between cultures across continents. In a world that often focuses on what separates us, tapioca reminds us of what binds us.

In a time when food is constantly rebranded, repackaged, and removed from its roots, this episode challenges listeners to dig deeper and ask: Whose knowledge are we consuming? Whose hands brought this to life? And why has that story been erased or forgotten?

Whether you’re a chef, a food lover, a history nerd, or just someone who’s ever had a bubble tea and wondered where those little pearls came from—this episode is for you.

✨ What you’ll hear in this episode:
– The Indigenous Brazilian origin of tapioca and its ties to the Tupi people
– The difference between cassava and tapioca (and why it matters)
– How colonization spread cassava and tapioca across the globe
– Why boba isn’t the beginning—or the full story—of tapioca
– How one humble starch connects Brazil, West Africa, Southeast Asia, and beyond
– The importance of honoring food origins and reclaiming culinary histories

This is the debut solo episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, a podcast hosted by Chef Emme—Brazilian-born, Seattle-based chef and storyteller. Through food, she explores the hidden histories, migration stories, and cultural connections that shape the way we eat today. Every episode is a journey across borders, traditions, and time, centering diasporic voices and honoring ancestral knowledge.

🔊 Listen, learn, and share this episode with someone who loves food, history, or just a good story.

🌍 Because when we know where our food comes from—we start to understand where we come from.

Follow us on Instagram:
@chefemme_
@dishinupdiasporapodcast

What does soul food look like when it’s born in Seattle? And how do you build a food empire rooted in love, community, and unapologetic creativity?

In this episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora, I sit down with the visionary Chef Kristi Brown, the force behind Seattle’s award-winning restaurant Communion and the founder of the food empire That Brown Girl Cooks!

Chef Kristi shares her inspiring journey—from starting out in catering to becoming one of the most celebrated chefs in the Pacific Northwest. We talk about the flavors and influences that shaped her unique approach to what she calls Seattle Soul, a style of cooking that blends the traditions of Black American soul food with the diverse, multicultural ingredients of the Pacific Northwest.

We also dig into the conversations around expectations and identity in food. Kristi opens up about how she deals with criticism—especially from people who come into her restaurant expecting a certain definition of soul food and are surprised to find something deeper, more nuanced, and unmistakably hers.

She talks about building a legacy, working side-by-side with her son, who is now helping take the business to new heights—and why that’s one of the most meaningful parts of her journey. And we talk about something many creatives and entrepreneurs overlook: self-care. Kristi reminds us that “the body keeps the score,” and that taking care of ourselves is vital when pouring so much into our work and our communities.

This conversation is powerful, honest, and filled with heart. Whether you’re a chef, a parent, an entrepreneur, or someone navigating your identity through food, Chef Kristi Brown’s story will resonate deeply.

🎧 Tune in now to hear how she’s redefining soul food, raising up the next generation, and protecting her peace while running one of the most talked-about restaurants in the country.

🔥 Listen to this episode of Dishin’ Up Diaspora now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—or watch the interview on YouTube.

📲 Follow along on Instagram:
@dishinupdiasporapodcast | @chefemme_ | @thatbrowngirlcooks

💬 Tag us with your thoughts or favorite moments—we’d love to hear how this episode moves you.