It is amazing how the aroma from a kitchen can transport you to another place
That's me (little me) at my aunt Brianda's wedding - eating yummy yummy breadsticks...
It is amazing how the aroma from a kitchen can transport you to another place…I found myself walking on 9th Street on my way to cocktails at Niagara; when all of the sudden I thought of my first year in NYC after migrating from Colombia. I remembered PS 102 and lunches with Harpreet, the first friend I ever made. I recalled my horrible pronunciation and how long it took me to go from saying “Eskool” to “School”. The smell that set off this reverie was that of a Jamaican Beef Pattie. My mouth watered as I thought of this tasty treat. Scrumptious and exotic beef pastries, the curry and spices ran through my mind like fire on a haystack. I went into the place, purchased one and delighted as I bit into the flaky crust and set off on a torrent of memories.
This got me thinking about the power of food. How often had the smell of chicken taken me back to my Abuela’s apartment in
Ibague while she made Sancocho (her famous chicken soup). This may be one of the reasons why people are so in love with food. Food is more than sustenance; food transports, it delights, it nourishes. Food is an excuse to invite friends over, to reminisce and most importantly gossip. It is the central theme of holidays and special occasions. Food is a muse inspiring paintings of places that have never been visited.
I decided to ask friends about their favorite foodie memories….
Antonio (Of friendsEAT.com) –
New York, NY - “The smell of burning grease and powder sugar in the air reminds me of the many fairs my family went to where bumper cars and cotton candy were the norm.”
David (Professor University of Tampa) – Tampa, Fl – “The smell of my mom and dad's turkey and dressing and sweet potato pie transports me immediately, well, to Thanksgiving!”
Jim (Self-Employed & Proud Daddy)– Port St Lucie, FL- “Irish Soda Bread reminds me of cold winter nights, and being in my warm house with my parents”.
Rodney (The “Major” Of New Brunswick)–
North Brunswick, NJ – “Bacon and Eggs. The way I grew up, we rarely ate together, but Sunday mornings there was a pattern. I'd smell the bacon and eggs, sausage and pancakes and I'd jump out of the bed. Of course this was all a ploy, because once I was up it was time for me to go run the Sunday morning errands” |
