Best of the Spectator Table Talk: Daria Lavelle, author of 'Aftertaste'
May 20, 2025
Daria Lavelle, an author from Kyiv and New York, dives into her novel 'Aftertaste,' blending food with themes of grief and identity. She shares her childhood love for olives and the significance of family cooking traditions, especially dumpling-making during winter. Daria discusses navigating Ukrainian culinary practices in America and the vibrant food culture at Princeton. She also explores how her culinary experiences shape her writing, revealing the powerful connection between food, memory, and storytelling.
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Unique Childhood Food Memories
- Daria Lavelle grew up loving peculiar foods like olives, whole lemons, and sparkling water from her Ukrainian heritage.
- Her parents hosted annual dumpling-making parties, highlighting food's role in family rituals and culture.
Food and Cultural Otherness
- Eating traditional Eastern European food in the U.S. made Daria feel different and highlighted cultural otherness.
- She cherished these foods but struggled with social acceptance among American peers.
Journey to Writing Aftertaste
- Daria persisted through years of rejection in writing and marketing jobs while continuing to write nightly.
- The idea for "Aftertaste" came as a vivid image that she nurtured over years before writing it as her MFA thesis.