Ten Countries in One Hour

"If you want to travel the world, I can show you 10 countries in an hour,” said Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President, to Edible Queens. Born and raised on these vibrant streets, it’s tough to get much more local than Katz. A staunch advocate of heritage, tradition and the public education system, she is raising a family in the same home where she grew up, and her children attend the same public school she attended.

Having earned a law degree from St. John’s University, Katz entered public life after a stint at a prestigious New York firm. She was elected Borough President in 2013, putting her at the forefront of our community— and, of course, making her an ideal candidate for our yearlong This is My Queens campaign. So even though we boast one of the world’s busiest airports—JFK—Katz’s invitation celebrates the world at our doorstep, the global bite just waiting to be discovered.

Of Eastern European descent, the intrepid Borough President had her share of fluffy pierogi and tender halupki as a child, but it was the reliable Oreo that sweetened her walks home from school on most afternoons. A self-described decent home cook, she prefers to prepare meals at home as much as possible.

In 2015, Katz introduced an initiative to revitalize the struggling neighborhood of Jamaica. With Jamaica FEASTS (Jamaica Food Entrepreneurship and Services Training Seminar), Katz reinforces her commitment to food and community. A state-of the-art-culinary powerhouse created in partnership with the New York City Economic Development Fund and based at the Central Library branch of the Queens Public Library, FEASTS is designed to provide vocational training, guidance to budding food entrepreneurs and recreational classes in the culinary arts. Who knows? Perhaps it will also become the birthplace of the next favorite after-school snack.

Melinda Katz
St. John’s University | @stjohnsu
Jamaica FEASTS 
New York City Economic Development Fund
Queens Public Library | @queenslibrary