Michelle Nazzal: Food Mythologies

Active Cultures invites you to Food Mythologies, an evening of conversation, reflection, and a meal organized by Oakland-based chef and designer Michelle Nazzal.

Food Mythologies explores the transmission of food traditions, and how they create temporal and physical connections across generations. Through the lens of immigrant and diasporic cooks, land stewards, and cultural workers from the Los Angeles community, the program examines how genocide and displacement inform and shape these practices. Together, these stories weave tapestries of time, place, and familial history into personal mythologies.

The evening began in the olive allée of Arlington Garden with a conversation with Liana Aghajanian, Chris Jadallah, and Soha Yassine, facilitated by Nazzal, to speak to the pervasive effects of colonialism on food, land access, and tradition, both on their ancestral lands and in exile. Followed by a self-guided garden walk, we returned to the allée for a shared meal prepared by Al Baraka restaurant.

Food Mythologies was hosted in partnership with Arlington Garden in Pasadena and included a program and resource designed by Nazzal.

In lieu of purchasing a ticket for this program, we asked all attendees to make a donation to The Sameer Project. The Palestinian-led initiative is dedicated to providing tents, medical aid, and clean water to displaced families in Gaza, while operating community kitchens to feed those in need. 

To learn more about The Sameer Project and to donate, click here.