Thien Pham ate different noodle dishes for 95 days straight ahead of publishing Family Style, the story of his family’s journey to the U.S.

Author Archives: Anna Mindess
Anna Mindess has two professions. She is a freelance journalist who focuses on food, culture, immigrants and travel. Her work has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, AFAR, Lonely Planet, Oakland Magazine, Edible East Bay, and Berkeleyside. In 2018, her essay about 1951 Coffee Company was awarded First Place by the Association of Food Journalists. Anna also works as an American Sign Language interpreter and is the author of Reading Between the Signs, a book used to train sign language interpreters around the world.
Geoff Davis says nostalgia will be firmly on the menu at his new Oakland restaurant, Burdell
The veteran chef hopes to honor his family’s recipes at his Temescal restaurant, while ‘nourishing people with comfort and belonging.’
Wok expert dedicates grant to help Oakland Chinatown restaurants, seniors
Bay Area-raised cookbook author Grace Young has directed $10,000 toward two Oakland restaurants — and hundreds of seniors — as part of her campaign to save U.S. Chinatowns.
Is celebrating Thanksgiving disrespectful to Indigenous people?
Indigenous East Bay residents share how they acknowledge and commemorate Thanksgiving.
Inside the East Bay’s flourishing mocktail scene
Thoughtfully constructed alcohol-free drinks are coming into their own in the East Bay.
One of Oakland’s oldest Ethiopian spots is expanding into a huge new space
Cafe Colucci will serve up breakfast, lunch and dinner inside an expansive space — there’ll also be cocktails, live music and even cooking classes.
Can a rooftop farm in Oakland change the world?
The group behind a farm on top an Oakland Whole Foods aims to decolonize the land, pay farmers and provide nutritious food for people who have been marginalized.
Monster Pho’s new restaurant is packed with positivity and robots
Tee Tran’s popular restaurant has a fresh new space that speaks to kids of all ages.
How a mother and daughter reinvented Oakland’s 65-year-old Fortune Factory
Jiamin and Alicia Wong are changing people’s assumptions of what a fortune cookie looks and tastes like.
Wahpepah’s Kitchen brings a new wave of Indigenous food to Oakland
Crystal Wahpepah says her restaurant is a place to eat, learn and heal.
Oakland soup company Purpose and Hope wants to comfort and nourish the East Bay
One of Alameda County’s first MEHKOs seeks to deliver healthful soups to those who need nutritional support.
Oakland’s Indigenous Red Market returns to celebrate Native culture and connection
The popular outdoor gathering in Fruitvale is happening again in-person, on the first Sunday of every month.
This Russian food truck keeps rolling along, even in the hardest times
When the pandemic closed offices and breweries, Kolobok started serving its “Russian soul food” to apartment complexes and offering delivered holiday meals.
Immigrant chefs pursue their culinary dreams at Oakland Bloom
Immigrants often face disadvantages in the food industry. This nonprofit is working to change that.
‘There is a void in my heart’: Chinatown’s beloved Peony restaurant in danger of closing
Renowned for its fresh dim sum and seafood, the eatery is also a social hub for Oakland’s Chinese community.
Crystal Wahpepah is clearing a path for Indigenous chefs
The celebrated Oakland chef was the first Native contestant to appear on the Food Network’s ‘Chopped.’
Dance saved Antoine Hunter’s life. Now he’s opening the door for other Deaf dancers
The Oakland native and founder of the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival is finding opportunity in the pandemic.
What do you do when your job requires personal contact? These Oaklanders got creative
A therapist, photographer and hairstylist have innovated to continue their practice in quarantine.