A question from Amy
Hi Frank,
As a loyal New York Times reader I was very excited to read your memoir. I bought it a week ago, needless to say, I devoured it and finished it in less than a week. Growing up Jewish (oh the Jewish mother guilt) I identified with your relationship with food, your family and your mother. Food and family are often intertwined for the Jewish culture. It can almost be an insult if we don't clean our plate twice at big family dinners!
I just wanted to say thank you for writing such a beautiful and honest book. A thank you for letting us into your life. I wanted to wish you best of luck!
Thanks again,
Amy
Brooklyn, NY
P.S. The food section has done a wonderful job covering the new food revolution happening in my neighborhood, Williamsburg!!
Answer:
It's funny how many times people say to me, "Italian and Jewish families are just alike!" I think in terms of food rituals and the currency of food within a family, that's very, very true. And it raises an interesting question: how do you make food that central, that vital, and yet coach and encourage the necessary temperance, for lack of a better word, at the same time? I'm not sure anyone has a great, reliable answer.
