Author Q&A: Ella Mittas

On cooking as a way home, a comforting chicken pilaf recipe and what Ella Mittas is reading and cooking these days.

Ella Mittas is a chef and food writer of Greek heritage who lives and works in Melbourne. Her book Ela! Ela! is, in her words, “a journey home through food”.

It’s a really honest, warm collection of recipes and stories, and I love how Ella writes.

I read this book first as a kind of memoir, and now it lives on the kitchen bench as I make my way through my favourites. (So far, it’s the honey pie—so delicious. I just made the braised leeks with orange the other night to have with roast chicken).

Thank you, Ella, for doing our Something to Eat and Something to Read Q&A

What was the last book that you read and LOVED! And why?

I recently read Claire Keegan’s Small Things like These. A very visceral and nostalgic depiction of Ireland. It’s quite concise in its storytelling and had a very, very beautiful ending. I’ve never been to Ireland and was totally charmed.

Sidenote from Sophie - the trailer for the film adaptation of this book has just been released and it looks as heartbreaking and moving as the book.