Loading Dock Talks with Chef Preeti Mistry

LIVE: Mom's Banana Bread Pudding w/ Tu David Phu

Aug 15, 2024

Chef Tu David Phu, an Oakland-based chef and author of 'Memory of Taste,' shares his culinary journey influenced by his mother and Vietnamese heritage. He highlights the significance of food as a connection to memory and identity. The discussion touches on food insecurity, advocating for universal school meals, and the challenges surrounding authenticity in cooking. They also dive into sustainability issues in the food industry, emphasizing inclusivity and accountability for marginalized communities while sharing favorite local culinary treasures.

45:26

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Episode guests

Tu David Phu

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Quick takeaways

Chef Tu David Phu emphasizes the profound impact of his mother's resilience through her banana bread pudding, illustrating the deep connection between food and memory.

The podcast advocates for addressing food insecurity and accessibility issues, highlighting the importance of initiatives like universal school meals for all children.

Deep dives

Acknowledge Privilege and Food Insecurity

The discussion begins by recognizing the privileges of those present while shedding light on global issues of suffering, such as food insecurity faced by communities in places like Palestine and Sudan. Chef David Fu shares his personal experiences with food insecurity while growing up in West Oakland, emphasizing its profound impact on his life and career. He stresses the importance of addressing food accessibility and equity, particularly in light of the ongoing struggles many families face, intensified by challenges posed by the pandemic. The conversation also highlights the significance of initiatives like universal school meals, which aim to provide nourishment for all children across the United States.

Intro

2min

Culinary Roots and Resilience

8min

Culinary Identity and Authenticity

17min

Redefining Sustainability in Culinary Practices

13min

Favorites and Local Culinary Gems

2min

Embracing Multiple Identities and Childhood Food Memories

2min

Melodies and Forgiveness in the Kitchen

3min

In this episode, Chef Preeti Mistry talks with Chef Tu David Phu live on the podcast stage at the first-ever Cookbook Fest in Napa, California. Tu is the author of the forthcoming cookbook 'Memory of Taste,' that is a "tribute to the enduring spirit of my matriarchs, the rich heritage of Vietnamese cuisine, food insecurity, and the stories that food can tell."

In this podcast, Tu and Preeti discuss Tu's upbringing in Oakland, the profound influence of his mother, and the deep connection between food and memory. Tu shares the stories behind his mother's banana bread pudding recipe, the impact of food insecurity on his life, and his efforts in advocating for universal school meals. They also delve into the meanings of authenticity in cooking, cultural appropriation, and sustainability within the food industry.

For more from Tu:

Order his book!

His Instagram

His website

His documentary, Bloodline

Subscribe to Preeti's Substack to get behind-the-scenes content, to cook the recipes, and to get extended versions of the interviews.