That photo captures just about all the great loves of my life—food, travel, language, history, context… and of course, the husband. 😊 It was taken at Çiya Sofrası in Istanbul, a magical little restaurant run by the legendary Musa Dağdeviren. He’s one of Turkey’s most cherished chefs, known for unearthing ancient culinary traditions and serving them up to locals with heart and heritage on every plate.
I think about food constantly, but what truly fills me up are the stories behind it. I come from a family of spectacular cooks—pots are always oversized, tables are always crowded, and no one ever leaves hungry. When I travel, I’m not chasing monuments—I’m chasing grandmas in aprons, back-alley grills, and dusty handwritten recipes. I count my vacations in meals, not days.
For nearly 20 years, I’ve worked in the food world, and honestly, most days don’t feel like work at all. And when I do take a day “off”? You’ll find me nose-deep in a book or movie, with a slow-simmering goat biryani casting delicious spells through the house.