How to Fix Broken Toast and Other Food Adventures

Abstract

I moved to a U.S. army base in Germany in 1969 with my young husband. It was a life-changing experience in many ways, one of which was my radical education in cooking and the appreciation of elegant dining. Like so many others of my boomer generation, I took a sharp left turn from Midwestern hotdishes, TV dinners, and Chef Boyardee to the wonders of European cuisines. When I returned to Minnesota, I was part of an expanding American movement of foodies and cooks looking to explore the richness of food culture from around the world. Although my story is (hopefully) entertaining and humorous, I conclude with some thoughts on why the sustainability of our foodie culture needs to be strengthened.