logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
48m 32s

How Do We Host The Best Holiday Dinner P...

Sony Music Entertainment / Jonathan Van Ness
About this episode

This year we’re thankful for you, curious people! It’s the holiday season - a time for office parties, family get-togethers, and friendsgivings. To help us figure out how to make the most scrumptious spread and host the best holiday party with unbeatable vibes, we’re bringing in chef extraordinaire, Sohla El-Waylly! We’re talking turduckens, mac ‘n cheese, hot toddies…are your mouths watering yet? Plus - Sohla’s favorite holiday memories!


Sohla El Waylly is a culinary innovator and passionate food educator known for her vibrant approach to cooking and her ability to bridge cultural flavors with creativity. With a background in both restaurant kitchens and digital media, Sohla has captivated audiences through her engaging videos and thoughtful recipes, emphasizing the joy and accessibility of diverse cuisines. A former line cook turned culinary star, she champions the idea that food is not just sustenance but a powerful medium for connection and expression. Whether sharing her latest culinary adventures or advocating for inclusivity in the food industry, Sohla inspires home cooks everywhere to embrace their own culinary journeys with enthusiasm and curiosity.


You can follow Sohla El-Waylly on Instagram @sohlae and on TikTok @sohlae


Follow us on Instagram @CuriousWithJVN to join the conversation. Jonathan is on Instagram @JVN.


Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com.


Find books from Getting Curious guests at bookshop.org/shop/curiouswithjvn.


Our senior producers are Chris McClure. Our engineer is Nathanael McClure. Production support from Julie Carrillo, Anne Currie, and Chad Hall.


Our theme music is “Freak” by QUIÑ; for more, head to TheQuinCat.com.


Curious about bringing your brand to life on the show? Email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Aug 20
Are They a Walking Red Flag? Case Kenny on Maturity, Relationships, and Self Worth
JVN sat down with Case Kenny, host of the podcast New Mindset, Who Dis?, to talk all things dating, relationships, self-worth, and confidence. Together, they dive into the surprising power of language, how the words we use shape our lives, and what it really takes to build health ... Show More
48m 27s
Aug 18
Same-Sex Marriage Rights, JVN’s Gilded Age Finale Breakdown, 3I/ATLAS
Check out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn This week on The Monday Edit: Kim Davis Lore, Same-Sex Marriage Rights, our comprehensive breakdown of the Season 3 Finale of Gilded Age, 3I/ATLAS, T ... Show More
35m 53s
Aug 13
How to Overcome Burnout and Find Joy at Work
Ever feel like you’re counting down the minutes to Friday? You’re not alone—but it doesn’t have to be that way! This week, JVN is joined by Bree Groff: workplace transformation expert and sought-after consultant for companies like Google, Microsoft, and Calvin Klein. Bree offers ... Show More
50m 33s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
Leen Al Zaben | Building a Real Arab Culinary Community
Vanessa Zuabi interviews Leen Al Zaben in this one in two Matbakh special, recorded live on stage at What The Food by alserkal in Dubai. They discuss Leen's unexpected journey into the food industry, which began 15 years ago as a food blog and evolved into a full-blown career. Th ... Show More
29m 39s
Feb 2025
A Pasta Passion Kneading to Get Out at Figulina
In this engaging episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, host Max Trujillo interviews Chef David Ellis of Figulina, a newly nominated James Beard Award contender for Best New Restaurant in America. Chef Ellis shares his journey from Stoke-on-Trent, England, throu ... Show More
54m 24s
Apr 2025
Food is Political | Fadi Kattan
Join us as we welcome renowned chef Fadi Kattan to Tarwida, diving deep into his rich family heritage and unique culinary journey. Fadi shares fascinating stories of his upbringing, the profound influence of his Teta’s kitchen, and his commitment to celebrating Palestinian cuisin ... Show More
53m 35s
Jul 18
Exploring Omani & Zanzibari Food With Chef & Cookbook Author Dina Macki
In this episode of Matbakh, we're joined by Dina Macki, author of cookbook "Bahari: Recipes From an Omani Kitchen and Beyond," who shares insights into the unique flavors and culinary traditions of Omani and Zanzibari cuisines. Dina discusses her cultural heritage and diverse upb ... Show More
49m 23s
Oct 2024
Food Network Star Sunny Anderson Always Has Cookies On Tap
Katie talks with her Food Network co-host of The Kitchen, Sunny Anderson. They reminisce about their audition for the hit series, in which they had to give a how-to on making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The two share more hilarious and heartfelt memories on the show, incl ... Show More
40m 20s
Nov 2024
Learning The Traditions of Food from Elder Women with Chef Jeff Weiss
Rooted in a background as an Olympic-level skater, Chef Jeff Weiss (one of the key chefs behind Dr. Mindy's new book, Eat Like a Girl) highlights the importance of health and nutrition, especially for women. Chef Jeff explores the mentor-driven path through culinary training, hig ... Show More
58m 44s
Sep 2024
Getting Cultural Appropriation in Food right, and how to learn instead of steal from traditional cooking methods with Mallika Basu
Mallika Basu is one of my absolute favourite people in food. Not only is she hilarious, she’s a writer, commentator and board adviser in food, drink and hospitality with two published cookbooks (Miss Masala: Real Indian Cooking for Busy Living and Masala: Indian Cooking for Moder ... Show More
47m 5s
Aug 2022
Bahraini Cuisine | Tala Bashmi
Tala Bashmi talked about her culinary approaches at Fusions and her chosen single ingredient: Mehyawa.Born in Bahrain, Tala Bashmi is making a name for herself as one of the most promising stars of the culinary world. The MBC Top Chef finalist and winner of MENA’s Best Female Che ... Show More
51m 41s
Jun 12
Today Show Culinary Producers, Katie Stilo and Krissy Downey, Reveal All the Secrets of Today Food and the Show’s New Cookbook, Today Loves Food
Katie talks with the Coordinating Culinary Producer, Katie Stilo, and Assistant Culinary Producer, Krissy Downey, about how all the magic happens behind the scenes at Today Food.From the most difficult celebrity chef to work with, to horror stories like cutting into raw meatloaf, ... Show More
45m 30s
Oct 2022
Yotam Ottolenghi & Noor Murad and creamy pasta with chard & lemon
Nick and Angela welcome culinary greatness to DISH HQ. It’s fair to say that this chef, restaurateur and author has transformed the way the world prepares and shares food. Yotam Ottolenghi creates a feast for the eyes (that INSTA grid) and a feast for our tables too. His cuisine ... Show More
36m 22s