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Six brilliant student essays on the power of food to spark social change.

Read winning essays from our fall 2018 “Feeding Ourselves, Feeding Our Revolutions,” student writing contest.

For the Fall 2018 student writing competition, “Feeding Ourselves, Feeding Our Revolutions,” we invited students to read the YES! Magazine article, “Cooking Stirs the Pot for Social Change,”   by Korsha Wilson and respond to this writing prompt: If you were to host a potluck or dinner to discuss a challenge facing your community or country, what food would you cook? Whom would you invite? On what issue would you deliberate? 

The Winners

From the hundreds of essays written, these six—on anti-Semitism, cultural identity, death row prisoners, coming out as transgender, climate change, and addiction—were chosen as essay winners.  Be sure to read the literary gems and catchy titles that caught our eye.

Middle School Winner: India Brown High School Winner: Grace Williams University Winner: Lillia Borodkin Powerful Voice Winner: Paisley Regester Powerful Voice Winner: Emma Lingo Powerful Voice Winner: Hayden Wilson

Literary Gems Clever Titles

Middle School Winner: India Brown  

A Feast for the Future

Close your eyes and imagine the not too distant future: The Statue of Liberty is up to her knees in water, the streets of lower Manhattan resemble the canals of Venice, and hurricanes arrive in the fall and stay until summer. Now, open your eyes and see the beautiful planet that we will destroy if we do not do something. Now is the time for change. Our future is in our control if we take actions, ranging from small steps, such as not using plastic straws, to large ones, such as reducing fossil fuel consumption and electing leaders who take the problem seriously.

 Hosting a dinner party is an extraordinary way to publicize what is at stake. At my potluck, I would serve linguini with clams. The clams would be sautéed in white wine sauce. The pasta tossed with a light coat of butter and topped with freshly shredded parmesan. I choose this meal because it cannot be made if global warming’s patterns persist. Soon enough, the ocean will be too warm to cultivate clams, vineyards will be too sweltering to grow grapes, and wheat fields will dry out, leaving us without pasta.

I think that giving my guests a delicious meal and then breaking the news to them that its ingredients would be unattainable if Earth continues to get hotter is a creative strategy to initiate action. Plus, on the off chance the conversation gets drastically tense, pasta is a relatively difficult food to throw.

In YES! Magazine’s article, “Cooking Stirs the Pot for Social Change,” Korsha Wilson says “…beyond the narrow definition of what cooking is, you can see that cooking is and has always been an act of resistance.” I hope that my dish inspires people to be aware of what’s at stake with increasing greenhouse gas emissions and work toward creating a clean energy future.

 My guest list for the potluck would include two groups of people: local farmers, who are directly and personally affected by rising temperatures, increased carbon dioxide, drought, and flooding, and people who either do not believe in human-caused climate change or don’t think it affects anyone. I would invite the farmers or farm owners because their jobs and crops are dependent on the weather. I hope that after hearing a farmer’s perspective, climate-deniers would be awakened by the truth and more receptive to the effort to reverse these catastrophic trends.

Earth is a beautiful planet that provides everything we’ll ever need, but because of our pattern of living—wasteful consumption, fossil fuel burning, and greenhouse gas emissions— our habitat is rapidly deteriorating. Whether you are a farmer, a long-shower-taking teenager, a worker in a pollution-producing factory, or a climate-denier, the future of humankind is in our hands. The choices we make and the actions we take will forever affect planet Earth.

 India Brown is an eighth grader who lives in New York City with her parents and older brother. She enjoys spending time with her friends, walking her dog, Morty, playing volleyball and lacrosse, and swimming.

High School Winner: Grace Williams

Apple Pie Embrace

It’s 1:47 a.m. Thanksgiving smells fill the kitchen. The sweet aroma of sugar-covered apples and buttery dough swirls into my nostrils. Fragrant orange and rosemary permeate the room and every corner smells like a stroll past the open door of a French bakery. My eleven-year-old eyes water, red with drowsiness, and refocus on the oven timer counting down. Behind me, my mom and aunt chat to no end, fueled by the seemingly self-replenishable coffee pot stashed in the corner. Their hands work fast, mashing potatoes, crumbling cornbread, and covering finished dishes in a thin layer of plastic wrap. The most my tired body can do is sit slouched on the backless wooden footstool. I bask in the heat escaping under the oven door.

 As a child, I enjoyed Thanksgiving and the preparations that came with it, but it seemed like more of a bridge between my birthday and Christmas than an actual holiday. Now, it’s a time of year I look forward to, dedicated to family, memories, and, most importantly, food. What I realized as I grew older was that my homemade Thanksgiving apple pie was more than its flaky crust and soft-fruit center. This American food symbolized a rite of passage, my Iraqi family’s ticket to assimilation. 

 Some argue that by adopting American customs like the apple pie, we lose our culture. I would argue that while American culture influences what my family eats and celebrates, it doesn’t define our character. In my family, we eat Iraqi dishes like mesta and tahini, but we also eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast. This doesn’t mean we favor one culture over the other; instead, we create a beautiful blend of the two, adapting traditions to make them our own.

 That said, my family has always been more than the “mashed potatoes and turkey” type.

My mom’s family immigrated to the United States in 1976. Upon their arrival, they encountered a deeply divided America. Racism thrived, even after the significant freedoms gained from the Civil Rights Movement a few years before. Here, my family was thrust into a completely unknown world: they didn’t speak the language, they didn’t dress normally, and dinners like riza maraka seemed strange in comparison to the Pop Tarts and Oreos lining grocery store shelves.

 If I were to host a dinner party, it would be like Thanksgiving with my Chaldean family. The guests, my extended family, are a diverse people, distinct ingredients in a sweet potato casserole, coming together to create a delicious dish.

In her article “Cooking Stirs the Pot for Social Change,” Korsha Wilson writes, “each ingredient that we use, every technique, every spice tells a story about our access, our privilege, our heritage, and our culture.” Voices around the room will echo off the walls into the late hours of the night while the hot apple pie steams at the table’s center.

We will play concan on the blanketed floor and I’ll try to understand my Toto, who, after forty years, still speaks broken English. I’ll listen to my elders as they tell stories about growing up in Unionville, Michigan, a predominately white town where they always felt like outsiders, stories of racism that I have the privilege not to experience. While snacking on sunflower seeds and salted pistachios, we’ll talk about the news- how thousands of people across the country are protesting for justice among immigrants. No one protested to give my family a voice.

Our Thanksgiving food is more than just sustenance, it is a physical representation of my family ’s blended and ever-changing culture, even after 40 years in the United States. No matter how the food on our plates changes, it will always symbolize our sense of family—immediate and extended—and our unbreakable bond.

Grace Williams, a student at Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Missouri, enjoys playing tennis, baking, and spending time with her family. Grace also enjoys her time as a writing editor for her school’s yearbook, the Pioneer. In the future, Grace hopes to continue her travels abroad, as well as live near extended family along the sunny beaches of La Jolla, California.

University Winner: Lillia Borodkin

Nourishing Change After Tragedy Strikes

In the Jewish community, food is paramount. We often spend our holidays gathered around a table, sharing a meal and reveling in our people’s story. On other sacred days, we fast, focusing instead on reflection, atonement, and forgiveness.

As a child, I delighted in the comfort of matzo ball soup, the sweetness of hamantaschen, and the beauty of braided challah. But as I grew older and more knowledgeable about my faith, I learned that the origins of these foods are not rooted in joy, but in sacrifice.

The matzo of matzo balls was a necessity as the Jewish people did not have time for their bread to rise as they fled slavery in Egypt. The hamantaschen was an homage to the hat of Haman, the villain of the Purim story who plotted the Jewish people’s destruction. The unbaked portion of braided challah was tithed by commandment to the kohen  or priests. Our food is an expression of our history, commemorating both our struggles and our triumphs.

As I write this, only days have passed since eleven Jews were killed at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. These people, intending only to pray and celebrate the Sabbath with their community, were murdered simply for being Jewish. This brutal event, in a temple and city much like my own, is a reminder that anti-Semitism still exists in this country. A reminder that hatred of Jews, of me, my family, and my community, is alive and flourishing in America today. The thought that a difference in religion would make some believe that others do not have the right to exist is frightening and sickening.  

 This is why, if given the chance, I would sit down the entire Jewish American community at one giant Shabbat table. I’d serve matzo ball soup, pass around loaves of challah, and do my best to offer comfort. We would take time to remember the beautiful souls lost to anti-Semitism this October and the countless others who have been victims of such hatred in the past. I would then ask that we channel all we are feeling—all the fear, confusion, and anger —into the fight.

As suggested in Korsha Wilson’s “Cooking Stirs the Pot for Social Change,” I would urge my guests to direct our passion for justice and the comfort and care provided by the food we are eating into resisting anti-Semitism and hatred of all kinds.

We must use the courage this sustenance provides to create change and honor our people’s suffering and strength. We must remind our neighbors, both Jewish and non-Jewish, that anti-Semitism is alive and well today. We must shout and scream and vote until our elected leaders take this threat to our community seriously. And, we must stand with, support, and listen to other communities that are subjected to vengeful hate today in the same way that many of these groups have supported us in the wake of this tragedy.

This terrible shooting is not the first of its kind, and if conflict and loathing are permitted to grow, I fear it will not be the last. While political change may help, the best way to target this hate is through smaller-scale actions in our own communities.

It is critical that we as a Jewish people take time to congregate and heal together, but it is equally necessary to include those outside the Jewish community to build a powerful crusade against hatred and bigotry. While convening with these individuals, we will work to end the dangerous “otherizing” that plagues our society and seek to understand that we share far more in common than we thought. As disagreements arise during our discussions, we will learn to respect and treat each other with the fairness we each desire. Together, we shall share the comfort, strength, and courage that traditional Jewish foods provide and use them to fuel our revolution. 

We are not alone in the fight despite what extremists and anti-semites might like us to believe.  So, like any Jew would do, I invite you to join me at the Shabbat table. First, we will eat. Then, we will get to work.  

Lillia Borodkin is a senior at Kent State University majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology. She plans to attend graduate school and become a school psychologist while continuing to pursue her passion for reading and writing. Outside of class, Lillia is involved in research in the psychology department and volunteers at the Women’s Center on campus.   

Powerful Voice Winner: Paisley Regester

As a kid, I remember asking my friends jokingly, ”If you were stuck on a deserted island, what single item of food would you bring?” Some of my friends answered practically and said they’d bring water. Others answered comically and said they’d bring snacks like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos or a banana. However, most of my friends answered sentimentally and listed the foods that made them happy. This seems like fun and games, but what happens if the hypothetical changes? Imagine being asked, on the eve of your death, to choose the final meal you will ever eat. What food would you pick? Something practical? Comical? Sentimental?  

