Michael Shaikh

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Michael Shaikh is a writer and human rights investigator who has worked for 20 years in areas marred by political crisis and armed conflict. He has worked at Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group, the Center for Civilians in Conflict, the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice. He is on the board of Adi Magazine. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he lives in New York City. His new book is "The Last Sweet Bite."

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Communities: South Asian and human rights communities

Treasured Recipes Lost and Found

While traveling the world and exploring culinary heritages and foodways, Michael Shaikh realized that food has the power to tell our stories. Join him as he shares recipes from heroic home cooks determined to perpetuate their cultural cuisine even while living in the midst of modern-day conflict zones.

Culinary Stage (Seats 265)  
Sun, Mar 15, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
Multigenre
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Central Mall (following presentation)  

Panelist: Michael Shaikh
Moderator: John Birdsall

Food in Culture and Community

Join authors John Birdsall, Michael Shaikh, and Adán Medrano to discover how food shapes identity, memory, and community across cultures. Through personal stories, culinary research, and literary perspectives, they’ll examine the politics of taste, migration-driven recipes, and the rituals that keep traditions alive.

Student Union Kachina (Seats 100)  
Sun, Mar 15, 4:00 pm - 4:55 pm
Multigenre
Signing area: UA Campus Store Book Sales (Mall) (following presentation)  

Panelists: John Birdsall, Adán Medrano, Michael Shaikh
Moderator: Edie Jarolim

Book:

The Last Sweet Bite

Stories and Recipes of Culinary Heritage Lost and Found
Culinary
Random House
June 2025
ISBN 9780593442845
320 pages
Buy now