The Passionate Palate

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode I interview Tahmid Kayum, the founder of CO2 Sips, a beverage company specializing in halal dirty sodas. Tahmid shares his journey from a late-night TikTok scroll to launching his business, discussing the challenges and triumphs he faced along the way. He emphasizes the importance of community support, the creative process behind developing unique drink flavors, and the lessons learned from his first events. The conversation also touches on future aspirations for CO2 Sips, including expanding into food offerings and establishing a strong brand presence in the community.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: Follow me @thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook. Follow or Subscribe to my channel on Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcast. Finally Please Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode I talk with Nora Termanini, a high school psychology teacher and personal growth consultant, to explore the intricate connections between cultural food, psychology, fashion, and identity. We discuss how clothing influences confidence, the emotional ties to cultural foods, and the importance of authenticity in personal growth. Nora shares her insights on navigating dual identities as an immigrant and the impact of technology on communication among teens. The conversation emphasizes the significance of being present in family life and striving for personal success while maintaining clarity and authenticity.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: Follow me @thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook. Follow or Subscribe to my channel on Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcast. Finally Please Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai 

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! My guest today is Sarah Elkholy, the owner of Fresh Feteer in New Jersey. Sarah is an engineer who turned her love for baking into a small business,specializing in egyptian feteer, a delicious buttery and flaky pastry that is very dear to her heart and egyptian roots.Sarah makes her delicious feteers at food festivals in NJ so make sure to stop by and try her special creations, savory or sweet!We had a wonderful time talking about her journey and how she balances her life and career as a wife and mom.I hope you guys enjoyed watching and listening to our very interesting and fun conversation and stay connected for more informative and fun food content like this.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: Follow me @thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook. Follow or Subscribe to my channel on Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcast. Finally Please Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai 

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another fun and interesting episode of The Passionate Palate! My guests today are the founders of Jersey Halal Spots, one of New Jersey's most Famous and Favorite Halal Food Community Groups. They have changed how muslims in NJ discover places to eat and helped countless halal restaurants survive especially during the pandemic. Prior to Jersey Halal Spots they started Muslim Sports Club, a basketball and softball league for young muslims!I hope you guys enjoyed watching and listening to our very interesting conversation and do stay connected for more informative and fun food content like this.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: Follow me @thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok and Facebook. Follow or Subscribe to my channel on Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts and leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcast. Finally Please Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another fun and flavorful episode of The Passionate Palate! My guests today are two brothers-in-law from New Jersey who turned their love of barbecue into a booming halal smoked meat business called Holy Smokes. They’re known in their family as the Pitmasters and they do catering and food festivals. One comes from the world of construction, the other from business management, but together they’re building something amazing with barbecue. I learned so much about the art and skill of BBQ and Smoked meats and I hope you enjoyed watching and listening to our Smoking Hot conversation! Stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors like this:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcastPlease Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another fun and flavorful episode of The Passionate Palate! The guest on this episode is the extremely talented Tabitha Gessling who is a licensed cosmetologist, hairstylist, bridal specialist, and content creator who inspires people to embrace their own beauty. And guess what? She’s also a foodie at heart!We talk not only about beauty and makeup but also the importance of embracing your inner beauty! If you love fun and flavorful conversations like this, stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcastPlease Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai 

Hi Foodies,Life served me something I didn’t order… a fractured foot. I’ll be taking a short break from The Passionate Palate podcast while I rest, heal, and catch up on some comfort food.But don’t worry—new episodes and foodie conversations will be back as soon as I’m back on my feet (literally)!In the meantime, I’ll still be posting food content, funny skits, and behind-the-scenes stuff on Tiktok, Instagram and Facebook, because you know I can’t stay away from food talk for long! So please follow me there @thepassionatepalate Thank you for supporting me on this journey! Love, Zai

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another fun and flavorful episode of The Passionate Palate! This episode is very special to me because my guest is my beautiful daughter Liyana Illyas! Liyana is a Junior in College and double majoring in journalism and political science! She hopes to be a lawyer one day and I’m super proud of her for all her hard work and achievements. Liyana is a foodie like her mama and loves trying out different foods and flavors from around the world.In this episode, Liyana talks about her love for pasta and ramen noodles and her favorite restaurants in NJ and NY!If you love fun and flavorful conversations like this, stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcastPlease Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another fun and flavorful episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode,my guest is mi amiga colombiana y mi profesora de español, Karly Gutierrez!  Karly is a foodie like me and reminisces about her life in Colombia and coming to America and we talk about the grandeur of Colombian food, art, music and dances! Check out @karly.gu on Instagram and Tiktok and give her a follow!If you love fun and flavorful conversations like this, stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcastPlease Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another flavorful and inspirational episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode,my guest, Tatiana Nuñez, reminisces about how her grandma founded the Famous John’s Fried Chicken in NY in the 1970’s. It’s an absolutely beautiful and inspirational story about a young dominican woman who came to America and founded a Fried Chicken Empire! Please check out @johnsfriedchicken on Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok and give them a follow!If you love fun and flavorful conversations like this, stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcastPlease Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another delicious and thrilling episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I have a very interesting, informative and educational conversation with Siraj Salahudeen. We talk about his early days as a restaurateur, event planner and motorcycle rider in Sri Lanka to all his achievements today here in the US, most importantly his goal to ride all 50 states! Please check out @theeventsnyc @salahshalal and @salahtherider on Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok and give him a follow!If you love fun and flavorful conversations like this, stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcastPlease Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I have a sweet and wonderful conversation with my twin friends Dilu & Jini Kulatungam, who own Joy Cupcakes and Lulu & Me Cheesecakes in Melbourne, Australia!. We take a walk through memory lane from our days in middle school in Sri Lanka to when they moved to Australia and started their baking careers!Please check out @joycupcakes and @luluandme_cheesecakes on Instagram and Tiktok and give them a follow and If you're in Melbourne do try their delicious cupcakes and cheesecakes!If you love fun and flavorful conversations like this, stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcastPlease Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai 

