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# Maria Sharapova: Latkes & Sour Cream
- URL: https://www.cascadepbs.org/podcasts/your-last-meal/2021/02/maria-sharapova-latkes-sour-cream/
- Published: 2021-02-04T13:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-05T19:52:18.000Z
- Description: Want to be the best tennis player in the world? Start playing when you're four years old! That's what Maria Sharapova did and after five career Grand Slams, an Olympic medal and an impressive 28 years of playing, she retired last year. But Maria is still working -- she's CEO of Sugarpova, her very
- Author: Rachel Belle
- Tags: Your Last Meal, #podcast, #delete-this-tag, #dovetail_d0acbf8f-1894-46b3-ba03-ee1f39871281

Want to be the best tennis player in the world? Start playing when you're four years old! That's what Maria Sharapova did and after five career Grand Slams, an Olympic medal and an impressive 28 years of playing, she retired last year. But Maria is still working -- she's CEO of [Sugarpova](https://sugarpova.com/?ref=cascadepbs.org), her very own candy company, inspired by her love of collecting sweet treats when she traveled the world playing tennis.

Maria was born in Russia and her happiest childhood memories are eating pelmeni and honey cake in her grandmother's kitchen. So Bonnie Morales, chef/owner of [Kachka](https://www.kachkapdx.com/?ref=cascadepbs.org) in Portland, Oregon, joins the show to talk about why she was inspired to open a modern Russian restaurant. Turns out, Maria, Bonnie and host [Rachel Belle](http://www.hellorachelbelle.com/?ref=cascadepbs.org) share an undying love for one the world's most under appreciated condiments (that's what we call a tease!).

And Jewish linguist and professor [Sarah Bunin Benor](http://huc.edu/directory/sarah-bunin-benor?ref=cascadepbs.org) explains why we might pronounce hummus, challah and latke differently depending on who we're talking to.

Follow 'Your Last Meal' and host Rachel Belle on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hellorachelbelle/?hl=en&ref=cascadepbs.org)!

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