Light, Set, Bake! — Interview with Hollywood Food Stylist Anna Lee

Part 1:

Lights, Set, Bake!

In the world of Hollywood, where storytelling comes to life on the silver screen, there exists a unique blend of creativity and technical mastery that brings together two seemingly unrelated realms: food and film. Meet Anna Lee, a skilled food stylist who has mastered the art of culinary creation for the big screen. In an exclusive interview, we dive deep into Anna's extraordinary journey, from her unexpected introduction to the world of cooking to her captivating collaborations with some of Hollywood's biggest productions.

Food and film: merging two passions

Growing up, Anna's love for cooking took root from an unexpected place, setting her apart from the typical tales of family traditions. "Yeah, my mom is not a great cook," Anna shared with a chuckle. Rather, her father's experience in a church-run orphanage, where he took on kitchen work, became the catalyst for her culinary journey. "It felt like a superpower for taking care of other people," Anna expressed, reflecting on her father's story. Inspired by this narrative, Anna's love for cooking bloomed, driven by the desire to nurture and create delightful experiences for others and herself.

Having studied film at the Taiwan University of Art, Anna was determined to find a way to combine her love for cooking with her film education. It was during her involvement in the production of Ang Lee's Academy Award-winning film, "Life of Pi," that she found her calling. Encouraged by Hollywood filmmakers she worked with, Anna made the leap to Los Angeles, where she would have greater opportunities to merge her two passions: food and film.

Working in Hollywood sets’ kitchens

A typical day for Anna begins long before arriving on set. With script in hand, she embarks on a journey of shopping, prepping, and cooking, meticulously curating the perfect culinary creations. These edible masterpieces are then transported to the set kitchen, where Anna's keen eye for detail ensures the food stays fresh, appetizing, and appropriate for the scene.

In our conversation, Anna shed light on the concept of resetting, a vital element of a food stylist's role. With each director's "cut," the food is meticulously rearranged to its original state at the beginning of the scene. This process repeats tirelessly until the scene is perfected. Continual resets, precise temperature control, and accommodating the actors' dietary preferences and restrictions are all part of the intricate tapestry that Anna weaves as a food stylist. She pays to every minute detail, elevating the visual experience for viewers.

From classic feasts to Sci-Fi meals

Throughout her career, Anna has had the privilege of working on a diverse range of projects, including hit TV shows like "Succession" and "Euphoria." While food may not always take center stage in these productions, Anna's skill and creativity shine through. She recalls the joy of crafting elaborate hors d'oeuvres for "Succession," where food served as an accent, contributing to the atmosphere and power dynamics within the show.

Each project presents a new puzzle to solve, requiring her to think on her feet and adapt quickly. But this challenge of bringing imaginary food to life is what makes Anna’s job so exciting. For example, when working on Sci-Fi projects, where food is often futuristic and surreal, she taps into her imagination and draws inspiration from molecular gastronomy. Balancing aesthetics, mass production feasibility, and the actors' interactions with the food, Anna crafts visually stunning and durable creations that seamlessly blend with the film's narrative.

Anna Lee x Chewco: gluten-free creations

Anna's collaboration with Chewco showcases her creativity and penchant for reinventing familiar flavors. Drawing inspiration from her travels and diverse culinary influences, she developed innovative recipes made to captivate the curiosity, such as the Purple Pesto Gnocchi. Her approach for this creation involved maintaining the essence of the traditional recipe while bringing an interesting twist, such as using Chewco flour as a substitute and using purple sweet potato to add a vibrant purple color to the dish. It is this blend of innovation, flavor, and cultural fusion that sets Anna's creation apart.

Also using Chewco’s product, she created the Donut Hazelnut Rocher, drawing inspiration from the famous golden chocolate candy that everyone knows and loves. Using a vegan hazelnut chocolate spread and Chewco’s gluten-free mix, Anna’s creation is an elevated, much healthier version of the treat that doesn’t compromise on taste and lusciousness. 

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