We all take comfort in food, and in the sharing of food. Perk up a sad day; Celebrate a happy one. Share a meal to show you care; Hand out some sweets to put a smile on someone’s face. It’s the Italian grandmother way of doing things: food equals love. It’s the easiest, basest way in which we interact. The … Read More
On a Greek Island, Catering to Tourists while Refugees Abound
It has been a tough year for Greece. Economic crises, political drama, and just as tourist season began — the one bright financial light for many islanders — a refugee problem of biblical proportions. Every day on the island of Lesvos, rubber rafts careen onto its shores, stuffed to the brim with refugees from Syria and Iraq. They board in … Read More
A Battle for Gentrification: A. Cooke Pie & Eel Closes For Good
In memorium: A.Cooke Pie and Eel Shop 1899-2015 They had been queuing for weeks, for hours on the weekends, the lost tribe of West London. Shepherds Bush, massively multi racial and as diverse as anywhere in diverse London, culinary home to falafel joints, Syrian flat bread stores, Eritrean sour dough pancakes, Sichuan hot pot, and American Five Guys burgers, … Read More
Food Under Financial Fire: Eatin’ in Athens
It’s a rare day when I find myself on the road for work with neither headscarf nor flak jacket — but reporting on the Greek financial crisis was an excellent change of pace. Light clothes, sandals, tap water I could drink, street food I could eat… all without fear of dysentery or gunshots. I had many excellent dishes in Athens, … Read More
An Iftar in Iran to Write Home About
There are only a small handful of advantages to coming to Iran during Ramadan, but there are 2 that really make it worthwhile: First, the notoriously insane 17-21 hour Tehran rush-hour dissipates into thin air and daylight becomes a blessedly calm time to navigate the city, as most people work half-days and are too exhausted to move, choosing instead … Read More