FIRST WE EAT, THEN WE DO EVERYTHING ELSE

– MFK Fisher –

We understand that delicious food reflects our vibrant culture in small bites. Family meals also create special moments and shared memories.

Food has always been an especially important place in our Vietnamese-American family. As a matter of fact, we often joke that our parents never told us that they loved us, but they certainly kept us well fed.

It was never “I love you” but always, “Have you eaten?” Our parents never talked of love, but they shared a labor of love. Remember those hours spent deshelling shrimp for spring rolls or the hours toiling over a boiling pot to make that perfect phở broth? We do!

And that’s still the role of food. Sharing food is sharing love. That’s how our families do it. And that’s how we do it together as friends too. Somehow, this tradition lives because healthy food shows real love. Holidays, birthdays, and everything else was spent with delicious food. That’s how we tell one another that we care, we love. So first, we eat. Then we do everything else.