La Cocina & Filling Up

Most people would probably assume the best part about being a food writer is all the decadent eating—and I’m not about to pretend that being treated to 12 opulent courses with wine pairings is anything less than dazzling. But there’s another side to food writing that many people don’t realize: It’s often an opportunity to help people. For instance, I’ll never forget the coffee shop owner who wanted to send me flowers after I wrote about them in the Washington Post. (Of course I declined, for ethical reasons). That was in 2007, but that story made a big difference for her and her husband, and her kindness and gratitude will always stick with me. 

My recent story for Arlington Magazine about the opening of The Cafe by La Cocina VA was equally gratifying, knowing I was helping such a worthy cause. In founder and CEO Paty Funegra’s words, the organization “acts as an ally to unemployed immigrants in this region, mostly women, suffering from domestic abuse, human trafficking and lack of English proficiency; so all those barriers put them in a very challenging situation of not being able to start jobs with a living wage or starting careers.” 

This nonprofit does so much for the community, and I couldn’t help getting that warm, fuzzy feeling when I realized how much my story would help get the word out, which ultimately benefits participants who will learn both front-of-the-house and kitchen skills in the cafe. Not to mention the fact that a revenue source like this will help the organization become more sustainable. 

Embracing stories like these ensure that, for me, food writing remains not just filling—but fulfilling.

Photos by Hilary Schwab Photography