This situation is the reality for the 2,747 American prisoners who are currently awaiting execution on death row. The grim ritual of “last meals,” when prisoners choose their final meal before execution, can reveal a lot about these individuals and what they valued throughout their lives.

It is difficult for us to imagine someone eating steak, lobster tail, apple pie, and vanilla ice cream one moment and being killed by state-approved lethal injection the next. The prisoner can only hope that the apple pie he requested tastes as good as his mom’s. Surprisingly, many people in prison decline the option to request a special last meal. We often think of food as something that keeps us alive, so is there really any point to eating if someone knows they are going to die?

“Controlling food is a means of controlling power,” said chef Sean Sherman in the YES! Magazine article “Cooking Stirs the Pot for Social Change,” by Korsha Wilson. There are deeper stories that lie behind the final meals of individuals on death row.

I want to bring awareness to the complex and often controversial conditions of this country’s criminal justice system and change the common perception of prisoners as inhuman. To accomplish this, I would host a potluck where I would recreate the last meals of prisoners sentenced to death.

In front of each plate, there would be a place card with the prisoner’s full name, the date of execution, and the method of execution. These meals could range from a plate of fried chicken, peas with butter, apple pie, and a Dr. Pepper, reminiscent of a Sunday dinner at Grandma’s, to a single olive.

Seeing these meals up close, meals that many may eat at their own table or feed to their own kids, would force attendees to face the reality of the death penalty. It will urge my guests to look at these individuals not just as prisoners, assigned a number and a death date, but as people, capable of love and rehabilitation.  

This potluck is not only about realizing a prisoner’s humanity, but it is also about recognizing a flawed criminal justice system. Over the years, I have become skeptical of the American judicial system, especially when only seven states have judges who ethnically represent the people they serve. I was shocked when I found out that the officers who killed Michael Brown and Anthony Lamar Smith were exonerated for their actions. How could that be possible when so many teens and adults of color have spent years in prison, some even executed, for crimes they never committed?  

Lawmakers, police officers, city officials, and young constituents, along with former prisoners and their families, would be invited to my potluck to start an honest conversation about the role and application of inequality, dehumanization, and racism in the death penalty. Food served at the potluck would represent the humanity of prisoners and push people to acknowledge that many inmates are victims of a racist and corrupt judicial system.

Recognizing these injustices is only the first step towards a more equitable society. The second step would be acting on these injustices to ensure that every voice is heard, even ones separated from us by prison walls. Let’s leave that for the next potluck, where I plan to serve humble pie.

Paisley Regester is a high school senior and devotes her life to activism, the arts, and adventure. Inspired by her experiences traveling abroad to Nicaragua, Mexico, and Scotland, Paisley hopes to someday write about the diverse people and places she has encountered and share her stories with the rest of the world.

Powerful Voice Winner: Emma Lingo

The Empty Seat

“If you aren’t sober, then I don’t want to see you on Christmas.”

Harsh words for my father to hear from his daughter but words he needed to hear. Words I needed him to understand and words he seemed to consider as he fiddled with his wine glass at the head of the table. Our guests, my grandma, and her neighbors remained resolutely silent. They were not about to defend my drunken father–or Charles as I call him–from my anger or my ultimatum.

This was the first dinner we had had together in a year. The last meal we shared ended with Charles slopping his drink all over my birthday presents and my mother explaining heroin addiction to me. So, I wasn’t surprised when Charles threw down some liquid valor before dinner in anticipation of my anger. If he wanted to be welcomed on Christmas, he needed to be sober—or he needed to be gone.

Countless dinners, holidays, and birthdays taught me that my demands for sobriety would fall on deaf ears. But not this time. Charles gave me a gift—a one of a kind, limited edition, absolutely awkward treat. One that I didn’t know how to deal with at all. Charles went home that night, smacked a bright red bow on my father, and hand-delivered him to me on Christmas morning.

He arrived for breakfast freshly showered and looking flustered. He would remember this day for once only because his daughter had scolded him into sobriety. Dad teetered between happiness and shame. Grandma distracted us from Dad’s presence by bringing the piping hot bacon and biscuits from the kitchen to the table, theatrically announcing their arrival. Although these foods were the alleged focus of the meal, the real spotlight shined on the unopened liquor cabinet in my grandma’s kitchen—the cabinet I know Charles was begging Dad to open.

I’ve isolated myself from Charles. My family has too. It means we don’t see Dad, but it’s the best way to avoid confrontation and heartache. Sometimes I find myself wondering what it would be like if we talked with him more or if he still lived nearby. Would he be less inclined to use? If all families with an addict tried to hang on to a relationship with the user, would there be fewer addicts in the world? Christmas breakfast with Dad was followed by Charles whisking him away to Colorado where pot had just been legalized. I haven’t talked to Dad since that Christmas.

As Korsha Wilson stated in her YES! Magazine article, “Cooking Stirs the Pot for Social Change,” “Sometimes what we don’t cook says more than what we do cook.” When it comes to addiction, what isn’t served is more important than what is. In quiet moments, I like to imagine a meal with my family–including Dad. He’d have a spot at the table in my little fantasy. No alcohol would push him out of his chair, the cigarettes would remain seated in his back pocket, and the stench of weed wouldn’t invade the dining room. Fruit salad and gumbo would fill the table—foods that Dad likes. We’d talk about trivial matters in life, like how school is going and what we watched last night on TV.

Dad would feel loved. We would connect. He would feel less alone. At the end of the night, he’d walk me to the door and promise to see me again soon. And I would believe him.

Emma Lingo spends her time working as an editor for her school paper, reading, and being vocal about social justice issues. Emma is active with many clubs such as Youth and Government, KHS Cares, and Peer Helpers. She hopes to be a journalist one day and to be able to continue helping out people by volunteering at local nonprofits.

Powerful Voice Winner: Hayden Wilson

Bittersweet Reunion

I close my eyes and envision a dinner of my wildest dreams. I would invite all of my relatives. Not just my sister who doesn’t ask how I am anymore. Not just my nephews who I’m told are too young to understand me. No, I would gather all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins to introduce them to the me they haven’t met.

For almost two years, I’ve gone by a different name that most of my family refuses to acknowledge. My aunt, a nun of 40 years, told me at a recent birthday dinner that she’d heard of my “nickname.” I didn’t want to start a fight, so I decided not to correct her. Even the ones who’ve adjusted to my name have yet to recognize the bigger issue.

Last year on Facebook, I announced to my friends and family that I am transgender. No one in my family has talked to me about it, but they have plenty to say to my parents. I feel as if this is about my parents more than me—that they’ve made some big parenting mistake. Maybe if I invited everyone to dinner and opened up a discussion, they would voice their concerns to me instead of my parents.

I would serve two different meals of comfort food to remind my family of our good times. For my dad’s family, I would cook heavily salted breakfast food, the kind my grandpa used to enjoy. He took all of his kids to IHOP every Sunday and ordered the least healthy option he could find, usually some combination of an overcooked omelet and a loaded Classic Burger. For my mom’s family, I would buy shakes and burgers from Hardee’s. In my grandma’s final weeks, she let aluminum tins of sympathy meals pile up on her dining table while she made my uncle take her to Hardee’s every day.

In her article on cooking and activism, food writer Korsha Wilson writes, “Everyone puts down their guard over a good meal, and in that space, change is possible.” Hopefully the same will apply to my guests.

When I first thought of this idea, my mind rushed to the endless negative possibilities. My nun-aunt and my two non-nun aunts who live like nuns would whip out their Bibles before I even finished my first sentence. My very liberal, state representative cousin would say how proud she is of the guy I’m becoming, but this would trigger my aunts to accuse her of corrupting my mind. My sister, who has never spoken to me about my genderidentity, would cover her children’s ears and rush them out of the house. My Great-Depression-raised grandparents would roll over in their graves, mumbling about how kids have it easy nowadays.

After mentally mapping out every imaginable terrible outcome this dinner could have, I realized a conversation is unavoidable if I want my family to accept who I am. I long to restore the deep connection I used to have with them. Though I often think these former relationships are out of reach, I won’t know until I try to repair them. For a year and a half, I’ve relied on Facebook and my parents to relay messages about my identity, but I need to tell my own story.

At first, I thought Korsha Wilson’s idea of a cooked meal leading the way to social change was too optimistic, but now I understand that I need to think more like her. Maybe, just maybe, my family could all gather around a table, enjoy some overpriced shakes, and be as close as we were when I was a little girl.

 Hayden Wilson is a 17-year-old high school junior from Missouri. He loves writing, making music, and painting. He’s a part of his school’s writing club, as well as the GSA and a few service clubs.

 Literary Gems

We received many outstanding essays for the Fall 2018 Writing Competition. Though not every participant can win the contest, we’d like to share some excerpts that caught our eye.

Thinking of the main staple of the dish—potatoes, the starchy vegetable that provides sustenance for people around the globe. The onion, the layers of sorrow and joy—a base for this dish served during the holidays.  The oil, symbolic of hope and perseverance. All of these elements come together to form this delicious oval pancake permeating with possibilities. I wonder about future possibilities as I flip the latkes.

—Nikki Markman, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California

The egg is a treasure. It is a fragile heart of gold that once broken, flows over the blemishless surface of the egg white in dandelion colored streams, like ribbon unraveling from its spool.

—Kaylin Ku, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, Princeton Junction, New Jersey

If I were to bring one food to a potluck to create social change by addressing anti-Semitism, I would bring gefilte fish because it is different from other fish, just like the Jews are different from other people.  It looks more like a matzo ball than fish, smells extraordinarily fishy, and tastes like sweet brine with the consistency of a crab cake.

—Noah Glassman, Ethical Culture Fieldston School,  Bronx, New York

I would not only be serving them something to digest, I would serve them a one-of-a-kind taste of the past, a taste of fear that is felt in the souls of those whose home and land were taken away, a taste of ancestral power that still lives upon us, and a taste of the voices that want to be heard and that want the suffering of the Natives to end.

—Citlalic Anima Guevara, Wichita North High School, Wichita, Kansas

It’s the one thing that your parents make sure you have because they didn’t.  Food is what your mother gives you as she lies, telling you she already ate. It’s something not everybody is fortunate to have and it’s also what we throw away without hesitation.  Food is a blessing to me, but what is it to you?

—Mohamed Omar, Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Missouri

Filleted and fried humphead wrasse, mangrove crab with coconut milk, pounded taro, a whole roast pig, and caramelized nuts—cuisines that will not be simplified to just “food.” Because what we eat is the diligence and pride of our people—a culture that has survived and continues to thrive.

—Mayumi Remengesau, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, California

Some people automatically think I’m kosher or ask me to say prayers in Hebrew.  However, guess what? I don’t know many prayers and I eat bacon.

