Twice Nourished Meal No. 6

Twice Nourished is a collaborative event series in Chicago built around women, food, and community. Co-founders Mandy Lancia and Chelsea Chandler created this series as a way for women to connect with one another while showcasing their skills, talents, and passions. Through bi-monthly gatherings, they bring together a group of 10-12 new faces to create a meal together.

In January we had the pleasure of attending and documenting meal six in the Twice Nourished  series. You can read all about this project through our interview with Mandy and Chelsea in Issue 12.

Meal Six Collaborators:
Mandy Lancia of The Glossary — Co-host & social media
Chelsea Chandler of Lady January Studio — Co-host & menu design
Kristin Alexander — Chef
McKenzie Hanson — Photographer
Leah Fithian of Driftless — Gift & video
Anna Powell Denton of Driftless — Gift & video
Allison Warren of Modern Plum — Textiles
Chiyo Takemoto of Coquetel Spirits Co. — Cocktails
Danielle Tubbs of Tubby’s Taste — Dessert
Erica Carpenter of Caroline & Clay — Ceramics
Monica Cano of M. Liliano — Activity
Tara Guenther of Taxaflora — Florals

Photos by McKenzie Hanson

With Food + Love Pop-Up Dinner Series

interview by Leah Fithian and Anna Powell Teeter of Driftless Magazine
with Sherrie Castellano of With Food + Love
winter photographs by Amanda Paa of Heartbeet Kitchen
spring photographs by Meghan Izaguirre

How did you get the word out about the pop-up?
The food community in St. Louis is really engaged and supportive, and the concept has been warmly received mainly through my blog and social media.

What was your inspiration for the menu?
I plan my menu exclusively around what is available to me. I work with some wonderful farmers and I utilize whatever they have growing or whatever they have foraged.

Why do you feel it's important to gather people around the table to share a meal together?
I have a deep desire to care for others through food. It is truly my love language. These meals are a great reminder that slowing down and enjoying unplugged time with others is still very much alive and well.

Where you live and what do you do?
I live in Saint Louis, Missouri. I am the content creator behind my blog, With Food + Love. I am a pop-up chef. And I'm the director of marketing for Big Heart Tea Co. — a badass women run, ethically sourced herbal tea company.

When did you first begin the pop-up dinner series?
May 2016. Since then I've held them about every two months. More information here! The next one is our Early Summer dinner on June 10th. 

How many people are typically invited and involved?
My pop-up dinners are open to everyone. It is an all inclusive event. No invitations, no special lists, anyone can attend. But there is a limited amount of seats available (about 24 per dinner).

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WINTER DINNER — January 22, 2017

Polenta
braggadocio polenta, sweet dumpling squash, black pepper turnip ragù

The Last Hour
bitter cacao nibs, wild elderberry syrup, aeries port, pinckney bend vodka

Mousse Me
bissinger’s dark chocolate, caramel, hibiscus, blood oranges - recipe here!

Pears + Pine
pear shrub, wild pine syrup, pinckney bend gin

Bowl of Winter Whites + Seeds
fennel, cauliflower, white beans, yogurt, seed loaf

Salad – From The Earth
beets, baetje farms coeur de la crème, oregano vinegar, wild chamomile greens

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FOREVER SPRING DINNER — April 13, 2017

Plucked, Spring Mix Salad
pea shoots, spring greens, petite radish, herbs, johnny jump-ups, wild violet vinegar

Brewed, Oolong Broth Stew
forever spring oolong, asparagus, potatoes, carrots, crispy lentils

Sorrel Sour
sorrel syrup, parsley, 360 vodka

Churned, Golden Affogato
vanilla ice cream, sunshine dust, salty cacao nibs

Brings May Flowers
hibiscus, wild violet, rose lavender, lilac bitters,
lion’s tooth dandelion liqueur, 360 vodka

Pulled, Green Garlic Soup
green garlic, tokyo long whites, spinach,hemp seed dukkah

Foraged, Ramp Tartine
ramps, white beans, union loafer baguette, flory’s truckle