Know you food, know your farmers, and know your kitchen.

Host: The kitchen was alive with the sounds of cooking — the sizzle of ingredients in the pan, the soft clink of knives and cutting boards. Outside, the world was settling into the evening, but inside, everything seemed to be in motion, full of energy and care. Jack stood at the stove, chopping vegetables with precision, while Jeeny stood nearby, arranging the ingredients in neat rows, her focus on each step of the process.

Jeeny: (breaking the rhythm of the room, her voice thoughtful) “You know, Joel Salatin once said, ‘Know your food, know your farmers, and know your kitchen.’”

(She looked up at Jack with a slight smile.) “What do you think he means by that? About knowing where your food comes from, the people who grow it, and the space where it’s prepared?”

Jack: (pausing to look at her, his voice calm but contemplative) “I think it’s about connection. It’s not just about what’s on your plate, but understanding everything that went into it. Knowing your food means knowing the story behind it — where it came from, who grew it, how it was grown, and why it matters. And knowing your kitchen is about being present in the process of preparing it.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her voice steady) “Exactly. It’s a deeper awareness of the journey the food takes — from farm to table. By knowing your farmers, you’re connecting with the source, with the hands that put in the work to provide for you. And when you bring that awareness into your kitchen, it changes the way you approach cooking. It’s not just about recipes. It’s about honoring the ingredients, the people, and the process.”

Jack: (smiling as he continues chopping, his voice light) “It’s a different mindset. We’re so used to seeing food as just something to consume. But when you take the time to understand where it comes from, it changes the way you approach eating and cooking. It’s about respect — for the food, the farmers, and the act of preparing it.”

Jeeny: (gently, her voice full of warmth) “And it makes the act of cooking more meaningful. You’re not just throwing ingredients together. You’re bringing them to life. You’re respecting the effort that went into producing them. When you know the story of your food, it tastes different. You can feel the care in every bite.”

Jack: (nodding, his voice more reflective now) “It’s like everything in life. The more you understand something, the more you can appreciate it. When we take the time to understand our food, the people behind it, and the space where we prepare it, it all becomes part of a bigger picture. It’s a connection to the land, to the people, and to the tradition of cooking.”

Jeeny: (smiling softly) “Exactly. It’s about building a relationship with what you eat. Knowing where it comes from, how it was grown, and who made it possible. And when you bring that knowledge into your kitchen, it transforms the way you cook. It turns each meal into something more than just food.”

Host: The kitchen felt warmer now, filled not just with the aromas of cooking, but with a deeper understanding of the process — the connections that made each ingredient, each dish, meaningful. The conversation between Jack and Jeeny had shifted something in the air, making the simple act of cooking feel like something more. It wasn’t just about putting food on the table; it was about honoring the journey it took to get there.

Jack: (finally looking up from the stove, his voice light but content) “I think I’m starting to get it. It’s not just about cooking. It’s about respecting everything that goes into it — the food, the farmers, and the space we create for the meal.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice full of quiet pride) “Exactly. And when you bring all of that together, the food becomes more than just something to eat. It becomes a story, a celebration, a connection.”

Host: The sizzle of the food continued, the sound now a background hum to the realization that food was never just about sustenance. It was about understanding, connection, and respect for the journey it took to nourish us. And in that quiet moment, as Jack and Jeeny stood together, the kitchen wasn’t just a place to prepare food. It was a space where everything — the farmers, the food, and the people cooking it — came together in a harmonious and meaningful way.