Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC) include the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park/Mid-Wilshire, and the William S. Hart Museum in Newhall. It protects and shares more than 35 million specimens and artifacts, the largest natural and cultural history collection in the western United States. But it also explores the nature and culture that surrounds us today, both in L.A. and the world.
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Cake and Art owner Tom Rosa recalls the rush for cupcakes the day gay marriage was legalized in California and of the hundreds of cakes baked for same-sex "commitment ceremonies" decades before.
Asim Bharwani, co-founder of Paratta, alongside his wife Zara, and two brothers-in-law, Saroosh and Khizar, developed their Desi food truck to share their culture, cuisine and creativity with the L.A. community.
Amir Edward is bringing the flavors and rustic taste of Egyptian aish baladi (Egyptian flatbread) to L.A. — with help from his grandmother.
At Liberation Coffee House in Hollywood, the sweet smell of almond flour fills the air and woos customers from the community into the welcoming space. While serving biscotti, coffee, plus other pastries, the café also opens doors for those in the community looking for a home, jobs or other opportunities.
Nickel Diner is well-known in their community for their Sunday morning biscuits with a side of sweet strawberry jam. Co-owners Monica May and Kristen Trattner discuss how their biscuits transcend cultures and capture the taste of grandmotherly love.
Ali Huynh, a second-generation baker at Kien Giang Bakery in Echo Park, discusses the blended cultural history of bánh mì rolls, his family's journey to Los Angeles and how the bánh mì roll crosses cultural boundaries.
Roji Bakery has served the Mid-Wilshire neighborhood for the past 20 years, serving up warm, fluffy Japanese shokupan (milk bread) and other baked goods. Owner Mizuki Shin talks about the yudane technique that makes milk loaf unique and reminisces on her memories eating shokupan as a child in Japan.
In this video, Jennie Fou Lee of DK's Donuts talks about how their family-run store has become a community staple and how their doughnuts hold memories for the community they serve.
La Monarca manager Magaly Avila talks about how she developed her skills as a baker, her pride in helping to create concha-centered memories in L.A. and the important work that La Monarca does to support conservation efforts of monarch butterflies.
David Yeretsian of Sasoun Bakery shares the story of how he came to open up his bakery, the connection he feels to his community and how lahmajune is Armenian comfort food.
Zhengyalov Hatz is an incredible Armenian flatbread made with community effort, one that continues today at a restaurant in Glendale of the same name.
Karen Hirsch of Apron Strings Community Bake Shop in Pasadena shares the power of bread-making memories and how she aims to be a "community grandma" — offering a first lump of dough to roll, shape and bake.