The Cross-Cultural Kitchen is a shared experience about connecting through food and identity. Each box invites you to step into someone else’s place setting, explore the objects that shape their culture, and learn through cooking and sharing a meal.
As you cook, eat, and reflect, you’re invited to embody another person’s world — their memories, their flavors, their way of gathering.
After your experience, you’ll pass the ritual on by choosing someone new and creating your own version of the box. Each box adds another story, forming a growing community of shared meals and shared identities.
1. Open the Box
Read the welcome card and take in the objects, textures, and scents of your box.
2. Scan the QR Code
Listen to the audio welcome and playlist as you begin.
3. Choose a Recipe Prompt
Let it guide what you cook.
4. Set Your Table
Use the placemat, banana leaf, plate, cup, and candle to create a thoughtful setting.
5. Eat With Intention
Slow down and enjoy the moment.
6. Reflect
Write in the shared notebook and leave something small for the next person.
7. Pass It On
Choose someone who would enjoy the experience.
In a time when the world can feel divided, the Cross-Cultural Kitchen was created as a gentle reminder of the importance of embracing diversity, honoring our identities, and building community through shared experiences.
Growing up Mexican–Filipino in Los Angeles taught me that identity is rarely simple — it’s layered, hybrid, and constantly evolving. This project creates a space where that complexity is welcomed, celebrated, and shared through food.
By stepping into someone else’s place setting and then creating your own, you help build a community shaped by many cultures, many stories, and many ways of belonging.
