Last night, we set our ovens to 350°F and opened the doors to Food52 headquarters to welcome our community of cooks in a celebration of friends, food, and Hetty Lui McKinnon. tender heartour Food 52 Cookbook Club’s cookbook of the year. The cityscape in the background, the dripping candles, the vibrant chatter, and The Smiths’ “This Charming Man” playing softly – it all painted a picture of gratitude. Here are three more giveaways we appreciated from Thursday night:
Food isn’t just about sustenance: it’s a catalyst for thoughtful conversation, deeper connections, and uplifting community. Friendships blossomed over plates of tender heartRecipes for mapo eggplant, tomato and gruyere clafoutis, and potato gratin with hazelnuts and hasselback (your must-have for Thanksgiving).
Not a fan of Thanksgiving food? You are not alone. Hetty shared that, having grown up in Australia: “I celebrate Thanksgiving, but I use it more as an opportunity to feast and cook the food I want to cook.” And if last night is any indication, you don’t have to make your typical turkey pasta to make the meal feel special.
“When I think about food, it’s about having the courage to reflect on my identity and where I come from,” Hetty shared. tender heart is the manifestation of that courage because it reflects the first time he allowed himself to feel the emotions of losing his father as a teenager. “When you finally get to the other side, you discover the most incredible community around those feelings and emotions,” he shared. It’s the reason we cook: to foster the kind of meaningful connection we all shared last night.
Many thanks to Hetty for sharing her beautiful recipes with the world and allowing us to see food through her eyes. And a special thank you to Stephanie Lau and the entire Cookbook Club team. Do you want to keep the Christmas spirit alive? Join us for December’s Cookbook Club Sweets Swap, where we’ll dive into Italian-American desserts with Dolci! By Renato Poliafito.
