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After the launch of his book, Andy is currently exploring what it takes to be an independent chef, food journalist, and video producer, and--of course--cook, who's already made himself an influential figure in the field. "My approach to creating media is that it needs to have perspectives, stories, and passion, so that there is meaning to it."

The website is curated as an experience

Andy traced the origins of his passion for food to his early years of. "My parents came into California from Iran in the late 1970s, and with them, they brought with them the culinary traditions of their country," he says. "I think those food practices as well as the tastes, recipes that my extended family was always present, is factors that instilled my early love for food and cooking." He decided to pursue cooking and food writing as a profession due to the fact that the love for food had "expanded to an intense and ever-changing curiosity for everything food related."

"This website is designed for people who are familiar and unfamiliar with my work" Andy says. "I would like to ensure that people have an understanding of my experience, and also engage with existing and new content this site is expected to produce." Some of that new material Andy wants to create will be on the things I Like page. Here, he has an opportunity to highlight his top food and lifestyle brands, expanding upon the limits of his well-known brand a little further. "While my writing and recipes have been a large part of my work for some time now," Andy says, "I will soon be working the opportunity to explore new possibilities that will appear on the site."

Leçons from the beginning year of an independent creator

This past year, while working on and publishing his first book Andy has also been exploring how to work independently. This includes continuing to develop his brand and building supportive habits as a creator.

"I believe that my conviction in what I like to prepare and publish about food have very nearly remained the same," Andy says, referring to the way he conducts the brand he has now, in contrast to his approach before he became independent. "I consider my design aesthetic, which has been something very clear for me at a personal level--now can be open and an integral aspect of what I do. I have more creative control now."

Andy's advice to aspiring creators? The artist suggests being careful about the projects you choose to pursue, wherever feasible. "Take upon projects and partner with those who inspire you as well as take something away from," Andy says. "But be aware that not every project might be able to meet this criteria, which is fine! The point is to keep moving forward."

Inspired by Andy's tale? Start building your own image by following Andy's story .