Family and Connection
For me, food is about family and connection.
I have grown to recognize food as a love language. My family's from Kerala, where dropping off things at someone's house turns into an unexpected stay for the next three hours... It's funny because that happens at my house whenever someone comes over to simply visit or drop off things. The instant they sit down, we start bringing out snacks and making drinks.
Cooking for my family brings me great joy. There's something special about making a meal that'll brighten up someone's day. For my grandmother, leaving the house on an empty stomach is taboo. For her, food is how she expresses her love—whether that is making a simple snack or a gourmet meal.
For my church, food plays a big part. After every service, there's something we call fellowship, which always includes food. Over a shared meal, we connect and catch up. That is the reason why our church group kind of feels like one big family. Honestly, that is what food does—it brings us together. It forms bonds with one another, unities different backgrounds, and creates long-lasting memories.
— Joshua P.
Food as a Bridge
For me, food is basically all about comfort and happiness. It's a really big deal in my community too. We have everyday foods that change with the seasons, but then there are special occasions where food is central – like roasting a whole pig for a wedding, or having mooncakes and loads of other sweets during Lunar New Year to celebrate.
Honestly, food just brings us together. When we share food from our culture, it feels like we're sharing a little piece of ourselves and our history. It's a cool way to swap cultures and see how different people might cook the exact same thing using their own techniques.
Food's also great for just connecting. It gives everyone something easy to talk about, a shared thing to bond over while you're eating and sharing stories. Using food to be welcoming is definitely key. Plus, sometimes it brings us together through religion – like when people fast and then gather for a shared meal at the end of the day. It's all about connection.
— Kody N.
The Experiences of Eating
My relationship with food has always been somewhat complicated, especially regarding foods prevalent within my culture. I love Indian cuisine, especially the foods made by my mother and grandmothers. Their recipes are unmatched. But here’s the problem: I almost never eat out at Indian restaurants. First off, nothing can compare to the comforts of homemade foods, but in addition to that, my sister and I both have severe food allergies. These restrictions have taught me to be extra grateful for the dishes that I can enjoy!
Food isn’t just about eating, it’s a whole social experience. Many of the Indian social gatherings I’ve attended result in the formation of three main groups: children, men, and women. I’ve noticed that the aunties typically congregate in the living room/kitchen for easy access to food preparation and comfortable seating, the uncles tend to sit outside and are usually in charge of setting up any major activity we’re doing, and the children fill up any and every space that’s left. While the aunties definitely rule the kitchen, over the years I’ve noticed some uncles and kids venturing into the kitchen to try their hand at helping out.
What I love most about food is how it brings people together. There’s something almost magical about the atmosphere created when sharing a meal or cooking with others. One of my favorite memories is from my 18th birthday, when my friends and I held a cake decorating competition. It wasn’t only eating the cake (though I’ll be honest, that was a huge factor), but also the laughter and chaotic energy fostered by the shared experience.
For me, food is more than just sustenance. It’s community, tradition, and the source of some of my most treasured memories.
— Veda M.
