monika wührer

Soup Kitchen

Open Source
December 2008/09, Daily 6-8pm
NY, Park Slope

December 2008/December 2009 was about Cooking, Eating, Sharing, CelebratingÉ
Dinner was served from 6-8pm

The "soup kitchen" is a brilliant idea by gallery owners Monika Wuhrer and Gary Baldwin. Each night in December, a different person signs up to cook a meal for approximately 15 -20 people to be served between 6 and 8pm every night in December until the 24th. Kind of like an advent calendar of food. Most of the dishes are a one-pot mealÐeither a soup or stew which can be served in bowls with bread on the side.
Mostly, people from the neighborhood or artist or musician friends sign up to cook, but occasionally there is the new person who sees the sign up sheet and is up for a challenge. The people who come vary from working class people to self-employed artists and occasionally a neighborhood person who is down on their luck or simply hungry.
This is my second year participating in the soup kitchen. The first year, I was uncomfortable with the concept. I didn't like not knowing what would be served or worse, what time food would be ready. I missed the comfort and control of cooking in my own kitchen and making my favorite dishes. This year, however, I find myself looking forward to the time I can go over, and talking with whoever happens to be there. My daughter is free to run around with the other children and play while the adults "play" with the other adults talking and sharing a glass of wine. Sometimes, the chef will incorporate an artistic element to the evening, either displaying photographs on the stark, white gallery walls or reading a monologue from a play he or she has written.
Sometimes the conversation flows easily and sometimes not, but the food is nearly always tasty (it's new York after allÐwe have standards!). I only wish that I knew what to do in January.
- Lily White

This is outr text we sent out:
"It's time for the 2nd annual open source soup kitchen so if you want to participate, please reserve a date. We are looking for artists, cooks, friends and neighbors to join us for SOUP KITCHEN, where for as many days as we have volunteers, we will be offering a "one-pot meal" to all on a first-come, first-served basis. Unique dishes from any ethnic tradition are more than welcome. We will provide cookware, utensils and help with logistics. We ask that you supply the love. LET'S EAT!!!"