Alex Raij and Molly Culver

Radio Cherry Bombe continues to spotlight some of the most talented, accomplished and forward-thinking women in food – and this week’s episode is no exception. First – we meet Alex Raij. Alex Raij is chef and owner, along with her husband Eder Montero, of several popular New York City restaurants: Txikito, El Quinto Pino and El Comedor in Manhattan and La Vara in Brooklyn. Alex was voted Eater’s 2012 “Chef of the Year” and Bon Appétit named her among six ground breaking chefs in the feature, Women Chef’s: The Next Generation. Later – we meet Molly Culver, Brooklyn-based farmer and floral designer. She’s the proprietor of Molly Oliver Flowers and Co-Farm Manager & Field Trip Coordinator at BK Farmyards! This program was brought to you by Fairway Market.

“I think about authenticity a lot and I want to be true to the cuisines, but La Vara is my most improvisational restaurant.” [06:00]

“With La Vara, I really wanted to be able to celebrate Mediterranean flavors – they were flavors that were really speaking to me.” [08:00]

–Alex Raij on Radio Cherry Bombe

“I think of myself a farmer/teacher. I spend most of my time side by side with beginning farmers, but the income we make through our produce and flower sales accounts for over 35% of our whole budget.” [26:00]

–Molly Culver on Radio Cherry Bombe