Food-Related Stories by Gaby Melian

Published on March 03, 2022

Food Related Stories Cover.jpeg
Reviewed by Jayde Valosin

 

Food can be many things to many people. For Gaby Melian, food is a way to connect with others and, perhaps more importantly, herself. 
Food-Related Stories by Gaby Melian is a mini-memoir in the Pocket Change Collective series. Many people will know Gaby Melian as the Kitchen Manager at the Bon Appetit test kitchen, where she was previously a part of many of their popular YouTube video series. Food-Related Stories sheds light on Melian's history with food, and her career trajectory to the BA test kitchen and beyond. For Melian, food helps her to remember family and home, and allows her to share parts of herself with her family and friends. As the story headings suggest, food is a story, an adventure, patience, strength, courage, and love.
Melian's stories show her perseverance and determination, and demonstrate how even the toughest struggles can lead to something meaningful. Especially moving is Melian's story about visiting her mom's apartment after her death and finding leftovers of a favorite family meal. Food, in this case, is so much more than the ingredients that make the dish. For those who want to learn more about Gaby Melian, who feel a strong connection to food, or who want to read stories about the strength that comes from perseverance, this book is for you.
The Pocket Change Collective series is full of short nonfiction books on meaningful topics. If you like this work, be sure to check out This is What I Know About Art by Kimberly Drew or Concrete Kids by Amyra León, both available at the Morris County Library.

 

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