Alessandra Pino is an expert on the intersections of the Gothic, food, and cultural memory. Born in Hampstead, London, she grew up in several different countries. She holds degrees from ‘L’Orientale’ University, Naples (Italy), and an MA in Translation Studies from the University of Westminster (UK), which also awarded her a PhD in Food, Cultural Memory, and the Gothic in 2022. Prior to her focus on research and writing, she gained extensive experience working with a Michelin-starred chef for nearly a decade. Her research and publications span topics including food, cultural memory, the supernatural, and the Gothic. She is the co-author of A Gothic Cookbook (2024), which explores food themes in Gothic literature from the 19th century to the present and the co-host of the podcast A is for Apple, which investigates the history of food, and Fear Feasts, a podcast that analyses the horror genre through the lens of food. She is a lecturer at RomancingtheGothic.com. More about her work can be found at her website: www.alessandrapino.com.
Alessandra Pino specialises in Gothic literature, with a particular emphasis on the depiction of food within this genre. Her expertise further encompasses horror-related themes in both literature and cinema, analysing the macabre and the uncanny. Additionally, she has a profound interest in cultural memory, investigating how societies remember and represent their past through various forms of media. Her academic pursuits also include a focus on Latin-American literature and Regency era texts, exploring their rich narratives and cultural contexts.
English, Italian, Neapolitan and Spanish.
Alessandra Pino is a freelance writer for publications such as Haunted Magazine and Rue Morgue, and she also lectures for the online learning platform Romancing the Gothic (romancingthegothic.com).
Publications Alessandra Pino is the co-author of A Gothic Cookbook, which explores food themes and motifs in classic and contemporary Gothic novels. She is the author of Dark Food in The Palgrave Companion to Memory and Literature (2024), which presents a cultural memory theory on the role of food in literature, specifically sugar, as it relates to colonisation. She is currently seeking funding to expand this project, aiming to further illuminate the critical role food plays in exposing social injustices and the profound impact food politics has on the health and well-being of communities. Podcasts She co-hosts Fear Feasts, a podcast that analyses the horror genre through the lens of food, and A is for Apple Podcast, an encyclopaedia of food and drink. Freelance Writing Alessandra contributes articles and essays on food and literature to various magazines, journals, and online platforms. Workshops and Lectures She conducts workshops and lectures on food writing, Gothic literature, and cultural memory. These sessions are often part of academic programs or writing festivals, providing both educational value and commercial benefit. She is currently developing an online platform that offers courses on the topic of food history. Consulting Alessandra provides bespoke consulting services for restaurants, food brands, and culinary events, helping them craft unique, storytelling-driven experiences. By incorporating literary themes and motifs into menus, presentations, and marketing strategies, she creates immersive dining experiences that captivate customers and set brands apart from competitors. Whether through themed tasting menus, narrative-driven branding, or special literary-inspired events, Alessandra helps businesses create a memorable and marketable identity that resonates with food lovers and literature enthusiasts alike. Her services are designed to increase brand engagement, customer loyalty, and revenue through innovative, culturally rich concepts. Charitable Work She is actively involved in raising funds for Magic Breakfast, a charity dedicated to providing nutritious breakfasts to schoolchildren in need. This initiative supports a vital cause and aligns with her commitment to promoting the importance of food in various aspects of life.
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