In My Kitchen with Paula
Hi, I’m Paula Mohammed, welcome to my podcast: In My Kitchen with Paula. This podcast is a gathering place for culinary adventurers who love to travel.
Here’s a little about me…
My parents came from very different backgrounds, so I grew up with cultural influences from Pakistan, Japan, Italy, and New Zealand. In our family kitchen, the different traditions, recipes, and stories mingled together to create meals that were fun, inspiring, and memorable.
This inspired a love of travel and cooking in me that continues today. AND a curiosity about the people behind the dishes.
I’m also the founder and CEO of In My Kitchen. We teach in-person and online cooking classes where my team of passionate home cooks from diverse cultures invite you into their kitchens to share their recipes, stories and travel gems.
On this podcast, we’ll explore the people, cultures and recipes from your travel bucket lists. Every week we’ll come together with a new guest and their unique dish. Using the dish as the vehicle, we’ll take a ride into the ins and outs of their culture and country. Along the way we’ll gather some insider travel tips that only a local knows, have a new recipe to try and basically just hang out…in my kitchen.
So grab your favourite beverage and join me on a culinary adventure!
Episodes
42 episodes
Journey Through Moroccan Flavours with Siham Lahmine
Have you ever been invited to “eat from your triangle”? In this episode I sit down with Moroccan culinary expert and guide Siham Lahmine to explore the real Morocco—the one you taste and sit inside. From family kitchen...
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Episode 41
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1:09:31
Made in Taiwan: A Culinary Legacy with Ivy Chen
What if preserving a recipe was the key to preserving a culture?In this heartfelt and flavor-packed episode, I sit down with Ivy Chen—longtime cooking instructor, co-author of Made in Taiwan, and the force behind Ivy’s Ki...
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Episode 40
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50:32
Not Your Butter Chicken: Exploring Cultural Heritage with Shiva Reddy
What if the immigrant story you’ve heard is only half the truth?In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Shiva Reddy—sommelier, food columnist for CBC Vancouver, and host of the acclaimed docuseries Not Your Butter Chicken
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Episode 39
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50:32
Flavourful Bonds Part 4: What We Leave Behind
What if you could supercharge your travel experiences, with just a little perspective?In this episode I wrap up the four-part series 'Flavourful Bonds' by delving into the character strengths of humility, gratitude, and legacy wit...
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Episode 38
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25:29
Flavourful Bonds Part 3: Resilience in the Ruptures
How do food and culinary traditions reflect resilience, forgiveness, and hope? In this episode I look at the character strengths of forgiveness, hope and perspective through the lens of food in Pakistan and also Vietnam and P...
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Episode 37
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20:42
Flavourful Bonds Part 2: Exploring Cultural Truths Through Cuisine
How do honesty, integrity, and fairness shape our culinary adventures and deepen our connections across cultures? Join me in episode two of 'Flavourful Bonds' as I explore these character strengths through stories and culinar...
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Episode 36
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15:13
Flavourful Bonds Part 1: Kindness Served Warm
Haver you ever wondered how food can create deeper, meaningful relationships? In this first episode of our special four-part series, Flavourful Bonds, we delve into the VIA character strengths and how they manifest in differe...
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Episode 35
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34:52
Whip Up Wellbeing: Character Strengths in Action (Part 2)
What if your best travel companion isn’t your passport—but your personality?In this solo episode, host Paula Mohammed continues the conversation on character strengths—those deeply personal yet often overlooked qualities that shap...
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Episode 34
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22:35
Whip Up Wellbeing: Character Strengths in Action (Part 1)
Ever wondered what makes you truly shine? In this episode we go on an exciting journey to discover our unique character strengths using the VIA Character Strengths framework. Developed by positive psychologists Martin Seligma...
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Episode 33
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14:27
From MasterChef to World Traveler: Michael Motamedi's Culinary Quest
What if the best way to experience the world was to live in it—one month at a time?In this episode, we meet Michael Motamedi: former MasterChef Canada contestant, marketer-turned-full-time traveler, and passionate culinary exp...
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Episode 32
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1:03:25
Culinary Activism: Anna Voloshyna's Journey from Ukraine to California
What does it mean to fight a war—with food?In this episode, we meet Anna Voloshyna: chef, cookbook author, and passionate culinary activist. Born and raised in Ukraine and now based in California, Anna shares how her deep love of ...
