A Table For Two

02/10/2024

Why Stories Work: John Yorke’s "Into the Woods"

In this video essay, we dive into John Yorke's groundbreaking book, Into the Woods, to explore why stories resonate so deeply with us.

In this video essay, we dive into John Yorke's groundbreaking book, Into the Woods, to explore why stories resonate so deeply with us. Yorke argues that the ...

14/08/2024

Exciting Updates from A Table For Two! 🎥✨

I’m thrilled to share some big news with you!

A New Chapter Begins 📽️
We’re evolving, and so is our focus! A Table For Two is now a full-fledged production house specializing in:

• Documentaries 🎞️: Captivating films that bring real-life events to the screen.
• Non-Fiction Narratives 🖋️: Stories that span various mediums and capture the essence of reality.
• Branded Content 📢: Authentic storytelling that aligns with your brand’s message.
• Podcasts 🎧: Exploring diverse themes and offering a unique listening experience.

Our talented team provides comprehensive production services to ensure every project is crafted with care and precision:
• Pre-production 🎬: Consulting, fundraising, and impact strategy.
• Production 🎥: Filming and directing.
• Post-production 🎛️: Editing, sound design, and coloring.

Our original content dives into character-based stories in the worlds of food, music, and sports. For client work, we’re open to exploring subjects beyond these themes. Got a project in mind? Let’s connect! 📩 DM us for more information

Fresh Look, Filmmaking Commitment ✨
To celebrate our growth, we’ve redesigned our logo to better reflect our creative journey and our dedication to filmmaking and storytelling.

16/07/2024

NEW PODCAST RELEASE

In this new episode, .abousamra has the great pleasure to welcome ultra-runner Dana Matar .runsultras – Co-Founder & Director of , Dubai, UAE.

50 km, with some 2,000 m ascent, in the beautiful natural reserve of Arz Barouk. On paper, the race organized by , it looked doable—a big stretch, but not impossible. Though I had many afterthoughts, the training process was underway, with its ups and downs. Then, race day arrived.

At the beginning, I stayed at the back of the pack. It was way too early for me, and cold. I trotted along, walking up the hills, trying to warm up and wake up. Walking lent itself to engaging with fellow runners. So, in the early hours, I met Dana Matar. She started telling me about her life as an ultra-runner. I didn’t know who she was, but as we passed other runners, everyone greeted her, asking her how she was. Then, at the first aid station, as I turned around, she was gone, never to be seen again. She ended up winning the race.

After a very difficult 8 hours and 49 minutes, I finally crossed the finish line, still wondering why I got myself into this race. Happy, or more precisely relieved. At the award ceremony, I saw Dana again, all smiles and satisfied with her performance. The idea to interview her came at that moment. Why would someone go through such experiences and make a living out of it? This was going to be a fascinating conversation.

From childhood up to my early thirties, my life revolved around sports as a professional and athlete. For instance, I participated in World Championships in snowboarding and windsurfing. So, to include the subject of sports in the Table For Two podcast comes naturally. Athletes are fascinating examples of how purpose becomes life.

Listen to the podcast: link in the bio

Enjoy the conversation.

A big thank you to and her team for the race organization.

14/05/2024

NEW PODCAST RELEASE
In this new episode, .abousamra has the great pleasure to welcome Ursula Bittner , economic expert at and founder of Saubere Hände - Stoppt Korruption .

Listen to the podcast: link in the bio

Greenwashing is everywhere. Companies will do all they can to show their products in the best light, even if it means lying to the consumer, or to put it mildly distorting the reality. Consumers are defenseless in such situation. As Ursula Bittner mentions it, the shopper in the supermarket isle has no idea if the product purchased is really “natural” or produced while protecting the environment. An economic expert at Greenpeace CEE and founder of Saubere Hände (Clean Hands) to fight corruption in Austria, Bittner knows a few things about this issue.

It was a great pleasure to talk to her about greenwashing, lobbying and also corruption. Her experience is invaluable as she is at the frontline of this battle to counteract the behaviors of the large food companies and conglomerates. Checks and balances are at the heart of our democracies, and the role of Civil Society becomes even more important in a time where the means of the large companies have become so vast.

As always, it is fascinating to discover why she embarked on a life in Civil Society, which for her started at an early age.

Enjoy the conversation.

06/05/2024

RIP
Bernard Pivot spent his life transmitting the pleasure of reading and the importance of culture. From the iconic television show “Apostrophes” to “Bouillon de Culture”, he was a mainstay of French TV for decades. He definitely helped the way we approach literature.

