Defining what is and is not a traditional food is not easy. Traditions are complex. They have origins we may or may not know and they are part of stories that evolve over time. Yet, a working definition of "traditional food" is something I've developed.

In many ways, food is as political a project as building roads or erecting buildings. We create major events around food and a closer look at how food can be used to identify a person or a group is an important aspect of studying culture. Peache, pies, and picnics may not seem political, but they are ways that groups establish and maintain cultural norms.

If you’re reading this blog, it’s likely because you’re interested in how food makes you feel. You might want to know more about how food connects individuals or you’re curious about your own food habits or traditions. If you’re here, it’s that you likely already recognize that we all speak a food language: an internalized repertoire of what constitutes good and bad food. Just like any other language, we all have our own accents and dialects.

When I think of “tradition” I think of Fiddler on the Roof and my mom. I think of decorations, people, noise, and, always, food. Pretzels, Lebkuchen, tourtière, cipaille, pies... How did I get into studying traditional foods? Why should anyone care about traditional foods? Join me as I share my origin story into the creation of Franglisch Foods.