Episode 3: “Southern Food, Family, and the Stories We Carry” — Featuring Sadaya “Daisy” Lewis

In this episode of Off The Menu, we sit down with Sadaya “Daisy” Lewis, chef and owner of Modern Southern Table, to explore how soul food is more than just a hearty dish—it’s a rich narrative of Black culture, family traditions, and Southern heritage.

Daisy shares her journey from cooking for dormmates at The Ohio State University to winning Food Network’s Food Court Wars, and eventually opening her restaurant in Columbus’s Budd Dairy Food Hall. We delve into how her dishes, rooted in family recipes and Southern classics like Geechee red rice and Alabama fried chicken, serve as a love letter to her upbringing and community.

Join us as we discuss the significance of soul food in preserving cultural identity, the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, and the power of food to connect us to our roots—and to each other.

Coming January 2026