Smithsonian

collaboration ANCA x h-pem | The secret ingredient to Armenian food If you’re going to create a mini Armenian village anywhere in the world, you better have some great chefs on standby. The folks at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival this summer knew this well when they called upon Zara Gasparyan—a painter, ceramist, and master of handmade silk scarves—to share her knowledge on herbal teas for festival patrons. ANCA intern, Victoria Messikian, spoke to the multitalented woman about her love for cooking, her favorite meal, and how food is the greatest bond for us all.