Nogit Party Exhibition At Clutter
Prelude
I looked out of the tiny window of our restaurant, nestled in a small alleyway in Singapore's central business district. The sky was pitch black, and dark clouds moved quickly, causing people outside to run for cover and open umbrellas as the clouds spat beads of water. It was the after-work hour rush, and puddles began to plink as the rainfall became heavier.
With this weather, all that was needed was a bowl of hot, steamy soup to soothe the soul.
Memories of yesteryear flashed by. One of my favorite comfort foods was my grandma's herbal chicken soup. It was comforting, nourishing, and healing. Growing up in a middle-class family, we didn't always eat together during mealtimes. Whenever someone was hungry, they could simply turn on the stove and bring the soup to a boil. Although we were a family that did not dine together, the food on the table brought us close.
As I looked over our kitchen stove, the herbal aroma from the boiling soup hit home. It was time for me to start work.
"A bowl of steaming hot chicken soup, please," jolted me back from reminiscing about simpler times.
"Here you go. Please enjoy”
Work introduction
Food has a way of bringing people together. The way we talk about food can also have a powerful impact on how we perceive it. The idea of "Chicken Soul" for the soup was a playful, tongue-in-cheek reference to the title of the book "Chicken Soup for the Soul."
Many cultures have traditional meals or dishes that are shared among family and friends, and the act of preparing and sharing food can create a sense of community and closeness. Certain foods are associated with holidays or celebrations, while in others, particular dishes may be passed down from generation to generation as a way of preserving family traditions. The way we talk about food can also have a powerful impact on how we perceive it.
Whether through traditional meals, shared experiences, or playful language, food can help create a sense of connection and belonging that is essential to human relationships.