There are storytellers and there are storytellers.
Unfortunately, I see my self as the former than the latter. Every time I tell a story to The Husband, my family, my friends, I often stammer, stumble and fall flat on my face in my attempts to deliver a perfect engaging story. You could say I am one of those people, who fare better in weaving stories in the written form, an art where one has time to think and properly organize thoughts. Maybe this is why I was nominated by Platetrotter Radhina for the Food Stories Award (Check out more details at http://foodstoriesblog.com/food-stories-award/)
I was floored in pleasant surprise for the nomination because I do not see myself as that good a storyteller…just yet. I seriously still doubt my skills as a storyteller as I do pale in comparison, perhaps I am ghost white when placed side by side with my food storytelling legends Molly Wizenberg of the blog Orangette, whose book I have read over and over and over that the pages have one dog ear over another, and THE Ruth Reichl, who showed me that it is possible to salivate over a string of sentences without any prompts from colorful, well-orchestrated food photographs.
What I love about their style of storytelling is their simplicity, sincerity and infectious enthusiasm. They manage to transport me to the seat next to them at the dinner table using non-nauseating, non-highfaluting mumbo-jumbo. Whenever I read their words, I see what they see, I hear what they hear, I smell what they smell, I taste what they taste and, more importantly, I feel what they feel.
I’d like to compare their style of food storytelling to children’s books, which I do adore even as my age nears falling off the edge of a calendar (Go figure). There are just some childhood habits that I refuse shake off, even if I tackle more adult, grown-up life concerns like saving up for our future home, building my retirement fund, doing the laundry or dodging office politics on a regular basis. Some of my ultimate children’s book favorites include The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, The Tower of Misunderstanding by Dino Ignacio (Unfortunately, the book is not in circulation anymore, so “read” the story here), Harry Potter by JK Rowling (Of course!) Simple, straight to the point, yet delivers a message with soul searching depth.
If I have my children’s book favorites, I then also have my food story favorites, whose blogs move my taste buds to trigger random non-meal time cravings for the food, which is so well-described by their words.
I Live in a Frying Pan
Behind the illusion of grandeur of Dubai with its imposing concrete and steel giants is the harsh reality of immigrant life in the desert. Arva is the best person to read if you want to get the low down on what we, “immigrants”, have the privilege of enjoying, despite the toil of the daily head banging on the wall moments we all experience. Cheap, ethnic eats of the Old, more rustic and down-to-earth, Dubai is the Arva’s specialty. She takes you in on a multi-cultural silk from China, designed by a Persian, weaved by an Indian, sold by a Filipino magic foodie carpet ride with interesting cultural food factoids and humor.
80 Breakfasts
ChiChaJo was one of the pioneers of food blogging in the Philippines as she has been at it long before most of us decided to move out of our food blog reading shells and start blogging ourselves (Her first post was in 2005). I love the way that despite the hullabaloo over food blogging, her story remains as simple, sincere and humble as it was almost seven years ago. Her stories, interspersed with recipes using local Filipino ingredients and international flavors and textures, continue to keep me coming back for more.
Princess Kristy
Kristy claims her story not to be an inspirational cubicle escape one. Though she has not permanently escaped her cubicle just yet (only occasionally during the school holidays…lucky duck!), her story and writing is definitely inspiring. She is an English teacher, who embraces her craft with passion, actually really practicing the talk with her vivid stories of travel and food life in the desert. I consider her the cool, inspiring and wise English teacher I never but wish I had. That’s why I am so engaged by her every blogpost because I do learn and am encouraged to write some more.
The Hedonista
I am a closet traveler, saving up and patiently waiting for my travel dreams to come true. In the meantime, I am content reading the work of The Hedonista, Sarah Walton. Her blogposts of her travels around the Middle East, Europe and beyond were my one way tickets to these dream destinations of mine, filling my head with intoxicating scenic landscapes and flavors accompanied by bold portraits of the people around her.
Cheesecakeism
My love for cheesecake naturally drew me to the mistress of cheesecakes, Meris Cherian. I have not tasted her cheesecake masterpieces, but with her writing style, a blend of midnight rendezvous in the kitchen and glitzy disco music, assures me that I have nothing to worry about. Speaking of worry, I actually am worried that Meris has drowned in too deep in her life that she has not yet resurfaced from whatever life challenges to give some time to update her blog as of late. Dearest cheesecake queen, please come out from wherever you are hiding. I beg of you! Please! The world needs more cheesecake and disco to become a better place.
Eat Write Think
Finally, last but certainly not at all the least, is Rajani’s blog Eat Write Think. Rajani has a gift of stimulating my senses with her stories of being a vegetarian, battling personal health issues, and reveling in Indian cuisine and festivities. On top of being a wonderful storyteller, Rajani is also a very talented illustrator. She designed her blog header and created some print-worthy doodles herself.
So aren’t these ladies such fabulous food storytellers? More latter than the former eh? Happy food reading to all!
Delirious about delicious,
Didi
