PORTFOLIO
While interconnected, my work broadly fits into the four boxes of “education”, “art”, “events”, and “consulting”. In each box ‘Cake & Conversation’ are fused to create learning, strategic action, and joy for social change.
I look forward to helping you create the “Cake & Conversation” experience that is right for you, your group or your organization.
EDUCATION
Food is a basic need, a social glue, and a gateway to everything that can be learned about the world. From art to culture to science to well-being: food – and cake specifically – can unlock the troubles and wonders of human existence and open up the way for learning. I have created educational experiences for a variety of academic and community audiences, including academics, teachers, college students, high school students, college students, and practitioners.
I offer workshops and lectures on a variety of topics around food and social justice and am more than happy to be part of a panel discussion or community event.
SOCIAL STUDIES: A PIECE OF CAKE
Class taught at Paladin Career and Technical High School (School year 2019/2020)
Cake is the perfect medium to get students excited about social studies. By investigating its main ingredients – flour, sugar, butter, and eggs – a lot can be learned about history, civics, economics, and geography.
This month-long class was designed to integrate thinking and baking skills. One week was devoted to each ingredient which – after four days of learning about the ingredient – was highlighted in a compare-and-contrast baking session and taste test.
COOK, EAT, AND THINK. BUILDING COMMUNITY AND LEARNING THROUGH FOOD
Presentation given at the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs (MAAP) Annual Conference in Duluth (2020)
Food is not only a basic need and a great relationship and community builder. While cooking and eating are great ways to build connection and trust, food also is a great medium to make content area learning such as science, social studies, and even math relevant to students. The presentation highlighted ways in which food can be leveraged to not only promote social emotional learning but also promote the acquisition of academic knowledge.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMMING
Nobel Peace Prize Forum at Augsburg University (2018)
Co-planned and organized a field trip, workshop, and panel discussion on the relationship of food and peacemaking.
Aeroponics vs. Regenerative Agriculture?: Pre-Forum field trip to “Living Greens Farm” (Faribault) and “Mainstreet Project” (Northfield)
“The New Green Revolution”: Day-long workshop devoted to exploring various ways of promoting sustainable agriculture in the face of a growing world population, climate change, and rapid urbanization.
“Farmers as Peacemakers”: Panel discussion with Meg Moynihan (Minnesota Department of Agriculture), Precious Phiri (Africa Centre for Holistic Management) and Jason Amundsen (Locally Laid)
ART
My cake, food, and wor(l)d art are meant to be aesthetic, sensual, and joyful but don’t shy away from being clever, bold, and taking a stance for justice and love. While made for personal delight, art naturally flows into my educational experiences as well as into the event and consulting services I provide.
A selection of my art creations will be for sale shortly. Also, I am happy to create a piece of food or word art for your organization, for a personal occasion such as birthdays or weddings or just for you.
FAKE CAKE MUSINGS
Since 2018, the miniature black forest fake cake has audaciously explored nature, cityscapes, words, surfaces, patterns, shapes, and other curiosities, creating joy, wonder, and awareness for everyday beauties and things that matter but too often go unseen.
Here’s a selection of fake cake adventures in food and life.
VALUE FOOD ART OF THE MONTH
Art Project developed at Paladin Career and Technical High School (School year 2019/2020)
Values are important guiding principles for both individuals and societies. The purpose of the “Value Food Art of the Month” series was to artistically reflect on the monthly school value and make it come to life for students through two basic human needs: words and food.
BREAD ART
Designed for the Laune Bread Fund
A small initiative supported by members, friends, strangers and community of Laune Bread which has turned into a bread fund that helps anyone in need of a little bread love in Minneapolis. Through the Laune Bread Fund over 900 loaves of bread love have been donated to community members since March 2020.
EVENTS
Food – and cake specifically – has a unique potential to bring people together. Sharing food opens the door to sharing stories, and stories have the potential to change people’s perspectives and ideas about what they see, think, and hold to be true.
I have organized and hosted a variety of communal eating experiences and would be delighted to support you in planning a food-centered experience that will create culinary delight, community, and learning.
PEACE MEAL
Event co-planned and co-organized for the Nobel Peace Prize Forum at Augsburg University (2018)
The Peace Meal was an outdoor communal dinner experience which celebrated community and honored the work of peacemakers around the world during the 30th Nobel Peace Prize Forum – “The Paradox of Peace”.
TRANSATLANTIC EDUCATIONAL TRIPS
Organized by Betaseed Germany and Betaseed USA (2017)
Provided interpreting and intercultural services during two multi-day trips of delegations of German sugar beet grower’s associations visiting Minnesota’s and North Dakota’s largest beet growing regions and sugar production facilities.
CAKE & CONVERSATION
Private Events
“Cake & Conversation” events pursue the goal to bring people together and create a space in which cakes help bake conversation and connection for social change.
CONSULTING
Enacting social change both big and small requires having a detailed understanding of a problem and an honest deliberation about strategies and actions that promise long-term success.
Being versed in both the academic and practical discussions around food and its connection to social justice and sustainability, I am happy to assist your group or organization with strategic planning and organizational development.
I also offer networking, skill and confidence coaching for individuals who want to find their place in food and social justice related work.
GANDHI MAHAL RESTAURANT
2017
Consulting for the development and implementation a food waste and sustainability strategy for Gandhi Mahal’s catering business.
OPEN FEASTS
TWIN CITIES FOOD WASTE PREVENTION COALITION, 2017-2019
Strategic planning, development of education strategy and materials as well as event participation at Open Feasts events during ‘Open Streets Minneapolis’.
FROGTOWN GREEN
2021
Grant consulting for Frogtown Green’s food waste reduction effort.