dress. Adeam
necklace + bracelet. Tiffany & Co.
shoes. Steve Madden
opposite
dress. One Piece Designs
bracelets. Tiffany & Co.
rings. Nina Runsdorf
Meet Sophia Roe, the award-winning chef, Emmy-nominated TV host and wellness advocate taking over all of our Instagram feeds right now. With a following of over 475K on the app, the New Yorker has established herself as a beacon of light whose qualities extend way beyond the kitchen and TV screen. When she’s not showing her social community how to whip the perfect batch of black sesame buns or taking her Counter Space viewers on a journey through different culinary experiences, she’s busy writing, attending major fashion events, and opening up the conversation on major global issues.
Schön! sits down with the rising star on International Women’s Day to talk about favourite recipes, fungi and keeping bellies full.
dress. One Piece Designs
bracelets. Tiffany & Co.
rings. Nina Runsdorf
opposite
dress. Batsheva
earring, necklace + bracelet. Tiffany & Co.
Hey, Sophia! It’s so lovely to chat with you today. I wanted to start with your cooking. How did you get into it, and where did you pick up your culinary skills?
I was a foster care kid so there were often times growing up when the only food I had was my school lunch or I’d take someone else’s food home with me for dinner. Because of that, I’ve always had this understanding that some people have food and some people don’t. As I got older, I didn’t have anyone to help me and I really just needed a way to keep my studio bedroom and make some money. A restaurant was hiring, so I lied to get a job there. I wasn’t looking for a career, I just didn’t want to be homeless. That’s how it started.
What is your approach to food today? Do you follow a particular diet?
I think the best thing for the planet is to eat as regionally as possible. That’s what I try to do.
As someone whose life is so centred around food, what do you think are the key components of a healthy lifestyle?
I focus on foods that I know are going to enrich me and are good for the body. The answer is different for everyone, though. I think we need to get over the idea that something is intrinsically good or bad – if someone is homeless, then a donut is better than no food.
dress + arm cuff. Tory Burch
bracelets (left hand). Tiffany & Co.
ring. Alexis Bittar
opposite
dress. Batsheva
necklace + bracelet. Tiffany & Co.
Agreed. A healthy mind plays into that, too. What does self-care mean to you?
I’m a food, air, movement, sunlight, purpose, community type of girl. If I’ve got all those things in alignment, then I’m doing my thing. A perfect day for me would be no screen time, reading, being outside with my partner and friends, pretty chill.
Action Against Hunger reports that there are 43 million people in 38 countries across the world at risk of falling into severe famine. With food insecurity presenting itself as a global crisis, what do you think we can do to help?
We need to treat food insecurity like it’s an emergency. It’s such a privilege to be able to choose what you eat.
It’s great to see the work you’re doing with the Fungi Foundation. Why is it so important to you?
If not for fungi, the entire world would be covered in dead stuff, literally. They’re crucial to the existence of life as we know it,= and we need them to survive. It’s so crucial that the necessary funding goes into looking at these organisms.
dress + arm cuff. Tory Burch
bracelets (left hand). Tiffany & Co.
bracelet (right hand) + ring. Alexis Bittar
opposite
blazer + trousers. Tibi
earrings. Nina Rusdorf
necklace. Tiffany & Co.
You’re based in the heart of New York, Brooklyn. What’s your favourite thing to eat in the city?
My favourite thing isn’t necessarily the food but the way you can get it anytime you want. The great thing about New York is if it’s one o’clock in the morning and you want soup dumplings, that can happen for you.
Food aside, what do you get up to when you’re not in the kitchen?
I’m very inspired by fashion and I love to write. Creative writing is a hobby of mine that I enjoy just as much as cooking.
Speaking of writing — I hear you’re writing your first book. Can you tell me a little bit about it?
Am I writing it or is it writing me? I’ve been writing that thing for forever! It’s part memoir with lots of life stories. I wouldn’t call it a cookbook, but a book that happens to have recipes in it.
dress. Zimmermann
ring. Tiffany & Co.
opposite
shirt, trousers + shoes. Melitta Baumeister
earring. Alexis Bittar
I know philanthropy is another driving force in your life. Is it on an equal playing field to cooking?
Philanthropy is cooking for me; they’re the same thing. There’s nothing more philanthropic than feeding people. My goal in life is to make sure everyone’s belly is full.
It’s so great to see how your social media has grown and it seems like you’ve got a great relationship with your followers. Do you ever feel a responsibility with having such a large fan base?
I feel a responsibility to be honest. I think that’s my only human obligation. I’m so grateful to the people that follow me; they’re the reason I can do the things I do.
You’ve graced magazine covers, you’re writing a book, and you’re currently hosting your own show. This is all while maintaining a super star-chef status. What’s been your most significant career milestone to date?
I’d have to say winning a James Beard award is pretty high up there. As a young cook, I could never have imagined it. I still can’t believe it! I’ve been nominated for an Emmy twice, too. I’ve done some cool shit. If I could go back to those moments, though, I’d soak them up a little more and smell the flowers for sure.
shirt. Melitta Baumeister
earring. Alexis Bittar
What does the future hold for Sophia Roe? Have you got any exciting projects coming up that you can tell our readers about?
A lot of dinners, finishing my cookbook, and my zine. Hopefully more TV, too! It’s a big passion of mine and I feel a lot of fulfillment on set.
Sounds great! Before I let you go, I’d love some inspiration. What’s your number one dish to make?
I think my favourite thing in the world to make is a Spanish bread called Pan de Cristal, otherwise known as “glass bread.” It’s just a few ingredients: bread flour, water, salt, and olive oil… that’s all you need. It’s a showstopper. I could make it every day.
shirt, trousers + shoes. Melitta Baumeister
earring. Alexis Bittar
opposite
dress + body cast. Kim Mesches
rings. Jamie Wolf
Season 2 of Counter Space is out now.
photography. William Ferchichi
fashion. Lizzy Rosenberg @ Art Department
talent. Sophia Roe
hair. Chuck Amos @ Statement Artists
make up. Nicole Bueno @ The Only Agency using MAC Cosmetics
photography assistants. Aidan Tan + Hyning Gan
fashion assistant. Sarah Edwards
interview. Ella Citron-Thompkins
Schön! Magazine is now available in print at Amazon,
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