—Hannah Reing, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, The Bronx, New York

Everything was placed before me. Rolling up my sleeves I started cracking eggs, mixing flour, and sampling some chocolate chips, because you can never be too sure. Three separate bowls. All different sizes. Carefully, I tipped the smallest, and the medium-sized bowls into the biggest. Next, I plugged in my hand-held mixer and flicked on the switch. The beaters whirl to life. I lowered it into the bowl and witnessed the creation of something magnificent. Cookie dough.

—Cassandra Amaya, Owen Goodnight Middle School, San Marcos, Texas

Biscuits and bisexuality are both things that are in my life…My grandmother’s biscuits are the best: the good old classic Southern biscuits, crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Except it is mostly Southern people who don’t accept me.

—Jaden Huckaby, Arbor Montessori, Decatur, Georgia

We zest the bright yellow lemons and the peels of flavor fall lightly into the batter.  To make frosting, we keep adding more and more powdered sugar until it looks like fluffy clouds with raspberry seed rain.

—Jane Minus, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Bronx, New York

Tamales for my grandma, I can still remember her skillfully spreading the perfect layer of masa on every corn husk, looking at me pitifully as my young hands fumbled with the corn wrapper, always too thick or too thin.

—Brenna Eliaz, San Marcos High School, San Marcos, Texas

Just like fry bread, MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) remind New Orleanians and others affected by disasters of the devastation throughout our city and the little amount of help we got afterward.

—Madeline Johnson, Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama

I would bring cream corn and buckeyes and have a big debate on whether marijuana should be illegal or not.

—Lillian Martinez, Miller Middle School, San Marcos, Texas

We would finish the meal off with a delicious apple strudel, topped with schlag, schlag, schlag, more schlag, and a cherry, and finally…more schlag (in case you were wondering, schlag is like whipped cream, but 10 times better because it is heavier and sweeter).

—Morgan Sheehan, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Bronx, New York

Clever Titles

This year we decided to do something different. We were so impressed by the number of catchy titles that we decided to feature some of our favorites. 

“Eat Like a Baby: Why Shame Has No Place at a Baby’s Dinner Plate”

—Tate Miller, Wichita North High School, Wichita, Kansas 

“The Cheese in Between”

—Jedd Horowitz, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Bronx, New York

“Harvey, Michael, Florence or Katrina? Invite Them All Because Now We Are Prepared”

—Molly Mendoza, Spring Hill College, Mobile, Alabama

“Neglecting Our Children: From Broccoli to Bullets”

—Kylie Rollings, Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Missouri  

“The Lasagna of Life”

—Max Williams, Wichita North High School, Wichita, Kansas

“Yum, Yum, Carbon Dioxide In Our Lungs”

—Melanie Eickmeyer, Kirkwood High School, Kirkwood, Missouri

“My Potluck, My Choice”

—Francesca Grossberg, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Bronx, New York

“Trumping with Tacos”

—Maya Goncalves, Lincoln Middle School, Ypsilanti, Michigan

“Quiche and Climate Change”

—Bernie Waldman, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, Bronx, New York

“Biscuits and Bisexuality”

“W(health)”

—Miles Oshan, San Marcos High School, San Marcos, Texas

“Bubula, Come Eat!”

—Jordan Fienberg, Ethical Culture Fieldston School,  Bronx, New York

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In the Kitchen: Essays on food and life Paperback – Box set, October 8, 2020

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'A delightful collection of original, vibrant and heart-warming writing.' -- Nigel Slater

Food can embody our personal histories as well as wider cultural histories. But what are the stories we tell ourselves about the kitchen, and how do we first come to it? How do the cookbooks we read shape us? Can cooking be a tool for connection in the kitchen and outside of it?

In these thirteen original essays, writers consider the subjects of cooking and eating and how they shape our lives, and the possibilities and limitations the kitchen poses. Rachel Roddy traces her life through the cookers she has known; Rebecca May Johnson considers the radical potential of finger food; Ruby Tandoh discovers other definitions of sweetness; Yemisí Aríbisálà remembers a love affair in which food failed as a language; and Julia Turshen considers food's ties to community.

A collection to savour and inspire, In the Kitchen brings together thirteen contemporary writers who brilliantly capture their experiences in the kitchen and beyond.

• Print length 178 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Daunt
• Publication date October 8, 2020
• Dimensions 7.68 x 0.75 x 5.12 inches
• ISBN-10 1911547666
• ISBN-13 978-1911547662
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Daunt (October 8, 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 178 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1911547666
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1911547662
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.68 x 0.75 x 5.12 inches
• #657 in Food Science (Books)
• #2,123 in Essays (Books)
• #28,453 in Social Sciences (Books)

About the authors

Ella risbridger.

Ella Risbridger is a writer and editor, mostly found in a pink kitchen in South London. She writes cookbooks, children's books, poems, articles and honestly, a whole bunch of stuff. Midnight Chicken was Sunday Times Book Of The Year 2019, Guild Of Food Writers General Cookbook Of The Year, and an Amazon bestseller in both hardback and paperback. Likes poems, cats and gardens.

@EllaRisbridger

Laura Freeman

Laura Freeman is chief art critic of The Times. Formerly a freelance arts critic she has written about art, architecture and books for the Spectator, Sunday Times, Telegraph, Apollo, Literary Review, World of Interiors, Country Life and the TLS.

She is also a former dance critic for the Spectator and Evening Standard and has spoken on Front Row, Saturday Review, Start the Week and the Today programme.

Laura’s first book The Reading Cure: How Books Restored My Appetite was published in 2018 and was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and for First Book and Food Book at the Guild of Food Writers Awards. The Reading Cure was a Times, Daily Telegraph and Spectator Book of the Year 2018.

She read History of Art at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Ruby Tandoh

Ruby Tandoh is a food writer and columnist living and baking in London. She has written articles for ELLE UK and a number of national food magazines alongside her weekly recipe column in The Guardian's food supplement, Cook. Her first book, Crumb, was released in the UK by the publishers of Nigella Lawson. When she's not compulsively recipe testing, writing and eating, Ruby can be found drifting through the corridors of University College London, where she's working on her undergraduate degree.

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Essays About Food: Top 5 Examples and 6 Writing Prompts

Food is one of the greatest joys of life; it is both necessary to live and able to lift our spirits. If you are writing essays about food, read our guide.

Many people live and die by food. While its primary purpose is to provide us with the necessary nutrients to carry out bodily functions, the satisfaction food can give a person is beyond compare. For people of many occupations, such as chefs, waiters, bakers, and food critics, food has become a way of life.

Why do so many people enjoy food? It can provide us with the sensory pleasure we need to escape from the trials of daily life. From the moist tenderness of a good-quality steak to the sweet, rich decadence of a hot fudge sundae, food is truly magical. Instead of eating to stay alive, many even joke that they “live to eat.” In good food, every bite is like heaven.

5 Top Essay Examples

1. food essay by evelin tapia, 2. why japanese home cooking makes healthy feel effortless by kaki okumura, 3. why i love food by shuge luo.

• 4.  My Favorite Food by Jayasurya Mayilsamy 
• 5. ​​Osteria Francescana: does the world’s best restaurant live up to the hype? by Tanya Gold

6 Prompts for Essays About Food

1. what is your favorite dish, 2. what is your favorite cuisine, 3. is a vegan diet sustainable, 4. the dangers of fast food, 5. a special food memory, 6. the food of your home country.

“Food has so many things in them such as calories and fat. Eating healthy is important for everyone to live a healthy life. You can eat it, but eating it daily is bad for you stay healthy and eat the right foods. Deep fried foods hurt your health in many ways. Eat healthy and exercise to reduce the chances of any health problems.”

In this essay, Tapia writes about deep-fried foods and their effects on people’s health. She says they are high in trans fat, which is detrimental to one’s health. On the other hand, she notes reasons why people still eat foods such as potato chips and french fries, including exercise and simply “making the most of life.” Despite this, Tapia asserts her position that these foods should not be eaten in excess and can lead to a variety of health issues. She encourages people to live healthy lives by enjoying food but not overeating. 

“Because while a goal of many vegetables a day is admirable, in the beginning it’s much more sustainable to start with something as little as two. I learned that with an approach of two-vegetable dishes at a time, I would be a lot more consistent, and over time a large variety would become very natural. In fact, now following that framework and cooking a few simple dishes a day, I often find that it’s almost difficult to not reach at least several kinds of vegetables a day.”

Okumura discusses simple, healthy cooking in the Japanese tradition. While many tend to include as many vegetables as possible in their dishes for “health,” Okumura writes that just a few vegetables are necessary to make healthy but delicious dishes. With the help of Japanese pantry staples like miso and soy sauce, she makes a variety of traditional Japanese side dishes. She shows the wonders of food, even when executed in its simplest form. 

“I make pesto out of kale stems, toast the squash seeds for salad and repurpose my leftovers into brand new dishes. I love cooking because it’s an exercise in play. Cooking is forgiving in improvisation, and it can often surprise you. For example, did you know that adding ginger juice to your fried rice adds a surprisingly refreshing flavor that whets your appetite? Neither did I, until my housemate showed me their experiment.”

In her essay, Luo writes about her love for food and cooking, specifically how she can combine different ingredients from different cuisines to make delicious dishes. She recalls experiences with her native Chinese food and Italian, Singaporean, and Japanese Cuisine. The beauty of food, she says, is the way one can improvise a dish and create something magical. 

4.   My Favorite Food by Jayasurya Mayilsamy 

“There is no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box on your lap. My love for Pizza is very high. I am always hungry for pizza, be it any time of the day. Cheese is the secret ingredient of any food it makes any food taste yummy. Nearly any ingredient can be put on pizza. Those diced vegetables, jalapenos, tomato sauce, cheese and mushrooms make me eat more and more like a unique work of art.”

Mayilsamy writes about pizza, a food he can’t get enough of, and why he enjoys it as much as he does. He explains the different elements of a good pizza, such as cheese, tomato sauce, other toppings, and the crust. He also briefly discusses the different types of pizzas, such as thin crust and deep dish. Finally, he gives readers an excellent description of a mouthwatering pizza, reminding them of the feeling of eating their favorite food. 

5. ​​ Osteria Francescana: does the world’s best restaurant live up to the hype? by Tanya Gold

“After three hours, I am exhausted from eating Bottura’s dreams, and perhaps that is the point. If some of it is delicious, it is also consuming. That is the shadow cast by the award in the hallway, next to the one of a man strangled by food. I do not know if this is the best restaurant on Earth, or even if such a claim is possible. I suspect such lists are designed largely for marketing purposes: when else does Restaurant magazine, which runs the competition, get global coverage for itself and its sponsors?”

Gold reviews the dishes at Osteria Francescana, which is regarded by many as the #1 restaurant in the world. She describes the calm, formal ambiance and the polished interiors of the restaurants. Most importantly, she goes course by course, describing each dish in detail, from risotto inspired by the lake to parmesan cheese in different textures and temperatures. Gold concludes that while a good experience, a meal at the restaurant is time-consuming, and her experience is inconclusive as to whether or not this is the best restaurant in the world. 

