Dalia Colón may be a vegetarian, but it was she who suggested The Zest Podcast do an episode on the world-famous Bern’s Steakhouse.
“I want the podcast to be a valuable time for listeners, even for someone who will never eat it,” said Colón, the new host of WUSF Public Media’s food podcast, which currently has about 6,000 downloads per month. “There are plenty of food blogs and podcasts, but this one is about so much more than the food on the plate. It is food, history, culture and experience.”
Marketed as a podcast about citrus, seafood, Spanish flavor and southern charm, The Zest caters to listeners from around the world interested in Florida’s food.
Colón previously acted as a producer for The Zest, edited episodes and arranged interviews. Now, she is taking the lead in season 3, which will include installments on Halal food in Florida (prepared in accordance with Islamic law) and how Florida is home to this country’s first real fusion, since Spanish settlers in St. Augustine mixed their foods with those of enslaved Africans and Native Americans in the 17th Century. Other episodes include a woman who makes funnel cakes for the state fair and interviews with some of Miami’s award-winning food writers.
“Everyone eats, so to me, food is a topic that can be used to talk to anyone,” Colón said. “You could be sitting in the doctor’s waiting room and connect over food, even if we eat differently. New foods, new restaurants, new information we are learning about the past. Between the present, future and past, it is endlessly fascinating.”
