5 Things You Didn't Know About Max Cantor, The Emmy-Nominated Director Who Married Alison Roman

The celebrity chef, food writer, and viral recipe queen Alison Roman has kept her personal life famously private, but in the last two years, she has shared some of her most significant life milestones with the public. As of late 2025, the biggest news surrounding the author of the best-selling cookbooks Dining In and Nothing Fancy is her marriage to Emmy-nominated director Max Cantor and the recent expansion of their family. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in September 2023 and, most recently, welcomed their first child, marking a new, more personal chapter in Roman's life and career, which she has affectionately dubbed her "mushy food era."

This article dives deep into the life of Max Cantor, the man behind the camera who captured the heart of the culinary world’s most beloved personality. It also clarifies the common confusion surrounding his namesake and provides a full, up-to-date look at the couple's life as they navigate new parenthood and Roman's continued success with her upcoming cookbook, Something from Nothing.

Alison Roman and Max Cantor: A Complete Biography and Profile

The lives of a celebrated food writer and an Emmy-nominated director have converged in a partnership that has created significant buzz. Here is a detailed look at the profiles of both Max Cantor and Alison Roman.

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Max Cantor (Director/Producer)

• Full Name: Max Cantor
• Occupation: Director, Producer, Founder of a production company.
• Known For: Directing commercials and TV projects, primarily focusing on comedy. He is an Emmy-nominated director.
• Base: New York City.
• Notable Career Highlights: His work spans various commercials, films, and TV shows, earning him an Emmy nomination for his directorial work.
• Relationship Status: Married to Alison Roman (m. September 2023).
• Children: The couple welcomed their first baby in late 2024/early 2025.

Alison E. Roman (Food Writer/Chef)

• Full Name: Alison E. Roman
• Born: September 1, 1985.
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Occupation: Food writer, chef, internet personality, author, and host of the Home Movies podcast.
• Education: University of California, Santa Cruz.
• Key Career Milestones:
  • Author of the New York Times best-selling cookbooks Dining In (2017) and Nothing Fancy (2019).
  • Former bi-weekly columnist for the Cooking section of The New York Times.
  • Known for creating viral recipes like 'The Stew' (Spiced Chickpea Stew) and 'The Cookies' (Salted Butter and Chocolate Chunk Shortbread).
  • Upcoming Cookbook: Something from Nothing (scheduled for November 2025).
• Relationship Status: Married to Max Cantor (m. September 2023).

The Recent Milestones: Marriage and The New Baby

The relationship between Alison Roman and Max Cantor has been a relatively private affair, with the food writer only occasionally sharing glimpses of her personal life. However, the last couple of years have been filled with major, public milestones that have delighted her fans, especially those who follow her approachable, stylish home-cooking voice.

The September 2023 Wedding

The couple officially tied the knot in September 2023, just a month after announcing their engagement. Max Cantor, a well-regarded director and producer in the New York media scene, and Alison Roman, based in Brooklyn, celebrated their union in a ceremony and reception held at a notable New York venue. Roman shared the news with her followers, featuring pictures of her stunning engagement ring, confirming the exciting next step in their relationship.

Welcoming Their First Child

The most recent and significant update is the arrival of their first baby. Alison Roman and Max Cantor welcomed their new bundle of joy in late 2024 or early 2025. The news was met with an outpouring of support from fans and the culinary community, as Roman transitioned into a new phase of life. This new role as a mother has reportedly influenced her work and lifestyle, leading her to embrace what she calls her "mushy food era," a change from her typically more acerbic and direct culinary persona.

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The arrival of the baby also coincides with a shift in the couple's living situation. They often retreat to their country home, a space that Roman has described as a calming influence and a place for her and her husband to escape the city. This retreat offers a sanctuary for the new family, fostering a more intimate and personal approach to her cooking and writing.

The Max Cantor Confusion: Director vs. Actor

One of the most persistent questions that arises when searching for information about Alison Roman's husband is the confusion with a famous namesake. It is crucial to clarify that Alison Roman’s husband, Max Cantor, is an Emmy-nominated director and producer, a living figure in the New York media world.

There was another, distinct figure named Max Cantor, who was an American journalist and actor, famous for his role as Robbie Gould in the iconic 1987 film Dirty Dancing. This Max Cantor, whose full name was Michael "Max" Cantor, was born in 1959 and tragically passed away in 1991.

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The two men are separate individuals with different careers and life trajectories. The Max Cantor who married Alison Roman is the contemporary director, known for his work in commercials and television comedy, not the late actor from the 1980s.

The Future: A New Cookbook and a New Family Dynamic

Alison Roman’s career continues to be on an upward trajectory, fueled by her unique voice and the accessibility of her flavorful, simple recipes. The latest chapter in her professional life is the highly anticipated release of her fourth cookbook, Something from Nothing, scheduled to hit shelves in November 2025.

The title suggests a return to her foundational philosophy: creating delicious, stylish food without excessive fuss or obscure ingredients, a theme that resonated with millions and led to the viral success of her past work. The new cookbook is expected to reflect the changes in her personal life, perhaps featuring recipes that cater to a busy new parent or reflect the cozy, comforting atmosphere of her country home retreat.

The partnership between Roman and Cantor, a director who understands the power of visual storytelling, is also likely to continue influencing her media presence. From her popular YouTube channel to her podcast, Home Movies, Cantor's background in directing and producing commercials and TV gives the couple a shared language in creating engaging, high-quality content that keeps Roman at the forefront of the culinary media landscape.

As they navigate their first year as parents, the Roman-Cantor family is a powerful example of two creative professionals balancing demanding careers with a rich, rewarding private life. The blend of Roman's culinary genius and Cantor's visual expertise ensures that their story, and their home life, will continue to be a source of curiosity and inspiration for years to come.