Everyone has a favorite food; in your essay, write about a dish you enjoy. You can discuss the recipe’s history by researching where it comes from, the famous chefs who created it, or which restaurants specialize in this dish. Provide your readers with an ingredients list, and describe how each ingredient is used in the recipe. Conclude your essay with a review of your experience recreating this recipe at home, discuss how challenging the recipe is, and if you enjoyed the experience.

Aside from a favorite dish, everyone prefers one type of cuisine. Discuss your favorite cuisine and give examples of typical dishes, preparations for food, and factors that influence your chosen cuisine. For example, you could choose Italian cuisine and discuss pasta, pizza, gelato, and other famous food items typically associated with Italian food.

Many people choose to adopt a vegan diet that consists of only plant-based food. For your essay, you can discuss this diet and explain why some people choose it. Then, research the sustainability of a plant-based diet and if a person can maintain a vegan diet while remaining healthy and energized. Provide as much evidence as possible by conducting interviews, referencing online sources, and including survey data. 

Fast food is a staple part of diets worldwide; children are often raised on salty bites of chicken, fries, and burgers. However, it has been linked to many health complications, including cancer and obesity . Research the dangers of fast food, describe each in your essay, and give examples of how it can affect you mentally and physically. 

Is there a memory involving food that you treasure? Perhaps it could be a holiday celebration, a birthday, or a regular day when went to a restaurant. Reflect on this memory, retelling your story in detail, and describe the meal you ate and why you remember it so fondly.

Every country has a rich culture, a big component of which is food. Research the history of food in your native country, writing about common native dishes and ingredients used in cooking. If there are religious influences on your country’s cuisine, note them as well. Share a few of these recipes in your essay for an engaging piece of writing.

Tip: If writing an essay sounds like a lot of work, simplify it. Write a simple 5 paragraph essay instead.

For help picking your next essay topic, check out the best essay topics about social media .

Martin is an avid writer specializing in editing and proofreading. He also enjoys literary analysis and writing about food and travel.

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Jan 25, 2023

5 Intriguing Essays about Food: Examples, Ideas, and More!

Food is easily one of the best things to enjoy in life with all the different cuisines and dishes out there. if you want inspiration to create a food essay, read on.

Food, the fundamental sustenance of life, is as diverse and intricate as the cultures from which it originates. Beyond its primary role of nourishing our bodies, it plays a pivotal part in our everyday lives, weaving a rich tapestry of flavors, aromas, and experiences. From the rich decadence of Italian pastas to the aromatic allure of Indian curries, the sizzle of street foods, and the comforting warmth of Chinese noodles, our world is brimming with culinary wonders waiting to be savored.

Exploring the vast universe of food through essays offers a tantalizing journey of discovery. Whether you're diving into the history of a particular dish, the socio-cultural importance of a cuisine, or simply recounting a memorable meal, there's no shortage of angles and stories to tell. If ever you're seeking inspiration or a starting point, online essay assistance tools can be a treasure trove of ideas to get the words flowing.

Here are our Top 5 Essay Examples and Ideas about Food: 

1. Importance of Food in Nutrition Essay

Introduction

Food plays a major part in human existence and health. It provides us humans with the energy we need to survive and grow. Consuming a balanced diet every day is a fantastic way to live a healthy life.

To function properly, we also have to make sure that our human body is correctly consuming and absorbing enough nutrients and minerals. For example, if a person does not eat enough protein or drink enough water, this will affect how a person's body functions and they will begin to show symptoms such as weakness, fatigue and loss of muscle mass.

Hence, having a balanced diet is crucial for maintaining a healthy body. Junk foods might taste great and addictive, but it provides little to no nutritional value for your well-being.

A balanced diet consists of various food items such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk products and protein-rich foods. Thus, we need to strike a balance between different types of foods to maintain a healthy body and mind.

Nutrition and Physical Health

Our bodies are made up of different properties that work together to keep us alive and well. Nutrition and physical health work hand-in-hand to ensure that the different systems of the human body work properly and keep us functioning optimally. Without proper nutrition and proper physical fitness, our bodies will not be able to function properly.

A healthy diet ensures overall well-being that can protect against many different types of diseases as well.

1st Study on Nutrition and Physical Health

In a study about Nutrition and Physical Health, research shows that proper nutrition combined with physical activity modulates health longevity by improving a person's body composition, bone strength and density, and cognitive performance, as well as reducing the risk of metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

2nd Study on Nutrition and Physical Health

Proper exercise and nutrition are essential to a healthy body. Another study shows that students who exercise regularly and eat healthily tend to have higher grades (GPA) in class due to cognitive clarity and well-being than students who don't exercise regularly and eat junk foods. The study also showed that students who live a healthy lifestyle tend to enjoy better physical and mental health compared to those who don't.

Nutrition and Mental Health

Believe it or not, nutrition also plays a huge part in our mental health. In recent years, studies have shown that eating an unhealthy diet can be one of the leading factors for poor mental health.

A good example of this is consuming diets that contain a lot of refined sugars, carbohydrates, and processed foods can lead to fatigue, depression, and anxiety.

1st study on Nutrition and Mental health

A study was conducted on a group of patients, Group A was the group of people who had a healthy diet consisting of high-protein foods, fruits, vegetables, and fibrous food. Group B was the group that had an unhealthy diet like fast food, processed food and soft drinks.

In this study, Groups A and B were evaluated for their mental health and brain functions through an MRI scan. The result proves that people in Group A had much more mental clarity and concentration as opposed to the people in Group B. This study shows that a healthy diet is essential to keep a healthy mind.

2nd Study on Nutrition and Mental Health

Another research conducted by a team of Australian Scientists found that a poor diet that consists of artificial sweeteners and refined carbohydrates causes brain inflammation that can lead to permanent brain damage. In later stages of life, this can lead to conditions like Dementia, Alzheimer's, or even Depression.

This research by those Australian Scientists shows that a lot of long-term brain malfunctions and diseases can be prevented by just having a healthy diet filled with high nutritional value like protein-rich foods, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables.

Having a healthy diet is essential to humans because it not only improves your physical health, but Science has backed up that it can also improve your mental health. In our daily life, we tend to neglect our bodies and eat unhealthy foods without knowing the impact they will have on our mental and physical health. So it might be a good idea to eat more nutrition-friendly foods and reduce the amount of junk food that we eat daily.

2. Arabic Foods- Every Foodies Delight

"Bread, pita or flat, is an integral part of Arabic food. They are incorporated either on the side or included in some dishes like ‘Fatteh’. Among dairy products, the Arabs are fond of yoghurt made from cow’s or goat’s milk. This is consumed either as a thick condiment or in diluted form as a drink. Meat, mainly lamb or chicken is central to Arabic cuisine. Sometimes fish, other poultry, beef, camel and goat meat are also used; but pork is prohibited for religious reasons.

While fruits such as figs, olives, pomegranates and dates are eaten as a snack between meals, vegetables such as cucumbers, eggplant, okra, spinach and zucchini are included in the diet as raw salads, in the cooked form or as pickles.

Off of the grains, while rice is a staple, wheat is essential for making bread. Arabic food also uses lots of pulses such as fava beans, peanuts and chickpeas which are either eaten whole in salads or a mashed form as in ‘falafel’ or ‘hummus’.

A variety of spices are included in Arabic food preparations that contribute immensely to the fragrance and vibrant colours of the food items. Some typical spices and herbs used are saffron, garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, sesame and sumac. A spice mixture called ‘Baharat’ is an indispensable part of this cuisine."

In this essay about Arabic food, the author discusses things like the history and ingredients used in Arabic Cuisine. Things such as Fatteh, Falafel, or Hummus are major parts of the Mediterranean Diet that a lot of people adore. 

3. Why I love Food - Shuge Luo

"I was brought up with this mindset to make the most of all foods, and as a result, I constantly push myself to use food creatively. I make pesto out of kale stems, toast the squash seeds for salad and repurpose my leftovers into brand-new dishes.

I love cooking because it’s a play exercise. Cooking is forgiving in improvisation, and it can often surprise you. For example, did you know that adding ginger juice to your fried rice adds a surprisingly refreshing flavour that whets your appetite? Neither did I, until my housemate showed me their experiment.

There’s one technique I always try to keep in mind when cooking: Create delight through contrast. A cooking anime I watched once dispensed advice that it’s more interesting to the palate to season your foods unevenly rather than uniformly.

I’ve thought about how this principle is reflected in foods I love. For example, imagine the joy of aromatic soup bursting from Shanghai xiao long bao or the dichotomy of textures between cream puff pastry and custard.

Cooking is an improvisational show. It’s creativity, diversity and fusion. But most of all, it’s play. The only rules are the ones you make, and there are always multiple ways to a scrumptious plate."

In this essay about her love for food, The author Shuge talks about her greatest passions which are food and cooking. She also talks about her personal history with different cultures she experienced in the UK, Singapore, the United States, and more. People's relationship with food stems from food innovations from different cultures and cuisines. 

4. The Culture of Italian Food 

"The country is full of flavours, tastes, and the quality of the different regions. Different varieties of food are seen to be eaten in each region because of access and what grows. Due to the climate, the soil, and the ingredients grown in the place, each region has a different blend of ingredients, and the locals would be required to incorporate their traditions into new recipes that combine fresh ingredients to make something delicious. A great variety of herbs and spices are used in all regions of the world, and there is a great deal of fish in the dishes. Typically, Italians cook simple dishes well known to their country, which is important because they're looking to capture the taste and all the flavours of a few quality ingredients to make a great meal.

Food is their passion, as everything becomes simple when they cook. The effort and time to create something beautiful with lots of colours are evident in their cooking. Along with the food being cooked for a short time, a good meal can also be enjoyed for a few hours between breaks when families gather to share their experiences and reconnect with old memories.

Ingredients can be an important part of Italian culture such as olive oil, pasta, and wine. Olive oil was considered a source used to substitute fat from animals or even butter because it was considered healthier than a Mediterranean diet used in sauces, pasta, meat, and seafood. Pasta is considered a separate course usually eaten with just sauce. Considered an important part of the culture which is shared throughout Italy and was influenced by a product brought back by Marco Polo which was soon slowly eaten made out of durum wheat. This food comes in lots of varieties and each region eats pasta in its style where people love to enjoy it slowly because of all the different tastes and flavours combined.

The Italian food culture has always stuck to the true quality of simply using what you got with a few requirements to make a meal. Different cultures' influences on Italian food have made the food eaten very unique with different dishes in each region all using local products to create their traditional meals. These can be shared at festivals or with family to create memories with those who like good food as others."

Italy is a beautiful country with amazing food. In this essay, Italian Cuisines are described to have simplicity with various organic and locally produced ingredients. Rustic, simple, and flavourful are the key elements used in Italian food making it incredibly irresistible and delicious!

