My story begins in Sweden, where I was born and raised. As a child, I never knew that there were so many cultures whose diets varied so much from my own. At 12, my family moved to Chicago where even the most common American meals seemed so odd. The strangest thing I ever saw was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. That combination, a staple in most kids' lunch boxes, was unimaginable to me.
I now consider myself a foodie. One of my favorite things to do is explore different restaurants and try new and innovative cuisines. I'm also happy to report that today, I LOVE peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Food is a great way to connect us across cultures and different experiences, and that’s what the Museum of Food and Culture is all about.
On Friday, November 12, the Museum of Food & Culture hosted its inaugural fundraising event. More than 80 guests gathered at the Washington Street Community Center in West Washington Park in Denver to learn more about the Museum and our plans for the future.
Guests enjoyed interactive and community-building activities, like:
🍫 Voting on future MFC programs
📖 Sharing the story of Stone Soup with a stranger
💬 Swapping stories and memories of our experience with food
🥖 Sampling different breads with Rebel Bread
♻️ Learning about composting from Scraps Composting
🍲 Tasting their way through a Sensory Soup Bar catered by The Easy Vegan
😋 And, reflecting about their dinner with mindful eating prompts
"The Museum of Food & Culture is a tasty, extraordinarily relevant community activator. I’m looking forward to indulging in future events!” -- Ashley B.
The evening was as lovely as its founder and Executive Director, Rachel Waugh. Her idea to start a food & culture museum is part of a life-long dream. Happy and full from the delicious vegan soup bar, guests showed their support in our silent auction and donated during the live paddle raiser. We are thrilled with the event and can't wait to see what 2022 will bring.
We raised more than $11,000! (with a whopping 90% donor participation!!!)
Stone Soup – A Grimm's Fairy Tale
Once upon a time, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day, a kindly looking stranger came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.
"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "Better keep moving on."
"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.
By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the stranger sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their skepticism.
"Ahh," the stranger said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage — that's hard to beat."
Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place and added it to the pot.
"Wonderful" cried the stranger. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."
The village butcher managed to find some salt beef… and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for all.
Story Credit: Collaboration Soup
By working together, with everyone contributing what they can, we can build something amazing for the community.
The story of Stone Soup was the theme of our evening because it gets at the core of our mission: Curiosity, Creativity, Community. AND because it is not just about one person. Not the wandering stranger. Not a single villager.
The story, and our museum, is about the magic that happens when people come together and create something beautiful.
I am honored to sit on the board and support an organization that I believe will soon become a fixture in the Denver museum and cultural scene. We are at the beginning of our journey together, and everyone brings a different and valuable perspective to the table.
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