The pillowy texture of uncooked Challah as you knead it, the mouthwatering aroma of latkes sizzling in a hot pan, and the comforting beige hue that seems to appear in every Ashkenazi recipe—these sensory experiences shape the way many of us connect with our cultural heritage. Food is more than nourishment; it’s a powerful gateway to tradition, memory, and community. It unites us, evoking the warmth of family gatherings, the joy of shared laughter, and the richness of customs passed down through generations. Each bite carries with it the weight of those memories, forging bonds that transcend time.
The Wandering Chew is an organization dedicated to preserving Jewish culinary traditions and culture through vibrant, hands-on events that breathe new life into the Jewish experience. Their mission is to celebrate the food practices that have shaped Jewish communities for centuries, deepening our connection to cultural heritage while exploring the art of food preservation. Through cooking classes, pickling workshops, and interactive discussions on the role of food in Jewish life, they foster a richer understanding of our shared history.
As Kat Romanow, one of the founders of Wandering Chew, explains, “Everyone experiences it and has their memory and nostalgia.” This accessibility makes food an ideal medium for cultural preservation. The Wandering Chew’s approach opens a window into the aspects of Jewish life that might not be “preserved in traditional museums but [live on through] cultural practices.”
At one of these events, held at the Montreal Jewish Museum, participants learned to craft pickled recipes drawn from both Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions. What began as a simple culinary workshop quickly evolved into something more profound: A space where strangers connected, shared stories, and bonded over the act of food preservation. The two women beside me—both in-laws—struck up a conversation with a man across the table who dreamed of opening a food truck. As we added each ingredient to our jars, we shared memories of our families, our traditions, and the dishes that had shaped our own lives.
At the end of the event, I spoke with Izzy Waxman, one of the executive directors of Mazon, a partner organization of The Wandering Chew that provides meals to people across Canada. Izzy reflected on the unique flavour of Jewish food and the important question: Why are these the foods we know and love? She explained that food is a powerful tool to preserve culture and history.
She tells the story of gefilte fish, a dish that has evolved over centuries. Originally, “it was made from a whole pike stuffed with bread and parsnips, [but] gefilte fish changed over time as Jewish communities settled in North America.” They adapted this recipe to local ingredients, resulting in the familiar grey loaf we know and (some of us) love. The transformation reflects how Jewish culture has held on to previous traditions but adapted them to modern contexts.
Food, in this way, becomes a thread that connects us to our past while also allowing us to grow and evolve as a community. Izzy highlighted that “Jewish culture is a living culture.” As diaspora Jews, we often forget how deeply our current customs and traditions are shaped by where we are from. The stories behind each recipe reveal the dynamic and diverse nature of Jewish identity, allowing us to connect to our roots while embracing the growth and transformation that define our community, one bite at a time.
Powered by Froala Editor