 5. Traditional Chinese Cuisine and Its Features

"Chinese cuisine, with a long history, multiple styles and traditions, and unique cooking methods, is integral to the great Chinese culture. The Chinese are very sensitive to food, knowing how to appreciate every cup of rice. Moreover, there is no concept of a light snack here because this shows disrespect for food. Food is a pleasure, and its preparation is a whole philosophy. Traditional Chinese cuisine is famous for a wide variety of dishes, and each province necessarily has its speciality, defending the right to be the best cuisine in the country.

One of the most ancient Chinese dishes is Ma Po Tofu, which has a history of over 100 years. The word Ma means the spicy and tangy flavour in this dish, which comes from pepper powder, one of Sichuan cuisine’s most commonly used ingredients. Tofu is flavoured with the addition of ground beef and finely chopped green onions.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Whether it’s a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, chain restaurant, or fast food stall, every Chinese restaurant has traditional Sweet and Sour Pork on the menu. The main version of the dish, which is a piece of pork with a crispy crust on the outside and juicy pulp on the inside in a sweet and sour sauce, is cooked everywhere. But depending on the region and taste preferences, a variety of ingredients are added to this dish and served with vegetables or a bright aromatic fruit such as pineapple.

Peking Roasted Duck

Speaking of the old recipes of Chinese cuisine, it is difficult not to recall the legendary Peking roasted duck, the recipe for which appeared already during the Ming Empire in the 15th century. A precious part of the Peking duck is its thin and crunchy skin. Duck thinly sliced is usually served with tortillas, sweet bean sauce, or soy with minced garlic.

Fa Gao is a traditional dessert for celebrating the Chinese New Year. At this time, it is customary to prepare Fa Gao, painted in bright colours. One of the features of Fa Gao is its appearance. The top of the cake cracks and opens during the preparation process, resembling a smile or a flower. Thus, colourful cupcakes symbolize blossoming flowers, full of strength and hope for a brighter future."

This expository essay talks about the general characteristics of Chinese food and its importance and influence on Chinese cooking culture. The author also added a bit of a twist by talking about different types of famous Chinese dishes that are most common in Chinese restaurants.

You will never run out of things to talk about when creating essays about food. It can be about nutrition and different cuisines because food and proper nutrition are integral parts of life. It is a universal language that brings us humans closer together regardless of ethnicity or culture.

If you are looking to speed up your essay writing about food, Jenni.ai is an amazing option that can make your life easier. This AI software can easily help you create an essay on any topic in a matter of minutes! You can sign up for free here .

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In the kitchen: essays on food and life - softcover, juliet annan ; yemis? ar?bis?l? ; laura freeman ; joel golby ; daisy johnson ; rebecca may johnson ; rebecca liu ; nina mingya powles ; ella risbridger ; rachel roddy ; mayukh sen ; ruby tandoh ; julia turshen.

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• Publisher Daunt
• Publication date 2020
• ISBN 10  1911547666
• ISBN 13  9781911547662
• Binding Paperback
• Number of pages 178

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Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. 'I learned that before entering the kitchen, I must get the measure of its hold over me.' Food speaks to our personal history as well as wider cultural histories. But what are the stories we tell ourselves about the kitchen, and how do we first come to it? How do the cookbooks we read shape us? Can cooking be a tool for connection in the kitchen and outside of it? In these essays thirteen writers consider the subjects of cooking and eating and how they shape our lives, and the possibilities and limitations the kitchen poses. Rachel Roddy traces an alternative personal history through the cookers in her life; Rebecca May Johnson considers the radical potential of finger food; Ruby Tandoh discovers a new way of thinking about flavour through the work of writer Doreen Fernandez; Yemisi Aribisala remembers a love affair in which food failed as a language; and Julia Turshen considers food's ties to community. A collection to savour and inspire, In the Kitchen brings together thirteen contemporary writers whose work brilliantly explores food, capturing their reflections on their culinary experiences in the kitchen and beyond. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9781911547662

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Essay: How a New Biography Deepened My Understanding of the Legendary Cookbook Editor Judith Jones 

Published May 28, 2024 at 1:55 p.m. | Updated May 29, 2024 at 10:12 a.m.

• Judith Jones in 2011 in New York City

When I first interviewed Judith Jones in 1984 for a newspaper story about a book on New England cooking she and her husband, Evan, were working on, she let him do the talking. Fit and petite, Jones smiled encouragingly at him as she fried milkweed pods and squash blossoms stuffed with chorizo in their cozy cottage in the Northeast Kingdom.

Though she was 60, Jones seemed girlish and had a way of dropping her voice as though sharing a delicious secret. She was so self-effacing that I didn't realize at the time what an outsize influence she had on what America reads and eats. Like any good editor, Jones liked to stay in the background.

Working at the New York publisher Alfred A. Knopf when she was 36, she famously scooped up Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking , which another publisher had rejected. Jones believed the French approach to food was just what many Americans in the 1960s yearned for.

She edited literary giants such as Langston Hughes, John Updike and Anne Tyler, and she also published the signal cookbooks of the 1960s, '70s and '80s in every major cuisine, including those by Black, Asian and Indian authors, such as Edna Lewis, Irene Kuo and Madhur Jaffrey. At a time when the publishing world viewed cookbooks with thinly veiled disdain, Jones edited them like works of literature.

When I became a magazine editor and later a book editor, Jones was my role model, the gold standard. She gave me my first taste of the glamour of publishing, introducing me to Lauren Bacall in the Knopf office and showing me around Julia Child's Cambridge, Mass., kitchen while her PBS show was being filmed. Later, Jones became one of my authors, when I republished Knead It, Punch It, Bake It! , a book for kids that she wrote with Evan.

"My happiest memories are associated with food," Jones told me then. "I can still remember the plop of batter as it was stirred by a wooden spoon."

• The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America by Sara B. Franklin. Atria Books. 316 pages. $29.99

For the more than 30 years that I knew her, I often wondered how Jones discovered such a sterling cast of writers, from Pulitzer Prize winners to a global roster of culinary experts who expanded our palates and pantries. What's more, she made many of those books blockbusters.

How did this reserved woman, who was never happier than when she was swimming in the icy waters of the pond at her Walden cabin, develop that North Star judgment?

In The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America , a riveting biography by Sara B. Franklin, I found answers and learned just how much I didn't know about my friend.

Franklin, who is the author of a previous book on the African American chef Edna Lewis, spent a decade overall getting to know Jones and then interviewing nearly everyone who knew her, including me. The biographer was granted access to Jones' personal papers stretching back to her childhood. The result is an intimate but clear-eyed portrait that clips along like a fast-paced novel.

Jones, the daughter of a lawyer from Montpelier and a class-conscious New York City mother, grew up on Manhattan's tony Upper East Side but from the start preferred Vermont, where the family summered.

"I used to stamp my feet and say, 'I'm a Vermonter, not a New Yorker,'" she told Franklin. Before attending an exclusive New York City private school, she convinced her parents to let her spend eighth grade in Montpelier. "I was going to Vermont to grow up," she confided to Franklin. Instead of a Seven Sisters college (the women's equivalent of an Ivy League at the time), she chose Bennington College, where the poet Theodore Roethke, her professor, became her lover.

For the rest of her life, Vermont was both her refuge and a tonic. After 50 years at Knopf, she retired to Walden to write books and raise grass-fed cattle until she died there in 2017 of complications from Alzheimer's.

• Courtesy Of Bronwyn Dunne
• Judith Jones circa 1982 in Walden

Those seeking clues to how Jones became one of the great editors of the 20th century will find plenty of them in Franklin's book. At 17, while interning at Doubleday, she edited a best-selling author with no instructions, telling Franklin, "I decided to trust my own instinct."

The job bored her, though, so she decamped to Paris. Her adventures make for one of the book's most intriguing chapters. The 24-year-old drank in the Sartre-Camus literary scene; hung out with novelist Gore Vidal and his lover Tennessee Williams; and started a salon-supper club with two friends, cooking for guests to bankroll her love of food and wine.

In Paris, Jones fell in love with Evan and married him. And as a mere assistant in Doubleday's outpost in the city, she plucked a 13-year-old girl's diary out of a slush pile of rejects and told her incredulous boss he had to publish it in English. (He later took full credit for Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl .)

Franklin shows that Jones was not infallible. After publishing Sylvia Plath's poetry at Knopf, she firmly declined her novel, The Bell Jar , saying it wasn't believable.

Throughout the book, Franklin skillfully situates Jones' personal and professional life in the context of women's history. And she notes, despite all the mega bestsellers, Jones remained woefully underpaid compared to her male colleagues.

Though no book can provide a road map to genius, The Editor gave me something better: an indelible picture of the grit, guile and passion for finding the right words of the woman who inspired my career.

Rux Martin is a Ferrisburgh-based freelance editor and writer. She retired from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2019 after almost two decades of editing cookbooks by Jacques Pépin, Dorie Greenspan, Pati Jinich, Mollie Katzen and Marcus Samuelsson.

From The Editor: How Publishing Legend Judith Jones Shaped Culture in America

After the war, American women had been pushed from the public realm when they were ousted en masse from paid jobs. Now, with their culinary skills recast as old-fashioned and obsolete, they were being edged out of the private space of their kitchens, too. It was almost as though women themselves were falling into disuse. Judith wanted to resist, and she understood that Julia Child did, too. While living in Paris, both women had come to see the kitchen as a place of purpose and sensual pleasure, and one of power as well. In their view, cooking wasn't drudgery (though it certainly was work), and it wasn't a gendered trap to be escaped. Rather, they saw the culinary arts as a gateway to the wider world and a richer, more autonomous life. Through food, Judith and Julia had found something of a shared politics, a way to express a femininity unfettered by what they saw as conservative American norms. "Food was our rebellion," Judith told me. "It gave us the courage to see things, make things happen." The time was ripe, Judith thought, to get their message through.

The original print version of this article was headlined "Taste Maker | Essay: How a new biography deepened my understanding of the legendary editor Judith Jones"

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Healthy Lifestyle and Eating Essay

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Healthy eating is the process of keeping the body clean, strong, and healthy at all times (Allen, 1926). Healthy living, on the other hand, means that one should be able to eat the right food, get enough exercise, and maintain cleanliness (James, 1907). Unfortunately, many people do not keep track of these requirements. Thus, they end up with serious health problems, which can be difficult to treat. Prevention of these problems can be accomplished through maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Such a lifestyle is achievable by eating the right food and adhering to all the requirements of healthy living.

The human body needs a balanced diet, which includes enough minerals, fats, vitamins, fiber, and carbohydrates (Albrecht, 1932). These substances are required by the body to facilitate the growth and functioning of body tissues. Low energy foods such as vegetables and fruits have small amounts of calories per unit volume of food. Therefore, it is advisable to eat this combination of foods in large volumes as it contains fewer calories, but has nutrients that are essential for optimal body functionality. Incidentally, one should take food that is free from unhealthy fats, but should ensure that whole grains and proteins go alongside fruits and vegetables.

