Ariana's family roots are firmly planted in Persian soil. She inherited her love of food and cooking from her grandparents - who grew cherries, plums, apricots, apples, sugar beets, wheat and barley, bred sheep and goats for dairy, and had beautiful vineyards producing prized grapes - and from her father, who owned and ran the first fine-dining French restaurant in Iran. With recipes such as Ice in Heavenand Pomegranate and Walnut Stew with Chicken, Ariana manages to capture the sensual, exotic pleasure of Persian cuisine as well as celebrating the values and traditions cherished by her forefathers. Their memories of when life was simpler, family mattered above all else and eating together was of paramount importance provide an evocative leitmotif.

In this beautiful book, she pays tribute to the rich heritage, cultural and culinary, that has shaped her approach to life, cooking and eating.