With Bowl and Spoon

🎧 Season 4, Episode 30

This week on With Bowl and Spoon, I’m joined by Sarah Kaminski, founder of Best Ever Granola — a small-batch, vegan and gluten-free granola sweetened only with pure maple syrup. Before launching her granola business, Sarah worked as a health coach and created a recipe for her clients that eventually became the heart of her brand.

A turning point in Sarah’s journey came after watching the documentary Food Inc, which opened her eyes to the realities of our food system. Since then, she’s become intentional about what she eats — reading labels, paying attention to sourcing, and aligning her choices with her values.

We talk about how she got started, the generosity of Pittsburgh’s local food community, and what goes into producing a truly high-quality granola. Sarah shares the new products she’s dreaming up, the mentors who’ve helped shape her work, and the role family and clarity of purpose play in building a life — and business — that reflects what matters most.

🎧 Season 4, Episode 29: Building Community Through Shared Kitchens

This week on With Bowl and Spoon, I talk with Irwin Mendelssohn, whose path—from Pennsylvania to Florida and later to major cities like Chicago, L.A., New York, and beyond—has been shaped by curiosity, creativity, and a love of food. Irwin and his brother have long focused on renovating historic buildings, but opening a shared-use kitchen was a brand-new adventure. When the pandemic hit, what was meant to be a slow, phased-in project suddenly became essential—and they rose to the challenge.

We dive into what makes a shared kitchen work, the practical realities of running one, what Fulton Commons offers its members, and the unexpected joy of reading manuals.

🎧 Season 4, Episode 28

This week on With Bowl and Spoon, I sit down with Selena Orkwis — whose path has taken her from kitchen tables and punk shows to new cities and cultures, all guided by a love of food and connection.

Selena grew up just outside D.C. in a home where everyone was welcome and vegetables took center stage, thanks to her mom’s Moosewood like meals. After spending some time in Pittsburgh, she craved something bigger and set off for Europe — landing in the Czech Republic to teach English and embracing the cultures that welcomed her with warmth, hospitality, and food. From there, she went on to culinary school in Brighton, UK, a seaside city with a creative, queer energy that helped her find her people and her place in the kitchen.

Eventually, Selena found her way back to Pittsburgh, working her way through the city’s culinary scene — from negotiating her worth in restaurant kitchens to learning what it really takes to make food that nourishes both body and community. When the pandemic hit, she decided it was time to start something of her own. Today, she runs Nurture PGH, creating vibrant, locally inspired meals available at Mort’s Fresh and Local or online at nurture-pgh.square.site.

🍩 Season 4, Episode 27

This week on With Bowl and Spoon, I talk with Dexter Edwards, the creative mind behind Phat Bagel—joined by partners Anna Carley and Tom Hermanowski who round out the team with systems, operations, and finance know-how. Together, they’ve built something that just clicks.

Phat Bagel started small with late-night dough sessions and makeshift “car fridges”—and has grown into a soon-to-open shop in Bloomfield, taking over the former Baby Loves Tacos space. Their bagels are big, hand-rolled, and all about the spreads (Dexter’s true passion).

We talk about Dexter’s food roots, from summers in Maryland and Steelers Sundays with his grandpa to working in fine dining and dreaming up his own bagel empire. The team is focused on good food, fair pay, and creating a place where everyone—staff and customers alike—feels part of the family.

Phat Bagel will be cashless and kiosk-based for faster service, but with plenty of human warmth. Expect vegan options, toasting, and endless spread combinations when they open later this fall.

You can find Phat Bagel:

SOON 📍 4508 Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield
🌐 www.phatbagel.com
📸 Instagram: @phatbagel
💬 Facebook: Phat Bagel