I Speak Food came about recently as a labor of love.  It all started about two years ago when I started dressing and photographing the food I prepared for lunch or dinner.  My now infamous Facebook “Food Porn” evolved to sharing recipes, and, eventually, full blown articles.  Currently, I contribute regularly to Bitayavon Magazine, as well as to many other outlets, both online and print.  I also take requests for small-scale private catering and demonstration classes in the Manhattan area.  Funny what that unassuming first photograph snowballed into…

I draw largely from my very diverse background and equally diverse friendships.  As a child, I traveled a lot, and moved about as frequently.  I’m originally from Thailand, but my moves and travels have taken me to many destinations throughout Southeast Asia, Western Europe, the Middle East, Caribbean, and all across the United States.

I quickly discovered that, no matter where I went, or with whom I interacted, we always had at least one commonality: eventually, we all had to eat something.  This simple, yet intimate act, introduced me to so many different people and cultures, I can’t help but wonder if a kind word and a good meal wouldn’t help alleviate some of the tension in the world.  While vacationing in Nepal, I found myself in a lot of kitchens, checking for kashrut issues.  Many restaurant owners were more than happy to show me around, as I saw they were as excited about their food as I was!  I remember one restaurant I visited, the owner tried to explain to me the ingredients that went into a particular sauce, but apologized, since he only knew the Nepali words for some of them.  I took a look at his ingredients, and recited back to him in Nepali, the names of the ingredients I knew.  Delighted, he gasped, “How do you know that?  Do you speak Nepali?”  ”No,” I replied, “But I speak food.”

Whether or not you agree that a good meal is the start to solving all the world’s problems, I’m sure you at least enjoy a good morsel or two.  You are, after all, visiting a cooking blog.  All the recipes I’ve created on this site are kosher, but can be enjoyed by everyone.  Many are dishes I grew up with, or dishes showcasing flavors or techniques I’ve picked up during my travels.  Maybe you’ll find some recipes for which you’ve been searching, and maybe you’ll find some new favorites.  Either way, I hope you enjoy.  Please feel free to send me any questions or comments about anything you see here or from one of my other outlets.  I’m always happy to help.  In the mean time, Bon Appetit!

- Allaya Fleischer