Learning, Understanding, and Empathy Through Food

Source: World Red Eye

I have been cooking and posting on this blog for many years, well over a decade. Over that period of time, my blog has evolved, from my first posts about Italian cuisine to my many posts about everyday cooking, and to my more internationally-focused cooking. However, in recent weeks and months, I have been thinking about how this blog has caused me to evolve.  

Indeed, for the few who follow this blog, you have probably seen that evolution yourself. I have been spending a lot more time learning, not just how to prepare a dish, but what's behind the dish. The history, the culture and the people. I started a project known as Beyond Borders, where I go one step beyond my Around the World in 80 Dishes challenge to learn about those who do not have their own countries. I have been posting about the struggles of people in various parts of the world, whether it is the Uyghurs, the Rohingya, the Palestinians or the Sahrawi. Put simply, I have been opening myself to learning just as much about cultures as I am about cuisines, as much about the history, good and bad, as current events and situations. 

As I thought about this evolution, I came to picture it as more of a path ... one that has been walked down before.  I found myself taking this path that was made possible by others, most notably, the three people pictured above -- Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Zimmern, and Jose Andres. Each of these individuals epitomize the evolving focus of my personal culinary blog. Each one of them embodies the qualities that are often missing in a large segment of the world: a desire to learn, understand and empathize.  

Take, for example, Anthony Bourdain. He did more than simply eat and drink his way around the world. Tony used his shows, No Reservations and later Parts Unknown, to educate, not only himself but others about cultures and cuisines around the world. Tony took something that, at least in the United States, was often the province of public television and injected into mainstream media, whether it was the Travel Channel or CNN. He brought understanding of other cultures and other cuisines to a wider audience.

Anthony Bourdain accomplished this feat in a way that, at first glance, may not seem very Bourdain-like. Tony often portrayed himself as a brash chef, with an uncensored tongue. However, when traveling, Tony was perhaps his true self. He did not walk in as the celebrity. He approached people in a more humble way, seeking to understand them by allowing the people to explain their culture and their cuisine. Tony listened, humbly and with gratitude.  

Anthony Bourdain in Haiti (Travel Channel, Source: Human Connections)

Anthony Bourdain summed it up best during an interview with Fast Company, which happened to his last full interview with them (Tony died about 8 months later). At around 3:00, Anthony noted: 

I think the most important, you know, be humble, be grateful. Be aware of the fact that you are probably the stupidest person in the room. As far as you are the least prepared, least equipped person to know who really is in charge and what's really going on. 

Bourdain demonstrated this humble approach during visits to areas with long histories of suffering, such as Sri Lanka (Season 5, Episode 9); Liberia (Season 6, Episode 16); Haiti (Season 7, Episode 1); Nicaragua (Season 7, Episode 3); and the special two episodes when Tony was in Beirut, which tied together Season 2 and Season 3. The Parts Unknown episodes that continue this learning and understanding include Tony's visits to the Democratic Republic of Congo (Season 1, Episode 8); and  Jerusalem (Season 2, Episode 1).

Then there is Andrew Zimmern, perhaps best known for his Travel Channel series, Bizarre Foods. Much like Tony, Andrew used his platform for a specific purpose. Andrew did not want to just showcase weird and exotic foods, but  he sought to understand the people and cultures behind the food. In his words, the show "explored culture with a goal of engendering more patience, tolerance and understanding in the world." Put more simply, "come for the bug eating, get a lesson on humanity." 

Andrew Zimmer (Travel Channel; Source: Mashed)

Over the course of twelve seasons, Andrew Zimmern seemingly hit every part of the planet, delving not only into the present day cultures, but also their history. One example could be found in Season 4, Episode 4, where Andrew explored the island of Madagascar. He met a fisherman, who had almost no possessions, except for a house (which blew away with the storms), a boat, and, of course, his family. When Andrew asked the fisherman if he was happy, the fisherman laughed and replied: "I have everything a man could ask for: my family and a boat." There are many more episodes where Andrew and his crew went beyond simply filming people to take the extra step to learn more about them and their lived experiences, such as Season 12, Episode 7 when Andrew followed the Underground Railroad, eating the meals that were available to the escaping slaves. 

Finally, there is Jose Andres, who once said, "without empathy, nothing works." With empathy, Jose has built one of the most prominent humanitarian organizations, World Central Kitchen (WCK). Since 2010, beginning with an earthquake in Haiti, WCK and Jose Andres have provided critical relief to people around the world, crisis after crisis, disaster after disaster. Jose is there, with WCK, delivering water, ready-to-eat meals, or other important supplies to people who have lost everything due to natural disaster, man-made disaster, and wars. 

Jose Andres in Ukraine (Photo: Efram Lutasky/AP; Source: New York Times)

Jose Andres does not try to organize and operate local relief operations from the outside. Jose recognized the importance of recruiting local volunteers and enlisting local kitchens to help with the relief efforts. Rather than imposing an outside (western-based) approach to relief, Jose draws upon the knowledge, skills and experience of the people themselves. Jose and WCK adapt to the people and their circumstances, rather than having them adapt to him. But, they are not alone, because Jose and WCK are on the ground, taking the same risks that they are. 

And, there are a lot of risks, as well as a lot of catastrophes and disasters, both natural and man-made at this day and time. I keep sensing that we collectively are heading toward a darker time, where the forces that seek to divide us are on the verge of victory, having pitted group against group, person against person. I could retreat inward in despair at this realization, as I watch hatred and intolerance on the rise. I could also simply ignore the oncoming darkness, turning away from the suffering to come. 

But, that is not me. I know what is coming, but I also know what is still out there. To borrow words better spoken than I can write: 

I think something that brings America and the world together is understanding.... It seems a very big percentage of Americans believe that every child and every person in America should have the right to a plate of food. In the worst moments of humanity, I learned through food that the best of humanity shows up. People that may be different skin, color, religion, or political inclination and party. They put everything away ..., and they become one with the people. That's what gives me hope.

Those are the words of Jose Andres. They give me hope as well, but I know that we need more than hope. We need action, such as reminders of how the best of humanity can show up. That can only happen when we are presented with opportunities to learn, understand and empathize.  

These three individuals -- Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Zimmern, and Jose Andres -- have in many ways become some of the guiding stars for my blog and myself. They went beyond their own culture  and world, to learn about other cultures, and draw value from everything about the people, their experiences, and their ways. They have worked to bring us together by emphasizing what we have in common, rather than what divides us. 

That has become the goal of my blog. I am not fortunate enough at this time to travel the world and I do not have a television show that I could use to broadcast a message of learning, understanding and empathy. I have done so vicariously through Anthony, Andrew and Jose, watching their travels on television or online. I will continue to spend my time learning from afar with the hopes that someday I will be able to see it firsthand. 

I realize this is just a small blog with a very limited readership. I could be fooling myself into thinking that this very small contribution will make any difference. Still, I look forward to starting the new year with a renewed commitment to try to show how food can unite us. It is better than doing nothing. 

PEACE.