Food and Words — Sharing Your Food Stories
Revisiting our February Challenge
Hello once more, everyone!
I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who took the time to read, comment, and participate in our food challenge for In Living Color.
There’s a saying in Italian that I love “Il cibo buono non ha bisogno di parole.” Translated as “Good food needs no words,” it beautifully captures the essence of culinary delight.
While your food photos alone brought delight and triggered cravings, your accompanying words truly amplified the flavors of your stories. We not only gained insights into each other’s backgrounds, but we also discovered new global cuisines that may have been unfamiliar to us before.
Now before I get to the recap, I’d love to share that Allisonn Church has agreed to head our March challenge which will be posted tomorrow. To tease you a bit I’ll ask you this: What do a chameleon and the seasons have in common?
Also, please know that you can still submit any food stories. They won’t be part of the challenge, but we will still love to read them. Who ever gets tired of seeing food photos?
February Challenge Story Submissions
Wow, 22 submissions! That’s incredible. I thank you for every story that was shared. I’ve added quite a bit of food to try to my bucket list.
It has been a treat to experience the diverse array of food stories shared by our community. These stories offer nourishment for the soul and serve as a reminder of the rich diverseness of our human experiences. They bring us together, offering glimpses into different cultures, traditions, and personal narratives, enriching our understanding of the world around us.
Whether we dine together in person together or admire each other’s culinary creations through digital screens, the power of food to unite us remains unchanged.
Mystical Aries seemingly anticipated our desires and kicked off the festivities by sharing a recipe for homemade chicken dumplings. After reading her story, I couldn’t resist adding a bamboo steamer to my shopping cart.
Then she wasted no time diving back into action, sharing her Sushi story, as well as her culinary adventures in both Austria and Greece. It leads me to ask her this question: Can we expect a full-fledged food blog from you soon? I’d subscribe.
JoAnn Ryan took us from Boston to Seattle savoring tiny masterpieces of creamy bliss in her cannoli story. Visions of sugar plums are dancing in my head now that I’m left with the craving for a peppermint cannoli.
M. J. Carson beautifully chronicles her evolving relationship with food over the years. It’s a reminder that life is fleeting, so why not savor every moment and indulge in the pleasures of good food?
Akemi Sagawa gave us a great tutorial on how to make miso at home, which I will be attempting soon.
Melissa Rock was inspired by Anthony Bourdain and tried out a New Orleans Po’boy shop that he once recommended.
Joe Guay - Dispatches From the Guay Life! While he doesn’t go the social media foodie photographer route, he shares with us the beautifulness and simplicity of food and reminds us that maybe we should get back to the basics as we deal with supply chain issues and global warming ramifications.
TzeLin Sam had us craving cookies! She shares with us the treats traditionally eaten during Chinese New Year celebrations
Allisonn Church I love good and unique pizza combos, Allisonn shared slices of her life by sharing the yummy foods prepared by her husband and son and her favorite restaurant. There is no better feeling than to sit down and eat food that was prepared by others whether at home or a restaurant.
Dr. Preeti Singh recounts an outing to a garden located near Delhi, where she receives a warm invitation to harvest the last of the season’s vegetables, enjoy a leisurely picnic, and engage in discussions about conservation efforts. That sounded like the most perfect day!
Christina Daniels Some people live to eat and some eat to live. Christina clarifies that she doesn’t particularly identify as a “food enthusiast,” but she perfectly demonstrates the pivotal role food plays in travel and fully immersing oneself in the essence of a destination.
L Burton, reflects on her childhood as a picky eater and admits to not always appreciating Asian cuisine. However, as she grew older, her palate expanded, leading to a newfound love for miso and sushi.
Ryan Chin shared with us a birthday gift he received — a plow disc that has served as the foundation for nearly 100 delicious meals over the past seven years. From veggies and tuna to tacos, bacon, and beyond, this story promises to nourish both your palate and your spirit.
lukthru guides us to discover happiness in life’s little pleasures, showcasing tofu pudding as a prime example and giving us a wonderful view of the sea as well.
Julia A. Keirns revealed the magic of food crafted in the kitchen with love and expressed her fondness for a fine glass of wine.
Krasi Shapkarova introduces us to Bulgarian pastries and culinary delights. A mekitsa is now on my food bucket list to try!
Purbita Chakraborty reflected on her upbringing in India, where she learned to cherish seasonal foods, she now finds herself savoring the present season of her life in the Netherlands. From indulging in jackfruit rendang to capturing vibrant shots at the local farmer’s market and enjoying mouthwatering shrimp curry, her journey is filled with a bounty of culinary experiences and breathtaking scenes of the beach.
Nella DiCarlo graciously invited us into her world, offering a heartwarming glimpse into her Italian family’s cherished tradition of coming together around the table to enjoy a shared meal of pasta. Through her storytelling, she beautifully conveyed the deep sense of togetherness, comfort, and love that permeates these gatherings. It was a touching reminder of the power of food to unite and nourish not just our bodies, but also our souls.
Daphsam generously shared her delectable peach pie recipe, along with a clever time-saving tip for preparing it. Now, all that’s left is to locate the vanilla ice cream, and we’ll be ready to savor a slice of this irresistible treat
OCTAVIA EVER AFTER: As the quintessential last-minute individual that I am sometimes, I rounded off the challenge by offering a glimpse into my homeschooling routine with my kids, featuring the CHEF method we swear by cook, harvest, eat, feed. From sibling squabbles resulting in a crustless pie top to crafting pizzas and gathering fresh herbs from our greenhouse, I unveiled our beloved sanctuary of learning: the kitchen!
And that’s a wrap with turkey and cheese inside it folks!
On behalf of our entire team — Allisonn Church, JoAnn Ryan, Melissa Rock, and myself — we thank you immensely for joining us on our continuous journey through photo storytelling. Your participation is deeply valued and greatly appreciated.
