Food Mosaic Project Brings Cultures Together One Bite at a Time

Shannon Kuhn believes that that the way to tolerance and acceptance is through the stomach.

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By Corey Allen-Young
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Story Created: Jun 28, 2011 at 10:47 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 28, 2011 at 10:59 AM AKDT

Anchorage is a diverse community where about 90 different languages are spoken, but how do you bring together so many different groups of people? 

 
Food--or at least that’s one Anchorage woman’s theory. Shannon Kuhn believes that that the way to tolerance and acceptance is through the stomach and, one bite at time, she hopes the Anchorage Food Mosaic Project will do just that. 
 
There's no mistaking what Shannon favorite activity is, as she prepares chicken adobo, a popular Filipino dish.   
 
“You just chop up all the ingredients and simmer them in soy sauce,” she explained. 
 
A lover of the culinary arts, Shannon is taking her passion a step forward by celebrating Anchorage's diverse community through its diverse cuisine. 
 
“Food really brings people together,” she said. 
 
The inspiration for the project came from trying to find something positive out of something negative, when the owner of Asia Garden was accused of discriminating against Samoan males.
 
She said that that particular incident made her rethink discrimination in Anchorage and made her realize that it still exists. 
 
“We have a pocket of the Filipino community, the Korean community, the Samoan community and we really just need to be one community,” Shannon continued. 
 
Through recipes and a sharing of history, the Anchorage Food Mosaic Project hopes to inspire Anchorage residents to become more accepting and tolerant.  
 
Shannon believes food can give people a reason to come together and not only talk, but to celebrate each other’s differences. 
 
Since Shannon has introduced her project, she says it’s been an explosion of learning about food and cultures. Everything from Guatemalan enchiladas to Muktuk, she has tried different eats from at least 25 different countries.
 
“I’m definitely open to people inviting me to eat their food,” said Shannon.
 

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Sighna said on Tuesday, Jun 28 at 11:15 AM

I would have to say Alaskan native's enjoy the most diverse. Korean, Chinese,Japanese,Mexican,Italian, and many many more foods I enjoy. Darn Im hungry.

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