fbpx

Category: Bios

  • The Culinarian | An Interview with Marleen Bernstein, Chef & Owner of Savour This Kitchen

    The Culinarian | An Interview with Marleen Bernstein, Chef & Owner of Savour This Kitchen

    A few weeks ago I was introduced to the marvelous Marlene Bernstein. She is the chef and owner behind Savour this Kitchen, an umbrella brand for the catering company / line of original sauces and spice blends she runs with her brother Michael. As someone who keeps her fridge fully stocked with sauces, spices, and condiments of all varieties at all times, I was immediately all over Ms. Bernstein’s blends. Needless to say, I was stoked when she agreed to sit down for an interview with Toast Meets Jam.

    When asked where she’d like us to do the interview, she easily came up with The Springs LA, a newish downtown hotspot that boasts itself as an “urban oasis of wellness”. To put it simply this place is absolute amaze-balls. Part organic juice bar, part yoga center, part local for morning rave parties, The Springs has everything this girl could possibly want in life all rolled into one.

    Over our interview, Marlene guided me through the journey that brought about Savour this Kitchen and it’s evolution over the past few years. She also shed light on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, her advice for aspiring foodies, and what she does to keep the STK train driving forward. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Toast Meets Jam interview if we didn’t have some fun along the way so you’ll also get to find out what makes Marlene, Marlene, from her favorite Halloween costume to her hidden talent.

    More About Marlene

    savour-this-kitchenMarlene is the chef behind Savour this Kithcen. She is trained in classical French cuisine but her cooking is inspired greatly by er Mediterranean roots. When she’s not making her rounds at the LA farmers’ markets or hosting a fantastic fete, you can find her catching a dance class, exploring downtown, or writing recipes for popular blogs like LaurenConrad.com.

    What is Savour this Kitchen?

    Launched in the summer of 2011, Savour This Kitchen began as Savour This Moment, a California fresh catering company dedicated to using wholesome flavors and natural ingredients. After receiving rave reviews for the unique sauces in their dishes, brother and sister entrepreneurial super team, Michael + Marlene, decided to sell these sauces as stand alone products.

    Savour This Sauce came to fruition at the beginning of 2013 and featured their three signature sauces: Red Pepper Romesco, Thai Chile Cilantro, and Pistachio Mint Pesto. With humble beginnings at the La Canada Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles, people flocked to the new vegan, gluten free brand.

    Thanks to love and support from the community, coupled with early success at the Farmer’s Market, Savour This Sauce found a smooth transition into retail outlets. Nearly a year and a half into the sauce line, the budding company decided to expand beyond sauces and develop a line of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired spice blends: Gypsy, Merchant, Nomad and Seafarer. In order to establish a marketplace for these unique seasonings (and more that are being developed) that make cooking more approachable, fun and delicious, Michael & Marlene created the umbrella brand Savour This Kitchen for their various product lines. (cite: Savour this Kitchen)

    Check out Savour this Kitchen at:

    Web: www.savourthiskitchen.com

    Instagram: @savourthiskitchen

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/savourthiskitchen

    A Toast to you and Marlene too,

    Jen

     

     

  • The Brand Gal | An Interview with Kelsey Borlan Lee, founder of The Brand Gals

    The Brand Gal | An Interview with Kelsey Borlan Lee, founder of The Brand Gals


    In this episode of Toast Meets Jam I get the scoop from the gal behind The Brand Gals, Kelsey Borlan Lee. We joined up at Aroma Coffee and Tea, one of Kelsey’s favorite brunch spots in Studio City. The cafe is the sister to The Alcove cafe, a spot you might be familiar with if you caught this interview. With a great outdoor patio that wraps around the restaurant, the spot is the perfect place to enjoy a sunny Sunday. Their menu runs the gamut from healthy VGF friendly fare to decadent desserts. Kelsey opted for a traditional bacon and eggs breakfast while I dug into a tofu and broccoli rice bowl. While we chowed down, she explained how The Brand Gals came to be.

    More About Kelsey

    Kelsey-Borlan-LeeKelsey found her start in the world of brand building as a photographer. Under her company, Kelsey Rae Photography, she found a passion for helping entrepreneurs build their businesses. This passion led her to expand her services beyond photography so that she could further help her clients bring their visions to life. What started off as The Brand Gal, is now a team of talented women  offering end-to-end branding packages.

    Who are The Brand Gals?

