This past March, I have had the honor and opportunity to receive an invitation to the Parabere Forum, which took place in Bilbao, Spain. It is Maria Canabal, a gastronomy journalist and author, who took the initiative to assemble a few hundred women from around the world, involved in gastronomy and the food culture in their own way. The Forum’s topic was ‘improving gastronomy with women’s vision’. The Forum is a way to give a voice and explore the perspective of women, in gastronomy, who are from all over the world.
We are chefs, sommeliers, heads of food-related companies and cooperatives, doctors and experts in food science, who gathered over a two-day span, to listen to great, inspiring women talk about their experiences in their respective field of expertise.
The speakers’ subjects ranged from the use and distribution of “ugly’ fruits and vegetables, to promoting and helping women become entrepreneurs and economically self-sufficient through the food industry, the preservation and transmission of culture through food. We also spoke about the place women hold in the male-dominated restaurant industry and how we evolve in it. Another important topic was about our food in relation to seeds and science, and how we can reverse the damage on the land with our increased involvement.
Hearing about these issues from these inspiring women, also enabled us to create bonds with each other, and made us realize that we are not alone, and may have many issues in common, despite our location in the world. I will write more in-depth about these issues as we go along considering that they are so important to each and every one of us.
There is, of course, a lot to say about all these subjects. I have come out of those two days inspired and encouraged to see so much amazing work and collaboration. I definitely encourage everyone to get more information about Parabere, and follow the movement and the women that are part of it.
http://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/04/14/spc-culinary-journeys-female-chefs-parabere-forum.cnn
http://www.parabereforum.com
Facebook page: Parabere FORUM
Twitter: @ParabereForum
Instagram: PARABEREFORUM
lachefingiro 