When was the last time you truly relished in summer?
Outdoor dining last year with Create Space Yoga Sound retreat day in Llanberis
i often get asked about the food. which would make sense, because techinically it’s my job, and my hands did make it.
People want to know how long something took to make, or where I trained, or how I came up with this pairing, or if I eat like this at home.
The funny thing is, after years of cooking for strangers, retreats and long tables in fields, I've realised that almost nobody remembers the things I spend the most time worrying about, or know how much anxiety runs the show behind the scenes.
Nobody has ever emailed me afterwards to say,
“the herb oil wasn’t the shade of green I imagined”
or
“I thought the gnocchi could of been more uniform”
tbh, I think the herb oil deserved more of a spot light.
What I see, is people shuffling up on the bench, to make space for one more person. Or that one a table of, upon arrvial, are strangers, by the end of the evening, they are talking, laughing and finding common threads in this one life.
they didnt seem to relaise how the sun has set before them, untul we had to light more candles.
And it got me on a ponder, of what % of hospitality is actually about the food. which i know i know, cheffy gal - what are you chatting about?
Obbvvvvviously, food matters. in my eyes it’s the glue that binds us all together.
that element that brings people to the table, carries stories and lineage, seasonality and layers of taste. But is it the main character?
i see the real magic in the motions that define time. the passing of a bowl of food and the silence pauses of shared comfort.
My favourite phrase that I hear isn’t what you’re thinking. It’s actually “does anyone want more potatoes”. Portions of potatoes come out the window when its shared dining, because for me, the potato weaves many timelines and moments together.
And also, you can’t be one your phone while you’re passing that big bowl of potatoes.
What I’m gathering this week
long evening dog walks in the setting evening, moments reminiscing in the photo album, watching dancing steam come off the tea in the golden light, fun finds at the boot sale, adding edible flowers to water, coconut raspberry soda’s, reflections on cake distasters, screenshot about touching grass < opening portals
i don’t think we need another productivity hack or app promising us we’ll get back our days. Maybe all we need is one evening to slow down and remember
Where No one is in a hurry to leave. And the conversation wanders and waves. And someone points out the beauty of the moon, ikyk these kinds of evening.
Moments from last years Flower and Feast event with Bloom Homestead Flowers
Before you go,
This week, eat a meal outside. Not to be photographerd, or to be beautifully presented, but to notice how it tastes when there’s no where else to be.
Even better, call a friend/family/loved one/someone you’ve just met, and ask them if they want to come over to share a meal outside.
Many blessings,
Aimee
