The following started out as an email I wrote to people who have supported me through the years as a chef, writer, teacher and friend. I started by asking people to come to my dinner, and it turned into a letter of love. And then a blog post I wanted to share with a wider audience. The contagion we need now is love. 

Dear friends,

My latest passion project, the World Food Day communal dinner table on October 16, has been popular. I’m giving it one last push before I close the doors on sales in a few days. Why?

I wanted to give you the chance to come if you’ve forgotten, put my first email aside to take care of “later” or didn’t even see the email I sent. I do this all the time!

I was hesitant to reach out to you again because I know you are extremely busy and may be anxious for a host of reasons related and not related to coronavirus. One of the stressors is too many emails!

At the same time, I wanted to share my latest offering from my body, mind and spirit. The Japanese word for this is “kokoro.” 

I long to reach out to the community that I have come across through my time in Ottawa, and I have missed. It’s been a long road coming here where I can feel confident enough to write to you to share an event and my thoughts.

We never know what our lives will bring, right? Tragedy, loss, heartache, and so many disappointments and anxieties related to the pandemic.

On the other hand, there is joy in small moments. And gratitude and appreciation for what we have now provide balance. 

Many of the diners from the pop-up dinners and ZenKitchen, the students from my cooking classes, readers of my books, and people I have encountered throughout my life here have become my friends and community. 

That’s why I came back here after Japan. It feels like the closest place to home.

I wasn’t expecting to do food again. I thought I gave it up with my broken relationship, leaving the restaurant I built and loved, and having my last parent die, which is heartbreaking no matter when and how.

I put food in with all of this. When I thought about food, it made me sad and anxious. When I took food out and saw it for what it is, food, I began to understand that food, especially good food, makes me happy. And I’m even happier, sharing this with others.

Most importantly, I took myself out of what has hurt me and where I have suffered greatly. And I found myself again.

I am not sadness, anger, hurt, or even joy and excitement, but me. I’m right where I left myself.

In the end, there are no labels but the labels we give ourselves or allow others to give us.

I believe what we give and receive in life is a circle of love. We need this circle of community and friendships to protect us, support us, and lift us up during this challenging time.

If you can’t join the dinner, I understand. I am still thinking of you and will find other ways to share my love with you through food, words, and ways to connect. So, stay tuned!

As social isolation makes our worlds smaller and we are afraid, I believe the only way through this is keeping our hearts and minds open to the experiences and people that may come into it.

This may be a good time for reflection, new ideas, and sharing safe ways to gather, as I am compelled to do. I am creating the world I want to live in, even during a pandemic.

The event was a good reason for me to reach out to you and connect. The other day, I was walking with my friend Irena and her puppy Marley. Strangers asked us about Marley. It was easy to speak to other people because of having an adorable puppy and others who had dogs. What if we don’t have dogs? Why is it so strange for us to say “hello” to strangers and even those we know?

Hello! I hope you are taking care of yourself during this harsh period, with gentleness, kind words and love. Please send me a line when you can so I know you’re out there. I care, I really do.

With love and gratitude from my heart to yours, Caroline

PS – https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/world-food-day-communal-dinner-registration-120455877773