Cooking In Layers
Written by Kate Wildrick, May 2, 2024
With the completion of phase two of the remodel coming to a close in 2023, we began the new year dreaming in what kinds of people we would meet and experiences our space would hold. In creating the Prosperity Private Club, my family and I had a real challenge as to how we would communicate to others what we were doing and invite people to participate. Working in the private space has its obstacles. As a private entity, we invite others to our private property to engage and participate in private events we host. These invitations are not open to the public and therefore, how we share what we are doing matters. We are selective about who we host, what we do and what experiences we wish to curate, as our desire is to connect with others who light up the world with their passions and talents. In doing so, we wish to share what they inspire, as found here on our website, The Blank Space.
The story that I am about to tell you, is one that has deeply moved me and my family. On January 19, I decided that I would humbly share the excitement of reaching a milestone in the remodeling and upgrading of the cafe in one of the local social networking groups that focuses on food. Here, I shared a few pictures as well as my enthusiasm for the intention to create a space to host private events and build community connections. The response from group members was overwhelming. From those who recognized the old building and tagged others in the local area, to many others who eagerly wanted to learn more and/or offer up ideas as to what we could do, the comments rolled in for days. However, in the responses, one person stood out. Her name was Neelam Kanwar. Here, buried deep in the thread of thoughts and questions, she shared that she was a Holistic Ayurvedic Practitioner and Indian Cooking Chef who taught classes. I was immediately drawn to her, as my husband, Aaron, had studied Ayurveda in New Mexico with a famous teacher, Dr. Vascant Lad (BAM&S, MASc) at the Ayurvedic Institute. It was not long before Neelam and I found myself having a powerful and deeply moving conversation on the phone. She shared how she was instantly drawn to what we were doing and felt something very special in what we were creating. The way in which we shared what we were doing compelled her to reach out. As we talked, she then invited me and Aaron to come to dinner where she would prepare a 5 course meal on Valentine’s Day for us. Without any hesitation, I accepted.
Driving to her home that evening, Aaron and I were excited and felt deeply honored that someone would want to do this for us. We were accustomed to opening up our home to others, but with the pandemic it had been years since we had been invited to have dinner in a home outside of our residence. When we arrived, we knocked on the door and it was soon opened by a beautiful woman who stood on the other side smiling brightly. As we stepped inside, we were immediately swept up into a flavorful burst of spices and fragrances that instantly piqued our pallets and minds in wondering what she had cooked up for us. We gathered in her living room and began to share our stories. The tapestries and artwork that was tastefully displayed on the wall transported us to another place and time. Here, we began our journey as new friends and allies in an ever-changing world of possibility and uncertainty.
That evening, she created a powerful experience that ignited a deep call to action through alchemizing the experiences generated by each of our senses. The way in which she shared her story through food was just the first layer I would come to know about this woman. Her uncanny ability to draw out and trace the connections from the milestones of her life and then weave them into the complex tapestry of our world left us marveling at the space she created for the things that were present, but were not being directly touched on. As each course made its way onto the table and eventually into our mouths, we savored what every bite brought. The decadent flavors accompanied by rich connection naturally lulled us off into terrains of discussion we haven’t ventured to for quite some time. None of us wanted that evening to end, as it was something we truly had been yearning for.
From there, we returned home and began to tell others of our incredible experience. Our excitement drew interest. Soon enough, we had enough people to bring her to do her first cooking class at the Prosperity Private Club. Unlike our dinners, this class involved experiencing what she described as is, “cooking in layers.” In witnessing her powerful storytelling, I could not wait to see what she would create with others. As we helped her set up for the class, I watched as she mindfully crafted an altar to Ganesha, and arrange all of her spices, fresh vegetables and ingredients on platters that we would be working with. Soon enough, the space was filled with fresh and fragrant Indian spices.
One by one, our friends arrived. Armed with aprons, cutting boards and knives, we set out on a culinary adventure together. Now, I will not go into all of what we did and covered (as I am certain that there will be those who will read this who will wish to join). However, what I can say, is that we all experienced something truly incredible by being able to taste her creations as she added complexity to her dishes step by step. These “layers” not only stimulated the tastebuds, but naturally ignited the excitement and enthusiasm that each of us took great delight in as we shared with one another. Once again, she had managed to take me to another depth her world through her cooking.
If you are ever lucky enough to attend one of her events, you will naturally feel a powerful connection to this beautiful humanitarian that seeks to bring healing, love and connection to the world through her food and stories. Feeding others healthy, nourishing food is her radical act of rebellion. In exiting out of the corporate world and seeking to create a strong support for her family and grandson, she has asked herself what she can do to make the world a better place. Living in Eugene, OR, we both see the homelessness and drug and alcohol addictions increasing by the day. We often talk about the world that our eight year old son and her five year old grandson will be growing up in. We connect over what we have to offer and can do based on our gifts, talents and passions. It is through this love of what we see is possible that we have decided to come together and see what we can create in this space.
We are very excited to begin to offer her four part cooking series and also help others learn about Ayurveda through additional workshops and classes. We are in the process of scheduling these events and truly look forward to what will unfold as we work and create together. If you are interested in learning more, I highly encourage that you reach out and contact us, as we plan to have both physical and virtual offerings taking place.
