Welcome to Savor & Spice! I’m Ava Collins, the recipe developer, spice collector, and curious cook behind everything you see here. My culinary journey began in my mother’s San Francisco kitchen, where the scent of cardamom, cumin, and coriander turned everyday dinners into global adventures.
After studying culinary anthropology and working in food publishing for six years, I took a life-changing sabbatical in 2017 to travel through Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Mediterranean countries. What was meant to be a six-month trip turned into a two-year exploration of markets, home kitchens, and street food stalls where generous cooks shared their treasured recipes and techniques. When I returned to the States, Savor & Spice was born from my desire to honor these traditions while making them accessible to home cooks everywhere.
My cooking philosophy centers on this belief: spices are the passport to global cuisine. I’m passionate about demystifying “exotic” ingredients and showing how they can become everyday staples in your kitchen. Every recipe on this site has been tested multiple times with ingredients you can find in well-stocked grocery stores or with simple online substitutions.
When I’m not developing recipes, you’ll find me browsing international markets, tending to my rooftop herb garden in Boston, or hosting spice-blending workshops in my community. My spice cabinet now holds over 87 different spices and blends—a collection that continues to grow with each new culinary discovery!
What drives me is hearing how these recipes have expanded your culinary horizons or reconnected you with flavors from your heritage. I’m especially touched when readers share stories of discovering new favorite dishes or finally recreating that special meal they experienced while traveling.
Food is our most universal language. Through sharing these recipes, I hope to foster cultural appreciation and the understanding that comes from breaking bread—or naan, or injera, or tortillas—together. Every dish has a story, and I’m honored to help tell those stories through your kitchen.
Thank you for joining me on this flavorful journey. Let’s explore the world, one spice at a time!
With warmth and a pinch of sumac,
Ava