This week, Catherine chats with cookbook author and food writer Anna Ansari, whose new book Silk Roads explores the rich, interconnected cuisines stretching from East Asia to the Middle East.

Anna’s path to food writing wasn’t exactly linear—she started as an international trade and customs attorney in New York before moving to the UK and finding her way into recipe testing, food writing, and ultimately cookbook authorship. In this conversation, she shares how her background in law, her Iranian-American identity, and her global perspective all shaped the book.

Together, Catherine and Anna unpack the idea of the “Silk Roads”—not as one single route, but as a vast network of trade, migration, and cultural exchange that still influences how we cook and eat today.

They also get into:

• What the Silk Roads actually are (and why the plural matters)
• Growing up between cultures—and how that shows up in the kitchen
• Why curiosity matters more than getting it “right” when exploring new cuisines
• The unexpected entry points into Central Asian and Middle Eastern cooking
• How markets can unlock a deeper understanding of food and culture
• The recipes to start with (including a simple, crowd-pleasing Uzbek plov)

Plus, Anna shares her go-to strategies for sparking creativity in the kitchen—and calming the chaos when life (or dinner) feels overwhelming.

Whether you’re a cookbook collector, a curious home cook, or someone who’s ever felt intimidated by unfamiliar ingredients, this episode is an invitation to dig in with curiosity, playfulness, and zero pressure to be perfect.

Catherinesmart.com

Tune in to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

In this episode, Nina Gallant pulls back the curtain on the world of food photography: what actually goes into building a shot, how creative careers evolve, and what it takes to turn artistic work into a sustainable business.

balancing creativity with the demands of running a business, building community, and making work that people actually want to pay you for.

We also talk about:

• What a food photographer actually does (beyond taking beautiful pictures)
• How lighting shapes emotion—and why “photography is light”
• The art of building a visual world around food
• How trends (Instagram, digital media) have changed food photography
• The reality of creative careers—and how Nina made hers financially sustainable
• Practical advice for creatives trying to make the leap

Plus, Nina shares how she sparks creativity (in and out of the kitchen) and the small rituals that help her calm the chaos.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into the images in cookbooks and magazines—or how to build a creative life that actually works—this one’s for you.

Sign up for the Not From Concentrate newsletter. Follow the Not From Concentrate podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Connect with Nina Gallant:

Nina Gallant’s website

Nina’s Instagram

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

In this week’s episode, Catherine chats with Ashley Moore, food stylist and senior editor at America’s Test Kitchen, about building a creative career with ADHD—and why the way your brain works might actually be your biggest advantage.

Ashley takes us behind the scenes of life at ATK, from fast-paced photo shoots to the precision and organization required to make every recipe (and image) just right. She shares how she found her way into food media, including early experiences working alongside chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay, and what it really takes to stay in the industry long-term.

They also get into the realities of home cooking—what dinner actually looks like with kids, why weeknight meals can feel so hard (even for professionals), and the small, practical tricks that make it easier.

Plus, Ashley opens up about living and working with ADHD: the challenges, the unexpected strengths, and the moments when it becomes a true superpower.

In this episode, we cover:

• What it’s really like working at America’s Test Kitchen
• Food styling tips you can use at home
• Career paths in food media (and how to find your lane)
• ADHD in creative work and the kitchen
• The reality of feeding a family during the week

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👉 Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen

Connect with Ashley Moore

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleypwmoore/
America’s Test Kitchen: https://www.americastestkitchen.com/

Not From Concentrate team

Catherine Smart — Host / Executive Producer
Kevin O’Connell — Audio & Video Production
Allie Miller — Associate Producer

Want to learn how to bake bread—and build a creative career that actually works?

Catherine sits down with Martin Sorge, winner of The Great American Baking Show, author of the Great Bakes Substack, and upcoming cookbook author, to talk about baking, business, and making a smart career pivot.

Martin shares how he went from working in public policy and economic development to becoming a nationally recognized baker, and why baking became his creative outlet (and sanity saver) along the way.

In this episode:

• How to start baking bread (even if you’re a total beginner)
• The easiest bread recipe to try first (no-knead, minimal equipment)
• Why a kitchen scale is the only tool you really need
• How to overcome fear of baking (yes, including yeast)
• What “Midwestern baking” actually means
• The real financials of food writing, Substack, and cookbooks
• How to treat a creative pursuit like a business

This is a practical, honest conversation about building something meaningful—whether that’s a loaf of bread or a second career.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

Everyone should have a Sheryl.

In this episode, Catherine sits down with Sheryl Julian, former food editor at The Boston Globe, legendary teacher, and the mentor who helped shape her career in food writing.

Sheryl shares what it was like to transform food media over her 30-year career—and why writing, home cooking, and mentorship still matter more than ever.

