With Portland Fridge, we set out to learn about notable Portlanders through the contents of their refrigerators. To our delight, we discovered that the interviews invariably become much deeper kitchen conversations. Think of a family Thanksgiving and all the stories that time spent in the kitchen together draws out, whether you want it to or not!

By Lola Milholland
Photos by Leah Harb

Storm Large has been a hometown celebrity for years, amassing a loyal following in performances with her band, Storm and the Balls. In 2006, she gained national attention on the reality television show Rock Star: Supernova, where contestants competed to become the lead singer for an all-star rock band. No matter that she was eliminated near the end, Storm showed that television is a medium where she shines.

Storm continues to expand her reach, from music to television to theatre, beginning last year with the lead role in Caberet. Her most recent project is an autobiographical play, Crazy Enough, that will debut at Portland Center Stage in March of 2009.

“Welcome to my fridge. I just finished with a performance, so the cupboards are a little bare. Three nearly identical containers hog the top shelf: soy, rice, and hazelnut milk. My new favorite for coffee: hazelnut milk. I like soy milk but it actually has not been agreeing with me, so I’ve been switching up.”

What in here do you eat for breakfast?

“I start the morning by making my own apple, ginger, and kale juice. It’s goooood.”

Storm pulls out ingredients to make herself a “lazy, quickie snack.” She offers to cook some for me as well, while she pours soy-ginger broth into a small pot and turns on the heat. Waiting on the counter are bean thread noodles and organic frozen peas.