Earlene Cruz is a true francophile, with a talent for bringing people together from all over the world. She founded and now directs Kitchen Connection with the goal of using food as a way to connect individuals from different cultures and backgrounds, in order to learn from one another and create a more equitable food system. 

Discover the fascinating birth story of Kitchen Connection, from its origins in the bustling metropolis of New York City to its connection with the culinary capital of Paris. 

Why French?

As a child, I had the opportunity to study French in elementary school but, to be honest, it didn't capture my interest at the time. However, in high school, I decided to give it another chance, seeing it as an easy way to fulfill a language requirement. Little did I know, that decision would change the course of my life. Thanks to the inspiring teaching methods of Madame Scholz, I fell deeply in love with the French language and culture. Her passion for the language motivated me to host an exchange student from Marseille, travel to France, study abroad and eventually double major in French in college. This led me to an internship at the French Embassy, where I discovered my passion for intercultural projects and how to bring them to life, particularly as it relates to film and education.

Film and education have always been a powerful combination in my mind, and I have always been fascinated by how films can be used as a tool to teach languages and cultures. Working at the French Embassy, I helped to organize and promote the annual Films on the Green Festival under the direction of Nathalie Charles, which aims to promote French culture and language. Through many cultural exchange programs, I have always believed that films are a unique way to break cultural barriers and to promote understanding and tolerance.

Once at the Embassy, I had the pleasure of meeting Fabrice Jaumont, a dedicated educator and advocate for bilingual education. His tireless efforts led to the expansion of free French bilingual programs in New York City, and his leadership left a lasting impact on me. It was through his guidance that I developed a deep appreciation for the power of language as a tool for connection and understanding. To this day, I continue to believe that learning more languages is akin to opening a door to endless possibilities for connection with people from all over the world.

Thanks to my love of language, I am now capable of communicating in five languages, and I am currently embarking on a new journey of learning Arabic. I see it as an ongoing process, a way to constantly challenge and expand my horizons, and a way to deepen my understanding of the world and its diverse cultures. Learning a new language is not only a way to communicate more effectively, but also a way to understand and appreciate different perspectives, cultures, and ways of life. It's a never-ending journey of self-discovery and growth.

Why did you decide to launch the first trial cooking class between New York City and Paris?

I have always been deeply connected to both New York and Paris, drawn to their rich culinary cultures that transcend national borders. It was my love for these two cities that inspired me to create Kitchen Connection. I was fortunate enough to connect with French chef Claude Godard, the vice president of the US branch of Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, who became a strong supporter of the project from the beginning. I reached out to my friends in Paris, who, despite the early hour, were more than willing to help, volunteering their time and expertise to make our first cooking class with Kitchen Connection a reality.

France & Gastrodiplomacy

How has Kitchen Connection used French culinary culture to bring people together?

Kitchen Connection aspires to connect the Francophone world through gastrodiplomacy. We have always been fascinated by Francophone culture, with its rich history and vibrant traditions. One aspect that particularly intrigues us is the French culinary culture, which is known for its complexity and delicacy. French cuisine is not just about the food itself, but also about the ritual of eating and the conviviality it promotes. We believe that this culture can be a powerful tool for promoting gastrodiplomacy, which is the use of food and gastronomy as a means of fostering cultural understanding and diplomacy. By sharing and experiencing the flavors, techniques, and customs of French cuisine, people from different backgrounds can come together and appreciate the diversity of our world. It allows us to connect on a deeper level and to understand each other's cultures, promoting peace and understanding.

What steps has Kitchen Connection taken to promote gastrodiplomacy with French Cuisine?

Food is a universal language that brings nations and people together like nothing else can. That's why we have hosted and plan to continue hosting events that foster connections to and within the Francophone world. In 2017, we brought together students of Francophone heritage at the French Embassy for an online cooking experience led by a chef from Algeria. This event not only celebrated French-speaking culture but also gave students a taste of what it truly means to be a Francophone, through the shared love of food and culture.

