Kitchen Conversations with the Moderator Episode 6: Bulla with Alydia

Kitchen Conversations with the Moderator is a new video series exploring faith, food, and the power of inviting one another to the table, hosted by United Church of Canada Moderator Kimberly Heath. 

Drawing inspiration and recipes from the United Church’s Lenten devotional, Bless Break Share, we’ve broken bread with guests from across the church throughout this Lent, reflecting on how food can nourish both body and soul. We’ve been busy in the kitchen, with pancakes, frittata, Coptic chickpea stew, apple pie, cupcakes, and lemonade all already under our belts. 

For the series’ final episode, baking her grandmother’s recipe for bulla, a Jamaican cookie, is Rev. Dr. Alydia Smith, editor of and contributor to Bless Break Share, as well as a worship leader and educator. From the kitchen of Toronto’s Beach United Church, the conversation explores the story of the book, as well as the true meaning of food justice, and how to welcome those of all cultures to the tables of our communities. 

“Food justice is more than access to food, it’s the ability to have access to the food that you know how to prepare, and the food that’s nourished you and your community.... Even a lot of the things from the food hampers that people get is really based on a Western diet.” —Rev. Dr. Alydia Smith 

We’ve been thrilled to share these conversations with you this Lent, and hope they’ve inspired you to continue reflecting on the deep powers of food and togetherness. While this is the final episode of Kitchen Conversations, keep your eyes out for a special Easter video address from the Moderator next week as Holy Week begins.  

If you haven’t caught up yet, you can watch all six episodes now on our YouTube channel—and be sure to subscribe for more great United Church videos to come. The episodes are also featured on the Kitchen Conversations webpage, where you can download recipe cards for each week’s dish and more delicious recipes from Bless Break Share.    

Bless Break Share, as well as the matching mug and apron you see in this video, are available now at UCRDstore.ca.  

Have a story to share? Send your reflections on food and faith, or a photo of your take on today’s dish, to kitchenconversations@united-church.ca.