Apart from choosing the best foods for the body, it is also advisable that people should maintain moderate quantities of food intake. For instance, it is prudent to eat less of unhealthy foods such as refined sugar and saturated fats and more of healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits. This pattern of eating has massive health benefits to its adherents. As such, people should strive to develop good eating habits that can sustain them throughout their lives.

Further, it is recommended that one should eat a heavy breakfast an hour after waking up. The breakfast needs to consist of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and proteins in balanced proportions. It should then be followed by light meals throughout the day. This requirement is important since breakfast helps to initiate the body’s metabolism. The light and healthy meals thereafter help maintain a high body energy level that keeps one active throughout the day (Allen, 1926). People should avoid eating late at night. Early dinners are advisable followed by an average of 15 hours of no food until breakfast time the next morning. Past studies show that this pattern helps regulate body weight (James, 1907).

People who are diagnosed with lifestyle diseases such as anemia, high blood pressure, and diabetes among others are advised to follow diets that are rich in fruits and vegetable content (Allen, 1926). Depending on the stage of illness, such people should strictly watch what they eat. For example, high blood pressure patients should cut down on sodium, which is mainly found in salt. They should also avoid foods that have high cholesterol and saturated fats since diets of this sort prompt a high risk of artery clogging. Consequently, it increases the risk of heart attacks and blood vessel diseases (Albrecht, 1932). Further, they need to control the amount of carbohydrates they take.

Carbohydrates should only account for 50% of their daily calories (Allen, 1926). Finally, they are discouraged from foods with a high phosphorous content since they may lead to bone diseases (Allen, 1926). Overweight people constitute another special needs group. They should reduce weight to be healthy. Consequently, they need at least 30 minutes of rigorous physical exercise everyday and a lean diet.

In conclusion, all these groups of people should increase their water intake. Water is essential in the human body since it facilitates the regulation of all body functions. As such, it enhances body health. In this regard, people should strive to take at least eight glasses per day. Apparently, healthy living calls for discipline and commitment. If people foster these two values in the lifestyles, the world will be full of healthy people.

Albrecht, Arthur E. (1932). About foods and markets : A teachers’ handbook and consumers’ guide . New York City, NY: Columbia University. Web.

Allen, Ida C. (1926). Your foods and you or the role of diet . Garden City, NY: Doubleday Page & Company. Web.

James F. (1907). How we are fed: A geographical reader . New York, NY: Macmillan. Web.

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Healthy Food Essay 150 and 300 Words in English for Students

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• Apr 4, 2024

Eating healthy food is important for a healthy and disease-free life. A person who eats healthy food means he/ she is taking good care of his/ her body and overall well-being. From childhood, we are told to eat healthy food, which includes green vegetables, fruits, dry fruits, dairy products, etc. On this page, we will be discussing healthy food essay 150 and 300 words for school students.

Table of Contents

• 1 Healthy Food Essay 150 Words
• 2 Essay on Healthy Food in 300 Words
• 3 10 Healthy Food Essay Lines

  Quick Read: Essay on Good Habits

Healthy Food Essay 150 Words

‘Healthy food means food that is good for our physical growth and overall well-being. From an early age, we are told to eat healthy foods, ones that are rich in protein, fiber, and calcium. There are five types of healthy foods: Fruit and vegetables; starchy food; dairy products; proteins and fats.

Food is essential for growth and development, and when we talk about healthy food, it means better growth and a healthy lifestyle. Taking care of our bodies is our responsibility, and it all starts with eating healthy food. 

Today, India is the largest producer of milk and pulses, and the second largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, groundnut, vegetables, and fruit. The country not only sustains its 1.4 billion population with healthy food but also exports a large amount of it. 

Our health is our responsibility, which can only be achieved by eating healthy food and exercising. There is a saying in sports, ‘ Your performance is determined by the type of fuel you provide to your body.’ So, let’s all live a healthy and happy life with healthy food.’

Quick Read: 200+ English Essay Topics

Essay on Healthy Food in 300 Words

‘Food is a source of energy for every living being. Even plants require food in the form of sunlight, water, and minerals from the soil. As humans, we all want to eat our favorite and most delicious food, which is mostly unhealthy. Healthy food, on the other hand, is not preferred by all, as some people don’t consider it tasty. Healthy food is known for its rich fiber and protein content. There are several benefits of eating healthy food, which are very important for our growth, body functioning and to live a sustained life.’

‘A healthy diet is generally a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and vitamins. Proteins and fats are required for energy, carbohydrates support our bodily functions and physical activity, and vitamins and minerals help boost the immune system, and support normal growth and development.’

‘India is one of the largest producers of healthy foods. In India, the Northern Plains, the Central Highlands, and the coastal areas are known for their rich production of healthy and nutritious food. Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer of sugarcane and wheat, West Bengal of rice, Karnataka for coffee, and Rajasthan of millet. We are surrounded by so many natural and healthy food resources, which can help lead a healthy and sustained life.’

‘Healthy food helps maintain a good body weight. It’s all about balancing what we eat and drink with the energy we burn. Sure, filling our plates with good food is important, but watching how much we take helps too.’

‘Eating healthy food is not just advice to live a healthy life. It’s a way of life that we all must adhere to. Adding fruits, vegetables, and dairy products to our diets will help us maintain good body weight, boost our immune system, and enhance our cells and body functioning.’

10 Healthy Food Essay Lines

Here are 10 healthy food essay lines for students: 

• Eating healthy food is very important for a healthy and happy life.
• We get all the important nutrients and minerals from healthy food.
• Vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and dry fruits are part of healthy food.
• Dairy products such as milk, eggs, ghee, butter, and cotton cheese are rich sources of protein.
• Healthy food keeps our mind and body fit.
• Avoiding junk food and switching to healthy food can help us live a healthier life.
• World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 every year to promote a healthy lifestyle and healthy food.
• Healthy food makes us agile and increases body functioning.
• Healthy food can help boost our immune system and digestion.
• Healthy food can uplift our mood and make us feel good.

Ans: ‘Healthy food means food that is good for our physical growth and overall well-being. From an early age, we are told to eat healthy foods, ones that are rich in protein, fiber, and calcium. There are five types of healthy foods: Fruit and vegetables; starchy food; dairy products; proteins and fats.’ ‘Food is essential for growth and development, and when we talk about healthy food, it means better growth and a healthy lifestyle. Taking care of our body is our responsibility and it all starts with eating healthy food.’

Ans: Food is a source of energy for every living being. Even plants require food in the form of sunlight, water, and minerals from the soil. As humans, we all want to eat our favourite and delicious food, which is mostly unhealthy. Healthy food, on the other hand, is not preferred by all, as some people don’t consider it tasty. Healthy food is known for its rich fiber and protein content. There are several benefits of eating healthy food, which are very important for our growth, body functioning, and living a sustained life.

Ans: ‘Healthy food helps in maintaining a good body weight It’s all about balancing what we eat and drink with the energy we burn. Sure, filling our plates with good food is important, but watching how much we take helps too. Healthy food makes us agile and increases body functioning. Healthy food can help boost our immune system and digestion. Healthy food can uplift our mood and make us feel good.

Popular Essay Topics for Students

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50 great articles and essays about food and nutrition, the carnivore’s dilemma by robert kunzig, by meat alone by calvin trillin, carnal knowledge by bill buford, the modern hunter-gatherer by michael pollan, one nation, under dog by steve rushin, what's the most delicious thing you've eaten by bill buford, the piscivore's dilemma by tim zimmermann, consider the lobster by david foster wallace, if you knew sushi by nick tosches, dear leader dreams of sushi by adam johnson, to die for by adam platt, the lie of “expired” food by alissa wilkinson, fishy by jazmine hughes, the launch by brooke jarvis, twelve easy pieces by jon mooallem, why your supermarket sells only 5 kinds of apples by rowan jacobsen, the call of the wild apple by michael pollan, fruit of the future by dan koeppel, the unfortunate sex life of the banana by matt castle, the fruit detective by john seabrook, why should a melon cost as much as a car by bianca bosker, a better brew by burkhard bilger, the million dollar nose by william langewiesche, the red and the white by calvin trillin, java man by malcolm gladwell, green gold by jack turner, vodka nation by victorino matus, the ketchup conundrum by malcolm gladwell, why won’t the mayo bullies leave us alone by drew magary, the notorious msg by john mahoney, stone soup by elizabeth kolbert, the last meal by michael paterniti, local bounty by calvin trillin, speaking of soup by calvin trillin, the secret life of cheese by mark hay, the nba's secret addiction by baxter holmes, white gold by oliver franklin-wallis, big in japan by tejal rao, eat, memory by david wong louie, the gatekeepers who get to decide what food is “disgusting” by jiayang fan, they hacked mcdonald’s ice cream machines—and started a cold war by andy greenberg, in remote alaska, meal planning is everything by bree kessler, see also..., 50 great articles about health and medicine, death of the calorie by peter wilson, unhappy meals by michael pollan, the vitamin myth by paul offit, nutrition science’s most preposterous result by david merritt johns, life after food by matthew schneier, what if it's all been a big fat lie by gary taubes, how a ‘fatally, tragically flawed’ paradigm has derailed the science of obesity by gary taubes, how junk food can end obesity by david h. freedman, fat factors by robin marantz henig, why are we so fat by elizabeth kolbert, the pima paradox by malcolm gladwell, the obesity era by david berreby, the case against sugar by gary taubes, being happy with sugar by james hamblin, the sugar conspiracy by ian leslie, the hunt for the perfect sugar by beth kowitt, the peanut puzzle by jerome groopman, against the grain by michael specter, cooks and cooking, the greatest chef in the world, the 36-hour dinner party by michael pollan, the most exclusive restaurant in america by nick paumgarten, my mom couldn't cook by tom junod, the future of food, the end of food by lizzie widdicombe, test-tube burgers by michael specter, will frankenfood save the planet by jonathan rauch, the vegan carnivore by julian baggini, the food industry, the taste makers by raffi khatchadourian, bakeoff by malcolm gladwell, the trouble with fries by malcolm gladwell, the conching rooms by john mcphee, the perfect milk machine by alexis madrigal, salt: a world history by mark kurlansky, oranges by john mcphee.

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Essay on Importance of Food

Students are often asked to write an essay on Importance of Food in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Importance of Food

The vital role of food.

Food plays a crucial role in our lives. It provides us with the energy we need to carry out our daily activities. We cannot survive without food, as it is the fuel for our body.

Nutrition and Growth

Nutrition is essential for growth, especially in children. It helps in building strong bones and muscles. A balanced diet ensures we get all the nutrients required for healthy growth.

Food and Health

Eating healthy food helps prevent diseases. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains boost our immunity, keeping us healthy and strong. It’s important to eat a variety of foods for overall wellbeing.