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I have a very interesting and Insightful conversation with Jaffar Wahdat, the founder and owner of Juicy Platters in NJ who also recently opened his Burger joint. We take a walk through memory lane where Jaffar talks about how and why he started his popular chicken and gyro restaurant, the ups and downs of running a restaurant business and his new creation,the delicious Golden Burger! If you live in NJ do check out @juicyplatters and @jaffarsburgers on Instagram and Facebook.If you love delicious conversations like this, stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcastPlease Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai 

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I have a very interesting and flavorful conversation with Sri Lankan Restaurateur and Entrepreneur David Cruse who resides in Melbourne, Australia. We talk about his love and passion for food and cricket! If you haven’t tried Sri Lankan food I highly recommend that you do! I guarantee you’d fall in love! If you’re living in Melbourne do visit David at his restaurant and check out @spicywicket on Instagram and Facebook.If you love delicious conversations like this, stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcast. Please Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love,Zai.

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I have a fun and flavorful conversation with my daughter in law, Sumaiya, about her journey as a food blogger and influencer! If you’re a foodie and would like to start your own foodventure, then you gotta watch this! Check out Sumaiya’s Instagram & Tiktok handles @sumsventuresIf you love delicious conversations like this, stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcastPlease Share this episode with someone who’d love it!Thank You!Love, Zai

Hi Foodies,Welcome to another delicious episode of The Passionate Palate! In this episode, I chat with Imran Khaja about his smoked meats and restaurant reviews and we explore the flavors, stories, and the culture behind it.Whether you’re a foodie, a home cook, or just love discovering new dishes, this one’s for you!Check out Imran’s Smoking and Grilling skills and restaurant reviews  @Imran Khaja on Facebook and @chefbrownguy on instagram.Love what you heard? Stay connected for more food content, laughs, and global flavors:@thepassionatepalate on Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube,Spotify and Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to:Follow or Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a rating or review — it helps more foodies discover the podcastPlease Share this episode with someone who’d love it!

Hi Foodies!Today's episode is about Cinnamon, not just any Cinnamon but True Cinnamon or Ceylon Cinnamon! Let me know in the comments if you're a Cinnamon lover and use it in your cooking and baking.If you enjoyed this episode please like and share this with your family and friends.Don't forget to follow me on Youtube, Tiktok and Instagram!Love, Zai.

Hi Foodies, I would love to wish all my muslim brothers and sisters a beautiful and blessed Eid!I hope you enjoyed watching this episode and would love to know how you celebrate Eid! What are your popular dishes? What do you like to cook? Drop them in the comments! Please subscribe to my channel and follow me on Instagram and Tiktok for some behind the scenes fun and be a part of this delicious foodie community! Love,Zai

Hi Foodies,This episode features my oldest son Zaki who is a Gym Rat! But with it being Ramadan Zaki has learned over the years to balance his Fitness goals and still maintain a healthy and protein rich diet! I hope you guys enjoy this episode and if you have any questions, please leave a comment here and I will be more than happy to answer! Please subscribe to my channel and share this episode with your family & friends!Love, Zai

Hi Foodies,I hope you enjoy watching this podcast about Ramadan!Please share this episode with your family and friends and subscribe to my channel. If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments!Please follow me on Instagram and Tiktok @thepassionatepalate for some fun and behind the scenes clips!Ramadan Kareem,Love, Zai

Hi Foodies, My son Isa is a foodie like me and I'm so happy to have him as the 1st ever guest on my show!I hope you guys enjoy listening to our soup stories! Please subscribe to my channel and share this with your family and friends!Love, Zai

Hi Foodies! Thank you for being here! The Passionate Palate is not just a food podcast but a Community where food lovers unite to have delicious discussions about Food. I hope you enjoy my 1st episode about a dessert that's near and dear to my heart!Please subscribe to my channel and share this with your family and friends!Love, Zai

Hi Guys, Welcome toThe Passionate Palate! This podcast is for Foodies, and anyone who loves to cook, bake and eat! This isn't just a food podcast, it's a celebration of food culture and the people behind the plates. I'm your host Zai! I hope you enjoy watching my trailer episode! Please share this with your family and friends, subscribe to my channel and follow me on Instagram and Tiktok @thepassionatepalateStay tuned for my 1st episode coming up on the 20th of February!Thank You,Love,Zai