Considering what to write about the meaning of Slow Food in my life just brings tears to my eyes. This movement, which I have been a part of, and which has been a part of me, for six years has been perhaps the most influential time of my life. I consider it a deep blessing to have found such peace, community, creativity, and passion through food and community. I am so very thankful to have chosen to move to Vermont in 2011 to attend the University of Vermont, where I made my most influential and inspiring connections that would soon catapult me into a whirlwind of opportunities, travel, and lifelong friendships. Serving as the President of our campus chapter for five semesters crafted and sculpted my way into the Slow Food Youth Network across the globe, and now these global friends are some of the my closest. Through the Slow Food movement, I found the crevice through which I could tap into my talents and passions to make a positive impact on my community and on the world. This will be my second Terra Madre Salone del Gusto, and pictured above is my first oyster, deliciously prepared at my first TMSdG experience! I believe this was taken around 2 o'clock in the morning. It was life changing, too, that oyster!
With a background in Nutrition and Dietetics, a knack for the kitchen and serving the community, and an innate love of connecting with kids, I have somehow beautifully crafted a life I could have only dreamed of. As a chef at Stone Soup in downtown Burlington, I have been able to connect deeply with the community in our state. The joy of preparing and sharing food with the community every day is truly a passion of mine. To inspire and educate people who I consider family about the wonders and joys of food is what I live for.
Another passion of mine is teaching youth about nutrition and creating outlets of creativity in the kitchen for students. This year, I had the honor to serve as an AmeriCorps member with Vermont FEED (Food Education Every Day) as the co-coordinator Jr Iron Chef Vermont. Yes, it is as awesome as it sounds. In its ninth year in 2016, the goal of the event is to inspire middle school and high school students to find their spark and connections to health in the kitchen, with a keen focus in creating and strengthening relationships to local farmers and producers. Jr Iron Chef teaches students not only cooking skills, but helps them to recognize and strengthen their skills of leadership, responsibility, and teamwork. It was truly a dream come true to have an active role in helping to instill lifelong practices of health in the next generation!
My hopes are high that the excitement and passion I saw in the students this year as they developed their skills of collaboration, teamwork, and sharing the joys of food and cooking are ones that they will remember forever. Perhaps they may even be inspired to jump into the food world as rising chefs and activists of a fair food movement.
Traveling throughout the world with a fork and spoon in hand, and an appetite for adventure and connection with new friends, I find myself continuously in awe of the common language of smiling and food. I am inspired by the amazing community of volunteers, organizers, and celebrators of good, clean, fair food. I could go on and on, as maybe you could tell by reading this if you’ve made it this far! So, just one more shout out to my main slices of pie, my biggest inspirations…Thank you for that fateful meet up at the Intervale, Mara. Because of your work ethic, motivation, and passion for living the life you love, I thank you. And perhaps if you know me at all, a hold a super soft spot in my heart for my friend Alice Waters. I was first inspired by to follow a Slow Food life, and my oh my what a life it is!
Slowly, and until next week,
Ann
With a background in Nutrition and Dietetics, a knack for the kitchen and serving the community, and an innate love of connecting with kids, I have somehow beautifully crafted a life I could have only dreamed of. As a chef at Stone Soup in downtown Burlington, I have been able to connect deeply with the community in our state. The joy of preparing and sharing food with the community every day is truly a passion of mine. To inspire and educate people who I consider family about the wonders and joys of food is what I live for.
Another passion of mine is teaching youth about nutrition and creating outlets of creativity in the kitchen for students. This year, I had the honor to serve as an AmeriCorps member with Vermont FEED (Food Education Every Day) as the co-coordinator Jr Iron Chef Vermont. Yes, it is as awesome as it sounds. In its ninth year in 2016, the goal of the event is to inspire middle school and high school students to find their spark and connections to health in the kitchen, with a keen focus in creating and strengthening relationships to local farmers and producers. Jr Iron Chef teaches students not only cooking skills, but helps them to recognize and strengthen their skills of leadership, responsibility, and teamwork. It was truly a dream come true to have an active role in helping to instill lifelong practices of health in the next generation!
My hopes are high that the excitement and passion I saw in the students this year as they developed their skills of collaboration, teamwork, and sharing the joys of food and cooking are ones that they will remember forever. Perhaps they may even be inspired to jump into the food world as rising chefs and activists of a fair food movement.
Traveling throughout the world with a fork and spoon in hand, and an appetite for adventure and connection with new friends, I find myself continuously in awe of the common language of smiling and food. I am inspired by the amazing community of volunteers, organizers, and celebrators of good, clean, fair food. I could go on and on, as maybe you could tell by reading this if you’ve made it this far! So, just one more shout out to my main slices of pie, my biggest inspirations…Thank you for that fateful meet up at the Intervale, Mara. Because of your work ethic, motivation, and passion for living the life you love, I thank you. And perhaps if you know me at all, a hold a super soft spot in my heart for my friend Alice Waters. I was first inspired by to follow a Slow Food life, and my oh my what a life it is!
Slowly, and until next week,
Ann