Cookbook author Ayesha Erkin on her favourite things
Every month at Red magazine, we ask one of our readers' best-loved tastemakers about their favourite things, from fashion finds and foodie gems, to holiday destinations and everything in between.
In the February 2025 issue, author, architect and recipe developer Ayesha Erkin shares the things that bring her joy. From oud incense and Live Tinted Huestick to stuffed dates and The Unbearable Lightness Of Being by Milan Kundera, discover the little things that she loves the most...
My can't miss podcast is... 99% Invisible by Roman Mars. I love how I get to learn about the design of everyday things that I wouldn’t have considered otherwise. I listen to it while doing chores or on the go, especially if I’m driving for a few hours.
The candle I love to light is... Zuleika Bukhoor Incense Blend by my friend’s company, Mennas. I prefer to burn bukhoor (oud incense) over candles. Traditionally, I burn it every Friday and when I’m hosting – especially if I’ve cooked something with a lot of garlic and need to refresh my space!
My signature lipstick is... Live Tinted Huestick in the shade ‘Found’. I wear it day, night and all over my face. It’s so versatile and natural.
Huestick
My favourite independent shop is... Corner shops. What I love about them is the people who run them. They’ll always help me find exactly what I’m looking for, no matter how obscure, and can source it for me if I give them a heads-up.
The food I have a weakness for is... Uyghur food. Specifically, kawa manta, which are pumpkin dumplings. Uyghur food is my comfort food having grown up eating it, and the dumplings are divine. Serve them with chilli oil and vinegar, and you have one very happy Ayesha.
When I send flowers, I call... The Flowered Corner on Ladbroke Grove. They have a bouquet they make from leftover flowers, which is beautiful and low waste. My personal favourite is a dried bouquet because I can keep it forever.
My favourite coffee shop is... Root25 cafe in Bow, East London. It’s a community space, and all profits support a human rights organisation named Restless Beings. I love their dirty chai affogato.
On toast, I love to spread... A really good butter with Sidr honey – my favourite brand is Moj. Plus clotted cream.
The shade I always paint my nails is... A classic red like Vermillion Poppy by Palette, or a coloured French tip. I was a rock climber for 10 years, and my nails have seen better days, so I do prefer to keep them painted.
The book I keep on my bedside table is... The Unbearable Lightness Of Being by Milan Kundera and The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. Both serve different purposes, but they have been companions in pivotal moments in my life. I like to revisit them to reflect and measure for self-growth.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
My best holiday ever was... A trip to Türkiye with my mum for my 30th birthday. We visited six cities in two weeks, spontaneously planning it as we made our way from coast to coast. One of my fondest memories from the trip was seeing the joy and wonder on my mum’s face when we went on a hot-air balloon in Cappadocia. It was a moment of ‘Wow, how lucky are we right now?’
The one thing I can't stop buying for my home is... Plates. I probably have around 40 from around the world. One time, I got in a bidding war on eBay for limited-edition Gucci plates. I paid way too much for them.
The song that gets me on the dance floor is... Anything from Arab and Bollywood classics to Abba and Drake.
My foolproof dinner party dish is... Stuffed dates. Having started a series and written a book about stuffing dates, I’m often called ‘The Date Girl’, so I’m usually expected to bring something regarding dates. It’s fun and unexpected!
Date of the Day by Ayesha Erkin
The mantra I live by is... ‘Rejection is just redirection’. Instead of forcing something that’s not meant for me, I use this mantra to learn from the situation and pivot towards the next destination.
Follow Ayesha on Instagram @ayeshaerkin or visit ppsstudio.co
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