Food Foray

Director/ Editor, Docuseries

Food Foray takes us on a food journey through east Portland and Gresham. Imagine Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown but at local grocery stores with a host named Jessica. Together, we explore different cultures through the eyes of an immigrant foodie, as we wander through the aisles of local international grocery stores, cook a unique meal and sit around the table with friends and family. The first three episodes (runtime 20 minutes each) explore cuisines from the Republic of Georgia, Oaxaca Mexico and Myanmar.

Press

The Oregonian

‘Food Foray’ screening Saturday highlights East Multnomah County’s diverse food, culture

Food Foray Interview on KGW

Food Foray: A culinary journey through East Multnomah County

Portland Tribune Article

‘Food Foray’ docuseries explores global dishes in our own backyard

Bridgetown Bites Article

“Food and Culture in East County”

Food Foray Audio Story on XRAY.fm

Press Kit

“Food is a critical memory bank, a salve for the ache of homesickness, an avenue to preserve culture that could easily be forgotten; it is a point that Food Foray evocatively told across three spectrums.”

Episode Guide

Episode 1 - Republic of Georgia

Our host, Jessica, meets Nino, a native of the Republic of Georgia, at Babushka Russian Deli & Bakery. They walk the aisles of the store and explore the secret bakery in the back while shopping for ingredients to make Khachapurri, a Georgian cheese bread. She cooks and eats a Georgian feast with Nino and her mom, while discussing the joy and discomfort of being caught between two cultures.

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Episode 2 - Oaxaca, Mexico

Jessica arrives at Supermercado Mexico, a Mexican superstore where she meets Amalia, who is a food cart owner from Oaxaca, Mexico. They shop for unique ingredients for three traditional Oaxacan dishes: tetelas de frijol, gauje salsa and cactus salad. Together they cook and eat with Amalia's daughter, Jasmine, as they discuss what home means to different generations of immigrants.

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Episode 3 - Myanmar

Jessica meets Stephen, a young father who moved to Gresham from Myanmar by way of Singapore only one year ago. He gives Jessica a tour of Mingala Market where they buy speciality Burmese groceries before cooking and dining with his friends and family at the family apartment. They discuss love, belonging and the deep-seated racism present in Myanmar’s society.

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"The beauty of living here is you can go to all different types of supermarkets. I think food just acts as a glue in bringing the community together and it's something that we can connect on even if there's a language barrier or cultural barrier"

— Nino, Episode 1: Georgia