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Episode 31
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49:53
Culinary Time Travel: Sephardic Flavours and Tales with Hélène Jawhara Piñer
What can food tell us about history, identity, and resilience?In this episode of In My Kitchen with Paula, I sit down with Hélène Jawhara Piñer — historian, professor, and author of Matzah and Flour — to explore ...
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Episode 30
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44:45
From Farms to Flavour: Exploring Heritage through Food with Selena Pellizzari
What if your next meal could take you back in time—and across continents?In this episode, Paula reconnects with longtime friend and accomplished equestrian coach Selena Pellizzari, whose story weaves together family heritag...
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Episode 29
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45:48
Sharing Meals: A Global Happiness Hack
Did you know one of the simplest ways to boost your happiness might be sitting right at your dinner table?In this solo episode, I dive into a fascinating chapter of the World Happiness Report 2025 that explores something ...
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Episode 28
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19:06
Culinary Adventures: Paula's Method of Travel and Connection (Part 3)
Want to explore the world more meaningfully — one dish, one market, one moment at a time?In this final installment of my three-part series, I’m wrapping things up by sharing the simple framework I use to explore culture through th...
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Episode 27
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24:54
Culinary Adventures: Paula's Method of Travel and Connection (Part 2)
Ever wonder how to create deeper connections through travel — and how food can be the key?In this special solo episode, I’m continuing a three-part series where I share my personal story, travel philosophy, and the principles that...
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Episode 26
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15:21
Culinary Adventures: Paula's Method of Travel and Connection (Part 1)
Ever wonder how to create deeper connections through travel — and how food can be the key? In this special solo episode, I’m kicking off a three-part series where I share my personal story, travel philosophy, and the principl...
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Episode 25
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22:16
The Spirit of Manaakitanga: Food, Family, and Friendship in New Zealand
What does it really mean to care for others through food — and how does that shape who we are?In this episode, Paula takes us on a journey to New Zealand, where her earliest memories of generosity, gathering, and good food were fo...
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Episode 24
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34:04
Exploring Goan Food and Culture with Lara Victoria
Have you ever wondered what makes Goan cuisine so special? What if the secret ingredient isn’t just the spices, but the sun itself?In this episode, Paula sits down with Lara Victoria, a food and wine expert with deep roots in both...
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Episode 23
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52:20
Savouring Slow Travel: Discovering Parma and Modena with Sonia Bozzi
What if the best way to experience Italy isn't through checklists and tourist attractions, but by slowing down and savoring each moment?In this episode, Paula is joined by Sonia Bozzi, entrepreneur and founder of Cultour Itali...
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Episode 22
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39:53
Savouring Alentejo: Alfredo Cunhal Sendim’s Portuguese Legacy & Montado do Freixo do Meio
Did you ever drive by a village when traveling and wonder what people do here day to day and what is their story? In this episode, Paula talks with Alfredo Cunhal Sendim, a former fisherman turned organic farmer from the Ale...
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Episode 21
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1:03:43
A Taste of Alentejo and Lisbon with Maria João Carros
Curious about the real Lisbon and Alentejo outside of tourist guides and google? Get a local’s take with Maria João Carros on our latest episode.Maria shares her experiences and insights into Portuguese culture and cuisine. Maria ...
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Episode 20
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1:00:30
Beyond the Plate: Communicating Across Cultures
Have you ever been traveling and asked a local person a question and they are saying yes, but the meaning you realize later is no?Join Paula as she dives into the art of understanding different communication styles, Paula serves u...
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Episode 19
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21:17
From Taiwan to Canada: Pete Young's Journey of Creativity and Innovation (Part 2)
Ever wondered what it takes to navigate the complexities of identity and culture, as a young immigrant? In this two-part episode, Taiwanese-Canadian artist and educator Pete (Shouh) Young takes us on a journey through h...
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Episode 18
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46:35
From Taiwan to Canada: Pete Young's Journey of Creativity and Innovation (Part 1)
Ever wondered what it takes to navigate the complexities of identity and culture, as a young immigrant? In this two-part episode, Taiwanese-Canadian artist and educator Pete (Shouh) Young takes us on a journey through h...
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Episode 17
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33:32