Meet the leaders: Alice Zaslavsky

A self-described “wearer of many frames”, Alice Zaslavsky is an author, cook and broadcaster. Here she spills on why her email inbox brings her joy (yes, really) and shares the advice from Ottolenghi that changed her year. 

Did you make a new year’s resolution and if so what was it?
I did! I made the new year’s resolution that I would be in less of a hurry off the back of some advice that I got from the one and only Yottam Ottolenghi, who I was on tour with last year because the hard thing for me is that I get really excited about stuff so it was about being in the moment more. 

What are you reading and or listening to at the moment?
Listening to: I’m listening to The News Agents and The Rest Is Entertainment – they are two of my favourite podcasts. I also love Game Changers Radio: Melbourne Radio Wars. 

At the moment I’m reading We Solve Murders by Richard Osman (clearly an Osman fan!) and I’ve just finished reading Doppelgänger by Naomi Klein.

What is your favourite hotel and why?
We recently stayed at the Hotel Vera in Ballarat and loved it. It’s a little boutique hotel that reminded me of Vintry & Mercer (another one of my favourite hotels) in London. Both hotels really honour the historic bones of the building and yet thrust them into the modern age with every trim and trapping without being ostentatious. 

My ultimate stay for any extended period of time though, is Lake House in Daylesford. Their sense of hospitality is astonishing, and the food is world-class too.

Who do you admire and why?
I admire wise, older women … Not just the ones who are my colleagues and the amazing matriarchs of my various industries, but if I am sitting next to a mature lady on the plane, I’ll have the deepest, most beautiful conversations with them that leave me awe-struck. 

What is your Instagram feed most likely to be full of?
It’s got a lot of food and a lot of cat memes and cat content and a lot of older women’s fashion, like Carla Rockmore in Texas (who has an amazing collection of specs) who I’ve actually connected with and we write to each other now.

Do you have a favourite designer?
I’m not wedded to designers as much as stores. I love The Real Real and What We Wore Boutique, Venla and Di Nuovo in Paddington. 

In terms of designers, I love a lot of European and American designers that have come across my radar because of a great boutique in Melbourne called Grace – I love Victoria Beckham, Mother of Pearl, Preen. 

And one of go-to’s for great shirting is Watson X Watson, created by two sisters, Liberty and Somer.

What is the one thing you spend money on that could be considered an indulgence?
Butter. There’s this amazing perforated French butter that I buy from a friend who is a cheese maker. 

Following on from that, what brand is your current obsession?
Olivia Sheed. I’ve got these EPIC leather joggers from her in every colour that I’m almost always reaching for easy styling. They’re as comfortable as trackies but always look elevated.

What brings you joy?
My inboxes! I love receiving communication from people and when they send me photos of recipes they’ve cooked. 

Is exercise a must or a grind and how do you fit it into your lifestyle?
A must because endorphins make you happy!

What do you hope people will remember about you?
I hope people remember me for my enthusiasm and for my kindness. And hopefully that I made them laugh!