Food, Glorious Food!

By Vince Volpe, Middle School Faculty
“Food, glorious food!” I never really understood this line from the musical Oliver! until later in life. But it has become a touchstone for me, and sharing good food with our loved ones is even more important when our daily routines and holiday traditions are disrupted by the pandemic.
When I was growing up, our Sunday meal at Grandma Volpe’s house was the thing I looked forward to every week. Grandma Volpe always cooked like it was going to be your last meal. Over the holidays though she would do it all: roast beef (thinly sliced of course), roasted potatoes and gravy, pasta, breaded veal, peas, creamed corn, steamed carrots, the whole shebang. Plus for dessert she would make five or six different kinds of cookies: pizzelles, mice (made with peanut butter and chocolate shortbread), date squares, sugar cookies – the list would go on and on. Dinner at Grandma’s was always a family affair. No need to call, just show up. My dad and I often arrived late at night after my hockey games and Grandma would make me a salami sandwich with provolone cheese and crispy lettuce. I didn’t have to ask. I knew she loved me. Food was often her way to let me know that. 

As I grew older, food became an important part of my own family. My wife and I did everything we could to eat dinner together with our kids every day. It was and always will be important to me. The frenetic energy that can often surround dinner with your family is special and should never be overlooked.

Meals are how I share my love of food. Watching my cousin, a professional chef and restaurateur, prepare even the simplest ingredients inspired me to learn as much as I could in the kitchen. Over the holidays we would always host a big family dinner. I would prepare multiple dishes and a few desserts – the more food the better. Leftovers were always sent home for my family to enjoy during the week after our get-together.

Unfortunately this year will be quite different. My wife and I will be celebrating the holidays alone and our traditional big family dinner will only be for two instead of 20. A few less dishes and perhaps only one dessert this time.

Over these next few weeks, celebrate your family by cooking something together. Slow down your day and spend some quality time in the kitchen with the people you love. That’s what I am going to do, because there is nothing better than food. Glorious, homemade, sprinkled with love, shared with family, food.

Follow Mr. Volpe’s cooking posts on Instagram at @volpeskitchen

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