ENARA I. / Finalist

The Theme: The Impact of Food on Basque Culture

“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.”