The Artistic Foodies

Today we talk with Tariq and Jalel of the Islamic Services of America, a major certifier and educator in the global Halal industry. We take a deep dive into Halal certification, the complexities involved in creating Halal standards especially when you consider differences in Madhahib, and even broach more modern topics of discussion, including lab-grown meats, and cannabis.

In this episode, we discuss Halal Meat Certification with Shaykh Jabir Tarin of HFSAA, the Halal Food Standards Alliance of America. HFSAA is a well-known and respected Halal certifying body that started in the San Francisco Bay area, and now certifies Halal restaurants across many metropolitan areas of the US. We talk about the process of getting certified, explore differences between hand and machine-slaughtered Halal, and reflect on how far the Halal meat industry and food scene have come over the last few decades.

Critically acclaimed writer and director Imran J Khan shared his time, witty insight, and keen humor with us during this episode, where we laughed, cried (not really but almost), and talked about his latest film, 'Mustache'. More than just the movie, we discussed the deeper themes of belonging, acceptance, and if giving up red meat from your diet truly ostracizes you from the Desi Muslim community or not (it does, it totally does).

Join us as we continue season 3, an exploration of the food industry. We got the opportunity to interview the legend, Ike of Ike's sandwiches. On the first day of operation in 2007, Ike Shehadeh did not sell a single sandwich in his small, hole-in-the-wall Ike's Place in San Francisco's Castro District. Now 15 years later, the man behind the goateed cartoon logo has built over a 90-unit empire and expansive menu catering to every diet preference. We talk about his life, his business, and more...including how YOU can get a sandwich named after you on the menu too!

Naiel (13) and Punhal Chaudry (12) are a Pakistani American brother-sister duo who started their home baking business called “Lá Jawab Treats” in the midst of the pandemic. The word "Lá Jawab" means unmatchable in Urdu, and their journey definitely lives up to the name. We got a chance to chat with them both to talk about their experience as young founders, their newly published cookbook, and Naiel's experience making history by winning Food Network's Kids Baking Championship Season 11, making him the First Muslim, the First Pakistani American and the First Californian to have this honor!

Rabia Chaudry is well known for her work as an attorney and in advocating for the freedom of Adnan Syed, but what you may not know is that she is also 100% a bonafide foodie. Tune in for our full interview with Rabia about her new memoir "Fatty Fatty Boom Boom". Not only do we talk about food, family, and her lifelong relationship with her weight, but we also get to the meat of matters including a family recipe for Shaami Kababs, and a passionate debate on whether Sarson da Saag (Punjabi Saag) is literal heaven on a plate, or actually just a bitter stew of plants!

Mounir Lazzouni, a Muslim Health & Fitness Coach, shares his knowledge with us in this special Ramadan episode. He sharestips on what foods to eat and what to to avoid during the Suhoor and Iftaar meals, as well as how to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout the Holy Month of fasting. We also discuss how to stay fit while still focusing on fasting and prayers, and end with a couple of great healthy recipes to get you in the right zone for your fasts!

In our season 2 finale, we dive deeper into the topic we have been exploring this season: Muslims on stage and on the screen. Previously, we covered the topic of representation and its importance, and now we explore what comes after and beyond that, with cultural producer Asad Ali Jafri. Join us as we explore his philosophies of support and service as we unearth an ideal world to work towards, one in which our artists can be supported, nourish, and enabled to put their truth in their art, and their art in the world.

Hosts Irfan and Abbas sit with Hollywood producer and screenwriter Kamran Pasha (Sleeper Cell, Nikita, Reign). We discuss the ups and downs of his life and career, and how every breakthrough in Kamran's life ultimately came from a difficult breakdown. We delve into the different social and cultural forces vying for influence in Hollywood today, and talk about the pressures and responsibilities of the Muslims that are now working in the fields of TV & Film today.

We sat with producer and community organizer Guled Muse to talk about his background and artistic journey leading up to the unveiling of The Khamsa Project. Khamsa, the Arabic word for five, is a multimedia art exhibition showcasing 20 Black, Muslim, Immigrant, and Refugee visual artists and musicians expressing the five stages of grief. Khamsa aims to address the different forms and contexts of grief, weaving both personal and universal experiences of loss.  This is a project to find harmony in our shared stories, bridging differences in cultures, beliefs, and history.⁠

Catching up with Rizwan Manji (Outsourced, Schitt's Creek, Peacemaker), we got to hear the REAL origin story behind his iconic mustache, reflected with him on his journey as a brown Muslim building a career in media, as well as a reflection on his latest role as the Imam in Zarqa Nawaz's comedy series title "ZARQA".