    The Brand Gals is a full service branding and design agency based in Los Angeles, CA. Their packages included everything from branding consultations to logo and website design, photography, social media strategy and beyond. Services also include their Snap workshop, a photography and Instagram intensive and The Bungalow a group branding class for entrepreneurs.

    Check out The Brand Gals at:

    Web: www.thebrandgals.com

    Instagram: @thebrandgals

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBrandGals

    A Toast to you and Kelsey too,

    Jen

  • The Editor-In-Chief |An Interview with the Founder of Millennial Magazine, Britt Hysen

    The Editor-In-Chief |An Interview with the Founder of Millennial Magazine, Britt Hysen

    In this episode of Toast Meets Jam I sat down with Britt Hysen, the founder and editor-in-chief of Millennial Magazine. We met at one of Britt’s favorite east-side spots The Alcove Cafe & Bakery in Los Feliz. Over almond milk lattes she shared her take on today’s generation of influencers, the qualities that make these go-getters successful, and why she’s made it her mission to tell their stories.

    More About Britt

    Britt HysenBritt began her career as an actress at the age of 18. Her first breaks came with a stint on AMC’s Mad Men, in Jim Carey’s Yes Man, and on Nickelodeon’s Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh.  By the time she’s turned 21 Britt was ready to take on the next challenge. With a microphone in her hand she took to the streets and began building her skills as a journalist. Her first gig– interview 25 of the top Burning Man artists.

    Fast forward a few years and Britt has added CNBC editorial assistant, GY news correspondent, and GenYHub media director to her list of experiences. Through her work, she realized that she was passionate about telling the stories of the thought leaders and go-getters of her generation. This passion sparked the idea for Millennial Magazine her latest venture.

     

    What’s Millennial Magazine?

    Started in 2014, Millennial Magazine “is positioning itself as Forbes meets Life magazine with a social impact twist”. Articles feature millennials influencers and the incredible work they are doing to make a difference in this world. Visit their site and you’ll find everything from news that resonates most with Gen Y to profiles on this generation’s CEO’s, activists, and thought-leaders.

    Check MM out at:

    Web: www.millennialmagazine.com

    Twitter: @MillennialMagz

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MillennialMagazine

    A Toast to you and Britt too,

    Jen

    Subscribe-Now

  • The Travel Host | An Interview with Host & Executive Producer of Rhythm Abroad, Brittany Pierce

    The Travel Host | An Interview with Host & Executive Producer of Rhythm Abroad, Brittany Pierce

    Finding Your Rhythm Abroad with Brittany Pierce

    In this episode of Toast Meets Jam I caught up with Brittany Pierce, the host and executive producer behind the dance-centric travel series, Rhythm Abroad. We decided to meet at one of my favorite Brentwood spots, Coral Tree Cafe. While we drank in our lattes, Brittany shared the journey she’s been on from her first international trip to becoming the creator of her own travel series on PBS.

    After graduating college, Brittany began her career as a reporter for  Channel 4 San Diego. However, it wasn’t long before  she was called to pursue her love for travel. When the opportunity to join another network as a travel host failed to present itself, she took matters into her own hands. Living by her motto to “lead by faith, not by sight” Brittany set out to create a show of her own.

    (more…)

  • The PR Maven | An Interview with Vilte Co. Founder Vilte Holstad

    The PR Maven | An Interview with Vilte Co. Founder Vilte Holstad

    Paris, PR, & Paving Your Own Way with VilteCo. Founder Vilte S. Holstad

    In this episode of Toast Meets Jam I caught up with Vilte S. Holstad, the founder behind the PR creative VilteCo. Our brunch of choice was Sunny Spot, a favorite of ours here in Venice. As we dug into our delish dishes, she took me on her journey from moving to Paris to founding her own PR company.

    After graduating from college with a degree in design, Vilte began working in various PR roles both with small and large brands. Her desire to expand into other aspects of the industry drew her to Paris where she worked with a French designer and covered Paris Fashion Week.Upon Vilte’s return to the states, it didn’t take long for her to realize she was ready to step out on her own. It was then that the idea for VilteCo. first came to life.

     

    VilteCo. is a boutique PR creative with a focus on traditional outreach, social media management, and blogger placement. Though open to companies of all sizes, the creative is especially drawn to working with startups in the LA area.
    To learn more about Vilte and her PR creative make sure to check her out at www.vilteco.com.

    (more…)