Mia Everson is a chef, stylist, and creative consultant whose work sits at the intersection of food and multiple creative disciplines, and a close friend of Jess, Dyad Founder. For our recent Poise launch, Mia designed a menu that translated the spirit of the collection into food, sketching each canapé by hand and drawing colours directly from the pieces. The result was something that felt less like catering and more like an extension of the work itself.
We sat down with Mia to talk about her process, what makes a creative collaboration truly work, and why she believes food is one of the most powerful conduits of culture and connection we have.
When you began conceptualising the menu for our Poise launch, what was the first feeling or image that came to mind? Did you start with flavour, colour, form, or something else entirely?
I looked at the concept and product overview that Jess shared with me, and took some time first for it to just sit in my mind. I paid a lot of attention to the meaning of Poise and the words associated with it, like balance, tension/harmony, or yin/yang. So the first area of focus had a lot to do with the feeling behind the collection. I then moved onto the visuals of Poise, and what kind of colours were present. I wrote out some menu ideas, and also did sketches of each canapé. I tried to infuse each one with colours from the collection, often doing a balance between two colours.
When you cater for an event or cook for people, what do you hope the guests feel??
I hope that they feel a sense of wonder, that it brings them back to their senses and brings them joy. I want them to be intrigued and impressed by what the food looks like, but also deeply satisfied by the taste.
Collaboration is a big part of both your work and ours. What makes a creative collaboration successful for you?
I love it when someone gives you the space to do your best work, and that’s exactly what Jess did for me in this instance. She allowed me to have creative freedom and made it clear that she completely trusted me. That sense of trust is such a catalyst for creativity.
The visual element of your work is just as striking as the taste. How important is styling in your process? Do you see food as a design medium?
I absolutely see food as a design medium. But I also want to be careful of leaning on that too heavily. I have high standards, especially when it comes to the taste of the food I make. My goal is always to strike a balance between the visuals, flavours, aromas and textures of my work.
You’ve said that food is a conduit of culture and connection. Can you expand on that? How does food shift the energy of a space or gathering
Food is at the basis of any culture and connects people, whether within a culture or between cultures. We can better understand other people, cultures, creeds, nationalities, communities etc through food. Food brings vital energy into a space; people can interact with it, try to understand it, experience it, and interact with each other by sharing and relating to their unique experiences and perspectives on that food.
Finally, what’s inspiring you right now? Any flavours, artists, places, or collaborations you’re dreaming about?
What’s inspiring me now is how food is really having a moment where it can clearly intersect with any field, be that fashion, design, art or any kind of marketing or advertising. It’s become the conduit for people to experience such a wide variety of brands and businesses.
You have travelled a lot over the last few years, is there a place that stands out to you in terms of food?
Copenhagen is, of course, a very interesting place for food, blending a cross-European and Nordic approach to food. Most recently, somewhere that stands out to me is Marseille. The food scene is such an interesting mix of European, North African and even Asian cuisines.
What is your comfort food?
I think it would be any pasta. Predictable, perhaps, but its simplicity and hearty character gets me every time.
Do you have favourite restaurants, cafes, bakeries etc. in Cape Town?
I’m a big fan of Ouzeri, I just love what they do.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
I think I would explore a part of the world I’ve never been to before, for example, I’ve never been to Central or South America. I would love to explore so many countries in that part of the world.
If you could collaborate with anyone or any brand who would you choose?
That’s a tough one. There are so many inspiring people and brands out there. I would love for it to be someone or something not directly related to food, for example, the makeup brand Isamaya Beauty.
Follow along on Mia's journey here.
Mia wears the Flora Bag in Chocolate.
