Bringing fashion into the kitchen is often something of a fraught idea. There is the accidental spill or stain to consider: An errant splash could ruin a priceless gem of a dress, and how will you ever get that relentless spot out of silk? But personal chef Mina Stone may have found the perfect recipe for merging the worlds of dining and fashion into one ample serving. Since making the leap from the fashion design world (where she developed a collection of airy and breezy frocks), Stone has fashioned an effortless style that can move seamlessly from the kitchen to the table of any of the glittering dinner parties she assembles for art world titans like Urs Fischer. Although she now works full-time as Fischer’s personal chef, Stone was initially reluctant to leave the world of fashion. Cooking was simply a side hustle to foot the bills racked up by her clothing line. But after collaborating with Fischer on Mina Stone: Cooking For Artists, a cookbook of recipes inspired by her Greek grandmother, Stone traded in clothes for pots and pans. Although aprons take precedence now, the Brooklyn-based foodie is still serving up an easy charm with her workwear—especially now that she’s pregnant. Finding something practical for serving up the good eats is necessary, with Stone relying on colorful jumpsuits and Chuck Taylors to get her through a day of cooking, recipe developments, and writing her second cookbook. Here, the entrepreneur recounts why First Lady Michelle Obama is her style icon and food styling in and out of the kitchen. The Cooking Gene “I would say that everyone in my household, in their own right, was a very creative person. My mother and father are both creative in the literary realm, and both of my grandmothers, well, they were my creative idols. My Greek grandma is an amazing cook, making up her own recipes at 86 years old with no signs of stopping. My American grandma was a real character and a visual artist who loved Photoshop and was always in her studio photographing these strange flower arrangements she made—and then she’d Photoshop them to look even stranger.” Whipping Up Style and Good Eats “I went to school for fashion. Upon graduating, I wanted to start my own line as soon as possible. I started my line and simultaneously started cooking to support myself. I was cooking prepped food for a family and sticking it in the fridge for a week, and I totally loved it. It felt natural, meditative. I liked tapping into what food I liked, what I would like to eat, and then trying to make it for someone else. I felt like food was a language my mind understood; it comes easy and peacefully to me. I love cooking because it brings people so much joy, which is incredibly rewarding. I had been juggling food and fashion for many years, denying the fact that I preferred cooking because I was never quite ready to let fashion go. But my ‘aha’ moment happened when the artist I cook for, Urs Fischer, suggested we write a cookbook. With fashion, I always hesitated to grow and commit, but I realized, when it came to cooking, I didn’t have the same hesitation.” Suiting Up for the Kitchen “I like the idea of style being practical, and I have to battle that sometimes, to find something that works as both stylish and practical when I am working. In that sense, food definitely influences and informs what I wear. I dress in two ways. The first is dressing for the entire day, practical working clothes that can transition into nighttime clothes, and the second way is more of an entire look. That is only for going out, and is usually on the more eccentric side of things. My work uniform is certainly a jumpsuit with black Chucks. I have found that to be the most practical combo of functionality and style when I work. First and foremost, I feel like myself, and I also feel totally comfortable. I like one-piece garments so I don’t have to think too much. I love color and I love prints, though I can be subdued in my daywear because I don’t like to cook and mess up my nicer clothes. For meetings, I wear what I usually wear and add lipstick. I am a strong believer in one look can suit all or most situations, especially in New York City.” A Bun in the Oven “Since I’ve become pregnant my work style took a turn to caftan dresses and oversize button-down shirts. I searched for maternity clothes, but in the end got very little other than leggings and lots of regular clothes in an extra-large. My Mexican print dress with leggings or my Hatch jumper with an extra-large J.Crew men’s cardigan have become staples. I have found in later pregnancy nothing is comfortable unless it is a natural material, so tights or bare legs are out, and leggings under dresses or shirts are in. I like oversize cashmere men’s cardigans. It should almost be a sweaterdress. And speaking of sweaterdresses, A Détacher sweaterdresses are an integral part of my fall and winter wardrobe. I usually wear plain black leggings. I’ve gotten maternity ones from Asos. I have a collection of [table]cloths that I wear as scarves from a shop I love called Rustic Loom.” Once a Fashion Person, Always a Fashion Person “I don’t make clothes anymore, though I am always full of ideas. However, I do wear some long shirtdresses I dyed and made a long time ago. They have a true waistline, which is great for tying an apron around. I also have a big vintage collection of Missoni pieces that I’ve collected over the years. I have awesome cardigans and one jumpsuit. I’ll certainly pass them on to my stepdaughter, Sophia—unless my little boy gets into Missoni, and in that case, they can share them!” Tools and Jewels of the Kitchen “I wear Aesa jewelry through and through. I always wear a ring on every finger when I go out and don’t need to cook, but if I am cooking I like the Aesa gold solar disk earrings so my hands are totally free to prep and wash. A simple black leather Baggu tote carries my phone and usually some broken pens. I have a practical apron game. I like canvas Williams-Sonoma aprons with pockets. I like folding them in half and tying them around my waist so my chest is free.” A Kitchen on Wheels “I travel pretty often for work and I keep it so minimal that at times it has been a problem. I like extreme basic traveling. Only carry-on, no matter where you go and for how long. I also like to look and feel nice when I fly. It helps me ward off the totally disgusting feeling you have after a long, long plane trip. At the same time, just like when I cook, it has to be practical. I like sneakers I can slip on or off easily with some loudly printed pants, a simple shirt, and a cardigan. I do think a cardigan is the solution to many things, especially when there are temperature fluctuations. I traveled to Greece last year, and before that, Mexico City. In Mexico City I would never have thought the jumpsuit I bought that trip would have carried me through my entire pregnancy. It looks great at month three through month nine! In Greece they have these great cotton oversize button-downs that I bought two of and also wore throughout my pregnancy.”  

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