What are your favorite types of foods?

Dear beloved congregation,

Today, as we gather in the spirit of reflection and contemplation, I’d like to take a moment to discuss a topic that often brings smiles, raised eyebrows, and the occasional chuckle—foods, and more specifically, the question that so often finds its way into our conversations: “What’s your favorite foods?”

In our journey through life, we encounter countless flavors and textures, and for some, like myself, these experiences become not just a passion but a lifelong calling. As a chef with a 22-year career spent in the heart of the kitchen and as a mother, I’ve learned that food, much like life itself, is a rich tapestry of diverse ingredients, experiences, and moments of both audacity and delight.

So, today, let’s explore the seemingly simple question of favorite foods and the deeper meanings it holds in the tapestry of our lives. Join me as we savor the flavors of humor and insight, and, in the end, discover that sometimes, the most unexpected answers can lead us to the most profound revelations.

Have you ever answered this question with whatever? I’ll tell you, the expressions people make when they expect a healthy, trendy response and I hit them with “water chestnuts dipped in Crisco” are absolutely priceless. Ah, the sheer shock! You’d think I just declared my undying love for a bag of potato chips deep-fried in irony. But really, why should we be so surprised? Food, to me, is about delight and audacity, not just virtue.

Speaking of consistency, my life has been a rollercoaster of food, from the precision of a chef’s knife to the artistry of blending baby food. If that doesn’t teach you the beauty of contrasts, I don’t know what will. There’s a sublime harmony in the chaos of the kitchen, a rhythm of chopping, stirring, and tasting that mirrors the rhythm of motherhood.

Now, before you think I’m all about Crisco and chaos, let me reveal my true favorite. It’s the epitome of comfort and flavor, the perfect sourdough bread bowl filled with walla-walla sweet onion chili and topped with either Tillamook or Cougar Gold cheese, generously shredded, of course. Oh, the interplay of tangy sourdough, the sweet bite of onions, and the creamy, indulgent cheese—it’s a masterpiece.

So, dear readers, before you go on asking chefs about their favorite foods, remember that it’s all about the journey through the world of flavors. Now, I challenge you to top my favorite in the comments. Can you find a more delectable combination that’ll leave my taste buds tingling? Let the culinary games begin!