We also recently had the pleasure of launching our latest project, The Cookbook in Support of the United Nations: For People and Planet. This cookbook offers a celebration of the diversity and deliciousness of French and Francophone cuisine, with a focus on healthy, sustainable ingredients and recipes. One of our favorite dishes featured in the book is Saliha Bala's Mushroom Bourek, a French-Algerian home cook's recipe that is not only delicious but also nutritious. Another recipe that stands out is Alma Roblin's Spirulina-Tossed Vegetable Salad, which showcases her unique combination of her experience as a French farmer and entrepreneur living in Perù. The cookbook is not just a collection of recipes, it is an invitation to explore new flavors, cultures and ways of cooking—including those of the Francophone world. It is a tribute to the United Nations and its efforts to achieve a sustainable future for people and planet.

Saliha Bala Blog Feature: Featured Cheffie: Saliha From France

Cookbook Launch Blog: Launch of the Cookbook

Francophone Students at the French Embassy Participating in a Kitchen Connection

How do you see Kitchen Connection promoting bilingual education goals?

Imagine a world without the delicious aroma of freshly baked bread or the sizzling sound of a stir-fry. Unimaginable, isn't it? That's because food and cooking are their own unique languages, capable of transcending cultural barriers and connecting people in a way that few other things can. As Claude Lévi-Strauss once said, "there is no society without language" and the same can be said for cooking - it is an integral part of human society.

Now, picture this: leaders from North and South Korea breaking bread together, sharing a meal and conversation at a culinary congress. Or, Israeli and Palestinian chefs collaborating under one umbrella organization in a cooking competition, united in the pursuit of culinary excellence. These are not just fairy tales, but real-life examples of the power of food and cooking to bring people together. The World Chefs and Jerusalem-based organization Taste of Peace have both witnessed firsthand the unifying force of a shared meal.

In that same vein, Kitchen Connection strives to promote acceptance and unity by offering a bilingual education platform where users can choose the cuisine they want to learn and the language they want the class to be taught in. For instance, back in 2016, we had a Brazilian teacher approach us asking us if we could offer his English students a cooking class. We motivated the local government to sponsor the WIFI in their school’s kitchen and had a Nigerian chef successfully teach the students how to make an Asaro Potage.

Brazil Blog: Kitchen Connection Goes to: Brazil

We hope to continue this initiative by hosting cooking demos at partner locations like Whole Foods and New York University, as well as in schools such as the School for International Studies in Brooklyn, which offers both culinary and dual language programs. By exposing students to different cultures, cuisines, and languages through our cooking classes, we aim to foster greater understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives.

Students from Lucas Do Rio Verde in Brazil Participating in a Kitchen Connection

Education Partnerships: Kitchen Connection - Education Partnerships

What are your goals for the near future?

This year is shaping up to be an exciting year for us as we set our sights on continuing our mission of creating a more equitable and sustainable food system for all. Our greatest goal for this year is to expand Kitchen Connection’s reach and impact, with a particular focus on educating the next generation about sustainable eating and planetary health.

To accomplish this, we will be leveraging the power of storytelling through our cookbook and upcoming children’s book. These resources will serve as the foundation for an enhanced curriculum that will be accessible to educators and students worldwide. We are currently working with a network of schools to continue to grow our four-week virtual program that will teach children about food systems and healthy eating.

But our efforts don't stop there. We are also planning to host book readings in partnership with the World Food Programme and the School Meals Coalition to make our message accessible to an even larger population.

Additionally, we are excited to introduce our new Pen Pal program through Kitchen Connection, which will allow children and youth from around the world to connect, share their cultures, and exchange ideas about food in friendship.

We have an ambitious agenda for 2023, but we are confident that with the help of our partners and supporters, we will be able to make a real difference in the lives of people around the globe.

The Cookbook in Support of the United Nations: https://www.kitchenconnection.org/cookbook

Children’s Book: https://www.kitchenconnection.org/children_book

About Kitchen Connection: Kitchen Connection is a program working with the United Nations, between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Department of Global Communications. It uses food as the vehicle to connect people to each other, in support of a better food system and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The platform hosts online and in-person interactive cooking classes and discussions bringing together farmers, indigenous peoples, chefs, and food activists who believe in and advocate for the need for everyone to have access to quality food.   

Website: https://kitchenconnection.org

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Get in touch: contact@kitchenconnection.org