Food and literary things go hand in hand. Oliveletter is my literal love letter to the tiny things that make living good: food, the arts, words, music, and a pursuit of curiosity.
Welcome! A little about me: I’m Annelies Zijderveld (aka Anneliesz on most of the social platforms). Ever since I was a child, I’ve been intensely curious. It’s led me into journalism—I studied at the J-school at SMU for undergrad and have written for a wide variety of outlets. I tend to be a bit fastidious when an idea can’t let go of me.
With a deep appreciation for wordsmithery (can that be a word?), rolling words on the tongue and letting them linger in the ear is so luscious. I blame an early introduction and obsession with music for that. And poetry, in which I have an MFA. I’m Interviews section editor at The Rumpus and currently at work on my first collection of poems. I’m an avid reader and always ready to meet my next favorite book.
Then, cooking caught me in its net early on and I was hooked at working in hospitality after a stint in a bakery during high school. My first book was actually a cookbook, Steeped: Recipes Infused with Tea, selected by The Los Angeles Times as one of their favorite cookbooks. And, I regularly teach in-person cooking classes in the Bay Area at 18 Reasons with a passion for teaching and belief that each person can cook.
My intent for Oliveletter is to go deep on ideas that won’t let me go and for this newsletter to be a space where you can find recipes, conversations, and more to brighten your day. I’m glad you’re here. XO