In this episode:

• How to become a better writer (and why most people don’t practice enough)
• What great editing actually looks like
• How to mentor (and give feedback) without shutting people down
• The evolution of food media—and what’s been lost
• Why fewer people are cooking at home
• How to cook smarter: batch cooking, leftovers, and real-life dinners
• Sheryl’s philosophy on recipes: simple, practical, and repeatable

You’ll also hear:

• Writing exercises to help you find your voice
• Practical kitchen organization tips
• Hosting advice (including why you should repeat the same dishes)
• Stories about working alongside Julia Child

This is a conversation about getting better—at writing, at cooking, and at paying attention to the world around you.

Sign up for the Not From Concentrate newsletter. Follow the Not From Concentrate podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

Intimidated by the cheese counter? You’re not alone.

Catherine sits down with Tenaya Darlington—aka Madame Fromage, cheese expert, author, and educator—to break down how to shop for, serve, and actually enjoy great cheese (without overthinking it).

From building a better cheese board to pairing cheese with everything from martinis to tea, this episode is your crash course in becoming a confident, curious cheese eater.

In this episode:

• How to build a simple, impressive cheese board (without rules overwhelm)
• What to ask a cheesemonger (and how to shop with confidence)
• The 3-cheese formula: comfort, conversation, and something local
• A beginner’s guide to different milks (cow, sheep, goat)
• Why some people think they “don’t like” goat or blue cheese
• How to find your personal “cheese style”

You’ll also learn:

• Unexpected cheese pairings (dirty martinis, tea, prosecco)
• How to explore cheese through travel and local farms
• Why cheese is one of the easiest ways to spark creativity in the kitchen
• And yes, why cheese can absolutely be dinner

Whether you’re a full-on curd nerd or just trying to level up your next dinner party, this episode will leave you inspired (and probably craving cheese).

Follow Tenaya Darlington:

• Instagram: @mmefromage
• Website: madamefromage.net
• Book: Adventures in Cheese

Subscribe for recipes, essays, and more:
catherinesmart.com

If you loved this episode, share it with a cheese-loving, busy-brained friend.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

Terrified of baking? Overwhelmed in the kitchen? Same.

Catherine sits down with Rebecca Eisenberg, creator of The Practical Kitchen and author of the forthcoming forthcoming “Small-Batch Breads” cookbook to talk about baking, ADHD, and building systems that actually work for your brain.

Rebecca shares how she went from digital media to running a full-time food platform, and how learning the foundations of baking (not just recipes) completely changed her confidence in the kitchen.

In this episode:

• How to start baking bread (even if you’re intimidated)
• The 3 core baking methods that unlock most recipes
• Why baking feels chaotic—and how to make it predictable
• ADHD-friendly kitchen organization tips that actually work
• How to prioritize when everything feels important
• The “one thing at a time” mindset that reduces overwhelm

You’ll also learn:

• How Rebecca built The Practical Kitchen into a full-time business
• Her system for consistent social media without burnout
• Why small-batch baking is a game-changer for real life
• What it’s actually like to write a cookbook

This is a conversation about confidence, systems, and making the kitchen work for you—not against you.

Follow Rebecca Eisenberg:

• Instagram: @the.practical.kitchen
• Website: thepracticalkitchen.com
• Cookbook: Small-Batch Breads (out August 2026)

Subscribe for recipes, essays, and more:
catherinesmart.com

If you loved this episode, share it with a fellow busy-brained cook.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer

Dreaming about writing a cookbook—or building a creative career that actually works?

Catherine sits down with literary agent Sally Ekus of the Ekus Group to talk about what it really takes to land a book deal, navigate food media, and advocate for yourself in creative work.

Sally grew up in the world of culinary publishing (her mom founded the Ekus Group), and today she represents nonfiction authors across food and beyond. But more than that, she’s a connector, a mentor, and one of the most generous knowledge-sharers in the industry.

In this episode:

• How to find a literary agent (and what agents are actually looking for)
• What makes a strong book proposal—and why it matters
• The biggest mistakes first-time authors make
• How to approach negotiation (even if you hate it)
• Why “write not rushed” is the key to a better book deal
• How to think about your creative career long-term

You’ll also hear:

• How improv (“yes, and”) can change how you work and make decisions
• Sally’s approach to mentorship, networking, and sharing knowledge
• The realities of today’s food media landscape (and how to stand out)
• How to prioritize when you feel pulled in a million directions

This is a conversation about writing, cooking, and building a career with intention—whether or not a cookbook is in your future.

Resources & Links:

• Sally’s Substack: Not So Secret Agent
• Everything Cookbooks podcast

Subscribe for recipes, essays, and more:
catherinesmart.substack.com

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone dreaming about their next creative step.

Not From Concentrate team:

Catherine Smart, Host/Executive Producer

Kevin O’Connell, Audio and Video Production

Allie Miller, Associate Producer