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Following the recent launch of his cookbook, Andy is exploring what it takes to be an individual chef, food journalist, and video maker, and--of course--cook, who's already established himself as an influencer within his field. "My principle when it comes to putting out media is that it needs to have perspectives, stories, and a sense of passion to ensure that the content has meaning."

A website as a curated experience

Andy traces the roots of his love of food to his early years of. "My parents came from Iran to California from Iran in the late 1970s along with them, they brought the food traditions of their country," he says. "I believe that the food traditions, the flavors, techniques, my extended family always being around, are the things that sparked my first desire for food and cooking." He decided to focus on cooking and writing as a profession due to the fact that this love "expanded to a deep always-growing curiosity in the world of food."

"This website is geared towards people who are familiar and unfamiliar with my work" Andy says. "I would like to ensure that the people are aware of my work, and be able to engage with both any new and existing content the site will produce." Some of that new content Andy would like to produce is his Things I Love page. The site gives him the chance to showcase his favorite food and lifestyle brands while expanding the limitations of his known-for brand a little further. "While my recipes and writing have been very much part of my work for a while now," Andy says, "I will be taking on new opportunities that will appear on the site."

Leçons from the beginning year as an artist who is independent

This past year, while writing and publishing his debut book, Andy has also been exploring the ins and outs of working on his own. It's about developing his brand and building supportive habits as a creator.

"I believe that my conviction in what I like to cook and write about food has much stayed the same," Andy says, referring to his approach to his brand now, compared with his style prior to his independence. "I think my aesthetic--while it has been something very clear to me on an individual level, it is now up front and a big part of what I do. I have more creative control now."

What is Andy's second advice to budding creators? He recommends being selective about which projects you want to work on, whenever you can. "Take to projects and collaborate alongside people who will motivate you as well as take something away about," Andy says. "But be aware that not every project might fulfill this requirement, and that's okay! It's important to continue evolving."

Are you inspired by Andy's story? Create your own personal image with Andy .