On every podcasts, we always finish with the Pivot Questionaire, as a nod and hommage to him. Thank You.

30/04/2024

NEW PODCAST RELEASE
In this new episode, .abousamra welcomes
Have a great listening.

Listen to the podcast: link in the bio

In a world where food uniformity and standardization seem ubiquitous, what is the role of food culture? Why care where our cuisine and recipes come from? In this new podcast, I have the privilege to talk to Anissa Helou, one of the world references on Levantine, Mediterranean and Islamic food. For her “Food is Culture”. And one imply the other.

When Food is viewed as Culture, it becomes social, environmental, and geographical, it’s take on a whole different meaning. It’s an expression of the place and the people it originates from. It is deeply ingrained in who we are—part of our roots. It is no wonder that some dishes from our childhood resonate with us. They stand for “comfort” food.

In our conversation, we spoke about how she got into food, and the importance of food cultures. Anissa Helou’s experience and knowledge are so vast, that it is a real privilege to listen to her.

23/04/2024

NEW PODCAST RELEASE
In this new episode, .abousamra welcomes , founder of .

There is something striking about Channa Galhenage. In a good sense. He is the man behind Loustic Café, part of the first wave of specialty coffee shops in Paris. Though he was not predestined to work in hospitality, he found his place right into it. Warm, witty, and welcoming, he makes people feel comfortable from the moment you meet him. He says that he is in the “entertainment business”. So that makes him a natural-born entertainer.

The first time we spoke was during the pandemic. That was a difficult time for people in hospitality. The second time was last year, coming out of the pandemic, taking stock of where he was and the importance of his work—a cure to loneliness. Now, he is embarking on a new journey. He sold the café, keeping the name, and will open a wine bar.

So, it is befitting to welcome him as the first guest of the rebranded podcast (One on One is now called, simply, A Table For Two). I was wondering why he took such a decision, what motivated him. Since he has embarked on his journey in the hospitality industry, he has had an idea of the role he wants to play. In this new phase, his purpose is getting refined, and is more in tune with his aspirations.

In our conversation, he talks about the reasons behind the decision, the impact of his just-completed travel around the world, and much more. His journey fits very well the tagline of the podcast: when purpose becomes life.

Have a great listening.

Listen to the podcast: link in the bio

16/04/2024

PODCAST RELEASE
In this new episode, .abousamra welcomes , founder of , co-founder of , and , and trustee of and .

Podcast: Link in the bio

Some trips change lives. For Gemma Bell, it was Palestine in 2016. It altered her views and helped her start initiatives to fight off inequalities and injustices. She co-founded Cook for Syria, Cook for Palestine, and Cook for Iran. Discovering the food of these countries allows people to get connected to and understand these cultures and the plights of its people.

But, this process would not be possible without people like Gemma Bell, her co-founders, and the people involved in these initiatives. Through their devotion and dedication, they build bridges. In Western countries, it’s hard to understand how life can be under occupation, authoritarian regimes, or the threat of war. So, the start of the awareness process is to get a glimpse of what life can be there. And, as Gemma mentioned in our conversation, the people in Palestine, Iran, Syria or beyond, will know that they have not been forgotten.

Often, injustices and inequalities do not happen far away. Sometimes, it’s just around the corner. The homeless, or the disenfranchised may be invisible to our eyes, but they are there. The food banks of the Covid pandemic still exist, though they are not headline news anymore.

When we become indifferent, we start to lose our humanity. Having passioned and devoted people like Gemma Bell and the people involved in the different initiatives is so important to remind us that we can make a difference.

People and organization mentioned in the podcast:







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12/03/2024

Deny. Doubt. Lie.

Agrofood companies that want to keep on selling their harmful products often use the “Tobacco Industry Playbook” which is simply: Deny, Doubt, Lie.

First, deny. “Ultra-processed foods do not cause health issues like cancer, obesity, diabetes” is a variation of other industries’ denials: “fossil fuel emissions do not cause global warming,” or “smoking does not cause cancer.” These statements are repeated vehemently, relentlessly, with a sense of obfuscation.

Indeed, who are we to argue against these household-name companies? But scientists can.

Read the full article: link in the bio

08/03/2024

Happy International Woman’s Day to all the wonderful, trailblazing women I had the privilege to interview on the different podcasts. And there are many more who are making this a better world to live in.

