Foodie Guru Nilou Motamed Found a Delicious Way to Celebrate Diverse Female Founders

Food has always been a central character in Nilou Motamed’s life — even before she became a recurring judge on shows like Top Chef and Chopped and held titles as editor-in-chief of Food & Wine and Epicurious magazines. 

“In my culture, food is a big deal. And being around the table together is a really big deal,” says Motamed, who grew up in Iran and moved to the U.S. when she was 13. 

As a teenage immigrant, new to the States, she initially downplayed her culturally rich background. “I went through a lot of periods where I wanted to assimilate — I wanted to be a teenager who belonged, like every teenager does,” Motamed says. “I held my culture at an arm’s length, because there wasn’t the same milieu that we’re in now where everyone’s diversity is celebrated.”

Today, as a culinary tastemaker with over 20 years of experience, Motamed embraces her roots, and makes it her mission to celebrate the rich and dynamic tastes that global cultures bring to the table when it comes to food. Her goal is to help expose diners and foodies to delectable and diverse cuisines and craftsmanship across the food industry — especially those created by women. “I love the fact that now, I hope I can allow any young person who follows me on Instagram, or who sees me on TV, to see that their diversity is amazing and what makes them special.” 

In a new partnership with Foxtrot — the gourmet grocer and delivery service that gives shelf space to talented local food artisans from around the world — she’s curated gift boxes featuring her favorite uniquely crafted foodie picks. “To have the opportunity to curate boxes that highlight diversity in the food space makes me very happy and very proud,” Motamed says. She thinks her younger self would be proud, too: “For the 13-year-old in me, who cried too often in the back of the school bus because I felt different, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to celebrate all food,” Motamed says. 

Read on to learn about Motamed’s inspiring journey, and shop the exclusive gift box that features some of her favorite female-founded foodie products. 

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You have an impressive background — as the former editor-in-chief of both Food & Wine and Epicurious magazines. What initially sparked your interest in food? 

I was supposed to be a lawyer: I worked at a law firm, for a judge, and got into law school. But something was nagging at me that it wasn’t the right path for me. I realized I didn’t want to have a job and then have a passion. I wanted the passion and the job to be together. 

I didn’t know anyone in my immediate circle who was a magazine editor. I didn’t even really know that was a job. Fast forward to me working in a variety of editorial jobs at AOL and Condé Nast — but not in food.

Finally in 2000, I started at Travel & Leisure magazine. My twin passions are food and travel, and I realized there was an opportunity for me to helm the food coverage of the magazine. The idea of combining cultural exploration with deliciousness felt really right to me. I started doing more food content in the magazine and features that were focused on food with the destination as the backdrop, and I never looked back.

You’re also a regular judge on Top Chef and Chopped. What’s your favorite part about being on these shows? 

I love opening up the food world to people who aren’t necessarily in it. The pursuit of storytelling through food is very much what my career is about. To do that on TV, and basically be the taste buds for the at-home diner, is what I’m always happy to do.

According to the most recent U.S. Census, women account for less than a quarter of all chefs. Why do you think that is? 

I think that number is staggering but understandable. The chef world is a boy’s club — it has always been. It’s improving, but female chefs, artisans, and makers all need the support of every part of our industry.

One of my good girlfriends, Kerry Diamond, has an amazing magazine called Cherry Bombe, where she highlights and celebrates female food practitioners of all sorts. I’m so excited that there are increasingly more food entrepreneurs and female founders in every field.

You just curated a few exclusive gift boxes with Foxtrot: Tell us about selecting the items. 

It’s so fun because I’m like a kid in a candy/food store. I tried hard to pick products that were singular and backed by a strong foundation of craft and creativity. I also wanted to spotlight diversity as much as possible. It’s part of my DNA: As an immigrant who moved to America when I was 13, celebrating other cultures is such a great opportunity for me, and I love the fact that Foxtrot is committed to that, too.

You even created a Foxtrot gift box with your favorite female-owned products. Why is it so important to you to celebrate them? 

They deserve it. I think it’s really hard as a woman to achieve success in a lot of industries, but it’s specifically brutal in the food industry.

As a magazine editor, I was always looking for mentorship, and early in my career, it was hard to find. But now it’s clear we’re only as good as the women we support and the women we nurture. If I can do this through the lens of Foxtrot, I’m so happy to do it.

And as an immigrant, I think it’s important for lots of different voices to be heard. For me, to give a platform for these voices — to showcase them, and shine a light on them — is basically my ultimate joy.  

Shop Nilou Motamed’s Exclusive Foxtrot Gift Box Featuring Her Fave Female Foodie Brands