“I’ve been incredibly surprised by where my career has taken me,” says Amanda Cohen, chef/owner of the vegetable-focused Dirt Candy restaurant in New York City. “I never would have expected it would take me to Congress.” Earlier this week, Amanda testified before the Small Business Committee of the House of Representatives on behalf of the Independent Restaurant Coalition. Amanda is part of the leadership of the IRC, which is working to get Congress to pass the $120-billion Independent Restaurant Revitalization Fund. We talk to Amanda about her work on behalf of the 500,000 independent restaurants and 11 million restaurant workers in the U.S., as well as the steps she’s taking to keep her own restaurant alive. She also updates us on Lekka Burger, the Tribeca fast-casual spot she’s involved with, her thoughts on food media, and why she’s not moving back to her native Canada any time soon. Thank you to the folks at Breyer’s CarbSmart and Sonos for supporting today’s show. Also, tune in to find out why Brooklyn-based pastry pro and gelato enthusiast Maya Peredo thinks Lokelani Alabanza of Saturated Ice Cream in Nashville, Tennessee, is the Bombe.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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