“I ask the ladies what we lose with each generation. They seem to agree: usually language goes first, then memories of relatives and grandparents, then traditions, then longing for home, then a sense of identity. What do we have left? A wedding ritual, a few old photos? For me, what is left is our connection to food. Our food traditions are the last thing we hold on to. They are not just recipes; they are a connection to the nameless ancestors who gave us our DNA. That's why our traditional foods are so important. The stories, the memories, the movements that have been performed for generations - without them, we lose our direction.” IdentityFamily Traditions Book:Buttermilk Graffiti: A Chef’s Journey to Discover America’s New Melting-Pot Cuisine Source: Buttermilk Graffiti: A Chef’s Journey to Discover America’s New Melting-Pot Cuisine