What does food mean to me?
FOOD IS LOVE. This is one of the few truths in my life. An undeniable bond is created by sharing a meal whether you are a guest at my table or I am a guest at your table. It must originate in the heart when a host invests their time, effort, and resources into preparing a meal for guests. We all remember what mom made us when we were home sick from school. Maybe it was as simple as a grilled cheese sandwich with canned tomato soup. Whatever that comfort food was, you felt loved and special with every bite.
Food is social intercourse. Breaking bread together is a fundamental social contract. We eat together, we talk, we learn, we laugh.
I grew up in the melting pot of New York City. Since food was a fascination of mine, New York afforded me the opportunity to be exposed to a literal world of cuisines and cultures. I was in high school when I was given an assignment to bring something to class that represented history. One of my friend’s families was from Beirut. I was sitting in their mom’s kitchen and asked her for a couple of recipes for this class assignment. This was 1970, not many people knew of Lebanese cuisine. I do not know if my project submission was what the teacher was looking for, but when you are munching on pita and hummus and babaganoush, who is going to complain? I did not realize it at the time, but a lesson was learned. The sharing of food is a form of sharing culture. And we all need to have more tolerance and understanding in this world, so pass the hummus.
Food is an extension of my soul. A physical manifestation of the energies that reside in me.
People often ask me what is my favorite food or most beloved meal to cook. I am omnivorous, so I enjoy eating anything that is ethnic and an explosion of flavors. But, what is my favorite thing to cook? I have literally contemplated the answer to this question for a long time. If I am in the kitchen, I am happy, so the simple answer is anything.
What really gives my cooking purpose though? I have donated my services to nonprofits, but found that I missed one of the most parts of cooking a meal: enjoying what I had prepared with my friends, family, and guests.
My favorite meals to cook are the ones when you are a guest at my table. When you accept the invitation I will ask you a few questions: what is your family’s ethnic origins, what was your favorite meal that your grandma cooked for holidays or family gatherings, any allergies or dislikes? Armed with this information the fun really starts for me. I will do research on the history of your ethnic culture, research how these dishes are prepared. Then I start my process of elevating what grandma cooked. The biggest compliment I can ever receive is you saying in the middle of the meal, “That really brings me back to my childhood and family dinners.”
Connecting through food is a visceral experience. My guest, through enjoying my efforts, has had a magical experience. This is what I love to cook.
Food is peace. When we understand each other more, we learn that differences are not so different. And the best way to experience each other’s culture and differences is to sit down to a meal and learn about each other through our cooking.
In its basic essence cooking is just the transfer of temperature and flavor. There are eight basic cooking methods in the world: frying, baking, braising, sauteing, stir fry, grilling, simmering, and stir frying. As I travel it fascinates me how these basic eight techniques evolved through the cultural prism.
As you explore my website, I hope your eyes will be opened to the world’s kitchen and its diversity of flavors, texture and aromas.
Please, enjoy the journey and feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
Bon Appetite,
Chef B
