Meet Omid Roustaei

We recently connected with Omid Roustaei and have shared our conversation below.

Omid, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

It is fair to say that purpose does not come as a single event in one’s life. Over the years, I have had different purposes that needed to be fulfilled. I would like to highlight one of them, which has recently become central to my life’s purpose: writing a book.

A bit of background will help explain how I arrived at this point. I immigrated from Iran to the United States as a teenager and studied science, eventually working in the field of cancer research within the biotech industry. After several years, I felt the need to change my career and move towards a path focused on nutritious and whole foods. I believed in the importance of prevention rather than treatment. I became a private chef and culinary instructor, teaching plant-based cuisine for over a decade. Eventually, I shifted my focus once again and pursued a new career in mental health. I have been practicing as a psychotherapist for the past 21 years.

In 2016, with the rise of anti-immigrant sentiment, I felt compelled to return to the teaching kitchen with a new purpose. This time, I chose to focus solely on Persian cuisine, aiming to bring attention to this underrepresented and often misunderstood cuisine and culture. My efforts quickly grew beyond teaching classes. I began writing a blog dedicated to Persian cuisine, sharing not only recipes but also personal stories, all with the goal of making Persian food more approachable and inspiring. The blog gained a wide audience and achieved considerable success. It allowed me to explore and satisfy a long-held dream: writing a book.

In early 2023, I secured a book deal and began writing my first cookbook. It is a collection of recipes and stories from my life as an immigrant, spanning from the early days of the Iranian Revolution through the next four decades of living in the United States. I aimed to shed light on the immigrant experience and share my favorite recipes. I wanted to make them more accessible and offer practical guidance on being more improvisational and intuitive in the kitchen, while also featuring dishes that celebrate global flavors. I am pleased to note that my book, *Bitter & Sweet: Global Flavors from an Iranian-American Kitchen*, was published in February of 2025.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

These days, I balance my work as a psychotherapist with writing for my blog and several online food websites. I also actively manage a busy teaching schedule at various locations in Seattle and surrounding areas. Alongside these commitments, I am actively promoting my cookbook through author events, restaurant dinner collaborations, and cooking classes.

At home, I find joy in gardening and growing a variety of vegetables. Looking ahead, I hope to write my second book, focusing on my plant-based roots and highlighting the diverse vegetables of the Pacific Northwest.

My blog is at www.thecaspianchef.com. My teaching schedule and book promotion events can be found at https://thecaspianchef.com/cooking-classes. This page is updated regularly as new dates are added. I have some exciting events planned for July, August, September, and October.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Motivation to change:
Throughout my journey, having the motivation to change was essential. It drove me to step away from familiar paths and explore new opportunities that felt more aligned with my evolving sense of purpose.

Taking leaps of faith:
Taking leaps of faith was equally important. These leaps involved trusting my instincts, doing my research by exploring all available options, and then pursuing new directions, even when they felt risky or uncertain.

Commitment to the process:
Finally, I found that commitment to the process was vital. This meant staying dedicated and patient as I navigated challenges, allowing me to grow and learn at each step.

Everyone has to start somewhere, and as the saying goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. My best advice is this: there are no shortcuts. Each step requires motivation, clear intention, and commitment. It’s essential to focus on your own work. While it’s easy to compare yourself to others, stay clear about your own goals and purpose. Focus on your strengths, be clear about what success means to you, and be prepared to learn and grow from experiences that may initially feel like failures. That mindset is key.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

Let’s face it. We live in a busy, fast-paced world filled with schedules, obligations, politics, and daily challenges. Feeling overwhelmed is natural and often a signal that there are areas in our lives that need attention. When I feel overwhelmed, I tend to withdraw and go into self-preservation mode. While this is a lifelong habit that has helped me at times, I have also found that more supportive and intentional strategies can be beneficial.

When feeling overwhelmed, it’s essential to acknowledge what’s happening and recognize the stories you may be telling yourself about those feelings and experiences. For me, exercise and mindfulness practices, such as quiet walks, yoga, and meditation, have been particularly helpful. In addition to quiet moments, connecting with a trusted confidant who can listen or offer support can also be invaluable. Finally, reassessing what is truly important and letting go of unnecessary obligations can make a significant difference.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

All the pictures are mine.
The main author photo (me holding a radish) was taken by my friend and photographer Sama K. Rahbar and should be credited.

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