Memories and Dreams: Things We Share at the Dinner Table

By Denise Chin

A write up from one of our Food Foray champions and devoted food lover after attending a screening

Neither the rickety chairs of the Hollywood Theater nor strange June weather of sun and rain could take my attention away from the impressive cinematography, music, and storytelling in each episode of Food Foray. In a packed theater, we delved into the lives of three immigrants and their communities in East Multnomah County, the most diverse region in Oregon.

What a treat to hear director Ivana Horvat and producer John Lugton give us behind-the-scenes tidbits, like music choice and the challenge of shooting in a small store, and even more so to have the main characters come on stage following their blow-up on screen. Nino, Amalia, and Stephen are people we quickly come to like in the 20 minutes that we see them in each episode. There is something so arresting about the rhythm of their chopping, their use of cookware, and the setting of each table, as the host, Jessica Ballard Thiessen, has heart-to-heart conversations decorated by these elaborate meals. The topics they discuss resonate so strongly, even if I immigrated from a different country under different circumstances.

The first episode introduces Nino Tvauri from Georgia, walking us through the Babushka Russian Deli. That scene reminded me of my first time going to an Asian grocer after relocating to the United States, wandering long aisles, picking out a prized item, and reminiscing. Seeing such true-to-life moments in Food Foray was a nod to this necessary activity for immigrants like me, finding our memories at an international grocery store.

Food is a critical memory bank, a salve for the ache of homesickness, an avenue to preserve culture that could easily be forgotten; it is a point that Food Foray evocatively told across three spectrums. Every episode displayed the characters’ passion and pride to share food from their heritage. Here, two worlds collide—food memories from lives past, and life now in Oregon, having access to specialized ingredients. Being able to make our cultural foods without substitutes is a key part of adapting to a new place, a privilege not to be taken for granted. The act of needing to make food deserves mention, as these were dishes not readily available despite a thriving restaurant scene in Portland. 

Therein lies the beauty of the messaging in Food Foray. The series highlights universal sentiments and burdens we carry as immigrants in the US, like the people we left for new opportunities. Whether it was coming to terms with being separated from a sibling for an undetermined amount of time or never seeing one’s birthplace again in exchange for safety and stability, these stories showed the strength and resilience it takes to build a new life away from home. As the audience was invited to taste delectable bites seen on the show, it felt like the organizers were expanding the dinner table for us all to be part of the conversations in each episode. It set the tone for an intimate and safe way to find belonging in a place that looks so different from our home countries.

Watch the Food Foray trailer here, follow us on instagram @FoodForayShow and email ivana@metroeast.org if you’re interested in hosting a screening!