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
Nancy Ulloa, winemaker and owner, Ulloa Cellars, Paso Robles, California
Full of Life Flatbread, Clark Staub, chef and restaurateur, Los Alamos
Mike Gin and Andrew Gin, authors, ”The Mee Heng Low Gin Family Cookbook,” San Luis Obispo
Penni Monroe and Morgan Monroe, owners, Hush Harbor Bakery, Atascadero
Travis Watson, chef, Hotel Californian, Santa Barbara
Susan Feniger and Liz Lachman, celebrity chef and filmmaker, Los Angeles
Abe and Courtney Stevens, distillers and owners, Humboldt Distillery, Fortuna
Zachary Ahrenholtz, chef, Golden Gate Saloon & Holbrooke Hotel, Grass Valley
Ashley Chaney, food podcaster, ”Dear Food,” Los Angeles
Nicky Giusto, baker and miller, Central Milling, Petaluma
Gina + Mikey Giugni, winemakers, Lady of the Sunshine + Scar of the Sea Wines and Cider, Pismo Beach
Justin Trabue, winemaker and activist, Lumen Wines, Santa Maria
Simonne Mitchelson, winemaker and activist, Los Olivos
Jerime Ford, pitmaster, San Luis Obispo
Dylan Jones, Executive Director, One Cool Earth, Santa Maria
Anita Sahi, owner, Copia Vineyards & Winery, Paso Robles
Mara The Helper, entrepreneur, influencer and helper, Tokyo
Marbue Marke, winemaker and consultant, Napa Valley
Raymond Smith, winemaker and owner, Indigené Cellars, Paso Robles
Shanté Norwood, baker and owner, Té’Stees Cupcakes, Lompoc
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