Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian StreetLovers of history, travel, memoir, and deliciousness: lend us your ears! Join author Anna Ansari (all the way from London!) for a special evening at Binding Agents, where we'll discover the story of the world's most famous trade routes, retold through recipes. Silk Roads is a remarkable book, thoughtfully chronicling food and culture across Central Asia and beyond—from Baku to Beijing.
The countries and cultures beyond the Bosporus Straits remain, for the most part, unknown to the West; Anna wants to change that. With Silk Roads, she aims to illuminate culinary and historical stories of a region too often overlooked, and to offer a new way of understanding this vast, interconnected part of the world…through very, very tasty food!
Anna will be joined in conversation by Natalie Jesionka (co-author of Kalaya's Southern Thai Kitchen).
Guests may choose a ticket with or without a copy of the book. Prices are inclusive of fees. Entrance to the shop requires one step up. Please contact us at hello@bindingagentsphilly.com with any questions or accessibility needs; we'd be happy to help.
About Silk Roads
In this rich and delicious cookbook, Iranian-American cook and writer Anna Ansari takes us on a culinary, historical, and personal odyssey across the Silk Roads.
Weaving together essays, family photography and 90 recipes, Ansari brings life to the flavors of the Silk Roads – from the walnut groves of her father’s Iranian childhood, across Central Asian markets brimming with fragrant melons and thronged with fat-tailed sheep, and into the neighborhoods of modern-day Chinese cities.
Discover delectable dishes — Azeri-Iranian stews served with crispy-bottomed rice, dill-infused noodles from Western Uzbekistan, Georgian cornbread, Uyghur lamb chops and all kinds of dumplings, from fat, spiraled oromo to tiny, stuffed dushbara in a delicate saffron broth. Plus, you’ll find refreshing drinks and sharbats, and American-inspired desserts like apple pie with quince, sticky persimmon pudding, and walnut-studded spiced blondies.
“A book of delicious recipes interwoven with histories, family stories and a good dash of humour is what we all need just now.” – Olia Hercules
About Anna Ansari
Anna Ansari has a background in Asian studies, with a BA from Barnard College, Columbia University and an MA from Yale University. Her writing focuses on the intersection of food, family, and history, with special attention to the immigrant experience and foods of the Asian continent. She is particularly interested in the ways food, flavors, and ingredients move across borders, carried in the memories and pockets of travelers and transplants. Her proposal for Silk Roads was shortlisted for the 2021 Yan-Kit So award for food writers on Asia, and the 2024 Jane Grigson Trust Award for New Food and Drink Writers. You can find more of her writing in Pit Magazine, Eaten Magazine and Fillerzine. An Iranian-American from Detroit and former international customs and trade attorney, Anna lives in London with her husband, son and cat.
About Natalie Jesionka
Natalie Jesionka is the co-author of Kalaya's Southern Thai Kitchen and writes about food, community, and social impact. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Toronto Star, National Post, Canadian Press, and Philadelphia Magazine. She served as a Fulbright scholar in Northern Thailand and is a Paul and Daisy Soros fellow for New Americans.
Thu, Oct 30, 2025 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Binding Agents: A Cook/Book Shop
908 Christian Street
Binding Agents is Philly's bookshop for cooks and eaters. Located in South Philly’s culinary epicenter, the 9th Street Italian Market, we’re your go-to source for new cookbooks and food-focused reads, plus gifts and goods for making, serving and enjoying. We’re independent, women-owned, fun & funky. Learn more at bindingagentsphilly.com.
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