I come by my interest in sweets very naturally. My first word was “Coo-kie” (as in Monster) and I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out to be my last.
It gradually dawned on me that as I avidly sought out new flavors and textures, I was also learning a lot about the people, traditions, and ecosystems that produced them. The cultural role of sweet foods became the primary focus of my work as a research anthropologist specializing in material culture. The eating part I do by instinct, but my questions and conclusions are strongly informed by training I received at Macalester College, Macquarie University, and University College London.
As I've come to appreciate opportunities to share sweets (twice the pleasure for half the calories!) I've also sought out ways of sharing their stories. The following projects are some of the ways in which I do so.
It gradually dawned on me that as I avidly sought out new flavors and textures, I was also learning a lot about the people, traditions, and ecosystems that produced them. The cultural role of sweet foods became the primary focus of my work as a research anthropologist specializing in material culture. The eating part I do by instinct, but my questions and conclusions are strongly informed by training I received at Macalester College, Macquarie University, and University College London.
As I've come to appreciate opportunities to share sweets (twice the pleasure for half the calories!) I've also sought out ways of sharing their stories. The following projects are some of the ways in which I do so.
Sweet Travel Blog
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I began my Sweet Travel blog in 2008, when I embarked on an 85-day "sweets safari" in Japan. Since then I've continued to record the results of my day-to-day research and there are now well over 300 entries to sample. Some of my personal favorites include:
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SweetMap
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Discover new places by following a trail of crumbs, cakes, and candy!
SweetMap invites visitors to explore Seattle by focusing on sweet treats ranging from mochi and moon cakes to bubble tea and crepes. Users can download or print a free map of sweet-related sites, including churches, schools, landmarks, and retail shops. For most sites, a 5-minute recording based on an interview with the business owner or manager will introduce the sweets you may encounter and explain how they're made and why they're significant. This project is currently in development and has received support from:
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"A World of Sweets in Washington State"
USEFUL LINKS
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From bienenstich to bánh xu xê, marzipan to mochi, each of the sweets we enjoy across Washington State reveals something of our shared history and culture. These sweet stories of migration and culture change are the subject of my illustrated talk, "A World of Sweets in Washington State."
During this mouth-watering and thought-provoking presentation, I invite audiences to savor the ways in which sweets show how individuals and communities celebrate, adapt, and interact. Served with a side of political, economic, and religious history, this look at our region’s sweetest treats is anything but sugar-coated! Thanks to the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau program, I am able to offer this presentation for non-profit organizations throughout Washington state until mid-2014. This and all Speakers Bureau talks are free and open to the public. |
Past public projects
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Public presentations:
Publications:
Exhibitions:
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In the works...
I am currently gathering research for a 2013 Wing Luke Museum exhibition on Asian sweets in Seattle communities. While I have a lot of information on businesses and public events, I'm eager to find out more about the sweets that people make or enjoy at home or during smaller gatherings. Please get in touch if you have any stories you'd like to share!
