It’s hard to imagine anything more appropriate than living the  stereotype of Jews on Christmas with over five hundred conscientious consumers.  Could it have been more appropriate to commence the Jewish Food Conference on Christmas day with a delicious Chinese meal?  It felt like we codified the modern Jewish Christmas ritual into the annals of American history.

In addition to being delicious and abundandly local (California in the Winter is a locavore’s dream!), there were just amazing people to speak with on all sides of me.  I learned about conservation projects in Oakland, CA and discussed Jewish community in Louisville, KY.  A few fermenters shipped Adamah sauerkraut to California for their session on lacto-fermentation and somehow I had the privilege and the honor of sharing kraut with my table. Everyone I meet has a fascinating story to tell and it will only continue.

Although there was no lengthy talks on the meaning of a Jewish Chinese Christmas, their were placards on the tables with a information on the recent American ritual and a discussion on the environmental consequences of disposable chopsticks.  I appreciated the meditation on the wastefulness of disposable chopsticks, especially the obvious, though helpful recommendation to always bring reusables to future meals in Asian resturants.

There’ll be plenty more posts to come from all of us here.  Merry Chinese Food Christmas to All from Pacific Grove, California!