Episode 18 - I Ate Pickled Meat From a Cave in Armenia (With Ara Zada)

Ara Zada  (chef, hunter, storyteller) sits down with Brady Knowlton for a conversation that'll hit you right in the gut. We're talking Armenian heritage, the kind of cooking that's been passed down through generations, and what it really means to go from field to plate.We're diving into his journey back to Armenia, reconnecting with roots that were nearly wiped out by genocide. The man's walked through villages where his ancestors lived, tasted flavors that survived hell itself. You feel that weight when he talks about gavurma, ancient preservation methods that kept people alive when the world tried to erase them.But here's where it gets real good. Ara doesn't just cook, he hunts. He gets it. That connection between pulling the trigger and what lands on your plate. We dig into the ethics of hunting, why knowing where your food comes from matters more than ever, and the stories that live inside every meal.Rural Armenian villages, their insane hospitality, the resilience baked into every recipe. This conversation weaves together food, history, and the outdoors in ways that'll surprise you. It's about culture surviving against impossible odds and finding meaning in tradition.Whether you're into hunting, cooking, or just love a damn good story about human grit, this one's for you.Hit that like button, subscribe, and share this with someone who needs to hear it. Trust me on this one.Check out Ara Zada's book: https://www.amazon.com/Lavash-launched-salads-recipes-Armenia/dp/145217265XTIMESTAMPS0:00 - Introduction: Ara's journey to Armenia2:30 - Exploring field-to-plate and ethical hunting8:00 - The Armenian Genocide and its cultural impact13:00 - Hunting stories in Armenia17:30 - Traditional Armenian food: Lavash bread & gavurma22:45 - Food preservation and ancient culinary wisdom26:00 - Adventures & lessons from AfricaFIND ARA ZADA ON SOCIALInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/arazada/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCJRDcVLXAJFjYFGi54xGLiQ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefarazada FIND BRADY ON SOCIALX/Twitter: https://x.com/vivamusverumTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradys_most_interestingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradysmostinteresting/