Gatherings

Food is our common ground, a universal experience. -James Beard

A few weeks ago I had the great opportunity to attend the Brooklyn Kinfolk Dinner at the beautiful Green Building in Carroll Gardens. I have been pouring over the beauty of Kinfolk Magazine since its debut and I could not be more enthralled with the beauty of its composition and the core of its Manifesto. The whole concept of Kinfolk surrounds the notion of the beauty, worth, and importance of small gatherings. The values of simplicity, community, food, and art are the resounding thread through all of what Kinfolk produces--I could not be more enamored with the entire project and excited by how sincerely it resonates with me. 

Thus I couldn't have been more excited to attend the Brooklyn Kinfolk Dinner. The Green Building is such a beautiful space--with its exposed beam high ceiling and lovely brick walls--and was perfect for the event. We enjoyed unique cocktails and a delicious spread of food from local artisans. It was an absolute pleasure to meet such a wide array of talented and like-minded people and the privilege of the event was truly the opportunity for great conversations. 

I have been so excited by Kinfolk, the Slow Food movement, and similar initiatives for the values that they promote--a real resurgence of a back-to-basics view on food and celebrating the act of gathering together. I truly feel that food has such a power and wonderful ability to foster community. By partaking in a meal together, savoring its details and enjoying both the process of its creation and the thought behind it, there is a unique experience created. Fully realizing and appreciating the value of this shared experience and the ability it allows for us to slow down in our busy lives to enjoy community and conversation is a beautiful thing.

One of my favorite events to plan and host are potlucks to bring friends together to partake in exactly the above. This past weekend my roommates and I hosted a Sunday Dinner and invited whoever could make it over to our new spot in Park Slope. It ended up being the three of us and five of our good friends, enjoying wine, bread & pesto spreads, and a roasted chicken with cous-cous and salad. It was  such fun to sit down and tell stories over food--spreading the night out with each course of the meal. Overall, the evening was the perfect conclusion to the weekend and something that will definitely become a regular occurrence.

If you are looking for an opportunity to get people together--do it. Set up a potluck and send out an invite to a couple of solid people you know. Choose a meal to make with friends and prepare it together. Gather at a table and enjoy each other's company. Tell stories and ask topic questions and spend time soaking up the community that exists around you. Simple pleasures, quality people, and treasured time... can't go wrong.

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold,
 it would be a merrier world. - J.R.R.Tolkien