Jason couldn’t shake his head to deny that fast enough.If his brother heard someone even insinuating he was attempting toelevateclassic Ashkenazi food, he’d lose his mind.“I don’t think I’ve ever seen my brother so happy, in the way his face glows when he is elbow deep in recipes that our people have been making for centuries.Like when he’s making knish dough the same way our ancestors did, standing in front of a boiling pot of chicken soup, watching matzah balls as they float to the top.I love watching him put his years of experience into food that most people dismiss as basic or bland.I think his philosophy isn’t taking it away from its roots, like what people think elevating something is.But instead, it’s bringing it all the way back, finding its origins and treating it with respect, knowing where it came from.”
“I really appreciate your brother’s perspective,” Batya replied, in that way of people who are fascinated by just the right story, making it clear that Jason had done what he’d set out to.“Translating skills, learning food types, expanding palates.That isn’t always in preparation to elevate something.I don’t always think things need to be elevated…but preserved.”
Jason nodded.“Yes, exactly.You learn better ways to do things, which helps you find the heart of the food you want to make.”
“Exactly,” she said with a grin.“You use all of what you’ve learned to make the food that found its way into your heart.Like my husband and his barbecue.Your brother has the breadth of the Ashkenazi classic dishes, with the knishes at his elbow, and adds what inspires him.I love that.I love hearing it,” she added.“But what about you?What kind of food inspires you?”
And that was the multimillion-dollar question right there.What was his?Did he even have one?
Is that why he was drawn to catering and private cheffing in the first place?The idea that his favorite food to make was the kind of food within his knowledge base, which would make someone else the happiest?
Wow.
“I think,” he finally said, “I love diving into new things each time I go into the kitchen.I love learning about food, I love making someone’s eyes light up with my culinary choices.I love…the art of cooking as opposed to any particular cuisine, you know?I love to make someone’s culinary dreams come true with the time I spend in the kitchen.”
She beamed.“I don’t really think I’ve ever heard that answer, but I love it.I think it can be a great food journey on its own.It ties in nicely with a story about a cuisine that’s so completely rooted in home and in family.And place, whether that place is the Lower East Side, or it’s Michigan.”
“Thank you,” he said.Which was when he realized how he knew Batya.Batya was a Meal Network host, of a program that his brother adored.And not only adored, but something that would help…
“You’re Batya fromBatya’s Journeys!”
Batya nodded.“That I am.”
“My brother is a huge fan,” he continued.“He loves the stories you tell of the history of Jewish food.And the families.”
And that was what made her beam.“Well,” she said.“I’m a big fan of your brother’s and yours.I love how the story of Greenblatt’s tells the story of Jewish diaspora in ways that we don’t always discuss.Especially how the Michigan branch is taking over this classic New York staple…and helping it thrive, in a time when so many other Jewish staples have been dying, if not having trouble staying alive.”
“It’s a tradition we’re honored to be part of,” he replied.
“For what it’s worth, if your brother, whether with you or without—whatever your choice is, ever wants to come and talk to me,” she continued, “for whatever purpose, please let me know.”
“My brother would be kvelling.Regardless of what happens,” he said, before realizing the impending meeting wasn’t her concern.“I’ll absolutely connect you to my brother.For sure.”
“Excellent,” she said, grinning.“Family is important, whether it’s found family or biological.I also don’t like certain local papers.”
He laughed.Of course she’d seen the story, the photograph, the way it focused on what it seemed he was doing as opposed to the work behind it.
“I’m not going to lie,” Batya said.“I was actually part of the impetus for this dinner.And you probably figured out that Artur and Liv aren’t coming?”
Jason nodded.“Yeah.Naomi and I were talking about it.”
“They were coming, and then they were going to be late,” Batya continued.“Abe and I talked about it and decided we had too much to talk to the both of you about, and didn’t really want the prying ears around.So, we told them not to worry about it.”
“I’m glad you did,” he said.“Not because I didn’t want to see them, but you know…”
“So that we could have this conversation in peace,” she said with a grin.“And that my husband could have the conversation with…your Naomi that he wanted to have.”
He nodded, understanding some of the words she wasn’t saying.Abe wanted to talk business with Naomi without other ears, including his, intruding.“I suspect your husband will have a few questions for me too?”
Batya smiled.“My husband is fun to work with,” she continued by way of explanation without actually saying anything.“He loves food, loves working with it, and I’m so glad he’s getting that chance more and more now.Or at least he’s getting a chance to learn and organize food the way he wants to.It’s nice to see him not pressured to do one specific thing with it.”
Jason nodded.As he and Naomi, and he and Artur had already discussed, it seemed like by the time the night was over, Abe was going to ask him to help with the catering for Ash and Judith’s wedding.Her words also made a ton of sense once he remembered that there had been rumors of at least three different versions of an Abe Neumann restaurant; none of them had come to fruition.“I think people have this idea that a culinary career is supposed to go in one direction only, you know?Do the thing, find the space, hold the space, find more.”
Batya nodded.“Especially considering, if that’s all you see, that all of the people involved in the food business get or have spaces.Or come from them.”
“I think, though, cooking is also about what you consider thespaceto be,” Jason continued, remembering the things he tried out during the last few months.“Is the space your collection of tools that you carry with you, the pots and pans and the silverware?Your home oven?Your home smoker set?Your beloved baking trays?People forget that those are spaces too.”
“You might be onto something,” Batya said with a grin.“Speaking of being ‘onto something’ and ‘home smoker set,’ can you help me set the table?I think dinner’s going to be ready soon.And I think we’re definitely going to have more to talk about.”