Food and Culture

Food also brings people together. It’s a vital part of our culture and traditions, helping us connect with our roots and each other. Every culture has unique dishes that reflect its history and lifestyle.

Also check:

• Paragraph on Importance of Food

250 Words Essay on Importance of Food

Introduction.

Food is the fundamental necessity of life. It provides us with the energy to carry out daily tasks, supports our immune system, and contributes to the healthy functioning of our body and mind. Understanding the importance of food transcends beyond the realm of basic sustenance and delves into the realms of health, culture, and socio-economic dynamics.

Nutrition and Health

Food is the primary source of nutrients that our bodies need to function effectively. It provides us with carbohydrates for energy, proteins for muscle development, fats for cell function, and vitamins and minerals for immune support and other essential bodily functions. A balanced diet can prevent malnutrition and a multitude of health issues, emphasizing the importance of food in maintaining good health.

Cultural Significance

Food also carries cultural significance. It is an integral part of traditions, rituals, and celebrations, reflecting the unique identity of different cultures. Food brings people together, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Economic Implication

On a larger scale, food plays a pivotal role in the economy. The food industry generates employment, contributes to GDP, and is a significant factor in trade relations between countries. Moreover, food security is a critical aspect of national security, underlining the strategic importance of food.

In conclusion, food is much more than mere sustenance. It is a vital cog in the wheel of life, impacting our health, culture, and economy. Understanding the importance of food can lead us towards a healthier, more inclusive, and sustainable world.

500 Words Essay on Importance of Food

Introduction: the necessity of food.

Food is an indispensable part of our lives. It is not just about satisfying our taste buds, but it is a basic necessity for survival. Beyond survival, food plays a pivotal role in our overall growth, development, and well-being.

The Biological Importance of Food

Food is the primary source of energy for all organisms. The human body needs a variety of nutrients to function optimally, and these nutrients are obtained from the food we consume. Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals are all critical for various biological processes. For instance, proteins are essential for tissue repair and muscle growth, carbohydrates provide energy, fats serve as energy storage, and vitamins and minerals are crucial for several metabolic activities.

Food and Physical Health

The link between food and physical health is undeniable. A well-balanced diet can help maintain a healthy weight, strengthen the immune system, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Conversely, poor dietary choices can lead to obesity, malnutrition, and various health complications. Therefore, understanding the nutritional value of food and making informed dietary choices is crucial for maintaining physical health.

Food and Mental Health

The importance of food extends to our mental health as well. Various studies suggest a strong correlation between diet and mental health. Certain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants are known to support brain health. They can enhance cognitive functions, improve mood, and even reduce the risk of mental disorders like depression and anxiety. On the other hand, a diet high in processed foods and sugars can adversely affect brain function and mood.

Food and Cultural Significance

Food also holds significant cultural and social value. It is an integral part of our cultural identity and heritage. Different cultures have unique cuisines, food habits, and rituals, reflecting their history, geography, and lifestyle. Sharing meals is a universal way of fostering social connections and community bonds.

Food and Environmental Impact

The food we consume also has a profound impact on the environment. Sustainable food practices can help conserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote biodiversity. Conversely, unsustainable agricultural practices and food wastage can lead to environmental degradation. Therefore, conscious food choices can contribute to environmental sustainability.

Conclusion: The Multifaceted Importance of Food

In conclusion, food is not just a means of survival. It is a complex entity that influences our physical and mental health, reflects our cultural identity, fosters social connections, and impacts the environment. Understanding the importance of food in these multiple dimensions can guide us towards healthier, more sustainable, and culturally rich lifestyles. As we move forward, let us acknowledge the power of food and use it responsibly to nourish ourselves and the planet.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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My Favorite Food Essay

500 words essay on my favorite food.

In order to perform well in life, our body needs energy. We get this energy from the food we eat. Without food, there will be no life. In today’s world, there are so many dishes available worldwide. Food comes in a wide variety all around the world. Dosa, Paneer, Naan, Chapati, Biryani, and more Indian delicacies are available. We are also offered western cuisines such as noodles, pasta, burgers, fries, pizzas and more dominating the food industry. In my favourite food essay, I will tell you about the food I like eating the most.

My Favorite Food

As the world is advancing day by day, it is becoming easier to get access to many kinds of food at our doorstep. Every day, we all want to consume great and delicious cuisine. There are many different varieties of food accessible all throughout the world. We all like different foods, however, my personal favourite is burgers. I have eaten many cuisines but my favourite food is definitely a burger. I cannot resist myself when it comes to burgers.

Burgers are one of the most convenient and easiest foods to eat on the fly when we’re in a hurry. We can have a burger at any time of day, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or supper, and maybe some fries and a Coke to go with it. Many restaurants are well-known for making their speciality burgers in a particular style. Preparation changes from one establishment to the next. But what exactly makes a burger taste so good? They will taste vary depending on where you go, but they are all built the same. It is made up of a bun, a ground meat patty, and various toppings like cheese, onion slices, lettuce, and other sauces.

They are so soft yet crunchy, fresh and juicy that I love eating them. Even though there are many kinds of burgers, my favourite one is a chicken burger. The chicken patty gives the burger a juicy taste and it tingles my taste buds every time I eat it. I can already smell and taste it in my mouth as soon as I walked inside McDonald’s or any other restaurant that serves chicken burgers. As soon as I take a huge mouthful of it, I forget about any problems or troubles that are going on in the outer world and concentrate my entire concentration just on my chicken burger.

I love eating a burger which is filled with cheese and vegetables . The more vegetables you add, the better it tastes. My personal favourite is lettuce. It gives the burger the right amount of freshness and crunchiness.

I always eat my burger with ketchup. Most importantly, the thing I love about eating burgers is that I get to eat French fries along with them. They work as a great side to the dish and also make my stomach full.

Even though I liked eating a burger from a famous fast food joint, nothing beats the chicken burger my mother makes at home. She prepares everything from scratch, even the burger. Thus, it is extremely fresh and healthy too.

I know and feel that burgers have the great flavour and taste that would make anyone’s stomach pleased after a long day of work. I can tell by the reactions on people’s faces when they order their preferred burger variant. Overall, I don’t believe any other fast food will taste as good as a chicken burger. It’s just difficult to think that something will triumph in the future. As a result, I consider my favourite dish to be the best ever created.

A Great Variety

Perhaps the great thing about burgers is the great variety they offer. It has options for all people, who prefer vegetarian, non-vegetarian and even vegans. Thus, you can select the patty of your burger and dive right in.

There are a large number of burger joints being started in every corner of the city, each serving a variety of their own specialised and self-curated recipes. Burgers that are health-friendly and a go-to with a diet are also being introduced by these newly upcoming burger places. There are a lot many burger cafes that give their customers the choice to create their own burgers by providing them with a choice between patties, fillings, veggies, sauces as well as the number of burger layers they want.

Even though my personal favourite is a chicken burger, I also enjoy eating cheeseburgers and vegetable burgers. For me, all burgers taste delicious. Whenever we go out to eat with friends , I always order a burger.

My friends who do not eat non-vegetarian also eat burgers thanks to the great variety it offers. When we order food at home, we make sure to offer all kinds of burgers from cheeseburgers to chicken burgers, so that we get a taste of everything in our meal. Thus, I love burgers and their great variety makes it better.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of My Favorite Food Essay

Even though my favourite food is a burger, I enjoy other foods as well like Pizza and Pasta. However, I feel when it comes to eating daily, nothing beats homemade food. The food we eat daily is what helps us gain energy. We cannot eat our favourite food daily as it will become boring then, but our staple food is something we enjoy eating on an everyday basis.

FAQ of My Favorite Food Essay

Question 1: Why do we need food?

Answer 1: We need food because it provides nutrients, energy for activity, growth. Similarly, all functions of the body like breathing, digesting food, and keeping warm are made possible because of food. It also helps in keeping our immune system healthy.

Question 2: Should you eat your favourite food all the time?

Answer 2: No, never. Favourite foods are meant to be enjoyed when there is any special occasion, or when you are tired of your regular homemade food. Eating too much of your favourite food will make your taste buds adjust to it and eventually, it will not remain our favourite. Excess of anything is bad and the same goes for our favourite food. Thus, we must eat it occasionally so that it remains our favourite.

Question 3: Is fast food healthy? Should we not consume fast food at all?

Answer 3: Fast food is often high in calories, sodium, and harmful fat, with one meal frequently providing enough for a whole day. It is also deficient in nutrients and nearly devoid of fruit, vegetables, and fibre. That doesn’t mean you should completely avoid fast food. It is feasible to eat fast food without jeopardising your healthy diet. Take advantage of the nutritious side dishes available at many fast-food places. Look for meals that include lean proteins, vegetables, and fibre, and avoid anything that is supersized.

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• Published: 28 May 2024

Biodiversity and food systems

Nature Food volume  5 ,  page 341 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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Biological diversity and food availability are intrinsically linked, yet trade-offs between them often arise. Further research is needed on the specific issues faced in different contexts and what could help overcome them.

The International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated annually on 22 May, marks the date when the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted back in 1992. Besides raising awareness around the value and importance of biodiversity, it also fosters actions to protect it.

The sixth edition of the CBD, to be held in Colombia in October, dedicates unprecedented attention to the food–biodiversity nexus. Among the topics that will be covered are (1) ‘Food systems depend on biodiversity and ecosystem services’; (2) ‘Agriculture must be part of the solution, not the problem’; (3) Biodiversity underpins all fishing and aquaculture activities’; and (4) ‘Genetic diversity: the hidden secret of life’. These topics underscore the impact that food production and consumption have on biodiversity while at the same time depending on it, as well as the potential to transform this relationship through regenerative practices with mutually positive outcomes.

The agreement reached in the previous edition of the CBD in Montreal includes targets to protect 30% of Earth, reform US $500 billion (£410 billion) of environmentally damaging subsidies, and address and disclose the impact businesses. While there is no doubt that this is an important advancement, decisions related to policy design and implementation in specific contexts still require a deeper understanding of the issues faced and what is required to overcome them.

Most of the primary research content featured in the May issue of Nature Food — regardless of their primary focus — offers some contribution to the topics listed above. Two articles focus on the impacts of food security on biodiversity. Wen and colleagues show how uneven agricultural contraction within fast-urbanizing urban agglomeration has decreased nitrogen-use efficiency and food system sustainability in China. Nitrogen losses cause air and water pollution, harming life on land and in water. Zhou and colleagues analyse the global dissemination of Salmonella enterica associated with centralized pork industrialization . Intensive farming and global transportation have particularly reshaped the pig industry, leading to the spread of associated zoonotic pathogens that can cause severe food-borne infections.

