—My food story August —’24— 51 essence of culinary exploration—it’s not just about flavors on a plate, but about forging connections that span continents and centuries. So, I stood there over a hot stove, united in my love of food with two Kazakh television hosts, the leather brim of my cowboy hat catching the sweat, as I shared my food story. It began in Texas, where I grew up around horses and dreamed of owning a farm. Combining my passion for food with a desire to serve, I pursued a career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a diplomat. Fulfilling my childhood dream, I eventually purchased a farm nestled in the mountains of West Virginia, where we cultivate an orchard and grow apples. I am not so different from the bowl of Apple Chicken Chili I was preparing— seemingly disparate elements coming together to create something uniquely delightful. These decisions in my life define me: a lover of horses, an apple farmer, and by chance, someone deeply connected to a place I now proudly call home—the furthest outpost of American influence, the Republic of Kazakhstan.
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