To know someone, break bread with them.
Enjoying a meal with someone, or a group, is a great way to get them to open up, get to know them, and see who they are. I like to cook for special occasions, and eat of course. I am by no means a chef but many, many moons ago I worked as a line cook. I have always enjoyed the culinary arts and through personal experience, I have found that cooking foods that are historically appropriate in using historically appropriate ways can create sensory links to the period that enhance the memory and context.
Revolution period reenactors will likely recognize the online store and YouTube channel for Townsends. They have done a wonderful job of outfitting revolution reenactors for decades and John spends a lot of time on recipes and cooking in the 18th century. Over the years I have been inspired down more than one rabbit hole thanks to John’s research, it was one of my early inspirations to resume handwriting which led to further research, and an interest in transcription, graphology, and documentary editing.
The desire to be more experimental in the kitchen and to apply a food context to period research also grew out of watching the 18th century cooking videos John and Ryan put out. This is something I will be trying to engange with more in the new year.
~Jon