Bites of the Round Table

"Tidbits" are food studies flash talks of about 5 minutes or less(!) by BOTRT host Dr. Ashley Thuthao Keng Dam. Mukbang or "broadcast eating" content has gradually saturated our #foodporn image and video feeds...but what is it exactly?

After a long night of procrastinating, what else cheers up the mind and warms the soul like a sweet treat? In this episode, Thao sits down with Conner, friend and fellow stress baker to discuss the very chaotic world of midnight muffins, exam-cram cookies, and pandemic pie.  If you've ever decided to pull out a bag of flour at 3AM because you were binge watching the Great British Bake-Off , this episode is for you. 

Thao sits down with Kamarreya, a chef and owner of 4Espere, a personal chef service based in Los Angeles, California which is dedicated to providing clients with everlasting memories in every bite. In this episode, Kamarreya shares her experiences as a Black queer woman working in the food industry in the cities of Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. She reflects upon her guiding personal philosophies relating to food, her cooking style, and the inspirations which pushed her to create and  establish 4Espere.  Learn more about Chef Kamarreya and 4Espere: https://www.4espere.com/

Thao sits down with Vanessa García Polanco, a federal policy associate at the National Young Farmers Coalition in the United States. Vanessa discusses her experiences of the intersections between food studies research, policy, and activism over the years and shares insights about her favourite Dominican dishes. This episode is all about expanding the voices and narratives of focus within our food systems, honouring heritage, remembering history, and finding moments of connection in cuisine. Bites of the Round Table is hosted by Ashley Thuthao Keng Dam (Thao), a PhD candidate at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy. ** Views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker and do not reflect the views of Bites of the Round Table or its affiliates **

"Uh, what is THAT?" - "WHAT IS THAT SMELL?" - "That looks GROSS" Have you ever had someone tell you that your precious lunchbox from home was smelly? Weird? Unusual? I'm talking to you, fellow children of immigrants! Not to say that the creative cooking parent wouldn't stir up a surprised reaction or two, but this is the episode all about those infamous lunchbox moments we had as a kid, or as an adult in the workplace. Join us as we chat with Dr. Sherise Khan, an enthusiastic foodie and pediatrician in New York City, about her reflections about the othering of lunches in childhood and the workplace.  Bites of the Round Table is hosted by Ashley Thuthao Keng Dam (Thao), a PhD candidate at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy. ** Views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker and do not reflect the views of Bites of the Round Table or its affiliates **

From Feast Days to all 9-national versions of Thanksgiving, people around the globe have been trying to understand what it means to eat together, in excess. Whether it's celebrating your ancestors, the harvest, or the meaningful relationships around you, it's important to say "thanks!". Join us as we chat with gastronomes from all over about their favourite foods and memories about Thanksgiving as well as hear insights from Mayane Barudin, a member of the Kewa Pueblo of New Mexico, concerning the wondrous Kewa Feast Day.   <br> Bites of the Round Table is hosted by Ashley Thuthao Keng Dam (Thao), a PhD candidate at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy. ** Views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker and do not reflect the views of Bites of the Round Table or its affiliates **

What's the deal with goats? In this episode, we join food writer Bruce McMichael from The Lemon Grove (https://www.thelemongrove.net/) and goat wrangler James Whetlor at Cheese 2019. James shares his insight as a chef and as the founder of the global movement, Goatober, a campaign to prolong the lives of billy goats around the globe (https://www.goatober.com). Bites of the Round Table is hosted by Ashley Thuthao Keng Dam (Thao), a PhD candidate at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy. ** Views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker and do not reflect the views of Bites of the Round Table or its affiliates **

Whether it's eaten as a bagel, a crisp, or by the slice, pizza is one of the world's favourite foods. Regardless of your dietary restrictions, there's a pizza recipe out there for you! Join our host Thao as they collect stories about pizza from gastronomes all over the world. From Cambridge, to New York City, or even the sprawling hills of the Italian countryside, one fact rings true: pizza reigns supreme. Bites of the Round Table is hosted by Ashley Thuthao Keng Dam (Thao), a PhD candidate at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy. ** Views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker and do not reflect the views of Bites of the Round Table or its affiliates **