06/03/2024

NEW PODCAST EPISODE
In today’s episode, .abousamra welcomes Sarah Betcher - Documentary Filmmaker, Owner Farthest North Films and .

ABOUT SARAH
Sarah Betcher is a documentary filmmaker that specializes in showcasing indigenous knowledge and ways of life and also helps bridge communication with western scientists and local indigenous communities and Elders participating in collaborative projects. She has been producing films across Alaska in some of the most remote locations on earth for the last decade. Sarah has produced over 80 films and are available to view online, various TV networks, Hawaiian Airlines, and international and state museums including American Museum of Natural History, British Museum, Carrie M. McLain Memorial Museum, Anchorage Museum and Museum of the North. Sarah owns Farthest North Films and Wisdom Keeper Media and she provides services such as directing, filming, scripting, editing, narration writing and recording in English and other languages, captioning, dubbing, research and co-writing grants.

Podcast: Link in the bio

11/01/2024

‪Cop28 has come and gone. It was hailed as historic and a failure at the same time. How can people disagree so much?‬

‪If you suffer from extreme weather, study the climate, or are an activist fighting against polluting industries, then you are deceived with the outcome. On the opposite end, if you are a fossil fuel producer or part of the agro-industrial complex, you have every reason to find the outcome satisfactory, even historical: you ensured your future profits.‬

‪Continue reading the op-ed: link in bio‬

‪ ‬

09/01/2024

A big thank you 🙏 to all the guests and the fascinating conversations 🎙we had in 2023.
We covered some much ground: gastronomy, artisanal wine, food system, food security, food sovereignty, climate change, climate crisis, wellness, food waste, change, and so much more.
All the podcasts are available on the website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more.

Links in the bio

07/11/2023

Changing Wine Consumer Perception: Sarah Trubnick’s Uphill Battle

For Episode #58 of One on One, .abousamra has the great pleasure to welcome Sarah Trubnick Wine Director and Co-founder The Barrel Room , San Francisco, USA.

Listen to the Podcast: Link in bio

ABOUT SARAH
Sarah holds a Master of Science in Applied Physics (UCLA), the WSET Diploma, and is a Certified Specialist of Wine. Sarah also operates Northeast Wine Company (NH), teaches for multiple wine schools, including Commonwealth Wine School, and is renowned for her award-winning wine lists, recognized by World of Fine Wine, Sommeliers Choice Awards and Wine Spectator. Sarah is also deeply passionate about the effects of climate change on the wine industry and wine regions, and the world of alternative packaging.

Podcast Key Points:
# # Sarah Trubnick's Journey to Challenge Wine Norms: A discussion of Sarah's mission to redefine wine perceptions.
# # Sustainability and Supporting Local Vineyards: Exploring the importance of embracing local wines for a sustainable future.
# # Eco-Friendly Wine Packaging and Alternative Norms: Insights into alternative wine packaging and eco-friendly practices.
# # Perseverance in Changing Belief Systems: The long-term challenge of transforming consumer wine perceptions.
# # Curiosity and Passion as Catalysts for Change: The role of curiosity and passion in inspiring shifts in wine industry norms.




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20/09/2023

🎷🌟 Curious about the person behind the Jazz tunes? Ever wondered what fuels their love for music, especially Jazz?

Join us for a relaxed and special evening on Friday, September 29th, at IRIS Domain , as we explore the human side of Jazz with the talented Jazz guitarist, Joe Aouad , in conversation with podcast host Antoine Abou-Samra .abousamra. 🎸✨

Find out what kick-started Joe's musical journey, why Jazz has a special place in his heart, and the diverse influences that have colored his melodies, from traditional Jazz to captivating oriental rhythms. 🌍🎵

🕢 The program starts promptly at 7:30pm.
A delightful wine selection and à la carte dinner will be available to make the evening even cozier. 🍷🍴

📞 Reserve your seats now on 78 900 879 to secure your spot in this relaxed, intimate Jazz conversation! 🎟️🎷

🌆🎙️🍷

15/09/2023

For your listening pleasure this weekend!

For Episode #57 of One on One, .abousamra has the great pleasure to welcome Douglas McMaster Chef and Founder and , UK.

🎙️ Tune in to our eye-opening podcast episode with Chef Douglas McMaster. Explore the world of sustainable gastronomy and witness the magic of zero-waste dining at Silo London. Chef McMaster's dedication to reducing food waste will inspire you to make mindful choices in your culinary adventures. Listen now and be part of the eco-conscious food revolution! 🌿🍽️

Listen to the Podcast: Link in bio
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