Meet the chef making waves in the Paris food scene

Features, ⦿ Interviews

Meet the chef making waves in the Paris food scene

Meet Anna Meerson, the Paris-based creative behind BABOUSHKA, redefining the city’s food scene through instinct, imperfection, and unapologetic individuality.

1 May 2026

by Social Capital

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Introduce yourself in a few sentences. Who are you, where do you live, and what makes you tick?

I'm Anna - a cook, food stylist, creative & founder of BABOUSHKA, a creative culinary studio based in Paris, where I live. Authentically weird, driven people make me tick. I love when things are imperfect or broken, torn, messy and when people embrace their individuality instead of trying to fit into a mould.

What are you working on this year?

Growing our creative culinary studio BABOUSHKA with my associate Basil. Currently in talks about finally finding our own physical space in Paris to expand the business and get more creative. Hoping to be able to produce better and bigger, as well as invite people for tastings, events & more.

What’s inspiring you right now?

Might be a weird answer but - the awful state of the world right now. I know it should, and it does, make me depressed - but I somehow always thrive whenever there's uncertainty or chaos. I think the fact everything feels so up in the air globally at the moment really inspires me to find a way out of that darkness somehow. I also think people who are sticking together and still finding the energy to create during these (what seem like) dark times we're entering inspires me to be - and do - bigger and better things. To not give up or give in - cos that's how the bad ones win.

What city has influenced you the most? Why?

I think a couple for different reasons - Manchester for the roughness, openness and eclectic energy of the city. Also for the authentic and fuck-it-all attitude it taught me to have - it was the first city I moved to on my own at 18 & looking back, it had a HUGE impact on how I see things and carry myself today. It was my introduction to independence, new experiences, electronic music, partying, a get-on-with-it mindset & just not giving a FUCK. Then there's Paris - the city I was born in & came back to after growing up in the UK. It's a city that rooted me in the appreciation of beauty, discipline, drive & hustle. It's a city full of possibilities, diverse people & things to do ALL the time. It's a city that tests you but once you stay grounded & find your safe spaces, it's a very forgiving and generous place.

What does living a good life mean to you?

Being grounded. Being open to the possibility of change and curious enough about what life can throw at you. No matter what trials you may go through, having an unwavering belief in yourself that you're right where you're meant to be, whilst continuing to have enough drive and confidence to take you wherever you wanna go. Once you prioritise good health, love, alignment with self and peace of mind - the rest will follow. "Que sera, sera"

What’s something you wish you’d known 5 years ago?

Things get easier, keep pushing, you'll be more than fine. Listen to your body signals & take action to realign your energies quickly. You'll get better at doing that with time. Speak your truth with chest, ask for help more & learn to receive without shame.

What’s your idea of the perfect Saturday?

Wake up early, journal, train, go for lunch in the sun with a friend or on your own, go walking in Paris, see where the day takes you, end up at a café or at a bistro/bar for drinks & end the night dancing till pas-d'heure or in front of a film or with a book or painting/doing art with a nice home cooked meal, before falling asleep early at home.