For the Love of Food
“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate”
-Alan D. Wolfelt
“Food brings people together on many different levels. It’s nourishment of the soul and body; it’s truly love”
-Giada De Laurentiis
An epicure is someone who truly loves food. I am an epicure! This is a blog dedicated to my fellow foodies.
I have always been someone who loves food. I enjoy trying different foods and cuisines, whether it’s something as crazy as eating crickets or something familiar like a good slice of pizza, it brings me joy. From my perspective, good food and company are some of life’s greatest pleasures. I even believe that food tastes better when shared with friends. There is something sacred in the act of sharing a meal with someone. It is a form of kinship and signifies a sense of vulnerability, trust, and belonging.
That is because there are traditions, memories, stories, and unspoken words in the food we eat. Food plays a major role in my experience as an African American. It is a symbolic example of innovation, perseverance, and endurance. All foods have origins that trace periods of migration, colonization, and immigration. This makes it extremely interesting to discover foods that have become popular in places they did not originate and shows the significance of cultural exchange. I bet you didn’t know some of the world’s most popular foods gained popularity outside of their origins.
Chicken Tikka Masala:
Often thought of as an Indian dish, this creamy curry originated in Scotland.
Empanadas:
A South African pastry that has gained popularity in the US, especially in the Latin American population.
Spaghetti and Meatballs:
An American creation, Italian immigrants in the United States adapted traditional Italian pasta dishes to include larger portions of meat, which happened to be more affordable in America. Traditional Italian pasta dishes usually include little to no meat at all.
Hawaiian Pizza:
Popularized by Sam Panopoulos, a Greek immigrant in his Satellite Restaurant in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada.
Food is one of the main ingredients of life that brings people of different cultures together. It’s a universal experience and pleasure that makes our lives richer. When life gets hard, food eminently accepts us for who we are.
Besides partaking in good food. I love to cook for those I love, not because I expect anything in return, but because there is hidden joy in watching someone’s eyes light up when they have experienced a dance on their taste buds. When I cook for someone I am not just sharing food with them, but offering them a piece of my heart.
As stated, I am a foodie so here are a few spots I enjoy going to when I need some food luv Luckily, these places are relative to campus and all happen to be located in downtown Philly.
Here they are!
Bubblefish
Offers delicious tasking Sushi and Taiwanese snacks accompanied by a large variety of Bubble Tea!
Address: Bubblefish, 909 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Buddakan
Modern Asian cuisine offers dishes such as handmade dumplings, spicy rock shrimp bao buns, and Asian-influenced cocktails.
Address: 325 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2614
Veda
Serves traditional Indian cuisine, and can be considered a Modern Indian Bistro. Also offers hand-crafted cocktails
Address: 1920 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Southeast Asian Market May-Oct (Sat & Sun)
A vending community of Lao, Khmer, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian. Offers native cuisine dishes, culturally specific fresh produce, plants, and clothing.
Address: Located in FDR Park: 1500 Pattison Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Reading Terminal
Philly’s Public Market, provides local produce, meats, poultry, seafood, cheeses, baked goods, confections, and an array of freshly prepared foods.
Address: 1136 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Paris Baguette
Offers delicious pastries, warm breads, gorgeous cakes, and freshly brewed drinks.
Address: 1717 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Also, here is a show I am currently watching that shows how African American cuisine transformed America! You can find it on Netflix.
