One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Top Chef Masters: An Interview with Susan Feniger
Susan Feniger (Elise Thompson/LAist)
Susan Feniger (Elise Thompson/LAist)
Susan Feniger of Susan Feniger's Street will be competing for title of Top Chef Master during season two. We took this opportunity to check in with LA's most cheerful chef (and to try to finagle some Kaya Toast).
Who did you have the most fun working with?
Honestly, all the people I had the chance to work with were down to earth, open and great to hang with…getting to know new people and see old friends…that was a great part of this experience.
Who did you feel would be your biggest competition going into the competition? Everyone, including myself!!!! Just isn’t typically my style to compete. I'm a team player, love to be a part of a team, so this whole thing was scary!!!!!!
Do you have a cooking weakness (pie dough, butchering, Russian food, etc)? For sure pastries….as so many of the chefs! But also, in my career, I like to think about things, try them, test, retest, tweak…that is definitely NOT what this is about...but it’s all part of the experience, and for sure a learning one!!! (about myself!)
What is the best part of being on Top Chef Masters?
Being part of Top Chef Masters is an amazing opportunity to raise money for my favorite charity, Scleroderma Research Foundation. Though I am a much more collaborative chef than a competitive one, doing the show for a great cause drives my efforts.
What made you choose that charity?
I have been on the board of the Scleroderma Research Foundation for 25 years. My very close friend from college, Sharon Monsky, was diagnosed with this disease about then. She asked me to come onto the board when she began this foundation that was focused on cutting edge medical research. She had always been someone I respected, a mind that was amazing and someone I trusted with anything and everything. I have been on the board ever since she asked me…do an event called cool comedy hot cuisine twice a year where we raise close to a million for medical research! Sharon passed away about 6 years ago, but I consider this fight a fight I’m willing to fight till we find a cure. Sharon was and is an inspiration to me…That is one of the many reasons I chose the Scleroderma Research Foundation.
Sponsored message
Is it against the rules to ask if you win?
You’ll have to watch what happens April 7th!
May I have some Kaya Toast now please?
ANYTIME………….. love this dish…
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
