The Chain That Connects US
Why is it that so many of our best memories, relationships, and experiences revolve around food? What is it about a meal that brings us together, time and time again? And why does that one perfect bite stay with us forever?
I was in Quinindé, in the province of Esmeraldas, Ecuador. My friends and I had gathered that night after a long day working in the hot, humid air of the Ecuadorian sub-coast. The fresh evening air was rejuvenating, and our tired feet were happy to find rest at a smoothie—or batido—stand packed with people and piled high with fresh fruit, soon to be blended into icy drinks.
We were all friends, despite coming from different backgrounds and places. But at that smoothie stand, we were united in one simple desire—a cold drink. Daniel, the proud owner of the stand, was happy to oblige. As we laughed and joked, we were subconsciously creating our own little tradition, with Daniel at its center. He had a knack for keeping everyone engaged, always laughing at our stories while throwing in his own goofy moments to keep the playful banter going. And of course, he always gave us the yapa—a Spanish term meaning “bonus” or “extra.”
A vibrant street market in Ecuador, where food isn’t just fuel—it’s community, tradition, and life in motion.
Those nights at Daniel’s stand brought us closer together. But for me, they also contributed to a growing realization of how important food is in our lives—however cliché that may sound.
I’ve had a myriad of experiences like those nights at the smoothie shop, and I hope you have too. These moments have shaped the way I feel about food for as long as I can remember—whether it was standing on a chair to help my mom cook as a kid or grabbing pizza and wings with my dad to celebrate a great flag football season.
I believe the way we think about food is all wrong. We focus too much on what’s on our plate or where we’re eating tonight, rather than who we’re eating with and why we gather around food in the first place.
Food Chainz is a space where we can explore these questions—and, more importantly, share our stories.
The food chain, considered sacred in many cultures, connects all living things: the sun to the grass, the grass to the rabbit, the rabbit to the coyote. You get the idea. Just as the natural world is linked by an invisible chain, I believe we, as humans, are bound by similar ties—ties that have shaped our societies and will continue to do so for generations to come.
As I speak with, interview, and come to know new people this will be a platform for everybody to grow closer as a society. Through the creative lenses of Chefs and photographers to the everyday stories of housewives and hunters I will broaden my, and your, perspective of gastronomy and human culture.
It’s time to stop worrying about whats for dinner and to start thinking about who is with us at the table.
In semi-recent times tensions surrounding what we eat have only grown. It seems like every couple months there is a new diet or trend and, subsequently, a new cuisine and culture. It doesn't have to be that complicated. As I write I want to be very personal so that you may understand what experiences have led me to this point. We as human beings have varying relationships with food, there isn’t a “standard” or “normal” way to look at eating habits or plate choices because the natural and sociological world has set different parameters based on numerous factors. Our relationship with food isn’t just shaped by trends—it’s built on personal experiences, family traditions, and unexpected discoveries. For me, one of those connections is my grandmother’s cheesecake.
My grandma is from Mexico, specifically from a small town on the Guatemalan border called Cacahoatan. I was lucky enough to grow up eating food she made for us inspired by her traditions and experiences. One reoccurring theme is Cheesecake. My grandma loves making cheesecake. When she first arrived to the USA her friends brought her to a Marie Callender's Restaurant where she first tried the wonder that is cream cheese pie. Now I am privileged enough to be one of the benefactors of her encounter with this dessert. Her cheesecake isn’t traditionally Mexican. But it’s a part of my food chain. It connects me to my grandmother, her journey, and the stories of my family. And that’s exactly what Food Chainz is all about—exploring the unexpected ways food ties us together.
Food is more than just fuel. It’s memory, connection, and culture. It shapes who we are, where we come from, and how we relate to the world around us. Whether it’s a night at a smoothie stand in Ecuador, a family meal around the kitchen table, or my grandmother’s beloved cheesecake, these moments remind us that food is a story we tell with every bite.
That’s what Food Chainz is all about—shifting the focus from what we eat to why we eat and who we share it with. In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be sharing interviews, personal stories, and deep dives into food traditions across cultures. But I don’t want this to be just my journey—I want to hear from you too.
