Meet Maryah Ananda, a model and freelance culinary artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Learn about her favorite dish to make in the winter, how intention plays a role in the work she does, and so much more.
For those who may not know you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and where you grew up?
I’m half Laotian and half from Guadeloupe. I grew up in South Florida always by the beach, eating fruit and dishes that my Southeast Asian grandparents made.
What’s your current role?
I’m a model and freelance culinary artist based in Brooklyn, NY.
On a typical Sunday, we can find you…
Cuddling with my cat Lint, drinking soba tea, playing Stardew Valley, and cooking up a cozy stew.
Can you share your earliest memories of cooking and take us through the aspects of the ritual that resonated with you the most?
My earliest memories of cooking was with my SE Asian grandparents. They would make delicious lemongrass soup with fish. For a snack we would have boiled eggs with soy sauce and sticky rice. I remember eating that a lot in between meals - it’s a nice childhood memory.
How does intention play a role in the work you do today?
Intention plays a role throughout the entire process of my work. Whether it’s social media content creation or a dining experience, it’s important to think those elements through with care for most impact.
As the seasons change, so does the food we make. What’s your favorite dish at the moment that you’d make for a friend?
I love making soups and stews as the weather gets cold. It’s warm, low fuss and high flavor. I get curry paste from a Thai market near me, and I love to make a flavorful stew with stock, the paste and lots of veg. Let it simmer for at least an hour and serve with rice. It’s delicious!
What’s a scent that instantly makes you feel at home?
Freshly cooked sticky rice, lime, salt and fish sauce.
In the new year, what’s one thing you’re letting go of, and one thing that you’re welcoming in?
One thing I’m letting go of is not listening to my intuition and how I really feel. One thing I’m inviting in is creating the habit to meditate every day. I feel in flow and clear headed when I meditate so I want to prioritize that and focus on building a routine around it. With that being said, we’ve seen in the past few years that life is so fragile so I want to tap into my true feelings and be confident in following them.
Who have you been listening to lately? (This can include music and/or podcasts!)
I love anime so I’ve been listening to some sound tracks from shows I like. I’ve also been listening to lots of New Jeans, Jay Shetty Podcast and Beach House.
When you think of Sunday Edition, what’s one word that comes to mind?
Thoughtful
*All images are by Lindsay Fondo
