A Seat at the Table

Becoming a Dad and Sharing a Love of Food with Winnie

Life has a way of surprising you, doesn’t it? One day, I’m crafting meals in someone’s home, channeling all my energy into the perfect sear or seasoning, and the next, I’m holding my daughter Winnie for the first time, realizing everything I’ve ever done pales in comparison to this moment.

Becoming a dad has me thinking a lot about the future—not just the big milestones but the quiet, everyday moments we’ll share. And, as you might imagine, many of those dreams revolve around food.

Food as the Heart of Life’s Memories

You don’t realize just how many special experiences in life are centered around food until you pause to reflect. Think about it: birthdays celebrated with cake, lazy Sundays filled with pancakes and laughter, the smell of a favorite meal wafting through the house. Food isn’t just fuel—it’s a backdrop, a catalyst for connection, and often the centerpiece of our most cherished memories.

For me, the table has always been a sacred place. It’s where stories are shared, where love is expressed through recipes passed down or meals crafted with care. I want Winnie to grow up feeling that same magic—a world where every bite tells a story and every meal brings people closer.

The Lessons Food Can Teach

When Winnie is old enough, I’ll teach her how to knead dough until it feels just right, to taste and adjust seasoning with confidence, and to marvel at how simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary. But more than that, I want her to learn the lessons food has taught me:

• Patience: Good things take time, whether it’s simmering a sauce or waiting for the right moment to act.

• Creativity: There’s always room to experiment, to take risks, and to make something uniquely yours.

• Connection: Cooking for someone is an act of love, and sharing a meal is one of the purest forms of togetherness.

Sharing My Favorite Food Memories with Her

As Winnie grows, I want to share my favorite food memories with her. I’ll tell her about the meals that shaped me—how Grammy’s fried chicken felt like a warm hug on a plate, how making pasta from scratch in culinary school taught me discipline, or how the first meal I ever cooked for someone special wasn’t perfect, but it was heartfelt.

I can’t wait to create new memories with her, too. Maybe it’ll start with messy pancake mornings, where batter ends up on the counter (and probably on the ceiling). Maybe it’ll be her first bite of something unexpected—something she didn’t think she’d like but ends up loving. Or maybe it’ll be the nights where we’re both tired, but we make spaghetti and laugh over slurped noodles.

A Seat at the Table

My greatest hope for Winnie is that she always feels welcome at the table—our table and any table she encounters in life. I want her to know that food isn’t just about eating; it’s about sharing, learning, and loving.

Becoming a dad has reminded me of the power of the simple things: a meal, a table, and the people gathered around it. Winnie, if you’re reading this one day, know that every meal we share will be more than food—it’ll be a memory, a lesson, and an act of love.

Here’s to a lifetime of moments around the table, my sweet girl. I can’t wait to show you the world, one bite at a time.

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