The LA Food Podcast 150th episode mailbag: Peer-pressured meals, LA food media blindspots & what we’d do as mayor. Plus Katie Parla on Rome, Italian food, and why to avoid Eataly.
Oct 31, 2025
Katie Parla, an acclaimed author and Italian food expert, dives into the world of Roman cuisine and her latest book, sparking a lively discussion about Italian culinary trends. She shares her insights on the evolution of LA’s Italian food scene, emphasizing chefs like Evan Funke. Parla also critiques Eataly, warning about its blend of artisan and industrial brands. The conversation touches on Roman dishes, food media experimentation, and suggestions for authentic Italian products, making for a deliciously informative chat.
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Katie Parla Lived In LA During Covid
- Katie Parla joined from Monteverde Vecchio in Rome and described living between Rome and LA, including an extended LA stay during the pandemic.
- She used the time to write, explore LA's food scene, and launch projects like Mayday fish delivery.
Rome Book Is A Deep Culinary History
- Katie framed her new book Rome as a combined culinary history, cookbook, and field guide with deep archival research.
- She intentionally included long historical sections to contextualize modern Roman food culture.
Bakeries Once Served As City Kitchens
- Katie shared baker and forno stories: bakeries once doubled as community ovens and cooked for trattorie and neighbors as recently as 25–40 years ago.
- She described Roscioli shoveling charcoal into a basement oven decades ago before gas conversions.
