Today with FEEST, Robbie and I went on a Food Adventure to a small restaurant in White Center called Meander’s Kitchen. When I first walked into the place, I was a bit disoriented because it looked more like a bar than a restaurant, but later I was told that the restaurant is actually built in an old bar that got closed down because of some under-the-counter business. All the staff there was very friendly and we all greeted each other and warmed up immediately. Then Miranda began to tell me the story of how she began to cook for lots of people. She told me how she and her friends used to go around the city and search for food in dumpsters.
Initially the thought kind of grossed me out, but the more we talked I started to realize that it really wasn’t. The fact is, stores and restaurants throw out millions of pounds of perfectly good food every year just because it doesn’t look right or it’s too close to its expiration date. This food can be saved and eaten and should not go to waste. She used the phrase “decadent poverty” because she was able to cook exquisite wholesome meals out of completely free food that shed just found in the dumpsters of the city. It’s actually ridiculous how the food system is structured here in America. It’s not based around need or necessity, but rather around marketing. I realized that almost everything in our society is consumerized, from our clothes to our electronics to the very food that we eat.
Anyways, she continued to tell me about how she used to live in a punk house where she’d always cook meals for people that didn’t have much money, and all she’d ask was that they contribute some part of themselves to the household. These kinds of actions really build community and can start life-long friendships that can really change a person’s life. This very concept actually parallels the ideals that support FEEST: building community and leadership through food and cooking.
After that, we were shown into the back and I got to see behind-the-scenes in an actual restaurant kitchen. It turned out to be a lot simpler than I’d thought it would be, Meander had perfect mise en place in her kitchen and she was so practiced and efficient in the way she cooked it looked almost easy. She made this amazing “Punk House Hash” with fried eggs on top and in the process she shared some of her cooking expertise and knowledge with me. I even learned how to cook the perfect over-medium eggs. The whole restaurant is just such an amazing place because its designed to make everyone feel welcomed. Everyone there is friendly and the atmosphere is really warm and inviting. Because of this, the restaurant has a really loyal fan base and the employees and customers are often really good friends. I think Meander’s kitchen is an amazing place to eat, go out with your friends, or just meet really cool people. I can’t wait to go back there sometime with my family.
For more info about Meander’s Kitchen… Check out their Facebook page