Hello lovely readers! I’m scooting into your inbox at the tail-end of March with a belated newsletter, and hoping that you’ve all found time for reflection and contemplation amidst the busyness, as I have. This month my travels (for play and for work) have taken me to Naples, Florida; Maui, Hawai’i; Warm Springs, Virginia; and Norfolk, Virginia. I’ve been spoiled by an abundance of wonderful experiences, not to mention delicious drinks and bites, so I’ll be gradually unpacking all of those delights and surprises in the beverages and bites sections. Heading into spring makes me look forward and think about what might be blooming, literally and figuratively, and what types of rebirth are on the horizon. Thank you for reading and for being here!
PATH: A way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading. The course or direction in which a person or thing is moving. A course of action or conduct. (Source: Oxford Languages)
I’ve been thinking a lot about the paths we take in life and what the path forward looks like for me as it relates to writing. I had been feeling like I was approaching a crossroads of sorts, but I’ve come to realize that paths are rarely as simple or straightforward as that.
As with life, our paths wend this way and that as we meander, pause along the way, or double back. Sometimes we follow a well-worn path, imprinted with the footsteps of those who have come before us. Sometimes, if we are brave, we veer off the beaten path to forge our own way.
I was incredibly inspired this weekend when I attended the inaugural dinner hosted by Le Chéile Collective, a trio of women whose “not just a supper club” events are centered on women’s empowerment, community, and nourishment. One of the co-founders, chef Kaylin, invited me to attend the Norfolk dinner as the evening’s guest speaker. I met chef Kaylin in Raleigh just before moving to Roanoke, and I’ve loved cheering her on from afar and keeping tabs on her culinary journey over the last few years. I’m so proud to have been present to see her realize a long-held dream, together with her co-founders chef Kyndall, and creative director and community liaison Ava. They hosted an incredibly thoughtful dinner in the gorgeously decorated and inviting Bogobiri Haus, with tables laid with fresh flowers, candles, and custom designed affirmation cards. Most of the dishes were served family style, and it was incredible to be reminded how the simple act of passing and sharing food invites conversation, made all the more sublime with the beautiful souls seated around the tables.
The dinner was a beautiful example of what happens when we trust our intuition and get curious about what realizing our vision can actually look, feel, and taste like. Forging your own path isn’t without risk, but I saw firsthand at this event how the reward can be far greater than what you ever dreamed. Plus, you never know who is watching and who you might inspire to follow in your footsteps. I still don’t have clarity about my path, but some themes are emerging. Being curious and open to receiving, for one, instead of clinging to what is safe. That means saying yes to new opportunities, like traveling to Maui for six days on a press trip and being gifted with meeting the most incredible women journalists. It also means stepping outside of my comfort zone, like telling stories at an intimate dinner with 30 people. Lately, I am feeling inspired and challenged to chase story ideas that align more closely with my personal narrative connecting food and identity.
What is clear to me is this: If you trust that your inner light will guide you, you will blaze your own path.
Memoir Updates
Speaking of being brave, I finally shared the first 25 pages of my memoir with my writing group. This is a group of smart and talented writers who I knew would take great care with my words, and they delivered incredibly helpful feedback. There were some commonalities in their notes and comments that gave me actionable next steps for reworking the structure (again!) and forging ahead to hopefully complete a revised manuscript (I think this might become version 9.1) by the end of April. Next, I’ll hire an editor to do a high-level read, which basically means they will read the book start to finish as a reader, but with the eyes and brains of an editor.
Published Articles & Media Appearances:
What Can I Get for $10 with John Park
I had the good fortune and great pleasure to join my friend John Park on his IG Series “What Can I Get for $10” which highlights value eats in and around Roanoke, Virginia. We headed to Richee Freeze, a low-frills burger, hot dog, and ice cream joint that I’d been wanting to check out but had still never been to despite living here for five years! We were joined by our friend and John’s frequent collaborator, chef Quincy Randolph, who is always a treat to be around and watch on camera. Check out our super fun episode!
Where To Satisfy Your Snack Cravings? These 3 Shops Bring Worldly Flair to Roanoke Valley
For The Roanoke Rambler, I wrote about three snack-centric shop concepts with international flair and highlighted the owners and the products behind them. I’m so stoked to be able to find Mexican paletas and ice cream, Cadbury chocolate, novelty Kit Kats and Pringles, and more at locally owned businesses. I also love how snacks can be a small pleasure that makes new-to-you cultures or flavors more approachable.
Books, Bites & Beverages
Books: I’ve fallen a bit behind on my reading lately but am nearly done with The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris One Lesson at a Time by Jane Bertch. She is also the founder of the cooking school La Cuisine Paris, which offers cooking classes in English, so if you’re in Paris I highly recommend checking it out. My formal review will be coming out in May for Hippocampus. I also started reading Local: A Memoir by Jessica Machado, which I can’t wait to return to especially after just having spent a week on Maui. Machado’s story explores themes of identity from the perspective of someone who was born and raised in Hawai‘i, to a dad who traces his ancestors to the indigenous people of Hawai’i and a mom who hails from the American South.
Beverages: I had many opportunities to clink glasses with my dear friends John and Michael, along with many of their cherished friends, to celebrate their 50th anniversary and to spend some quality time together (I sadly had to miss their big party in November due to a back injury). One of my favorite sips was Lake Park Diner’s Cambier Spritz, a twist on the Aperol Spritz that mingles Aperol, prosecco, and passion fruit to refreshing, fruity effect. File this one under summer porch sippers.
Bites: I’m still thinking about last night’s dessert at Le Chéile Collective’s inaugural supper, featuring a slice of perfect pound cake griddled in brown butter, topped with fresh strawberries, homemade strawberries & cream ice cream, and strawberry champagne coulis. Chef’s kiss!