Inspiration: Alice Waters - 40 Years at Chez Panisse

It’s been quite busy these days. Having quit my day job in March, and taking on freelance work, I’m just as, if not more busy than I was before. Though thank goodness for that, it was so scary stepping off on my own and having faith that I could make ends meet. And now I’m happier than I could imagine. I work about 60/70 hours a week spread over 7 days, spend 8 hours once a week interning at Craft, and then try and see friends, eat, and BAKE!

Anyway, because of the crazy scheduling issues I haven’t been able to write about this incredible talk I went to at the New Museum where Alice Waters presented her new book, 40 Years of Chez Panisse. She talked about how she got started from her inspiration on lawn of Berkley in the 60’s, to teaching, to travels in Paris and foraging for tastes. Local for her didn’t mean organic but finding the best taste possible. I think that just happen to turn into organic.

The part that struck me and Amy, (Amy is my friends or rather foodie partner in crime) is when Alice started talking about dinner parties. How she’d fly to Vienna a year in advance and work with the local farmers to ensure she can have the menu she wants using local foods. I mean, wow. That’s commitment to taste. She also collaborates with all sort of people from musicians to artists to filmmakers.

Food anchors life to the land and the civilization

This quote is so true, and I just can’t wait to take this journey. A journey of tastes, collaborations and discovering the world starting just outside my door.