For Oleana chef and owner, Ana Sortun, serving up great flavors begins with excellent food. She's a firm believer in the "farm-to-table" practice, growing organic ingredients for Oleana at Siena Farms with her husband, Chris Kurth. Sortun calls the growing interest her customers have in where their food comes from, "an amazing change for good."
By Margarita Martinez | Thursday, October 11, 2012 0 comments.
Chef Cassie Kyriakides Piuma and Margarita (Patricia Alvarado/WGBH)
There are so many amazing restaurants and different neighborhoods in Cambridge that it is no wonder we returned for more inspiration. Just as Muqueca is a bit off of the beaten track, so is our last restaurant of the season: Oleana. Located on a quiet street in the neighborhood, just a ten-minute walk from the Central Square T-stop, Oleana is a haven for great dining inspired by the flavors of the Middle East and Mediterranean. Read More
Cacik is a seasoned dish of diluted yogurt that is very popular in the countries that made up the Ottoman Empire. The name translates to "everything green." Read More
Massachusetts native Cassie Kyriakides Piuma graduated with honors from Johnson & Wales University. She spent her last semester studying in Asia. While pursuing her culinary degree, she worked at Al Forno, a highly acclaimed restaurant in Providence, RI. After graduation she moved back to Boston where she worked in several notable kitchens including Sel de la Terre, Gourmet Caterers and The Butcher Shop.
After reading about Oleana in a magazine, Piuma dragged her mother through a blizzard in high heels to eat there. ("Can't we get pizza?" her poor mom begged. The answer was "No.") After dinner, Piuma went home and crafted a letter to Oleana's chef and owner, Ana Sortun, about her experience. "I just wanted to share with her how excited I was by the meal. I was mesmerized by her use of spice and her interpretation of colors and shapes." Read More
About Neighborhood Kitchens
Building on a 34-year history of producing Latino and multicultural programming, WGBH’s award winning La Plaza team has a new offering — Neighborhood Kitchens, a series about the exploration of culture through food. Every week the show offers a unique window into immigrant communities in New England.
Saturdays at 4pm and Sundays at 6:30pm on WGBH 2
Fridays at 7:30pm on WGBH 44
About the Author
Margarita Martinez Margarita grew up in the Bronx and Ossining, NY with a Puerto Rican father and a Franco-American mother. From making her first empanada as a teenager visiting Argentina to her lifelong search for authentic Mexican food in the Northeast, Margarita has always had an insatiable appetite for Latin American food. Margarita is also passionate about acting and music. She graduated from Tisch School of the Arts at NYU with a BFA in Drama.
On the Go
In each episode, host Margarita Martínez visits a different ethnic restaurant and learns three delicious recipes from the chef. She also explores the restaurant’s neighborhood, discovering hidden gems along the way. Join her as she learns about new ingredients, new cultures, and new neighborhoods. ¡Hasta pronto!