Darra Goldstein is an accomplished professor, lecturer, author, and curator with expertise in food studies, Russian cultural studies, and literature. She holds a Ph.D. in Russian Language and Literature from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages from Vassar College. As a professor, she has taught at Williams College and is the founding editor of the leading food studies journal Gastronomica. She has also curated several exhibitions related to Russian art and tableware.

Goldstein has written several award-winning cookbooks and has also consulted for the Council of Europe. She is a skilled editor, journalist, culinary diplomat, linguist, and communicator. Her professional experience and interests span across the fields of food culture, cultural diplomacy, design, and literature.