Three years ago, the Cortez Cultural Center sought to unite the community during a time of political division. A staff member made a simple observation: “Well, everybody eats.”
The phrase stuck, and so did the idea that food could bridge differences and build community. That idea inspired Everybody Eats, the center’s monthlong series of workshops, field trips, fundraisers and shared meals.
This year’s program continues under Executive Director Susan Lisak, who took over following a leadership change.
“We wanted to bring people from different backgrounds together to share stories about food and their love of food,” Lisak said. “Sharing recipes and learning how things are prepared can strengthen our community.”
The program began Friday with the Food for All event, which featured an art reception themed “Bountiful Harvest,” a community food-resources guide and a lively dessert auction. About 50 people attended. Lisak said the guide covers local resources – from food pantries and senior services to the Montezuma School to Farm Project and the Dolores Family Project – so residents know how to find more food options or where to donate if able.
The center’s signature fundraiser, Food from the Heart, is set for 5 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Cortez Cultural Center. Admission includes tastings of each dish presented, plus appetizers and the evening’s grand finale: stone soup.
The event will feature eight local speakers, each sharing a personal story tied to a recipe – examples include a grandmother’s pie, a wedding-day dish or a family’s holiday favorite.
“They talk about why that dish is important in their life,” Lisak said. “And then they pass out samples so everybody gets to taste what they’re talking about.”
The evening will close with a retelling of the classic European folk tale “Stone Soup,” in which hungry villagers pool their ingredients to create a shared meal. Attendees can add herbs to the pot before it’s ladled out.
“It’s a way to show that everyone contributes a little, and together we feed the community,” Lisak said.
Throughout the month, Everybody Eats includes the Culinary Adventures program, featuring field trips and workshops that highlight the bounty of the region.
Participants visited county farms and ranches and attended talks on edible plants, beekeeping and tea gardens. A recent lavender tour at Los Miramontes Farm particularly stood out for Lisak.
“We got to pick the lavender, taste the different varieties, and then we had this beautiful salad with edible flowers and a lavender-infused dressing,” she said. “It brought it all together, growing, harvesting and enjoying food straight from the land.”
