For four days at Nava Gardens, set in Helena, Montana, I cooked for an exclusive gathering of entrepreneurs, thoughtleaders, changemakers, filmmakers, and investors at the World Within Summit. Over seven family-style meals, shared platters passed from hand to hand turned every breakfast, lunch, and dinner into a moment of connection, where ideas flowed as freely as the food.

The menu brought my Persian roots together with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors and the best of the local season. I built dishes around Montana huckleberries, rhubarb, local honey, fresh bread, and vegetables from nearby farms. From a whole saffron branzino on the first night to huckleberry overnight oats on the final morning, every meal was designed to nourish, inspire, and bring people together around the table.

The Curated Menu

• Whole Saffron Branzino with Fresh Herb Rice

• Roasted Beet Hummus & House-Pickled Local Vegetables

• Grilled Turmeric & Thyme Chicken with Sumac Basmati Rice

• Lebanese Chicken Tawook Skewers

• Grilled Soy & Garlic Glazed Steak with Local Grilled Vegetables

• Saffron Ice Cream Float in Carrot Juice

• Huckleberry Dump Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream

• Breakfasts with Local Honey, Huckleberry & Rhubarb Jams, and Fresh Local Bread