Three more articles illustrate practices that would reduce the impact of food systems on biodiversity. Gu and colleagues show how selected agricultural management practices in China can enhance nitrogen sustainability and benefit human health. Lynch et al. estimate that the harvest from inland recreational fishing equates to just over one-tenth of all reported inland fisheries catch at a global level, highlighting the potential contribution of inland recreational fisheries to food security. Finally, Simon et al. examine how redesigning food systems according to circularity principles can support current European protein intake levels while reducing land use and greenhouse gas emissions — both vital to fauna and flora.

We hope you enjoy the reading!

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Indian food in America: How chefs are expanding the perception of the cuisine

On a windy evening in West Los Angeles, a small group of mostly strangers gathered inside a trendy loft apartment.

The 15 or so folks were an interesting cross section of humanity — from a winery owner/operator to this very reporter — and all had been selected to attend the dinner series, hosted by chef Palak Patel.

The author of the new cookbook “ Food is Love ” and former “Chopped” winner is one of the many chefs amplifying Indian cuisine in the United States.

Though Indian eateries only make up about 7% of Asian restaurants in the U.S., according to a 2023 analysis by Pew Research Center , it’s a cuisine on the rise.

In an interview with TODAY.com, Patel says she is excited to see Indian food expand into a new era.

“I think Indian food is very limited in the U.S. to just north Indian food,” she says, adding that “there’s a million people in the country!”

“Each region has its own flavor, its own take, household to household, things are different,” she continues. “And so how do you bring that much diversity to a culture that is obviously intrigued and loves it? You just need to get them to try it.”

She says it’s not just Indian food seeing increasing diversity in its stateside representation — Chinese, Thai, Korean and Mexican food is all seeing a rise in more regional dishes.

“People are getting more regionalized,” she says. “I think that Indian food is just benefiting from the collective, like, raise of every cuisine.”

She adds that Americans are realizing there’s more to Asian cuisines than go-to’s, like pad thai or chicken tikka masala.

“I think collectively, the flavor profiles have expanded,” she says, adding she believes “the tolerance for flavor and expansion of flavor is going through the roof.”

Nik Sharma, author of “ Veg-Table ,” agrees. He says in the nearly 25 years he’s lived in the U.S., he’s seen a profound shift in how non-South Asian Americans approach food.

“We’ve gone from having to satisfy the palate of what our consumers expect from us that aren’t familiar with the culture to doing these things that are, I would say, fun takes,” he says. “We’re taking the techniques and we’re applying it in a very different way and making it our own.”

And chef Vijay Kumar of Semma in New York City tells TODAY.com he loves "to see how things have been changing."

Manish Mallick of Soirée Hospitality in Chicago also thinks the wider U.S. audience today is more inquisitive, and that Indian Americans are open to sharing their culture with friends outside their diaspora.

Patel says Indian flavors are also much more readily accessible at American grocery stores now than they were in years prior.

“I think 15 years ago (for) turmeric you’d have to go to some, like, very specialized store,” she says. “The fact that we can get garam masala, cardamom, clove powder — I mean, these are the basics of Indian cooking and you can get them at like a Kroger or Publix or Vons.”

Patel says it just takes one spice — garam masala — to introduce Indian flavors to your cooking.

“I always called garam masala the gateway — like if you’re not going to buy all of them; just buy one,” she quips. “If you just want to throw that on roasted vegetables, you’ll get a good representation of what it’s like to have these spices kind of play together.”

And according to Sharma, integrating these flavors is more natural than some folks might think. He says, “at the end of the day, one of the things we have to remember is that borders are a much more recent human construct than cultures and traditions. Cultures and traditions and ingredients, especially in people more so, have been immigrating and migrating for centuries. We’ve taken things and moved them along.

Sharma, who got his start in the culinary world as a food columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, gives the example of tomatoes and potatoes. Both are a “huge part of Indian culture” but didn’t “come from India,” he says.

“They came from the Americas,” he chuckles, adding he often thinks about this in his own work developing recipes. “As an immigrant, I came from India (and) I’m doing things in my very own, different way. It’s telling a story of where I grew up and where I am.”

Though, it’s not just his story growing and evolving.

“I think the palate of the consumer is changing,” he says. “I would say like the past eight years or 10 years, the biggest revolution in food has not been cultural so much as it has been the openness of the consumer to try new flavors.”

Sharma continues, adding he’s seen people becoming more and more curious about flavors. “And I think that’s a huge thing,” he says, “because if we can get there, then people’s minds open up to different cultures and trying new things.”

Chef Kumar is capitalizing on that newfound openness at Semma. The chef — who is from Tamil Nadu, the southernmost state of India — opened his restaurant in 2021. Its menu features dishes from his home state, and Kumar says all his food is “just as spicy” in his restaurant as it was in his family’s home kitchen.

He hopes his restaurant will serve as a representation of Indian food in Western countries without “sacrificing our own identity” or “trying to be Westernized Indian food.”

He says he takes that message to heart, crafting each dish “based on a childhood memory” of his upbringing in a “tiny village” back in Southern India — the presentation is just nicer.

“I’m trying to change the perception of Indian food,” Kumar says. “When every food is being presented beautifully, why (not) our food?”

Kumar notes his restaurant was the first Indian restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star — one of the highest honors in the culinary world — back in 2022.

“The next year, there were two other Indian restaurants (awarded stars),” he says, referring to Rania in Washington, D.C., and Indienne in Chicago . “I’m hoping there will be more this year and then there will be more and more in the following years.”

Kumar clarifies he’s not just talking about seeing these eateries on Michelin lists, rather he wants to see more of them in general. “I hope there will be a lot more great Indian restaurants which represent good Indian cuisines.”

It’s a niche that Mallick is trying to fill in Chicago. He says he left a job in tech after seeing a “dearth of elevated dining experiences” featuring Indian food.

“That’s what led me to open all these modern Indian restaurants,” Mallick says. “And fortunately, I was right. The demand was there.”

He’s since opened two Indian eateries in the Windy City — Bar Goa and Rooh .

Mallick says the community has been overwhelmingly supportive — “both Indians and non-Indians.”

“People were tired of the whole buffet-style Indian restaurants, not focused on the elegance of the cuisine, from a presentation perspective, from a conversation perspective, ambiance,” he says.

“The more the Indian community grows, the more they want places to go and enjoy and are unique,” he says.

It’s this family and community aspect of eating that Patel says she’s trying to replicate in her own life with her cookbook “Food is Love.”

After growing up in a multi-generational house “full of women cooking” back in India, Patel says she grew to associate the task with how her family showed their appreciation for each other.

“I mean, maybe (cooking) was a chore and kind of sexist culturally, but it did get me in the kitchen,” she laughs. “And it kind of opened up this way of cooking that I love and you know, the title of (the cookbook) came from that — food is love, right?”

Over wine and lemon meringue pie, she tells the guests at her dinner party that sentiment is why she wrote the book, and why she’s hosting the in-person series we attended that brought all of us unlikely companions together.

Patel says in her family’s native language, Gujarati, there is no word for “I love you.”

“But I knew my mom loved me because she cooked for me. I knew my grandmother loved me when she cooked for me,” she says. “So it was this idea that love can be shown through many different ways.”

Sam Kubota is a senior digital editor and journalist for TODAY Digital based in Los Angeles. She joined NBC News in 2019.

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‘Delicious, Easy, Healthy and Affordable’

Yasmin Fahr’s new recipe for one-pot chicken meatballs with greens is already proving to be a weeknight winner.

By Melissa Clark

My family and I have just returned from a weekend in rural Pennsylvania, where we spend every Memorial Day weekend hanging out with good friends, eating enormous platters of grilled meat and veggies, and enjoying the mixed choir of tree frogs and bullfrogs that populate the lake. More reliably than any calendar, that throaty, flirty chorus announces that summer is finally (if unofficially) here.

Back in Brooklyn, there’s a whole other chorale going on: bass-crazy car speakers, anxious sirens, laughter from the neighbor kids as they cover their stoops in chalk art. Hark, summer has arrived here, too!

All of this is nature’s cue to shift into a lighter and more laid-back mode of cooking. Maybe the tomatoes haven’t quite peaked yet, but the farmers’ market already boasts greens in profusion, notably the piles of rainbow chard with their red and yellow stems. I’m excited to put some to good use in Yasmin Fahr’s one-pot chicken meatballs with greens .

Her recipe is fiendishly clever. After browning the meatballs, she smothers them under a mound of greens seasoned with sliced lemons and cumin, and then covers the pot to let it steam. The greens wilt, the meatballs cook through and the lemons release their juice into the savory pan drippings. It’s a colorful, fuss-free meal to rock us into the season.

Featured Recipe

One-Pot Chicken Meatballs With Greens

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Another Yasmin creation I can’t wait to make this week is her garlic shrimp with crispy chickpeas , an ebullient mash-up of shrimp scampi and gambas al ajillo , liberally seasoned with smoked paprika. The chickpeas are sizzled in a hot skillet until crunchy, and then doused in wine and simmered until tender. Shrimp are folded in along with lemon and parsley for zip and freshness. Be sure to cook this with a wine you’d want to drink with your meal — it really does make a difference!

We also have a new meatless recipe from Hetty “Tofu Whisperer” Lui McKinnon: her lemongrass tofu with broccoli . This speedy dish gets its intense flavor from the chopped lemongrass used in a marinade that doubles as a pan sauce. Marinate the tofu the day before if you’re planning ahead, but the dish would also work perfectly with a 10-minute soak. Seared broccoli florets and onion slices add texture, vegetable heft and a delightfully smoky char.

Another tantalizing option — this time starring the ever charismatic duo of chicken and rice — is Kay Chun’s arroz con pollo verde . It’s a Peruvian dish made with an emerald green cilantro purée spiked with jarred aji amarillo (a hot yellow pepper paste). A can of soft, pillowy hominy stirred into the rice mix adds an earthy flavor and textural contrast.

Or maybe you’d like to dive right into the deep end of summer with a no-cook recipe. Dan Pelosi has your hot-weather remedy, a marinated antipasto salad made from your favorite salty snacks. It’s got olives, salami, provolone cheese and canned artichoke hearts, all anchored in a tangy butter bean and cherry tomato salad. Serve it with crusty bread and put it on repeat for an easygoing meal that will get you through the whole season.

To me, the perfect summer dessert has loads of warm, bubbling fruit that I can top with scoops of ice cream that melt into a lush and creamy sauce. Crisps are the Platonic ideal of this, particularly Yossy Arefi’s gorgeous, ruby-hued rhubarb crisp with its nubby brown butter topping.

And as always, you’ll want to subscribe to access all these smart recipes and scads more (to the tune of tens of thousands more). If you need any technical help, the sharp folks at [email protected] are there for you. And I’m at [email protected] if you want to say hi.

That’s all for now. See you on Wednesday.

Melissa Clark has been writing her column, A Good Appetite , for The Times’s Food section since 2007. She creates recipes for New York Times Cooking, makes videos and reports on food trends. She is the author of 45 cookbooks, and counting. More about Melissa Clark

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