Saghar Setareh

Background

About Saghar Setareh

I’m a food writer and photographer working at the intersection of food and culture. My writing has appeared in publications such as Condé Nast Traveller, National Geographic, and Corriere della Sera, which in 2020 named me one of the “50 Women of Food” in Italy. As a photographer, I’ve worked on editorial and commercial projects for clients including Thames & Hudson, Murdoch Books, Rizzoli International, and Pellicano Hotels Group. My debut cookbook, Pomegranates & Artichokes, was published internationally in 2023. I am represented by A.M. Heath Literary Agency in London. Alongside my published work, I design and lead culinary tours, cooking classes, and cross-cultural events in Rome and across Italy. I teach Food Visual Merchandising in the Design program at the Università degli Studi di Perugia, and I have given lectures and public talks on food, identity, and migration at institutions such as the Auburn University Italy Center, John Felice Rome Center (Loyola University Chicago), the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo (UNISG), and the Ri.MED Scientific Symposium. I recently began an executive master’s in food innovation to expand my practice into the areas of strategy, systems thinking and future-oriented approaches to food and culture. These developments build on my role as a local expert in Rome’s evolving food scene, particularly in exploring how foodways help us understand the intersection of identity, culture and politics. I’m currently open to roles and collaborations in: • Food and lifestyle photography • Food & culture writing – articles, recipes and cookbooks • Speaking engagements and academic teaching in food culture, photography and visual communication • Creative direction, brand strategy and consulting in food, travel and hospitality • Culinary events, guest cooking and immersive food experiences