How to Feed 100,000 People a Day

In a world that seems unable to work together even to solve the simplest of problems, Valerie Berteau and Philippr Witjes have produced a stunning documentary film, entitled Himself Who Cooks, that follows the efforts of hundreds of volunteers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India as they feed up to 100,000 people every day. 

Yes, that’s correct -100,000 meals in a day from the Temple's Langar Kitchen.  Bertau and Witjes capture in beautiful imagery, frame by frame, the spontaneous choreography of hundreds of hands moving in unison to the pulse of a spiritual expression found through the creation and sharing of food for all. 

The Golden Temple is itself as unique as the film, because it is not only a central religious center for Sikhism but also serves as a shining symbol of brotherhood and equality for all people. As a result, everyone, regardless of creed, race, sex, nationality or social status, is welcome without hindrance or restriction to dine respectfully together in peace and fellowship.

What makes this documentary even more unique is that Philippe Witjes, who worked with Berteau as co-author and film maker, is himself a professional chef.  As a result, many images of everyday beauty, that others might have overlooked, are captured and presented as moments of meaning within food service.

Many thanks to this creative team for reminding us all, that between the plates and pans, food, when all is said and done, is about fellowship with others and so, hopefully, with the world around us.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

In Memory of Our Friends Who Died on 9/11

The date of September 11th is a painful one for all of us in the Hospitality Industry. On that dark day, when the sun was shining so brightly, we lost so many friends and dear colleagues.

Each day we reenact how those we knew started their day. Like them we open, greet the vendors as products are delivered and plan with staff members how we will serve our many guests.

Perhaps we stand with a cup of coffee in our hand, just as they did, listening, planning, hoping, as they did, that perhaps in some small way graciousness and hospitality can make the world a better place, at least for a few minutes.

How we miss them even now twelve years later. We miss their talents, their creativity, their laughing voices on the phone and their warm greetings at conferences. It is a "pain that goes on and on..."  

But they would want us to go on, to continue. Currently the world is talking yet again of war and battle and death. Surely there are better ways than sticks and stones, though today we call them smart bombs and nerve gas.

There is a better way to go, a road less taken but well known - try a conference table, negotiate, reconcile the differences, speak with respect to each other as human beings  - in short, find a way that does not involve the scream or death of a single child.

If our leaders could be that brave then be assured we in the Hospitality Industry, who have endured our restaurants and hotels around the world being bombed and gassed, would gladly serve each leader their beverage of choice as we all toasted together the longed for blessings of universal peace. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013