During and post pandemic, over 90,000 restaurants closed. On today’s episode Stephen chats with Reem Assil, chef and owner operator of Reem's California. Reem talks about her restaurant surviving the pandemic when so many shuttered, the fragility of the restaurant sector and the labor force, the ways people have been over-extended pre-covid and how Reem strives for employment equity through her restaurants. Reem Assil is a multiple award-winning Palestinian-Syrian speaker & chef based in Oakland, CA working at the intersection of food, community, and social justice. With food as a tool, Reem uses Arab hospitality to build strong, resilient community.  Learn more about Reem at www.reem-assil.com Follow us and watch clips of this episode on IG and YouTube @whetstonemedia. Learn more about Whetstone Media at whetstonemagazine.com Produced by Whetstone Radio Collective