From the Kitchen to Congress with Dirt Candys Amanda Cohen
\u201cI\u2019ve been incredibly surprised by where my career has taken me,\u201d says Amanda Cohen, chef/owner of the vegetable-focused Dirt Candy restaurant in New York City. \u201cI never would have expected it would take me to Congress.\u201d Earlier this week, Amanda testified before the Small Business Committee of the House of Representatives on behalf of the Independent Restaurant Coalition. Amanda is part of the leadership of the IRC, which is working to get Congress to pass the $120-billion Independent Restaurant Revitalization Fund. We talk to Amanda about her work on behalf of the 500,000 independent restaurants and 11 million restaurant workers in the U.S., as well as the steps she\u2019s taking to keep her own restaurant alive. She also updates us on Lekka Burger, the Tribeca fast-casual spot she\u2019s involved with, her thoughts on food media, and why she\u2019s not moving back to her native Canada any time soon.