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About Umami

The Umami Podcast explores our gastronomical selves — the choices we make every day about what we consume. Our name comes from the unique and rich flavor, umami — the essence of the show, which we share through deep discussions with passionate producers, purveyors and educators about the food of our time.

This podcast insisted itself into existence through the passion of Elise Ballard in Seattle, Washington. Born and raised on Utah farmland, Elise has a lifelong fascination with foodways: the gathering, raising, preparing, eating and sharing of it throughout history. This podcast is a way to share what she learns. 

The Umami Podcast is brought to you by TNE Network: producers of The Next Episode Podcast.

Elise Ballard

Creatrix & Host

Our host Elise Ballard is a writer and producer who works at the intersection of food, culture, and technology. For her, Umami is the culmination of a decade studying and writing about food.
 
Seattle is her home, where you can find her shopping at a farmers market, dining at an independent restaurant, picking fruit off a random tree in the neighborhood with her partner Jeff.

elise at umami seattle dot com

 

Chris Pfeifle

Co-host

Jared Britt, Sound Engineer

Jared Britt

Jared is our show’s resident sound guy. He co-hosts The Next Episode Podcast with Chris and produces additional shows as TNE Network. Jared is a passionate rock musician and the best dad around. You can find him attending concerts and building things around his MCM home in Seattle. 

Producer & Sound Engineer

Jeff Fernald

Collaborator

Jeff has been instrumental in bringing the concepts in Umami Podcast to fruition. He is partner of Elise Ballard and lives with her in Seattle, where Umami Podcast ideas are a constant source of conversation 

Jeff fernald.jpg
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