Meet Tal Garden | Founder, CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tal Garden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tal, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in Israel where food is the center of every gathering, and everyone knows how to make at least 2 different meals each from a different ethnicity.

My dad side is Iraqi (lots of rice and Kubeh), my mom is Romanian (Mamaliga, best pickles)  and Tunisian (Kuskus, Frikase…) but she also cooked the best Thai food ever.

 I started my journey with the food industry seven years ago after losing my dad to colon cancer.
As a mom and a daughter, I wanted to do better with my family’s body daily
I grew up enjoying flavors from around the world. Even though my family couldn’t afford culinary luxuries,  our dinner table was always fresh, colorful, and tasty.

One of the few staples on our table was Tahini!

Whether we spread it in our pita bread, dressed it on our Shakshuka or dipped our veggies in it – Tahini made it taste better.  

I founded FUN Sesames because I believe that even the simplest of foods can be enhanced with the right thing, Tahini.

What should our readers know about your business?

FUN Sesames is a local (LA based) women owned healthy food company.

We are bringing to the world the #1 Middle Eastern condiment: Tahini Sauce! 

6 years ago I moved to the US with my husband and 2 yo girl.
After working my entire life in non profits, I found my passion for healthy food and played with the idea of owning my own food start up. A year later I founded a smoothie company, and it came out amazing. Being an immigrant gave me the benefit of not knowing what I don’t know. I used a lot of Chutzpah, and found that people appreciate it when it is authentic.

While pregnant with my third I sold the smoothies company. I found Fun Sesames a bit after my third child (Yair) was born. At that time, I made the decision to practice two basic things on a daily basis with my family and the world – Health and Happiness.

Today I have 3 kids and a two dogs, lots of experience in the healthy food industry and great passion about Tahini.
I believe this is about far more than putting a dip on the shelf- it is about creating and sharing something you know will be fun (and healthy) for everyone.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love hiking with my family, LA has so much to offer within 20 minutes away from almost anywhere,
I love taking friend of out of town to explore both the Pasadena area, and Santa Monica’s beaches- (muscle beach).
One of my favorite hikes is the Switzer falls in Pasadena where you can also find few addible mushrooms to enjoy.
Sunday is the Farmers market day-my local favorite one is West LA- it is small but got everything you need and more. Keeps my fridge for the whole week. All the vendores are local and good friends, highly recomand Nidal’s (Nick) olive oils and dates from Verny farms. You can also enjoy an amazing lunch (freshly made papusas and Empanadas) and a local band show every weekend.
After that we will go to have the best VGN Israeli style food from B’ivrit (@B’ivrit) where my friend Amit makes the best Falafel in her booth @smorgasburgla she called it crispy balls haha .
As a coffee snob I enjoy sitting down in the leaving room environment of the two best coffee places in the west LA area : Upside Down LA and Board House Cafe.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To the dad of my kids, and the most supportive partner to this life. Jeff,

Website: www.funsesames.com

Instagram: funsesames

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/talgardenfunsesames

Facebook: funsesames

Image Credits
Annie Woo
Laurel Talbot