Writers Bloc and The Skirball Present
Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper, Owners of Russ & Daughters
With Food Maven Phil Rosenthal
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
7:30pm
The Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90049
General Admission Ticket: $20
General Admission Ticket With Book,
Russ & Daughters: 100 Years of Appetizing: $55
A perfect pre-Hanukkah program!
Do you know the difference between an appetizing shop and a deli? The quick answer: appetizing deals in fish and dairy, while a deli specializes in meats. And the best spot for appetizing on the planet? Russ & Daughters. Obviously.
For many New Yorkers who have fled New York for greener pastures, (like Southern California!), their first destination after landing back in New York is Russ & Daughters.
Join Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper, the fourth generation owners of the legendary appetizing joint, Russ & Daughters, in conversation with beloved food maven, Phil Rosenthal.
They will discuss Niki’s and Josh’s beautiful new book, Russ & Daughters: 100 years of Appetizing. This is not just a beautiful cookbook. It also serves as a mirror into the history, tradition, and culture of an iconic gathering place in New York.
Over the course of a century, Russ & Daughters has fed hundreds of thousands of customers in four locations throughout New York City, including its original lower east side location. Now, finally, Russ & Daughters brings its world-famous institution into our homes. Its rich history is told through anecdotes from the family and characters on both sides of the counter; illuminating guides to its most famed offerings—smoked salmon, sable, sturgeon, herring, and caviar; and more than 100 recipes for favorite foods like latkes, matzo ball soup, babka, and bagels, among many others.
Niki Russ Federman is the fourth-generation co-owner of Russ & Daughters. Together with her cousin, Josh, she has grown Russ & Daughters into what it is today, while preserving its cultural and culinary legacy. Russ Federman has been featured in The Sturgeon Queens, the award-winning documentary about Russ & Daughters; television shows such as Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations; and publications including The New York Times, The New Yorker, Food & Wine, Zagat, Vogue, and W Magazine. She was inducted into the Manhattan Jewish Hall of Fame and has an encyclopedic entry in the Jewish Women’s Archive.
Josh Russ Tupper is the fourth-generation co-owner of Russ & Daughters. He has been featured in media outlets such as NPR, Food Network, The Travel Channel, Forbes, The Cut, Kinfolk, Lucky Peach, The New Yorker, and Vogue. He is also one of the subjects of documentary The Sturgeon Queens. Called “the Babka Baron” by The New York Times, Josh has been honored by the Museum of Food and Drink for his contributions to NYC food culture.
When award-winning creator/writer/actor/producer Phil Rosenthal is in New York, he might very well ask that somebody feed Phil a meal from Russ & Daughters. Phil created the hit sitcom, Everybody Loves Raymond. He is also the creator and host of the beloved Netflix show, Somebody Feed Phil, dedicated to international food culture, now in its eighth season. In addition to collecting Emmy awards and nominations, he won a Peabody for his acclaimed 9/11 telethon, A Tribute to Heroes. In his spare time, he’s the author of Somebody Feed Phil The Book, and an upcoming cookbook, Phil’s Favorites. Los Angeles residents are very much looking forward to Phil’s natural next step: his own diner, called Max and Helen’s, set to open soon on Larchmont.
Limited parking onsite. Please allow time to find parking.
Did you know that you can make a fully tax-deductible donation?
As a nonprofit organization, Writers Bloc Presents relies on support from people like you. Help us to remain a strong community as we continue to celebrate literature by authors we love, and explore critical contemporary issues. Please donate here.
Other info:
No refunds or exchanges on tickets.