Sonya Sanford is a writer and chef based out of Portland, OR. Born in Seattle to Ukrainian-immigrant parents, Sonya spent her early professional life working in the film industry in Los Angeles before pivoting to a career as a chef and moving back to the Pacific Northwest to open her Jewish restaurant, Beetroot Market & Deli. Specializing in Ukrainian and Soviet food, Jewish diasporic food, and Pacific Northwest seasonal cooking, she is a regular contributor to The Nosher, and her writing has been featured in Eater, Block Party, and Tablet Magazine. She recently published her debut cookbook: "Braids: Recipes From My Pacific Northwest Jewish Kitchen," and you can find more of her work at www.sonyasanford.com and follow her on Instagram @sonyamichellesanford.