Hi Everyone,
I don’t think that I would be wrong if I said that we have had a week full of emotions. Some folks are elated, some are battle-weary, some are emotionally drained, some are relieved, some are disappointed and some are probably functioning on adrenaline alone. Weekend is a time that we all look for a little respite, rest and relaxation. We stop to heal and rejuvenate in preparation for the week ahead and food plays an integral role in our weekend activities. This weekend will find many people eating for comfort, for nourishment and for celebration.
Whether you are eating for comfort – to console yourself, for nourishment – to replenish your spent energy of long days and sleepless nights or for celebration – to usher in a new era, whatever your reason, do not eat alone. Gather your family, gather your friends, gather your loved ones, and yes, gather your neighbours and strangers too, regardless of their race, colour or creed or of their political persuasion. Gather them all, cook, share and eat. When we gather together for a meal, to break bread, we fit so comfortably… side by side. With mouths full, eyes smiling and tummies delighting, we are quiet, long enough to shut out noises of disruption and division.
A celebration of Guyanese cuisine is a table that represents the diverse, multi-cultural food that is uniquely ours. Sure there are other versions of many of the dishes, but they are not exactly like ours. We have put our special touch, whether by technique, method or skill, to preparing our food. Regardless of one’s background, when we as Guyanese cook, the food on our tables tells us something – that we are better together than separated. A Guyanese food spread represents all of us regardless of whatever prefixes we want to put before the word Guyanese.
Our daily diet, can’t-get-enough-of any type of Curry, Fried Rice, Cook-Up, Pepperpot, Mettagee, Salt Fish, Roti, Bakes, Cassava Bread, Black Pudding, Pone, Pastries, Soup or Souse, is deeply embedded in the DNA of Guyanese. And don’t even try to dissuade us from mixing
things up just because we like it so. When someone wants to eat their bunjal chicken with vegetable fried rice, who are we to complain? When someone says they like to eat their Pepperpot with a nice thick Sada roti, how can we protest? When an argument breaks out that Black Pudding tastes better with Achar than sour, how is that argument settled? When some people want their Callaloo Cook-up served with a cup of Dhal, how can we begin to question their taste? I could go on but I think you get my point. It is obvious that we can learn a thing or two from our food – the way we cook, share and eat it.
When you cook this weekend, whether it is for comfort, nourishment or celebration, remember what I said, do not eat alone. Call up your friends and family, especially those who may have been on the opposite side (regardless of the side) of the political divide, for I believe, that despite some of the rhetoric on the political platforms, there are many, who in their heart of hearts are not the divisive, polarizing people they portray themselves to be.
Let’s all strive to live our motto: one people, one nation, one destiny.
Cynthia
Cynthia@tasteslikehome.org
www.tasteslikehome.org
