If you’re having a little trouble feeling the holiday spirit this year, you’re not alone. When it feels like the world around us is an unwelcoming place, it’s not always easy to translate that to Christmas cheer and Hanukkah happiness. The new year? Ehh, what will that even look like?
When I’m trying to muster some joy and not quite sure how to do it, I turn to food: My tried and true pathway to tidings of comfort and joy.
For me, food is not only about a momentary taste of something nice, but it’s about spending time with people I love. Sometimes that means trying a new recipe for my kids to inevitably reject–although when I’m successful, I feel wonderful–or making my favorite dip for a gathering with friends. (Substitute sour cream for the mayo.)
I wanted input from a true professional about what food means to them, so I chatted with Chef Emmet Moeller, a New York state native, lover of seasonal ingredients, and founder of Common Table in Kingston, New York.
I reached out to Emmet for a few reasons. First, he is a Hudson Valley local who is lovingly preparing food for his community. Second, he’s not just a member of the queer community, but he’s an active supporter. He employs queer and trans people. “People who support my business are supporting me and supporting trans people,” Emmet told me when I asked him about queer joy, one of my favorite questions. “We have created a beautiful world for ourselves,” Emmet tells me. “I work with all queer and trans people right now. We feed a lot of queer and trans people right now.” Queer joy, Emmet tells me after thinking for a moment, is about the relationships we have with one another, and the ways that we have created family structures with our community.
Common Table, a meal subscription and boutique catering service, describes the meals they prepare as “locally-sourced, organically-grown, plant-forward, seasonal & health-supportive food.” There’s currently a vegetarian mushroom wellington on their menu that I am drooling over.
When we chat, Emmet tells me what all queer people have been thinking lately, that it’s been a hard time. “I’m trying to put together meals for people that feel comforting and supportive, but also make them feel well. That’s always my goal.” Emmet and his team accomplish this using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. “There’s a lot of joy in seasonal cooking. This time of year we’re doing a lot with winter greens and storage roots, and putting them together.”
Of course I have to ask Emmet for holiday cooking tips, but he tells me to keep it simple, and reminds me that it’s just food, and there are no fireworks required. I tell him I’m planning to make a baked ziti for Christmas Eve because it’s my kids’ favorite. It’s comforting and easy, too. “My whole thing with food is putting good energy and love into the food I’m making for people,” Emmet tells me, and because he’s a chef, I accept this as canon. In fact, Emmet’s favorite gift to give is homemade granola, which, if you’re local to Kingston, you can purchase from Common Table.
When it comes to holidays–and every day–Emmet says, “Be with your people. Eat comforting food. Take care of each other. That’s what we have.”
Hey there. Laura Leigh here. I’m a wife, writer, mama, small business owner, podcast host, and the Head of Content here at Pink Robin.
I love supporting the queer community and bringing shared experiences to life.
If you have a story to tell, I’m here for it.
la********@pi***********.com
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