Meet Alyssa Noui | Food Stylist and Culinary Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alyssa Noui and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alyssa, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Success to me is being able to move fully expressed in the joyful gratitude I wake up with every morning that I get paid to play with food. The success of my brand is the environment I bring along with my creativity and attention to detail. I try to take the phrase “Leave Everywhere Better Than When You Found It” to a holistic level.

Beyond the obvious material cleanliness aspect, how can I uplift the energy on set? How can I make people laugh and move through the day a little lighter? How can I teach and challenge my assistants so they will be ready for their time to come lead? How can I learn from, support and communicate my needs to production so we can all anticipate and consider the other’s needs earlier?

This has made my business successful as an 90% word-of-mouth hiring rate!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s a constant plate spinning of perfecting technical aspects and inserting your voice to bringing a vision to life. I love collaborating with all the departments: art directors, camera operators, lighting and learning as much as I can about their process so I can drop the perfectly cut component of a dish and make everyone perk up at the sight on the monitors.

I was so hungry in the beginning, never said no, took every job. At this point, and especially now post-pandemic, many productions were trying to get away with more work for less money and support. I had to find a new voice and really learn to advocate for myself. Having to flip my easygoing bubbly personality AND have a firm reasonable rate sheet, I no longer see as having to exist separately. Besides any tips and tricks I can teach my assistants, this topic is one I’m unrelenting on. People who love to cook are just so happy to cook! But learning to recognize your value and to conduct a sustainable business allows you to flourish and be your best self on set.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love planning itineraries and getting the most out of each sector of LA.

In Hollywood, start with dinner at Amphai Northern Thai. Then continue snacking or just sit and sip a bottle of wine at Tabula Rasa, followed by making it rain at Jumbo’s Clown Room over the coldest Hi-Life’s in town!

In K-Town, Feng Mao for skewers and noodles, Dan Sung Sa for vibes, beers and… more skewers and the Prince for cocktails and fried chicken.

Driving out to Malibu, Id hike Solstice Canyon, grab a bottle of wine and lobster roll at Broad Street Oyster Co, then lay out at Lechuza/Broad Beach.

A burger at Hinano’s in Venice and people watching is a one-stop shop for a fun afternoon.

Hitting the South Bay, the Mitsuwa food court for a bento to be enjoyed beach side, or a plate lunch at Gardena Bowl, or the best soba and izakaya at Otafuku are my JAMS

The curation at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in West Hollywood is really on another level so hitting their latest exhibit and then dinner at Gigi’s around the corner makes a gal like me feel real fancy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shouting out the Watts Empowerment Center and Imperial Courts Garden!!!! The community has opened up its doors and allowed me to serve in my culinary and childcare skills. Justin Mayo and Marveon are personal heroes!

Website: www.alyssanoui.com

Instagram: @suppingood