A Passion for Food

As soon as I typed the last blog post I had already made the decision to write about home cooking. This could mean several things in your mind, so let’s define it.

Home cooking, in the terms I will explore it, will include: Baking, whether it be cakes, cookies, whoopie pies, normal pies, as well as cooking, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, Southern fried, Texas fried, perogi as a side. As long as the creation happens in someone’s kitchen, in the comfort of his or her home, it counts.

But, that’s a lot of food, so the research will revolve around what a person cooks that brings joy to their heart. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s because of the passion. That is what I want to capture.

I have a lot of friends and family with a passion for home cooking as it is, but I can’t just stop there. I want to push my boundaries and step outside of my comfort zone. I want to meet new people. Sure, I’ll talk to some people I already know but also taking time to talk to a local baker who is maybe running the operation out of her kitchen would be worth it. Maybe I’ll make myself strike up conversations with strangers sitting next to me at a coffee shop and I'll ask to be a part of their baking experience. Or yet another way, I choose a restaurant, talk to the chef and find out what they like to make for themselves at home. Aside from interviews I’ll look at magazines, books and websites.

Home cooking might be broad but I see someone’s specific passion as very narrow. You can like a lot of things but it takes time and attention to love them.

Home Cookin', Ya'll!

I don’t really say ya’ll, not yet anyways. But, I see it as fitting because home cooking really interests me. While brainstorming, the joy of cooking popped in my head, a famous cookbook, yes, but also how I feel when I make carrot cake muffins in my kitchen.

The main discourse could be focused on housewives and/or Southern ladies. I’ve grown up around these types of people, but also strive to be one, even if it’s considered controversial. But, this isn’t a main discourse, possibly not even a second discourse quite yet. I do have access though. So even if I can’t talk the talk I at least know which way to walk.

My Key Question: What do you bake or cook that brings joy to your heart? Instead of saying why do you cook or even how do you cook I want to look at their passion behind it all.

OR

I could focus on The Joy of Cooking aspect heavily. There was a whole movie made about Julia Child’s devout fan and the joy (and fear) she got out of boning a duck. Why not an ethnography? This study would still be focused on home cooking, but possibly with more rules. Julia Child did graduate from Le Courdon Bleu, afterall.

Bam! Why I Consider Food One of My Primary Discourses

When I was about 10 years old I started watching The Food Network. I loved this TV station. My favorite chef was Emeril Lagasse, no questions asked. My second might have been Rachel Ray, but only because she was pretty and had the ingenious idea of using an empty bowl as a trash can so you didn’t have to move away from your cooking space. I grew up with this. When I wasn’t watching The Food Network I experimented in the kitchen. My Dad encouraged my passions. One time I experimented with a toffee sauce and it all burnt to the bottom of the pan. I didn’t get in trouble. Another time I caught my Dad’s birthday carrot cake on fire in the oven and he still let me off the hook. Another primary discourse: grace.

But the discourse I want to focus on at the moment is food and my passion for it. I have always enjoyed it and as I get older I discover more and my curiosity continues to peak. This clip showcases the man whom added to my discourse’s language and puts a sound level to my internal excitement over food. Bon Appétit!

A Work in Progress

We’re all continuously learning. Sometimes it’s just more purposeful than others.

With this blog, over the course of a semester, I will hone my writing. I will consciously write concisely, creatively and, when needed, lengthy.

It will work in conjunction with my Simple Feast Project, bringing food and conversation to the same table.

Check back soon for updates! May the feast of knowledge begin.