This is the third blog I have started. Unlike my first two, this one will closely follow the adventures and creations that I, Effy Akamian, have and will do this summer and in the years following.
Some important things to note about me; I spent my junior year of high school as an exchange student in Angers, France. This experience was quite possibly the most influential experience I will have in my young life and has taught me many things about being an adult. I refer to my exchange a lot, and I do not intend to do so in a bragging way, but a reference to how my life has been changed and influenced since.
Rapid FAQ:
Yes, I speak French.
Yes, I ate snails.
Yes, I visited Paris,
No, I did not spend my whole year in Paris, doing everything in Paris, seeing the Eiffel Tower every day walking along the Seine with a fluffy dog and glass of wine. In fact, I didn't even visit Paris until the February following my arrival in August. There is a lot more to France than just Paris, And if you stick around to read my blog, you will learn the many things about France that will make you want to pack up and déménage immédiatement.
Firstly, I would like to clarify something: YES, please call me Effy.
There are 333,522 Emily's in the Unites States and I have at least 6 friends with said name. So if you decide that you don't know which one to address me by, despite me introducing myself as Effy, I am here to clarify that that is my preferred name. It's just a nickname. That's it.
Secondly, I would like to explain the purpose of this blog.
I have a lot to say. And I mean a lot. This blog is intended to be therapeutic for me as I have struggled with finding stuff to do (and a job...) this summer. I figured the best thing I could do is take advantage of this incredibly painfully boring and extensive downtime. My lovely boyfriend informed me that when I'm bored, angry and upset as I have been these past couple weeks, I should translate that energy into something creative; "Use [these feelings] to your advantage, most works of art were done during great depressions." He is so incredibly right that I felt silly for feeling so sorry for myself. So I have already picked my sketch book back up and continued designing my tattoos and art projects. This blog is sort of a step in the direction of self-medication. I really love to write, especially about the things I love to do.
This blog will be a little bit of everything in my life, but mostly about food. I really like food. Not just eating it, though. Everything about food just makes my heart flutter. Finding the perfect flavor, texture, combination, and complimentary accent makes the gears in my brain work a little faster. The origins and history of each dish, delicacy, and method of cooking goes all the way back to ancient times (I recently learned from my personal hero, David Lebovitz, that fois gras originates from Egypt and was adapted by the French, Who would have known that this classic French appetizer was actually from Africa?). I am determined to know most things about all foods.
My goal in life is to express this passion in my career as much as possible. Although it is difficult and slightly discouraging to aspire for job titles like "food and travel show host" or "well-renowned cuisine blogger", it doesn't hurt to at least have my own personal repertoire with recipes and photos of my most proud dishes. For my fellow foodie friends, I want to reach out to anyone who has any interest in cooking. Whether you are a prep-cook, sous chef, or throw-it-in-the-microwave style cook, I want anyone to be able to read this and feel involved. As Chef Gousteau said in my favorite Disney film Ratatouille (which would quite possible be the inspiration behind my passion for food), "anyone can cook". Therefore, anyone can learn to love to cook (or love to eat, depending on your motivation for cooking).
And just as Gousteau appears in Remy's mind as inspiration when he's down, this blog will pick me back up when I need something to do.
My personal influences are David Lebovitz (http://www.davidlebovitz.com/) and Anthony Bourdain (https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyBourdain). These two men are my Gods of Cooking, I consider their recipe books and novels my personal Bibles. Every word that they write perfectly describes my love for food and it's creation. Seriously, if you've never read anything by a food blogger or traveler, give it a try. They are both as impressive as writers as they are chefs, and have been around the block in the culinary industry (especially Bourain. If you want the real deal on what it's like to be in the restarant biz, The Nasty Bits is a wonderful read)
If you're interested in checking these two men out and all that they do, go have a look at Lebovitz's blog (link above) and his cook books, like My Paris Kitchen. Also check out some of Boudain's series on Netflix and OnDemand. He has starred in and produced several, including Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Mind of a Chef, Parts Unknown, and The Layover. These shows are great for travelers and foodies alike.
(Lebovitz) (Bourdain)
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The last thing that I will mention on this introduction post is my love for literature. Because most of the media and books I consume involved with food are done by incredibly amazing writers, I want my words to be of the same quality, I want to make sure that this blog is correct in crediting people, sources, websites, books, and all information I gather. It is my responsibility as a writer to make sure that my words are mine. So if anyone catches me forgetting to mention something about a quote, link, or anything of the sort, please tell me so I may correct it! I am still learning as writer and am obliged to listen to corrections.
So there you have it. Welcome to Effy and her extravagant life.
Thanks for reading my words. Until next time!
Santé,
Effy
