The Cross and the Cleaver: A Little Bit About Rev. Piotr
We are lucky to have the Rev. Piotr write a bi-weekly food column for us. Each week he inspires us with a quirky culinary recipe, while also sharing a bit of his background with us–a story that relates to the recipe he is sharing. From his first recipe of lazanki to his most recent peanut butter and pickle sandwich, we have enjoyed all his articles. But, have you ever wondered where he grew up and where his love of food came from? We did, so we asked him to share a little bit about himself with us, and once again, he did not disappoint!
I was born in the south-central Poland, at the feet, and in the shadows, of the Beskidy mountains. Growing up, I was exposed to both the highland ethnic cuisine and make-do-with-what-you-have meals of the time, affected by the tail-end of communist era.
The concept of sharing food/meals with others is something I have learned at the early age from my mother, Barbara, who used to say that “when we have food – we all eat, when we have no food – none of us eat.”
From the faith perspective, I believe in a possibility of a unique spiritual connection taking place over a meal. I see food as one of the essential elements of the overall Christian story. My two favourite Biblical “food” images are Jesus feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21), and the disciples recognising Jesus in the breaking of the bread in the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). There are many more food stories in our Scripture.
Outside of the faith milieu, I am drawn to the viewpoint of chef Marco Pierre White who said that “cooking is a philosophy” and “we live in the age of refinement, not invention.” The way I see it, there is room for inspiration to take over…. a pinch here and there, something more or less spicy. If you don’t like saffron, don’t use it. Chili and honey are being welcomed but not mandatory. That way of thinking is being alive and well not only in the way I cook but also in the way I “do church.”
In the United Church of Canada, we have four statements of our faith. All meaningful, all rich in imagery and all challenging our presumptions about ourselves and about God. Don’t we have many recipes for the same dish? All of them good yet different, all going back to “they way my grandmother made it” and yet echoing “that’s the way my children like it.” None is more important that the other. As a minister I try to welcome anyone to the communion table I preside over, just as much as my wife Dawn and I, try to welcome anyone to our kitchen table. Regardless of … pretty much anything. I am just as eager to say, “let’s eat,” as I am to say, “let’s pray.”
I see this space afforded me by the Kindersley Social to write for you, as an invitation to vicariously join my wife and I at our kitchen table, where both the food and stories are shared. So, I am grateful to the Kindersley Social editorial team for this opportunity; I thank my wife for giving up her time with me so I can figure out what should we cook next; and I thank each one of you for reading, offering feedback, and I commend you for your courage to try what I suggest
Until we sit at the same table …. With blessings …. Your brother at the kitchen stove … the Rev. Piotr
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