Nourishment
"This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive." -Alice Waters
Pure ingredients that are lovingly prepared feed our bodies and souls. At Atelier, our garments are thoughtfully handcrafted from the finest materials--cashmere, silk, cotton--emphasizing the importance of being intentional about what we put on and in our bodies. We recently had the pleasure of taking a cooking class with the inspiring and like-minded Chef JiYoung Park. Based in San Francisco, Chef Park was born in Seoul, Korea, and has been teaching the cuisine of her home country for eighteen years. "In my soul, I try to be a culinary storyteller," she shares. "Korean food is more than just a meal to me but a gateway to culture, society, and community that has made me who I am today."
The evening began with a wonderful welcome cocktail, ladelled into wooden cups, each containing Korean yellow melon syrup Chef ferments in robust glass jars.
Moving to the kitchen to cook, we gathered around the kitchen island, family and friends shoulder to shoulder. After sharing the stories of the menu, Chef Park introduced the origins of the beautiful ingredients; each infused with its own quality of light, water, seed, and soil. One special ingredient was chili, hand-cultivated by her uncle in Korea, which requires transporting in and out of sun several times per day. In Chef's kitchen, even her cooking tools are all natural. These small but meaningful choices elevate the entire cooking experience and make it feel even more mindful and special.
Though Chef Park is a master of her craft, she made cooking a communal gathering of laughter and learning for all skill levels. One culinary connoisseur brought their own, finely sharpened, kitchen knife—which sliced expertly—while another friend, a cooking novice, delighted in pressing floral shapes into carrot slices. Whether chopping tofu or stirring doenjang, it was an process of senses and storytelling.
When it came time to enjoy the fruits of our labor of love, we all took seats at the dining table. Set with elegant simplicity, it showcased the colors and texture of the dishes. Our dear friend Anthony Perliss paired the dishes with beautiful wines from his own label, Mythical.
At the close of dinner, Chef Park presented tea to each guest in a singular china cup from her exquisite collection. It was a moving reminder of the meaning created through art -- connection, comfort, inspiration, and delight -- and of finding time to connect deeply with family and friends. Moments like this, filled with warmth and meaning, create the kind of memories that we carry with us. Whether crafted in kitchen or atelier, simple, beautiful experiences using fewer, finer ingredients lovingly prepared uplift us and elevate our lives. Joy is one of the most powerful forms of nourishment.
