Greek Meatballs, Whipped Feta & Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja
Greek Meatballs, Whipped Feta & Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja  
Podcast: Chewed UP
Rating: Explicit Published On: Wed Oct 15 2025
Description: Michael Symon goes full Greek mode in this Mediterranean-inspired episode, frying up tender beef keftedes — mini Greek meatballs spiced with coriander, cumin and cinnamon — while his guest, the unstoppable Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja of Shuka and Shukette, whips feta into a silky dream.As they cook, Ayesha shares her incredible story — from getting rejected three times at Lidia Bastianich’s restaurant to sneaking in with a broom and earning her spot as Sous Chef four years later.The crew dives into mentorship, the power of persistence, and why you should never call a sweet-potato purée “hummus.”There’s frying in olive oil, garlic candles, talk of TV Titans and Brooklyn accents — plus plenty of laughs and the now-legendary “Rip and Dip.”It’s a masterclass in flavor and friendship with a side of comedy and chaos — aka classic Chewed Up.👉 Grab the full recipe + more at: www.chewedupshow.com/recipesKeywordsMichael Symon, Ayesha Nurdjaja, Greek meatballs, whipped feta, meze, keftedes, olive oil frying, Food Network Titans, mentorship, Brooklyn chef, Trader Joe’s ingredients, Marble Ridge Farms, Blues Hog BBQ, Frontgate, All-Clad, Hedley & Bennett, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly, Chewed Up podcastTimestamps (YouTube / Spotify)00:00 – Intro chaos & banter01:30 – Michael explains meze and his mom’s Greek roots02:45 – Guest intro: Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja joins the kitchen05:30 – Ayesha shares her wild culinary origin story10:00 – Sponsor shout-outs: Blues Hog, Marble Ridge, Trader Joe’s12:00 – Cooking the beef keftedes (step-by-step)16:00 – Ayesha’s whipped feta recipe and kitchen tips20:00 – The Great Hummus Debate erupts25:00 – Rip & Dip taste test + dill love-fest29:00 – Titan talk & fan giveaway winner (Ally in Austin, TX)🙌 Special Thanks to Our SponsorsBlues Hog → Award-winning BBQ sauces and rubs that bring championship flavor to any dish. blueshog.comMarble Ridge Farms → Fourth-generation Missouri farm raising premium Wagyu cattle in a low-stress, happy environment. marbleridgefarms.comTrader Joe’s → Your friendly neighborhood market for unique seasonal finds and affordable adventures. traderjoes.comFrontgate → Luxury entertaining and home essentials that make every spread look spectacular. frontgate.comAll-Clad → The gold standard of cookware, crafted in the USA since the 1970s. all-clad.comHedley & Bennett → Professional-grade aprons and kitchen gear built for durability, function and style. hedleyandbennett.comKitchen Designed by Anthony Carrino → anthonycarrino.comProduced by Simple Alien → www.simplealien.comCamera, Audio and Crew provided by TV Boy → tvboynyc.comFor more on Ayesha and her restaurants:on instagram → @ayesha_rareShuketteShukaAbout Chewed UpThree lifestyle icons reunite with zero filter, strong opinions, and even stronger flavors. Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall, and Michael Symon serve up comedy, comfort food, and unfiltered conversation three times a week — Monday (Appetizers), Wednesday (Mains), and Friday (Desserts). Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss a bite.Want to Watch?→ Spotify→ YouTubeWant to Listen?→ Spotify→ Apple Podcasts→ Amazon Music→ RedCircleFan GiveawayThis week’s giveaway: Blues Hog Barbecue Sauce Kit👉 Enter for future giveaways at chewedupshow.com/fangiveawayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy