An inspiring conversation with Chef Nadia Deljou of Delle Dining on preserving culture through the sounds, smells, and tastes of Persian food and music.
Background - raised in an Iranian-American family with a father being of Jewish faith. Family and extended family were involved in art, creation, and food with family at the foreground of everyting. Nadia has been able to identify with her culture in a multi-faceted way.
Nadia’s approach and mission: To develop greater meaning for self (feeling empowered by culture, confident, and dominant - “wearing my Iranian-ness as loud as I can”), and then package it and expose it to the world in both a traditional and non-traditional way.
Deljou - interpretation and meaning of Nadia’s chosen family name (chosen by father’s side of the family): someone who is always in search of the goodness in others
The Farsi word “Del” - an extension of who she is; two references - the heart and the stomach, heart, stomach, and soul
Nadia also has a background in music! With concentration in independent music
The cross-over and communality among cultures
Food etiquette (like a dance)
Nadia is involved in many facets of integrated Persian cuisine and culture:
Dining events - pairing food with music for an overall immersive experience
“Food is so much more than food”
Nadia’s candles - a tangible product that evokes place, culture and flavor through scent. An interactive quality including aroma (taste/smell) and music to create a mood and feeling
The intuition of cooking -
“Cooking is primitive and so much easier than what people think”
Using fire at the end of the day is very primitive
Where to find Nadia
Website: Delle
Instagram handle: @delledining
All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes
Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food!
Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio
Modern Additions to a Traditional Persian Breakfast
Spring Herbs in Persian Cuisine
Extra Sweet Nowruz with ZoZo Baking
BONUS Episode - We’re going to the Taste Awards!
Uncorking Persian Wine with Maysara
Healthy Persian Cooking Techniques
Yalda 2023; Creating Identity through Traditions New and Old
Fall Flavors for a Persian-Inspired Thanksgiving
Preserving Herbs For Persian Cooking With Ginain
Adventures in Persian Torshi Pickling
Diving into the Aromatic World of Persian Jams
A Journey into the Persian Harvest Festival: Mehregan
Exploring Mirza Ghasemi
A Walkthrough of Ghormeh Sabzi with Jian Ghomeshi
Back to Basics: Unlocking the Secrets of Persian Rice
Unlocking the Secrets of Persian Cooking: Pantry Essentials
Sharing Culture through Food: A food journey from Iran to Italy with Author Saghar Setareh
Traditional Meets Modern: Discovering Iranian-American Cuisine
Savoring the Flavors of Iran with Chef and Author Nasim Alikhani of Sofreh
Navigating Identity through the Art of Persian Cooking, A Conversation with Author Homa Dashtaki
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