It was a LOT of fun interviewing Zarqa Nawaz to discuss storytelling, narratives, and speaking honesty through popular media.

We talked about her groundbreaking TV series from 2007, Little Mosque on the Prairie, and how she developed into a Producer and Actor for her new series, ZARQA, which premiered on Canadian TV in May of 2022.

Full episode up on Spotify or wherever else you get your podcasts!

This episode, we delve deeper into the ground-breaking play, "The Domestic Crusaders" with cast member Monisha Shiva. We also get to dive deeper into Wajahats life and the context in which he wrote the play between 2001 and 2003, and he also shares his favorite Qeema recipe.

We start our second season off with a deep dive into the groundbreaking play about a Pakistani-American Muslim family, "The Domestic Crusaders" written by Wajahat Ali. We get a chance to not only hear from Wajahat, but also from the New York debut cast members about their experience of the stage production nearly two decades ago. Don't forget to tune in to Part 2 of this episode coming out soon, which features a special Keema recipe from Wajahat himself!

Abbas and Irfan share more of their favorite Ramadan recipes

We start off season 2 of The Artistic Foodies podcast with an in-depth discussion with Wajahat Ali, and original cast members, about the ground-breaking play “The Domestic Crusaders”. We also chatted about his new book, “Go Back to where you came from and other recommendations on How to Be an American” coming out on Jan 25th. Check out the episode trailer right here

Hosts Abbas and Irfan review season 1 of the podcast, and preview season 2 (2022). Plus, we talk about our special Halal food map, as well as the latest news in the bay area halal industry

We continue our conversation with both Shia and Sunni Islamic Scholars, to discuss the Fiqh (Islamic Rulings) of Halal Food!

Featuring Imam Tahir Anwar, Maulana Amin Rastani, and Imam Dawood Yasin, we asked about frequently asked topics such as cooking with alcohol, eating seafood, kosher, and the meat of People of the Book, and the etiquettes around eating Halal!

This episode also features a special recipe at the end from Imam Dawood Yasin! 

#HalalFood #FiqhofFood #BayArea #HalalFoodies #TheArtisticFoodies #Podcast

We had the pleasure of interviewing Islamic Scholars, Sunni and Shia, to discuss the Fiqh (Islamic Rulings) of Halal Food!

Featuring Imam Tahir Anwar, Maulana Amin Rastani, and Imam Dawood Yasin, we asked them a lot of the "Hot Topic" questions that people have today such as Hand v. Machine Slaughter, Cooking with Alcohol, Eating at Restaurants which serve Alcohol, etc. etc. 

This Episode is so big we had to split it into 2 parts! Here is Part 1. Enjoy!

#HalalFood #FiqhofFood #BayArea #HalalFoodies #TheArtisticFoodies #Podcast

Mohammad Abutaha (Shawarmaji, Owner) and Ronnie Malley (multiinstrumentalist, musical genius) sit with us for an exciting discussion about Shawarmas and the classical instrument, the OUD. Whether it is through musical instruments or through delicious food, culture evolves over time. We interact with others crossing our geographic and ethnic boundaries, to transcend superficial differences and build new and beautiful things together. Art and food are both great markers of culture, and what an honor and a pleasure it is to be able to observe, experience, and be a part of this intergenerational evolution.

If you enjoyed the parts of his episode in Ep 3, you’ll love this. Join us as we take a deeper dive.

If you enjoyed the parts of his episode in Ep 3, you’ll love this. Join us as we take a deeper dive.

The Star Wars universe contains multitudes, join as we explore the films and the inherent spirituality of The Force. Plus, for all the die hard Mandolorian fans, we get into talking about the bone broth Grogu always sips on, including a recipe right at the end!

Ramadan 2021 will be an interesting Ramadan, and hopefully the last one in quarantine. Join us as we talk about Ramadan memories, talk about why we fast, and of course some classic traditional Ramadan recipes for you to enjoy this year

In this episode, we discuss the success of the first-ever Halal Restaurant Week in North America, which was held in the SF Bay Area in Dec 2020. We interviewed foodies, chefs, and restaurant owners including Chef Lisa Ahmad of Mirchi Cafe, Sameer Parvez of Port of Peri-Peri, Food Vlogger Zoha Raza, and one of the top HRW 2020 Prize Winners Wakas Haider.

Irfan Rydhan, co-host of The Artistic Foodies podcast interviews Hisham Abdelfatth, Founder and Head Chef of El Halal Amigos to go behind the scenes on why he started a Mexican Halal Food Truck.