A Taste of Inclusion - A Story by Paula Young from FRA
In the late 1990s, while living in Chile, my husband and I were invited by an English couple, friends of ours, to try an Indian restaurant that they frequented in a hotel in downtown Santiago. At the time, Indian cuisine was completely unfamiliar to us. We didn’t know what to expect, and so we decided to all gather a group to spend the evening together.
We had traveled around South America and explored many regional specialties in Chile, from ceviche, to curanto, and everything in-between. I grew up surrounded by lots of different foods, because my mother was passionate about cooking and loved to explore new things with us as children. Still, this was something entirely new. As soon as we stepped inside, we were transported by the intoxicating, beautiful smells that came from the kitchen. The décor was fabulous. There were wonderful fabrics on the walls and amazing décor that I couldn’t assume was made in Chile. It fascinated both my husband and I to think that everything inside the room had travelled so many miles to get there. It felt as if it was telling us a story, and I was excited to listen to it. Our group had so many people, and we all wanted to try something different to really feel like we had made the most of the experience. When the food arrived, each dish was a celebration of color, flavor, and texture. Every bite introduced us to something new. That evening made me inspired to begin a journey of exploring global cuisines and the cultures, traditions, and histories they represent.
More than 35 years have passed since that evening, but I’ve never forgotten it. It was the moment I began to understand that food is much more than nourishment, it’s a powerful connection between cultures and people. An act of communion. Today, I still seek out new restaurants and cuisines. Indian remains my favorite, but Thai, Italian, and Japanese are also at the top of my list. Traveling the world expands our understanding, but even when we can’t travel, sharing a meal from another culture, whether dining out with friends or cooking something new at home like my mother did, offers a meaningful way to connect. It opens our senses, our minds, and our hearts to new experiences and new people.
Inclusion doesn’t always start with a big gesture. It can start with just a shared table or an open mind. That day helped teach me to always have willingness to try anything and everything new, because anything could be something you didn’t know you loved. That night in Santiago, over a plate of spiced curry, I began to see the world differently. And I’m still learning, one meal at a time.
Business Development Representative, FRA
