Love Letters

By Sonya Peres

I am lucky to have a lot of love in my life. I am interested in the love that is shown to me, and others, through food and wanted a way to document it. That’s why about halfway through the first lockdown, I started putting together a poetry/cookbook with recipe/food submissions from women and non-binary folks. I wanted to honour each recipe shared with me, each recipe steeped in family traditions, histories and memories, so I have been writing short poems to accompany each submission.

Like many, food has been a saving grace for me during the pandemic. The excitement of cooking, experimenting and exchanging recipes has not only helped the time pass, but has connected me with overseas friends and has been a way for me to receive, and give love from a distance. Sustainability is wellbeing, and for me, food is at the centre of that.

Food is also an important aspect of my understanding of climate justice. I’m interested in the politics and histories of food cultures and in awe of how food-centred practices and traditions add so much richness to our lives. I am concerned by the threat the climate crisis poses on these traditions and how this is affecting groups and individuals historically pushed to the margins whose recipes have withstood hell.

The book is nowhere near done. It’s been a year and I still have about 20 poems to write for recipes individuals have lovingly shared with me. I’m not sure when it will be finished, but I thought I’d share a few recipes and poems with the Embra community.

recipe and writing by Megan Todd, poem and design by Sonya Peres

recipe from Lauren Fraser, poem and design by Sonya Peres

recipe from Yufei Wang, poem and design by Sonya Peres