Tastemade

I’m Stephanie Izard, and today I’m meeting the chefs who walked away from the Michelin-star grind to find their soul again. 🧑‍🍳✨ We’re leaving the industrial kitchens behind to find the best flavors in LA—located in backyards, breweries, and street-side popups.
I’m joining my friend Chef Elena Vega (owner of Huichol 22) to meet Robert Lee, a former fine-dining chef who now finds his "emotional movement" through street food. 🍜 Robert is teaching me the art of the Biang-Biang (slap) noodle—where the dough is literally smashed and slapped against the table to activate the gluten and create that perfect, chewy texture. 💥
In this episode:
The Backyard Mariscos: I visit Elena Vega’s home for a Nayarit-style seafood feast. We’re grilling whole fish "Zarandeado" style and making Campechanas with a vinegary secret hot sauce from Mexico. 🦐🇲🇽
The British-Canto Mashup: We head to Benny Boy Brewing to meet Kitty Lam of Dai Pie Dong. She’s fusing her British upbringing with her Cantonese roots to make "Mapo Tofu Pies" and a "Xinjiang Shepherd’s Pie" with cumin-spiced lamb. 🥧🥟
The Slap Noodle Master: Robert Lee shows us why street food takes just as much technique as fine dining. We’re tasting his "battery zap" Sichuan beef and a comforting tomato-and-egg noodle inspired by his mom. 👅⚡
Leaving the security of a restaurant is scary, but seeing the joy and passion in these chefs proves that sometimes, the best food is found right on the street.
Are you brave enough to try the "battery zap" peppercorn? Let me know in the comments! 👇

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I’m Stephanie Izard, and today I’m going deep into the LA underground to find the "Secret Pizza" club. 🤫 We’re ditching the fancy Italian restaurants to find the pioneers who are making award-winning pies in tiny apartments, mobile vans, and even hip-hop cinnamon roll shops.
I’m teaming up with my guide, Sean Lango, the mastermind behind Secret Pizza. He started by leaving pizzas on a stool outside his apartment until his building manager almost evicted him! Now, he’s showing me the hidden world of LA’s best "limited drops." 📦🍕
In this episode:
• The Apartment Legend: Sean Lango teaches me how to stretch the perfect "New Haven style" dough and reveals why his Sicilian thick crust is the best in the city. 🏙️
• The "Alicia Keys" Roll: We head to All About the Cinnamon, a hip-hop-themed popup run by Lindsay Sears. She shows us her "secret menu" item: a one-of-a-kind pizza cinnamon roll stuffed with marinara and mozzarella. 💃🥨
• The Sidewalk Drop: We meet Tim Stanton of Timmy’s Pizza (named after his cat!). He brings us a Chicago Tavern-style thin crust right to the street corner, topped with fresh piped ricotta and honey. 🍯🐈
• The 420-Pizza Van: We finish in a park with Jason Winters of Speak Cheezy. He built a full artisanal kitchen inside a van using zip ties and cement! We’re making a "Tie Dye" burrata pie and a Detroit-style "Truffle Shuffle" with a crispy cheese fricot crust. 🚐🔥
If you're only eating at places with a sign on the door, you're missing out on the best slices in LA.
Would you buy pizza from a van in the park? Let me know your favorite "secret" spot in the comments! 👇

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