This week on Eat Your Words, Chef Aliya LeeKong joins us via phone to talk to us about her latest book, Exotic Table: Flavors, inspiration, and recipies from around the world–to your kitchen. Known as the professional home cook, Aliya talks to us about being respectful to traditional cooking, and influencing certain techniques and ingredients into your personal recipes. Although a classically trained chef, having spent time in the kitchens of Jean Georges, Devi, and Per Se and now a Chef and Culinary Creative Director at Junoon in New York City, her love of cooking begins in the home – creating surprising and delicious dishes for my family and friends. Wondering how to put some exotic influences into your home cooking? Interested in a Mexican chocolate loaf cake, a fresh pomegranate molasses, or an amazing chicken & biscuits? Tune-in to learn more about these recipes, and the book itself! This program has been sponsored by Whole Foods Market. Thanks to The California Honeydrops for today’s music.

“I think food tastes different in different hands, and I think my mom’s cooking carries the most comfort.” [5:03]

“There’s a moving away from really technical cuisine, to more casual. You’re seeing a lot of chefs wanting to open something small and represent something they love to eat.” [25:10]

— Aliya LeeKong on Eat Your Words