Fall Flavour

Some people cook to feed. Maryah Ananda cooks to communicate.

The NYC-based culinary artist and model is known for infusing food with feeling; mixing technique with intuition, community with care. But her creativity doesn’t stop at the table. From designing menus like they’re moodboards to dressing like every dish has a colour palette, Maryah’s world is one of intentional aesthetics. As she joins PEDRO’s Fall 2025 campaign, we caught up with her to talk taste, texture, and what it really means to feed the body, soul, and eye.

You blend food, feeling, and visual storytelling so naturally. Where did that creative instinct first begin for you?

Reflecting back, I think it was always around me rather than an initial moment. I grew up in an Asian-American household where food, feeling and visual storytelling was the central focus of expression, care, and love disguised in acts of service. Food was something so inherently woven into emotion through time, balance, and care. I feel visual storytelling across Asian culture at large comes so organically.

From my Laotian heritage I’m inspired by moments like topping a dish with fresh green herbs, the use of natural materials as serving vessels, contrasts in texture and form. I’m interested in how this visual identity within food creates this sort of emotional resonance.

What inspires your approach to styling, both on the plate and in your wardrobe?

My core style is based on elevated basics with a hint of colour and spice. I’d say the same goes for the plate. I love food that is simple, fresh, and beautiful.

You blend food, feeling, and visual storytelling so naturally. Where did that creative instinct first begin for you?

Reflecting back, I think it was always around me rather than an initial moment. I grew up in an Asian-American household where food, feeling and visual storytelling was the central focus of expression, care, and love disguised in acts of service. Food was something so inherently woven into emotion through time, balance, and care. I feel visual storytelling across Asian culture at large comes so organically.

From my Laotian heritage I’m inspired by moments like topping a dish with fresh green herbs, the use of natural materials as serving vessels, contrasts in texture and form. I’m interested in how this visual identity within food creates this sort of emotional resonance.

What inspires your approach to styling, both on the plate and in your wardrobe?

My core style is based on elevated basics with a hint of colour and spice. I’d say the same goes for the plate. I love food that is simple, fresh, and beautiful.

“Heritage shapes everything. It’s how I connect with myself thus the world around me. The flavours I gravitate towards, the imagery I’m inspired by. It all starts there.”

How would you describe your personal style, and are you the type to plan an outfit or just go with your mood?

My personal style is casual chic and organic with a sprinkle of ethereal magic and colour. I’m definitely both an intuitive dresser as well as a planner. On a day to day, I stick to my core style but tend to shift depending on feeling.

These days it’s my fave denim, good quality tee and light cashmere sweater with my fave leather flats. If I’m traveling or have a couple of super busy days, I plan my outfits in advance so I can be a bit more efficient with my time.

You’ve mentioned healing through food. How has that journey evolved for you personally?

For me, it’s an everlasting journey and evolution. I’ve been modelling since I was a young teen. At the time, my agency told me I had to lose weight – even though I’ve always had a naturally thin build. So throughout much of my teens and early twenties, my perspective on beauty was tied to being as thin as possible. I would workout excessively, eat just enough to keep my energy up, and calorie count every single meal.

It wasn’t until I began doing inner healing and building confidence from within that food became a pivotal part of my self-love journey. It was no longer about viability – it became about deep nourishment from the inside out.

How would you describe your personal style, and are you the type to plan an outfit or just go with your mood?

My personal style is casual chic and organic with a sprinkle of ethereal magic and colour. I’m definitely both an intuitive dresser as well as a planner. On a day to day, I stick to my core style but tend to shift depending on feeling.

These days it’s my fave denim, good quality tee and light cashmere sweater with my fave leather flats. If I’m traveling or have a couple of super busy days, I plan my outfits in advance so I can be a bit more efficient with my time.

You’ve mentioned healing through food. How has that journey evolved for you personally?

