From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy $5 / month

From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy explores the intersections of food culture, politics, and lifestyle, emphasizing sustainability, local consumption, and culinary diversity. Based in San Juan, her essays delve into food's socio-cultural impact, supporting vegetarian/vegan lifestyles and critically examining culinary tourism and media narratives.

Food Politics Culinary Culture and Diversity Sustainability in Eating Culinary Tourism Vegetarianism and Veganism Cocktail Culture Food and Lifestyle Cultural and Culinary Acceptance Media Influence on Food Perception

The hottest Substack posts of From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy

And their main takeaways

Defining and Refining a Food Justice Lens

1611 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🍲 Food & Drink
  1. Food justice seeks to address inequalities in the food system beyond just access to fresh food.
  2. The food system globally and domestically employs many people but there are issues like food insecurity and corporate ownership.
  3. Bringing a food justice lens into lifestyle writing involves examining power dynamics, impacts, and possibilities in the food industry.

The Desk Digest, January 2024

1316 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Newsletter Food Writing Book Reviews Travel Photography
  1. The newsletter relaunch focuses on giving more time and space for essays and discussions about food nonfiction.
  2. The author aims to provide flexibility for subscribers to choose email frequency and plans to provide monthly updates on the newsletter's status.
  3. Recent content includes essays, book recommendations, and upcoming projects like a long-form book.
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🗣 Announcing the Relaunch of From the Desk...

3144 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Food & Drink Literature Design Fashion & Beauty News
  1. The newsletter 'From the Desk of Alicia Kennedy' is relaunching with new features like contributors, a book club, and monthly essay publications.
  2. There will be changes to the subscription rates, with an annual cost increase to $50, but existing $30 subscribers are locked in and new subscribers have until the end of 2023 to join at the lower rate.
  3. The newsletter will expand into a magazine-like format with additional content for paid subscribers like link recommendations, a cooking supplement, and a book club.

The Monthly Menu: A Whirlwind December

904 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food
  1. The author reminisces about their December through photos and cherries from Costco.
  2. The author struggles to find uses for amarena cherries but enjoys them in Old Fashioned cocktails.
  3. Readers can access a 7-day free trial to continue reading the post and explore full archives.

On the ‘Grandma Rule’

1827 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food Media Cooking
  1. The 'Grandma Rule' in food culture suggests being open and flexible while traveling and trying different foods.
  2. Being vegetarian or vegan can lead to interesting encounters and conversations about food preferences and experiences.
  3. Culinary tourism involves actively exploring and participating in different food cultures, which can be a rewarding experience for meatless eaters.

On Keeping a Pantry

1533 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cooking Shopping Food Systems Meal Planning Cuisine
  1. Keeping a well-stocked fridge and pantry brings a sense of control and satisfaction in cooking.
  2. Food shopping habits are influenced by personal and professional roles, shaping lifestyle choices.
  3. Infrastructure and urban planning impact food procurement practices and access to fresh, local ingredients.

On Lifestyle

1572 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food Writing Sustainability Cooking Recipes
  1. Achieving sustainable eating may require personalized interventions.
  2. Removing vegetarian and vegan labels from menus could guide consumers towards reduced consumption of animal products.
  3. Good intentions often fail to convert to action, situational changes can help people make plant-based choices.

On Seasons

1415 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🍲 Food & Drink Local Cooking Recipes
  1. Eating locally means considering both seasonality and regionality.
  2. Understanding the regional aspects of food seasons adds depth to the local food narrative.
  3. Being open to cooking with regional produce and embracing diversity enhances food experiences.

Interlude: On Tour, Part 1

1100 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Events Food Exploration Accommodation Sightseeing
  1. The author documents the timeline of a book launch, including travel, preparations, and the launch event.
  2. The author shares personal experiences and interactions during the book launch process, such as baking cakes and meeting with colleagues.
  3. The author expresses emotions and reflections related to the events of the book launch, including nerves during the lecture and excitement during the launch party.

On Martinis 🍸

1533 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🍲 Food & Drink Cocktails Recipes Hospitality Travel Culture
  1. Martini preferences are personal and should be respected by bartenders and significant others.
  2. A good martini tells you about the bar, the person making it, and how they perceive you.
  3. Martinis are timeless, chic cocktails that offer a sense of sophistication and perception.

A Puerto Rico Itinerary

1081 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🏝 Travel Sightseeing Local Cuisine Cultural experiences
  1. Developing an itinerary for a culinary tourism class in Puerto Rico involved a mix of politics, agriculture, and culinary excursions.
  2. Meeting the challenge of teaching the course was made easier by having supportive students and a fantastic teaching assistant.
  3. The itinerary included visits to community-driven nonprofits, former sugarcane plantations, local distilleries, markets, and local restaurants highlighting Puerto Rican cuisine.

On Food Destinations

1061 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
  1. Food destinations are constructed through narrative and media, often upholding colonial power structures.
  2. Culinary tourism reflects neo-colonialist notions and soft power interests.
  3. The definition of a "foodie destination" is often influenced by Western narratives and norms.

On Place📍

963 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Travel Food Cultural critique Cuisine Social Impact
  1. Seeing familiar places with fresh eyes can reveal hidden beauty and richness.
  2. Critically examining tourism and digital nomadism highlights issues of authenticity and impact on local communities.
  3. Food access, cultural significance, and the concept of a decent meal can provide insights into local experiences and the impact of systemic forces.

On Gloss

923 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Travel Food Media Literature Social Issues
  1. Travel magazines often provide a glossy, superficial view of a destination.
  2. The language used in travel media can influence readers' perceptions and desires.
  3. Magazines may not always tell the full, complex story of a destination, leaving out important socio-economic realities.

The Desk Digest, January 2024

39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Essays Book Club Recipes Travel Cookbooks
  1. The newsletter relaunched with a focus on more time for essays, space for others, and discussions about food nonfiction.
  2. The newsletter offers the option of receiving one email per month or staying updated regularly.
  3. The newsletter features a variety of content like essays, book recommendations, and interviews, with a focus on creating meaningful discussions about food.