What a Restaurant Owner Keeps in Her Fridge: Ashleigh Parsons of LA’s Alma

Ashleigh Parsons is the co-owner and creative director of Alma, a restaurant in downtown Los Angeles that stands out by blending in — or rather, by blending its surroundings into the food. The menu is inspired by “the landscape and terroir of Southern California,” designed to change around in-season produce and the best of what’s available from local and regional producers.

Not only does Parsons and Alma co-owner Ari Taymor make constant trips to farmers market, they pull from the restaurant’s own garden in Venice, LA, too.

As for her fridge at home? I promise you — it’s just as good.

1. Evian Spray: “It’s actually a running joke with us at Alma. I buy them in six-packs on Amazon. Frances, our sous chef, had the idea of putting them in the fridge so that it’s a cold mist on your face, so we spray it on our faces and at each other to cool down because the kitchen gets so hot.”

2. Kombucha: “I’m a big fan for the probiotics. I’ve dabbled in all different brands but Better Booch is my favorite — and it’s LA-based. The Goodnight Rose-flavored ones have a really strong black tea component.”

3. Turmeric: “I have Celiac disease, so I have a lot of allergies. Turmeric has been really helpful for me in terms of digestion and also dealing with rashes from the Celiac. This turmeric and lemon is from our neighbor, Naturewell. I would eventually like to make the turmeric at my house. Future goal…”

4. Wine! “I always keep a bottle in my fridge in case I’m invited to a dinner party or want to have friends over for a glass. This is from Donkey and Goat. They’re an urban winery in Berkeley, CA.”

5. Araucana Blue Eggs: “They’re from my favorite egg man at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market. The ones in my fridge are soft boiled eggs for snacking in the morning or the afternoon. They stay soft inside when you refrigerate them — it’s called the ‘seven minute egg.'”

6. Mini Apples: “These just came in from Laura at JJ’s; she’s at all of the farmers markets. I went there to get avocados, which she is known for, and I asked if they had anything they were excited about — it was these sweet and crunchy apples. The Arugula is from Kenter Canyon Farms.”

7. Figs: “These are special figs called candy stripe figs. How amazing is California produce?”

8. Fresh Smoked Trout with Herbs from Cookbook: “I like to snack on this. I work 14-16 hour days — a lot of my time is spent at Alma — so a lot of what’s in my fridge is on-the-go kind of stuff. But this I will throw on a salad, eat it with eggs, make a niçoise.”

9. Big Ice Cubes: “Definitely for ice water, but also for cocktails with friends because big ice cubes are the best ones. I tend to do more citrus-based drinks with tequila or gin.”

Cheers.

Images by Lauren Levinger of The Food Life. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, too!

Follow Ashleigh Parsons on Instagram and Alma Restaurant on Instagram and Twitter.

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