friendlier food.

I love when my favorite things collide. Food & community, be it family or friends, is one of my favorite combinations. Fun impromptu gatherings & dinners are commonplace for 20- & 30-somethings, and meal sharing, even with strangers, has become trendy {no really - check out this site that is doing just that in NYC/SF/DC & other cities: www.eatfeastly.com}.

Food has become a way to share our culture, our upbringing, our life experiences with one another. But how do we move past the cheap booze and store-bought cookies of our college years to contribute something that represents who we are?

I challenge you to get creative for your next gathering. Use that double date dinner night to introduce some fresh salad ideas to your friends, or bring an appetizer that doesn't fit the mold to your friends' to watch the game. Open up your home and try something unique, like making sushi together or a build-your-own pizza night. Brainstorm foods or wines that represent where you're from, where you've been, or where you'd like to go. Whether it's your grandmother's secret recipe or a dish you've been dying to try out, let people know you more through the food you prepare.

I truly believe that we can combat shallow relationships and mundane get-togethers with friendlier food. Let's start using food as a way to serve & love others and show them more of ourselves.