Friend of Graza: Jen Arsenault
The Potluck founder on the recipes that bring back a sense of nostalgia, where she finds joy outside of work, and the cheeseburger creation she recently made with Potluck!
Q: How would you describe yourself?
J: I’m a Korean-American founder, home cook and writer when inspiration hits, and most recently a new mom!
Q: Finish this sentence, cooking for me is….
J: …a gift to myself and the people I love.
Q: Take us through the founding of your brand Potluck, what inspired you to start the brand, what’s behind the name, what is your hope for the brand?
J: My mom grew up on a farm in Korea and I grew up eating Korean food every day. Our family was small–just the two of us–and her family would occasionally ship over handmade ingredients from home. As an adult, I’d go to grocery stores here and wonder why our options were filled with preservatives and added sugars. That disconnect nudged me into building better, more natural options.
Potluck is made in small batches using traditional methods that haven’t changed in almost 1,000 years. At its best, a potluck is a gathering–of ingredients, of plates, of people–that creates a more unique and flavorful whole. A traditional Korean meal is a bit like that too: side dishes or banchan scattered around the plate, everyone reaching to mix and match their ideal meal. That’s the spirit behind the brand: a sense of spontaneity and playfulness, the desire to connect, and an appreciation for everyone meeting at the table.
Q: What’s something we can always find in your pantry?
J: Barley tea, toasted sesame oil, and a backup jar of ssamjang.
Q: Growing up eating Korean foods and recipes, is there a recipe that always brings you back to your roots and or you like to share with others in adulthood?
J: Doenjang-jjigae, a soybean-based stew with tofu, zucchini, and potato. It’s my forever comfort meal.
Q: Outside of Potluck, what are your favorite ways to recharge or find joy?
J: A bath a day, a morning cup of coffee, and spending time with my family.
Q: Any words of wisdom, quotes, or mottos you live by?
J: All good things take time. Good relationships, businesses, design–anything worthwhile takes a minute to come together.
Q: Something unexpected you recently topped with Potluck?
J: On a cheeseburger! It tasted just like Korean barbecue.
Q: Are you more of a Drizzler, Sizzler, or Frizzler?
J: Sizzler for sure! I appreciate the utility and flavor profile.
Q: What’s on the horizon for you?
J: New products, more writing. I’m working on pieces around my transition to motherhood, and always ideating on how to grow Potluck and make my home a little cozier.
