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
Olive oil tasting with Marisa Bloch Gaytan of Pasolivo Olive Oil, Paso Robles
Gardening (and free popcorn) with Miner’s Ace Hardware president Paul Filice, Arroyo Grande
Quick pickling with Andrea Wasko and Meaghan Gilbert, Los Osos
“Nature-positive” winemaking with Matt Trevisan at Linne Calodo Winery, Paso Robles
Peasant’s Feast and Peasant’s Deli chef/owners Michael and Sarah Cherney, Solvang
Bonus episode: Chris Lambert of Your Own Backyard talks creativity
Bonus episode: CONSUMED Live x At Her Table | Mothers in the Hospitality Industry
Healing from eating disorders with Sara Garofalo, Love Holistic Living in SLO
Growing winemaking wings with Janie Willheim, Lumina Wines in Paso Robles
A life in produce with Andrea Chavez of Talley Farms Fresh Harvest, Arroyo Grande
Going Rhône with Vicki Carroll, Hospice du Rhône, Paso Robles
Soupgangsta and Little Red Hen Bread, aka Stephanie Nye and Kirsten Finberg
Employing former inmates in the kitchen with Sister Theresa Harpin of Restorative Partners and The Bridge Cafe in SLO
Taking tea time with Kirstin Sherritt of The Secret Garden in SLO
What is good service? A chat with Giuseppe’s SLO server Chloe Lane
Food writing, gumbo, and big transitions with Sara Roahen in SLO
High cuisine and high praise with Chef Rachel Haggstrom at JUSTIN Winery in Paso Robles
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Bread, bikes, and community with Sam DeNicola and Matt Gamarra of Bread Bike, SLO
Talking trash with Peter Cron of SLO County Integrated Waste Management Authority, SLO
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