In this episode, Manal shares with me (and you!) how the entire experience of cooking inspires her, has changed her life, and continues to motivate her to push herself to new heights. She also shares wisdom around being a mom and not falling into the trap of thinking you need to do it all.

Once I started cooking more regularly and upping my culinary game I noticed that more and more people with similar interests began orbiting my universe, and me theirs. And this was definitely the case with the guest on this episode.

It's been 11 years since Gabbie and I lived together as roommates and almost 8 years since we've lived in the same country, yet she's one of the first people I turn to when I need a non-judgemental listening ear and let it all out.

I had the pleasure of chatting with New York-based, Ghanaian writer and creative consultant Natasha Nyanin about her tried and true Senegalese Yassa Chicken. Natasha elevates cooking, hosting, and designing her tables to an art form. It's not just about eating to sustain yourself, one should embrace all of the sensory pleasures that come with a beautiful and delicious meal.

Journaliste, fondatrice de l'agence de rédaction PLUME et animatrice du podcast Manger, Laurianne Melierre m'a rejoint dans ma petite Parisian cuisine pour enregistrer ce bel épisode.

Nous avons parlé de tout... de l’identité française aux “food projects” dans lesquels Laurianne s’est lancée pendant le confinement de l’année dernière (comme cuisiner un pigeon qui me laisse toujours bouche-bée!)

London-based journalist, podcast host, and IRL friend Hattie Crisell joined me on this episode where we cooked pancakes and talked about gaining confidence in the kitchen, the therapeutic elements of cooking solo during a pandemic, our policy on wearing a bold lipstick color on a date and so so much more.

I skipped town during the fall of 2020 and made my way down to Aix-en-Provence. I assumed I would have a great time, but I didn’t expect a transformation (of sorts)

Dating pre-pandemic was hard enough. Can we imagine what that experience will be like as we post-confinement? There are so many conversations about what the “new normal” resembles for work, school, family dynamics, etc. But I haven’t seen or read much about how the “new normal” around dating may look.

There was a sense of invincibility around the little bubble that I created for myself in Paris. The world that I built and nurtured seemed so safe and secure—it felt impenetrable. I was living my own version of a 21st-century modern woman post-divorce dream. It was easy to live in this dream world because I had my friends, my job, my hobbies, and my Paris. What I lost at the end of my marriage—companionship—I found in other parts of my life. And then suddenly, overnight, they were all gone.

Imagine never allowing yourself to enjoy the fleeting sweet moments of life? Tristesse absolue

Cet épisode est tout en français. J’ai décidé de faire cet épisode en français parce que pour moi, la fait de parler français et de m’exprime dans la langue de mon pays adoptée avec confiance, et des moins d'erreurs possible, représente une étape naturelle dans ma vie à Paris, ma vie en France.

Even when Paris is bad, it’s never that bad. I noticed that even on my lowest days－when I feel like staying here has been a big mistake, that my life is one big joke and a series of unfortunate events－something keeps me going. Something unique to Paris. 

For a long time, it was difficult for me to articulate what that ‘Paris factor’ was. It isn’t necessary satisfaction or joy－both feel too simple and overdone－it was deeper. It influences my feeling of satisfaction and heightens my joy; it is pleasure.