Culling out a single food memory from my childhood would be impossible as there
are so very many. My mother, a great cook and food enthusiast, sought to make food
interesting, an adventure ever day.
We took family field trips to farm stands on the east end of Long Island, that showed
me real food in its natural state.
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| Photo courtesy of Melissa Graham |
She was also a gracious and creative hostess. I remember her making and serving
dinner by candlelight for a Colonial Williamsburg dinner, clambakes, and cocktail
hours that lasted several hours on our family sailboat. But of course, I'd be remiss in
not recalling our family’s very popular, annual survival party - an outdoor event on
New Year's Day. Yes, she served too much food and people drank too much. But I’ll
always recall the laughter that those parties inspired.
She was willing to experiment. At the family table, I tried so many different cuisines
as a kid - I remember the fondue pot, the wok, the crepe pan, and of course her
famous krumkakers filled with sweetened whipped cream.
Most importantly, she showed me the importance of family dinner. While I may
forgo the candles that my mom laid out each night, we continue this tradition every
night, one that keeps our family strong.
