Elissa Altman

About the Author

Elissa Altman is an acclaimed memoirist and food writer whose evocative prose delves into the intricate layers of family dynamics, personal identity, and the sensory world of cuisine. Born in New York City, she grew up in a household marked by culinary abundance and emotional complexity, experiences that profoundly shape her narrative voice. Altman's debut memoir, Motherland: A Memoir of Love, Loathing, and Longing, chronicles her fraught relationship with her mother against the backdrop of their shared love for food, earning praise for its raw honesty and vivid storytelling. A former restaurant critic and editor, she now lives in rural Connecticut with her wife and their rescue dogs, where she continues to explore themes of belonging and resilience through her writing.