When artist and food illustrator Anna Takahashi was young, her doctors discovered she suffered from a kidney condition called nephrotic syndrome. By way of treatment, Anna had to basically abstain from salt for one year. In her hospital bed, and throughout that year, she drew images of the foods she craved: snacks, pasta, pizza, etc. In the process, she fell in love with food illustration, and today, that is her bread and (salted) butter, so to speak. Anna and I have worked on multiple projects together, like when I edited Edible San Luis Obispo Magazine and hired her to do illustrations, when she designed the packaging for Etto Pasta and I wrote the copy, and when the two of us dreamt up a wacky wallpaper and textile pattern that pays homage to the city of San Luis Obispo. (Look in the show notes to discover how you can get your hands on that hot little commodity.) I was really lucky to talk with Anna in person, because she leads a very international life, with hubs in Japan, where her family lives, California, where she spent much of her adult life, and Italy, where her husband is from. We chatted about her travels, creative inspiration, and more in the dining room on the second floor of Mee Heng Low noodle house in historic San Luis Obispo Chinatown.
Website: annatakahashi.com
Instagram: @anna_eats_colors
SLO Toile: wallpaper and home goods for purchase
Vailia From, winemaker and owner, Desparada Wines, Paso Robles
Brigit Binns, cookbook author, teacher and owner, Refugio Paso Robles
Bill and Barbara Spencer, farmers, Windrose Farm, Paso Robles
Dan Berkeland, baker and owner, Backporch Bakery, SLO and Atascadero
Damian Camacho, server at Novo Restaurant, SLO
Emilie Goldstein, chef, Trumpet Vine Catering, and gastric bypass alum, Atascadero
James Ontiveros, vigneron, Ranchos de Ontiveros, Santa Maria
Jenna Congdon, sommelier, consultant and wine rep, SLO
Feben Teffera, pop-up restaurateur, Ebony, SLO
Jensen Lorenzen, chef and owner, Larder Meat Co, SLO
Trailer: CONSUMED with Jaime Lewis
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