Category: scholarships 24

The Theme: The Impact of Food on Basque Culture

Connecting Around the Table

“My first interactions with my Basque culture were through the Basque dinners my mother and grandmother threw when we lived in a community with a very low Basque population. I grew up seeing how these Basque dinners brought the community together and shared our Basque culture with others. When I went to the Basque Country this summer, I discovered that the strong community aspect of food is the center of Basque culture, and it is here that people come together. That’s the power of food. It remains timeless; even as everything around it changes, we still have the table to sit around and connect.”

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The Theme: The Impact of Food on Basque Culture

To Others it Is Just Food, For Me, It Is My Everything

“The impact of food on the Basque Culture has impacted me as I have grown up in the world. Food has been a source of comfort as I always think about my amazing family when surrounded by food as it is connected to years of memories that the life I live has given me!”

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The Theme: The Impact of Food on Basque Culture

Gâteau Basque

“When I first learned that the topic was “The Impact of Food on Basque Culture”, I was immediately reminded of my grandmother’s cooking and the rich traditions of Basque cuisine. It was my mother who suggested that I write about the story behind grandmother’s Gâteau Basque recipe and the meaningful experience of her finally sharing it with me. I wanted to capture not only my emotions and thoughts while making the cake
for the first time but also the deeper significance of this moment. After a few first rough drafts on this essay, it became clear that this recipe was important not just to me but also to my mother. My grandmother sharing it marked a pivotal moment for her, as it symbolized her deeper connection with the Basque community and reinforced the bond and trust between her and my grandmother.”

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