Who Am I?

Hi there!

An Iranian-American, I am a former New York international trade and customs attorney living in London, writing about food. My background is in Asian studies, with a BA in Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures from Columbia University, and a MA in East Asian Studies from Yale University.

Nowadays, I like to write about the intersection of food, family and history, with special attention to the immigrant experience as well to foods of the Asian continent, and am particularly interested in the ways food—flavor, ingredients, dishes—move across borders, carried in the memories and pockets of travelers and transplants.

Carrying that concept forward, my forthcoming book, “The Silk Roads: Recipes from Baku to Beijing,” will be published by DK in 2025, and, in 2024, was shortlisted for the prestigious Jane Grigson Trust Award for New Food and Drink Writers. In 2021, the kernel of the idea that would become my book was shortlisted for the Yan-Kit So Award for Food Writers on Asia. I am represented by Emma Bal at the Madeline Milburn Literary Agency.

What is this all about?

Every month, I will travel—via my desk, computer and kitchen— to a new country where I will investigate and write about a so-called “national dish.” Typically, this means I will provider readers with an informative, entertaining and transporting read….and usually a recipe too! You can travel with me. It’ll be interesting, fun and delicious— I promise.

I’m interested in exploring lesser-known locales, histories, traditions and dishes, but through a multi-dimensional lens that takes into consideration history, politics and sociology, and does so in a respectful, sensitive manner that honors the cultural, national and culinary. There will be no cultural appropriation here, nor any claims of ownership or authenticity. I want only to explore, travel, investigate, learn and share with integrity, respect and enthusiasm. Good intentions aren’t always enough, though, so please call me out if I fuck up.

In addition to a monthly deep-dive, you can expect a biweekly ditty about something (or a few somethings) or another. Maybe it’ll be about a cookbook I’ve been using, a piece of kitchen equipment I’m loving (or hating), or just random thoughts (e.g., when I’ve really been into mushroom hunting and have a few things to say about it, or when my kid will only eat broccoli and plain pasta and how that makes me feel, etc.)

So….Where in the World is Anna Ansari?!

I’ll tell you where: in your inbox if you’ll have me!

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