The Politics of the Plate: How Food Defines Culture, Resilience, and Power
with Anna Voloshyna and Kate Leahy, moderated by Leslie Jonath

Food is far more than sustenance—it is a repository of identity, a marker of history, and a subtle yet potent instrument of power. Join celebrated authors Anna Voloshyna (BUDMO: Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen) and Kate Leahy (Lavash: The Bread That Launched 1,000 Meals) for an engaging conversation on the intricate connections between cuisine and politics.

This dialogue will delve into how food preserves cultural memory and how its manipulation has shaped historical and contemporary conflicts. Anna Voloshyna will share insights from Ukraine, where traditional recipes have become a means of cultural resistance amid war and displacement. Drawing from her work on Armenia’s culinary heritage, Kate Leahy will explore the ways food sustains identity across borders and generations.

Through the lens of their unique perspectives and expertise, Anna and Kate will uncover the broader implications of food as a tool of both preservation and power. Join us for an evening of thoughtful exploration, where the simple act of eating reveals itself as a powerful lens on history, identity, and the resilience of cultures under threat.

About the Food Writers

KATE LEAHY had written or collaborated on more than a dozen books on food and wine, including Italian Wine, Wine Style, Lavash, and Burma Superstar. Her first book, A16 Food + Wine, won the IACP best book of the year and the Julia Child first book award. She co-hosts the podcast Everything Cookbooks. (@kateleahybooks)

ANNA VOLOSHYNA was born and raised in Ukraine and moved to the Bay Area at age 21. She is a culinary storyteller, activist, and author of BUDMO! Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen, her first cookbook which was sent to press a month before the war started in Ukraine. Anna's work has since been featured in top publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Food and Wine. She also has had many speaking engagements and spearheaded multiple fundraisers for Ukrainian causes. Accolades include the IACP Media Award and the Foreword Indies Best Indie Cookbook Award. She completed the Culinary Arts program at SF Cooking School and continues to teach online and in person in the Bay Area. (@annavoloshynacooks)

About the Moderator

LESLIE JONATH is an editorial director, curator, producer and literary agent. She collaborates with creatives -- cooks, chefs, floral designers, artists, and makers -- to craft projects that bring people together. She is the co-founder of Cookbook Fest, a multimedia food festival in Napa for which she curates industry panels, workshops, and live storytelling events. She is the agent/producer of over 100 cookbooks including Italy by Ingredient by Viola Buitoni, Budmo by Anna Voloshyna and The Curated Board by Bebe Carminito. Her own book, Feed Your People: Big-Batch Big-Hearted Recipes to Gather Around, is a book that featured recipes from 65 cookbook authors and chefs for cooking for a crowd. Started as a Kickstarter, Feed Your People became a series of fundraising dinners and panel discussions. She has also curated food events for 18 Reasons, Airbnb, The San Francisco Parks Alliance, The Archery, and The Library Foundation of Los Angeles.

In addition to books about food, she is focused on projects that feature the beauty of nature. Current projects include STILL: the Art of Noticing with photographer Mary Jo Hoffman, Color In and Out of the Garden with writer Lorene Edwards, and Garden Wonderland with landscape designer Leslie Bennett. Leslie lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family and a teeny-tiny Japanese fire truck. (@lesliej)

Cancellation Policy

We reserve the right to cancel at any time and issue a full refund. If you are unable to attend this event, please email [email protected] by Monday, February 17, 2025, to receive a full refund less any non-refundable ticketing fees which may be applicable. All fees must be paid at the time of registration. After Monday, February 17, 2025, no refunds will be issued.