Hey, Counterjam Heads! Season 2 will return 4/12, and in the meantime, we've been doing tons of listening ourselves. Our friends at Salt + Spine just released this new episode featuring The Grey partners and co-authors Mashama Bailey and John Morisano. 

"The fact that there aren't as many black men or women running kitchens in America is in itself a systemic problem. There are tons of people of color when you go into any kind of culinary program?and in the mid-level kitchens, there's tons of diversity in those kitchens. But as soon as you cross the threshold into higher echelon kitchens, then you start to thin out because there isn't any capital backing these talented folks." ?Mashama Bailey

From Salt + Spine: Mashama is the executive chef and partner of The Grey, which she runs with her business partner, John O. Morisano. The Savannah, Georgia restaurant is set inside a once-segregated, former Greyhound bus station and has been dubbed Restaurant of the Year by Eater and named one of TIME magazine?s "greatest places." The Grey serves up Mashama?s menu, which draws influences from all over and in particular the South, Italy, and Africa. In 2019, the James Beard Foundation awarded Mashama its Best Chef: Southeast award. Together, Mashama and John built The Grey ? and now, they?re taking a unique approach with their memoir-cookbook by telling the story together, too.

Their book ? titled Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant ? chronicles how the pair came together, relocated to Savannah, and opened a celebrated restaurant. But it?s more than the story of The Grey ? it?s also a conversation about race, class, gender, and American culture. And interlaced throughout are recipes to accompany the chapters.

Self-proclaimed fufu-head Peter J. Kim sits down with comedian Ego Nwodim and Afrobeat pioneers Femi and Made Kuti to discuss ultimate jollof, Nigerian religi-pop, and the beloved ball of cooked starch that goes by many names.

That's a wrap on season 1 of Counterjam. We'll be back in May with season 2. In the meantime?follow Counterjam on Spotify for bonus playlists, and subscribe to the show so you don't miss a thing.

Relationships with teriyaki, sushi stereotypes, and the immigrant hustle?host Peter J. Kim looks at Japanese-American cultural identity with comedian Yumi Nagashima, rapper G Yamazawa, and producer Dan the Automator.

Check out Counterjam on Spotify for bonus playlists featuring tracks from Yumi, G, Dan and so many other wonderful Japanese-American artists!

This episode is all about the city that never sleeps and always eats. Host Peter J. Kim looks at the undefinable cuisine of New York City, with the help of A Tribe Called Quest founding member Jarobi White and multiplatinum artist, chef, and fashion icon Kelis.

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Host Peter J. Kim looks at Korean-American food culture?with chef Roy Choi, comedian Margaret Cho, and his mom (!)?in all its stinky, fermented, fishy beauty.

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