\n<\/p>\n
In Person of Interest we talk to the people catching our eye right now about their projects past and present. Next up, we chat with Zoe Zannos, a culinary brand designer and content creator, best known for eating their way through Europe via Hinge.<\/em><\/p>\n Zoe Zannos was in their final year of school for graphic design and already burned out. It was 2024 and they yearned for a project that wasn\u2019t related to university.<\/p>\n They loved food and connecting with people, and they happened to be active on dating apps. One day it hit them: a zine based on cultural recipes they cook alongside their dates.<\/p>\n Since that initial light bulb moment, Zannos has run with the idea, bringing their followers across Europe through their social media series, Cook Me Something Nice<\/em>. Cooking alongside Hinge dates in their own kitchens, Zannos has cooked and enjoyed goulash in Budapest, potato dumplings in Prague, and mezze in Istanbul. Next up: Athens and the Cyclades for the next few months.<\/p>\n The project quickly gained traction\u201421,000 Instagram followers have joined their journey, and potential cooking partners flood Zannos\u2019 DMs, email, and social media comments, inviting them to over for a meal.<\/p>\n We spoke to Zannos about the evolution of Cook Me Something Nice<\/em>\u2014the ideas behind the project, how they vet their dates, and what they\u2019ve learned about the experience.<\/p>\n Tell me a little about yourself and about where your love for food started.<\/strong><\/p>\n I grew up in the southern suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa, between the mountains and the sea. My grandfather came from Santorini and chose to build our house there because it reminded him of life on the island.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a South Africanism for the person who eats too much: \u201cGimba<\/em>.\u201d I never beat the accusations in primary school, and I proudly wore the title. For as long as I can remember, my entire life has been centered around the act of eating and the pleasure of tasting something good.<\/p>\n Was there a specific moment that first drew you into dinner rituals?<\/strong><\/p>\n In sixth grade I was good friends with a boy named Jean. A playdate at his house was always thrilling \u2014 he was just as into food as I was, and we would cook and bake together. His family had French roots and were deeply appreciative of good food and the ritual of eating. When I\u2019d stay for dinner, the atmosphere of the house would shift: the warm lamp was switched on, the table was set, and if it wasn\u2019t smooth jazz playing over the CD player, it was his mother on the piano. We were allowed a small cup of wine with the adults, and there was always dessert. It was the first time I had witnessed dinner being treated as this special ritual, something done with intention and care.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n