This week on Out of Office: A Travel Podcast, Kiernan talks to writer Anissa Helou about her book “Feast: Food of the Islamic World.” “Feast” is uniquely compelling for the culturally curious: it’s a travelogue, cookbook, and memoir in one volume. Anissa talks about her research trips across Muslim-majority countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia—plus the best place to get falafel in London. 

Anissa Helou is a food writer, journalist, broadcaster and blogger. Born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon, and Mashta el-Helou, Syria, she knows the Mediterranean as only a well-travelled native can. Ms. Helou is the author of numerous award-winning cookbooks including The Fifth Quarter, An Offal Cookbook; Modern Mezze; Savory Baking from the Mediterranean; Mediterranean Street Food; Café Morocco; and Lebanese Cuisine, which was a finalist for the prestigious Andre Simon awards and chosen as one of the Los Angeles Times’ favourite books.

Things we talked about in today’s podcast:

  • http://www.anissas.com/
  • https://www.instagram.com/anissahelou/
  • https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062363039/feast/
  • https://www.alwaharestaurant.com/
  • http://www.alinelebanesekitchen.com/