Slutty Cooking

An Exclusive Q&A with Our Newest Culinary Obsession

Maddy Rotman X SluttyCooking.

In the vast expanse of Instagram, my algorithm never fails to inundate my feed with visuals of beautiful food styling studios, culinary artists, and table set designers. Each of these posts becomes a source of inspiration, carefully saved for that potential moment when I find myself hosting a dinner in the cities where the creative minds behind these accounts reside.

Last fall, the stars aligned, providing me with the perfect excuse to connect with one of my top culinary crushes – Mia H. from @sluttycooking. After a chat about her gastronomic venture, we decided to collaborate on a dinner we were hosting in Los Angeles.

WTC: Given the numerous culinary projects you’ve been involved with and your Instagram success, it’s surprising to learn that Slutty Cooking was born only a couple of years ago. How did it all begin?

Mia: It began as a diaristic documentation of the cooking I was doing in quarantine, mostly a way of tracking my progress. I was testing recipes, feeding friends and family, and in the process, I was adopted into a supportive online community of like-minded home cooks and bakers. We’ve all sort of grown together–it’s been such a gift.

WTC: I love the name! It adds a playful and flirtatious touch to your work. Would you say this reflects your creative process?

M:

”I definitely try to bring whimsy and romance to the projects I take on and also the meals I make for myself everyday.” 

WTC: Tell us more about the storytelling behind your work?

Mia: I’ve taken a lot of inspiration from my cultural upbringing, watching my grandparents and parents cook. It’s a privilege to participate in the tradition of making a dish that my family has been cooking for generations. Naturally, the sensibilities I’ve acquired growing up in southern California also come into play – notably pre-code Hollywood styling, the colors and textures of my favorite paintings, and the clothing I see on my daily walks around LA.

WTC: You see food function as a “binding agent that brings you closer to your familial roots.” How has your cultural upbringing influenced your work?

Mia: I spent most of my time outside of school in the kitchen with my mom growing up. When I’d make trips back to Lebanon and Morocco to visit family, I watched my grandmothers, both born hosts, open their doors to family, friends, and strangers alike.

WTC: Which one would you say is your star recipe?

Mia: I don’t necessarily have a star recipe, but I tend towards Lebanese dishes when hosting events since those spices and flavor combinations come intuitively.

WTC: For you, what makes a dining experience unique?

Mia: The host! I think what sets a special dining experience in motion is the warmth of the environment and the grace of the host.

WTC: What intersections between art and food can we find in Slutty Cooking?

Mia: I often share clips and stills from the films that inspire me. Sometimes I feel like a broken record because of how often I mention this, but my favorite food movie of all time is Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence. I also reference Dutch and Flemish still lifes, which are treasure troves for sumptuous table-setting inspiration.

WTC: This issue’s motto is “do it yourself”. How does this concept manifest through your story? 

M:

“Technically, my project is a one woman operation, but the truth is I owe so much of the success I’ve had to my friends and family who’ve offered me unconditional love and guidance.”

Cake for @@lisasaysgah via @sluttycooking.