I’m returning to writing after enduring unimaginable losses over the past two years. It’s been a journey filled with grief, heartache, and loneliness—feelings that have often felt impossible to bear. But through it all, I’ve realized that writing is the thread that still connects me to the world, even when everything feels so broken. I know my absence in writing has been long, and I hope this explanation helps shed some light on why. As I begin the slow, painful process of rebuilding my life, I will need every ounce of support and encouragement to take each small, fragile step forward.

I’m a professional eater who loves to write.

Malcolm Gladwell wrote in Outliers that anyone who spends more than ten thousand hours on something becomes an expert in it somehow. I’ve proudly spent over ten thousand hours eating—from the quiet charm of hole-in-the-wall eateries to the kitchens of renowned chefs. And just as many hours writing. These countless hours have shaped me into someone who can finally say, with complete confidence, that I am both a professional eater and a writer.

It took me a long time—those ten thousand hours—to gather the courage to share my words with the world. To open up, to be vulnerable. And yet, here I am. Writing, sharing stories about my life, about the flavors that have shaped me, and the moments that have broken me. There’s beauty in both.

I live in the suburbs of Boston with my two daughters, who inspire me daily with their strength and joy, even when I don’t feel strong myself.

Live long, eat well, and find the courage to share your truth,

Samisha