It is the title to a song from the 1940’s by Arlo Guthrie, with words that resonate on today’s society. The title in itself is telling us that we are a community of people. At the foundation of our society we are all Americans, and unless you are Native American chances are your family heritage lies in some other country. My family was originally from Germany, coming to the United States in the beginning of the 19th century, and now I am a fourth generation American. Not German-American, but American.
Defining a country is the culture of the society within it. So far we have been defined as a nation of fast-addicted solo eaters, but all that is about to change. New Orleans has one of America’s oldest culinary traditions. So engrained into the fabric of our culture, that at the world’s premiere culinary institute, two days were dedicated to learning the techniques which were invented in New Orleans, America is developing technique.
The next generation of American cooks and chefs will bring together some of the rich traditions which have started to take form across the country. Our nation is reaching the point where indigenous cuisines, are being formed by the unique diversity of its population. Yankee, New England, Piedmontes, Low Country, Floribbean, Gulf Coast, New Orleans French-Creole, Cajun, Tex-Mex, Southern California, Northern California, Pacific Northwest, Middle America, just to name a few of the different regional flavor profiles beginning to take shape. Soon enough, eating local will be cheaper than the grocery stuff. Rosemary costs four dollars in the supermarket, but can be found all over the city for free. Just keep your eyes and mind wide open with maybe some shades, because our culinary future is bright America…eat it up.
This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land, This Land is OUR Land.
