Karen Akunowicz and the Compliment That Changed Her Life

from Tinfoil Swans · host Food & Wine

25 years ago, James Beard Award-winning chef and Top Chef alum Karen Akunowicz received a compliment from a Food & Wine Best New Chef that changed her entire career path. On this episode, she opened up about her journey from musical theater kid and hardworking diner waitress to acclaimed restaurateur, the power of embracing her queer identity, the heartbreak of a dropped dessert, her enduring love of Houston's, and the importance of visibility for the next generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 17, 2025

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Karen Akunowicz and the Compliment That Changed Her Life

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