TALKING ABOUT FOOD

27.09.2018 So I got some thoughts. After reading the James Beard Awards efforts to find ways to combat inequality and inequity (and reading about another award that has said they want diversity but clearly had no time t say how/ have a mission statement). Let's talk about 'empty diversity' *firstly, empty diversity is a term brought to my attention by Chryssy Hunter, who's PhD title used it - and she will be much better than I to explain it fully, but I'm going to adopt it in terms of food and accolade. Awards are important. They validate work. Awards currently are problematic, as I bang on about, hugely because they rely on criteria that confirms status quo and that understands value in very narrow terms. So yes, we need to widen our concept of what makes something 'excellent' But. Awards are like tick boxes. They're really useful for people to feel like they're doing good. But they mean s...

Soup du jour 2: noodles I'm tired. It's late. I'm eating 2 min noodles for dinner and Im talking to the dog about my day. I feel guilty. Guilty that I'm eating something so low in nutrition, guilty that I'm getting chubby and this is not a meal to halt that. Guilty that I feel guilty. Guilty that I'm vain and want to be thin and beautiful. But, I slurp each noodle and love it. It's home. It's hungover glory and comfort. I'm tired because I went out cavorting with friends last night at the restaurant awards. Drank wine, whoop and cheered then danced dirty till 2am at El Camino. Its late because I've spent the last week juggling too many deadlines - freelance work and passion projects - so I'm working all hours. This month I'm juggling eating well. If I had time I'd go to the supermarket and cook big batches of food. If I had more money I would buy healthy on-the-go food. I have money aside for the gym and exercise clas...

I have been thinking a lot about diverse voices and representation. Representation is important. Platforming, showcasing, promoting people that don't usually get coverage, changes the game. It changes the game by drawing attention to, and therefore leading to, accolades. Accolades bring in business (usually), and media exposure does that too. And also, accolades, brings rewards and leads to more diverse leadership and people of authority. Better articulated here: If you're thinking how can we make the food world more diverse, here are somethings you can do. But. But. It's not just about representation. Representation helps people dream and achieve. But, it doesn't directly address the systemic quietening of marginalised voices. To change that, you have to put money where your mouth is. Have a diverse payroll. Pay people. Money shows confidence. Money shows value. PoC, and other 'others' have been doing the grunt work for so long. And giving expo...