My Love Affair with Food

I grew up with a passion for food. It was more than delicious ingredients, it was the memories and the quality time with people you love. Dinner wasn't a meal, it was an experience of working together in the kitchen and collaborating to make something beautiful we could enjoy together. My parents were both raised by Italian parents who taught them the importance of food and its connection to family. When we gathered it was never just my parents and brother, every member of the family (no matter how distant) was invited. 

My father has been in the restaurant industry all his life, and I believe this has also fueled my passion for food in many ways. Most importantly my father has taught me that a restaurant is more than the food, the ambiance creates a whole new experience. I remember when I was younger we would not eat out much, not because of the cost of dinning for a family of four, but because my father has high expectations for the atmosphere and experience of dinning out that chain restaurants could not uphold. My father taught me the importance of quality ingredients and opened my mind to trying new dishes.

Sunday Dinner. My father (front left) and 3 generations gather at  "Nonna's."  

Now as a college student I am frequently short on money and time. I cook as much as possible for my room mate and friends and love to experiment with new ingredients and make recipes that are all my own. Above all to me food should be about sharing something inspiring with those you love. It shouldn't be about finding the nearest drive-thru (although late nights at the library make this a necessary reality for every college student), but rather taking the time to enjoy a meal and the people you are with.

To me each meal should be an adventure, whether trying something new or reminiscing in a nostalgic atmosphere, food should not only be fulfilling physically, but emotionally. My fondest memories revolve around food and I often use food to make me feel closer to home despite the distance, but I also use it as an opportunity to make new memories. So I sit here writing and reminiscing about my best dining experiences in St. Augustine hoping to share them with you in the hope that you too may find comfort through food.