still-life-379858_1280Dear friend,

My husband wanted me to write this post. I didn’t want to, but I also didn’t know what else to do. It’s Monday, and I normally post a recipe today as well as Wednesdays and Fridays. Today though, I have a confession to make. I don’t care about food. Confused? I know, me too. After all, I am only working part-time and putting all my extra energy and minutes into getting this blog off the ground. It’s been steadily growing, and I can see it actually working, but I’m not enjoying it – there’s something off.

 

I’m having a hard time caring, and seeing the importance of yet another food blog when in reality there are thousands of others out there that you could be getting your recipes and daily inspiration from. If you’re just looking for a specific recipe, you’re probably going to turn to google, or Pinterest, or allrecipes.com. If you’re wanting to learn how to cook, you’re probably going to your mom, or your Betty Crocker cookbook, or a website like LifeHacker or Instructables. Point being, Kitschen Cat probably isn’t the blog you’re turning to for everyday recipes, and to be honest, that’s never what I’ve wanted it to be.

 

I’ve been trying to put my finger on it the last couple of months and I think I’m finally starting to realize what my relationship with food is. Although I’m wildly fascinated with what it takes to cook an exquisite meal, that’s not my passion. Even though I love turning ordinary ingredients into a fantastic dinner, that’s not all there is to food for me. Just because I love to bake and experiment with new recipes, that doesn’t mean that I’ll put aside the rest of my life to pursue opening a bakery or a restaurant.

 

What I love is the people. It’s the gathering. It’s the first collective bite at a family dinner or sitting around after the last bite of dessert with friends. It’s hearing the silence that happens when a group of people are together enjoying a good meal, and no one is talking because they’re just enjoying the food and each other’s presence. It’s seeing the wonder and appreciation on your friend’s faces because they don’t take the time to make home-cooked meals very often. It’s hosting a dinner and not having everything quite ready to go, but you did that on purpose so your guests can feel needed when you ask them to chop up an onion or stir the soup. It’s not the food in and of itself, but it’s the atmosphere it creates that I’m passionate about!

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We were sitting in the car yesterday talking about this idea, and I just kept thinking “I don’t care about food! Why do I have a food blog??” Obviously, this isn’t entirely true, because I do enjoy good food and I enjoy creating and sharing good food, but what is true is the fact that it’s so much more than what’s sitting ON the table. It’s about what’s sitting AROUND the table. You’ll continue seeing recipes from me as I wrestle with how to pursue this thought of mine, and in the meantime, I encourage you to keep enjoying being around the table with your friends and family.

 

Love,
Jess

5 thoughts on “Dear Friend, I don’t care about food.

  1. Love the honesty!! That’s great you’ve discovered where your passion lies when it comes to food 🙂 I’ll be praying that God will direct you on how to make this happen…..it kind of reminds me of the idea we had for our IG food + community group. Which we can share with you tonight!!! See you then 🙂

    fyi: bfast is my favorite meal of the day so this brinner idea has my stomach growling already

  2. What a fabulously honest and interesting post! I read the title in my inbox and was like uhhhh I need to open this email right now. I find it fascinating that so many bloggers have so many different reasons for diving into the blog world. Your reasons sound just as valid as any! Also I totally get what you mean about the gathering. Sometimes when it’s just me at home, I try to whip up some gourmet meal to treat myself, but it’s never quite as fun as sharing a simpler meal with company you enjoy. Interested to see where these thoughts lead your blog!

    1. Thanks for the encouragement Liz. And yes, it’s so true about cooking for yourself — i’d take some kraft mac and cheese with a good friend over a fancy solo dinner any day 🙂

  3. Touching post. But. . .I want you to know that I go to your blog when I’m looking for a recipe, especially when I’m having guests. I would rather use one of yours than try to wade through so many online. I feel like you’re a filter I can rely on. Do what works for you–I totally understand–but I would miss Kitschencat!

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