Roya Shariat, co-author of the cookbook “Maman and Me,” doesn’t categorize her culinary creation as solely Middle Eastern. Collaborating with her mother, Gita Sadeh, Shariat introduces Iranian-American recipes with a blend of affectionate familiarity. From classic Iranian tahdigs to Western-influenced delights like orange and cardamom French Toast, the cookbook garnered attention, especially on TikTok, where the duo amassed millions of views during the pandemic.
While acknowledging the likelihood of being labeled Middle Eastern due to the geographical span associated with the term, Shariat proposes a more precise designation: “Southwest Asia.” She emphasizes the historical context of the term “Middle East,” coined by the British, and strives to be intentional with the language used in her cookbook, encouraging a shift in perspective.
Despite never visiting Iran, Shariat, raised in Maryland, deepens her connection to her Iranian heritage through cooking. For Sadeh, Shariat’s mother, food serves as a bridge to the country she left behind in 1985. Shariat recounts her mother’s affinity for the kitchen, beginning with basic student fare in Tehran evolving into elaborate meals in the United States, weaving a connection to her roots.
Shariat’s culinary journey mirrors her mother’s, with cooking becoming a lifeline to her Iranian identity. Growing up as a third-culture kid, straddling American and Iranian identities, Shariat found solace in food and language, viewing them as connections to her ancestral home.
The idea for “Maman and Me” materialized during the COVID-19 pandemic when Shariat, an executive at Glossier, began sharing TikToks from her mother’s kitchen. While spending two months with her parents, she captured moments of her mom’s cooking, particularly the mesmerizing tahdig. TikTok’s surge in popularity aligned with Shariat’s videos, leading to viral success, a growing following, and the eventual realization of her long-held dream to write a cookbook.
The cookbook, sharing its name with Shariat’s TikTok account, not only features a diverse array of Iranian and Iranian-American dishes but also encapsulates a millennial essence. Balancing traditional stews and rice dishes with tips for quick weeknight dinners, snacks, cocktails, and finger foods, the book caters to both Shariat’s and Sadeh’s generations.
The mother-daughter duo’s TikTok success has cultivated a community fascinated by Sadeh’s kitchen expertise and their cultural exchange. Shariat envisions a cooking show as a potential next step, driven by the audience’s affectionate connection with her mother.
As the book’s publication approached, Shariat shared the PDF with her parents. The dedication, expressing gratitude to immigrant parents and caretakers who ventured into foreign lands, moved Sadeh to tears. Shariat acknowledges that everything she does is a tribute to her parents’ courage, tenacity, and the invaluable gifts bestowed upon immigrant children.
“Maman and Me” emerges not merely as a cookbook but as a testament to cultural fusion, familial bonds, and the resilience of identity. Through recipes that traverse borders and generations, Shariat and Sadeh invite readers to savor the richness of their shared culinary heritage, fostering an appreciation for the intricate tapestry of Iranian-American life.