Please note this is a ticketed event, which will be followed by a book signing

The Middle East Institute Arts and Culture Center is pleased to host renowned art gallerist Leila Heller for the Washington, D.C. launch of her newly released cookbook Persian Feasts: Recipes & Stories from A Family Table (Phaidon, 2024), co-authored with Lila Charif, Laya Khadjavi and Bahar Tavakolian. Written in honor of Heller’s late mother, Persian Feasts blends intimate stories of family and tradition, exciting cuisine, and the region’s rich culinary history. Featuring 100 dishes, the cookbook channels the warmth of the region’s hospitality and the central role of food and cooking in everyday life. Leila Heller will be joined in conversation by moderator Nazila Fathi for a discussion about her journey writing the book, her memories of Iran, and the meaning of food and cooking in her life. The event will be followed by a book signing and food tasting presenting four dishes from Persian Feasts.

*An event ticket is required to purchase a book.

Washington, D.C. Book Launch and Food Tasting

With Leila Heller, Author of Persian Feasts: Recipes & Stories From a Family Table