For me, it’s an everlasting journey and evolution. I’ve been modelling since I was a young teen. At the time, my agency told me I had to lose weight – even though I’ve always had a naturally thin build. So throughout much of my teens and early twenties, my perspective on beauty was tied to being as thin as possible. I would workout excessively, eat just enough to keep my energy up, and calorie count every single meal.

It wasn’t until I began doing inner healing and building confidence from within that food became a pivotal part of my self-love journey. It was no longer about viability – it became about deep nourishment from the inside out.

What’s one habit or ritual you have before you cook that you’ve never told anyone about?

So PEDRO is asking me for kept secrets… I see! A habit that you’ll notice if you’re around me enough is that I use the chopsticks I stole from my mom’s collection as a spatula, fork, tongs, etc. It’s just so natural to reach for and in my opinion the ultimate kitchen utensil.

Who’s always got a seat at your table, metaphorically or literally?

The fairies, the girls’ girls, people who I want to hug for longer than a minute, and my grandparents.

What’s one habit or ritual you have before you cook that you’ve never told anyone about?

So PEDRO is asking me for kept secrets… I see! A habit that you’ll notice if you’re around me enough is that I use the chopsticks I stole from my mom’s collection as a spatula, fork, tongs, etc. It’s just so natural to reach for and in my opinion the ultimate kitchen utensil.

Who’s always got a seat at your table, metaphorically or literally?

The fairies, the girls’ girls, people who I want to hug for longer than a minute, and my grandparents.

How does your heritage shape the way you create, whether through food, fashion, or storytelling?

It shapes everything. It’s how I connect with myself thus the world around me. The flavours I gravitate towards, the imagery I’m inspired by, the tablescapes I wish to recreate from my childhood, the materials I want to incorporate in my home. I’m constantly pulling from my heritage yet using the core elements to redefine what home and tradition mean to me in the present.

You’ve worked internationally but stay rooted in personal storytelling. How do you balance being global and staying grounded in where you come from?

For me, it’s about grace and aligned action. Nature and the senses teach me a lot about balance. This equilibrium between earthly energy and the spiritual has shaped my general approach to staying grounded yet practical – and to holding compassion for myself when I feel out of alignment with my intentions.

How does your heritage shape the way you create, whether through food, fashion, or storytelling?

It shapes everything. It’s how I connect with myself thus the world around me. The flavours I gravitate towards, the imagery I’m inspired by, the tablescapes I wish to recreate from my childhood, the materials I want to incorporate in my home. I’m constantly pulling from my heritage yet using the core elements to redefine what home and tradition mean to me in the present.

You’ve worked internationally but stay rooted in personal storytelling. How do you balance being global and staying grounded in where you come from?

For me, it’s about grace and aligned action. Nature and the senses teach me a lot about balance. This equilibrium between earthly energy and the spiritual has shaped my general approach to staying grounded yet practical – and to holding compassion for myself when I feel out of alignment with my intentions.

“My personal style is casual chic and organic with a sprinkle of ethereal magic and colour. I’m definitely both an intuitive dresser as well as a planner.”

What’s something you used to overthink, creatively or personally, that you’ve finally let go of?

Something I’ve let go of is trying to fit into a box that the industry or society has subliminally placed me in. My goal isn’t to be the most skilled or technical in my field, but rather to create a nourishing feeling – of being held by something familiar yet sacred. Where food becomes memory, and gathering becomes a kind of quiet magic.

PEDRO’s Fall collection explores style as self-discovery. How does your personal style reflect who you are becoming right now?

A big theme in who I’m becoming right now reflects deeply trusting my intuition. Trusting when something feels not in alignment with my goals or taking risks. I think this parallels my personal style. Sticking to what I’m currently gravitating towards or perhaps playing with colors or textures. Having faith in my inner voice to guide me is how my personal style reflects my current evolution.

Last one — what’s feeding you right now, creatively or spiritually? (And no, it doesn’t have to be edible.)

What always feeds me creatively and spiritually is my guiding principle: the ability to thrive from my imagination.