welcome to lab noon

My name is Saghar Setareh. I’m a writer, photographer, and cookbook author working across food, culture and education in Italy. I also lead food tours in Rome and write a newsletter.

More here.

photography

I photograph editorial projects (such as cookbooks) and commercial projects that require an editorial style (such as hôtellerie and lifestyle brands). Among my brilliant clients have been: Thames & Hudson, Murdoch Books, Condé Nast Traveller, Corriere della Sera, Slow Food Editore, Prestel and Pellicano Hotels.

See my portfolio or get in touch to discuss your project.

Three tall glasses of colorful beverages, a slice of watermelon, and leafy greens on a silver tray outdoors at sunset.

Person holding a cake with white frosting and yellow decoration on a cake stand, wearing a red dress and a necklace.

A still life table setting with a white tablecloth, featuring a white pitcher with green foliage, a candlestick with a lit yellow candle, a bowl of citrus fruits including grapefruits and lemons, small dishes of cherries, olives, and radishes, a stac

A platter of canapés topped with whipped cream cheese, broad beans, and fresh mint leaves, beside two glasses of sparkling wine on a green tablecloth, with a sunny outdoor setting.

A person arranging white ceramic bowls on a dining table with a gold-patterned tablecloth, a bowl of apples, a glass decanter, and decorative figurines.

A whole cherry cheesecake with a slice removed, revealing cherries, cream cheese filling, and a graham cracker crust, placed on parchment paper on a wooden surface.

Vintage wooden table with a woven top, decorated with a glass vase holding white flowers, a ceramic teacup, and a pomegranate, in a dimly lit room with wooden paneling and a decorative fireplace in the background.

Several white and colorful bowls and plates with yellow rice and vegetable curry on a table, with a person serving rice onto a plate.

A loaf of bread topped with caramel and chopped nuts on a decorative plate, with jars of dates and cookies in the background on a rustic wooden table.

A bowl of sliced oranges topped with small dried fish on a white marble surface.

cookbook

Pomegranates & Artichokes

Recipes and Memories of a Journey from Iran to Italy

“Rich with detail, this beautiful and beautifully written book bridges two culinary worlds and invites us to cook.”

— Rachel Roddy

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Rome food tours

Come explore Roman food with me! My classic Rome food tour usually takes place in a neighborhood with an incredibly rich culinary history. I will tell you about the historical anecdotes and geographical curiosities that have shaped the micro-cuisine of Rome while tasting everything from cream-filled buns for breakfast, to seasonal vegetables and traditional dishes for lunch and many other snacks, ending with dessert, usually gelato.

Teaching & Culinary Experiences

I give lectures on the food cultures of the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and I teach food photography to undergraduate design students and amateur enthusiasts. I also teach cooking classes, most notably Iranian cooking, as well as Mediterranean brunch and meze & Middle Eastern aperitivo classes. I am also available for supper clubs, private dinners, and small cultural events.

Get in touch to organize a class or an event or download my cv.

newsletter

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