We don’t simply eat to live; we also live to eat. It follows that food represents us as individuals, communities, and even how we write our stories through history. With a PhD in Comparative Literature, I have been trained to dive deeply into critical theory using a variety of philosophies and worldviews as critical tools for analysis.

Critical food theory is my way of linking this analytical training to my personal love for food. This includes learning about how “breaking bread” has become such a crucial foundation of building bridges between people. But the stories are not always so lovely; sometimes food bears with it fraught histories, silenced names, and hidden ingredients. I want to uncover them all.

What story is a plate telling us? What manner of living does a method of cooking represent? What histories can we discover within the traditions we bear across kitchens? Join me on my iterative journey of understanding through flavor.