who am i
I am a food anthropologist, researcher, and cook with a mission to decolonise the way we think about food. My work dismantles Eurocentric narratives and explores food as a form of resistance, survival, and identity. With 18 years of experience in the food industry and hospitality across five countries, I bring an intersectional lens to food history, culinary traditions, and the way we think about taste. Unlike traditionally trained chefs, my expertise comes from lived experience and hands-on work in kitchens, bars, and cafes worldwide. This unconventional path allowed me to connect with food as more than just a means of sustenance. For me, food is memory, resilience, and power. Food is also love, and love is resistance.
I hold an MA in food anthropology from SOAS University of London and am pursuing a second MA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Change at the University of Warsaw. My BA in Far East Studies, alongside hands-on culinary experiences — including an internship at a Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Valencia and a food apprenticeship at Bolara60 in Istria, Croatia — allow me to bridge academia with real-world practice. My research and work have taken me through Poland, Japan, the UK, Spain, Croatia, and beyond, deepening my understanding of how food moves through cultures, economies, and power structures.
why this work matters
Food is never just food: who controls food, controls history. Through my work, I try to challenge the ways we talk about food and reclaim the stories hidden in dishes, ingredients and techniques. Every meal carries the weight of migration, memory, and resilience, and I am trying to uncover these layers.
I believe in radical kindness as a form of resistance. I create spaces where people are seen, heard, and valued, whether through food, writing, or conversation. My work is about listening deeply, amplifying unheard voices, and ensuring that food is a site of connection, not exclusion.
who i work with
I collaborate with cultural institutions, museums, food brands, independent chefs, publishers, journalists, and anyone invested in food justice and storytelling. If you need historical research, a fresh take on food writing, or a speaker who can challenge mainstream narratives, I can help.
let’s connect
If you’re ready to create something meaningful, email me at izabidesu@gmail.com
or reach out through @aho.no.toko Instagram page.
This work is about more than food: it’s about reclaiming stories, fighting erasure, and making food spaces more just. If that resonates with you, let’s connect.
aho
aho no toko 