Larder in Baltimore

Hello! Allow me to tell you a little bit about a new cafe called the LARDER, opening next Spring in Baltimore, captained by a talented chef who is also my partner. A “larder” was a storehouse-for-food in the long long (super long) period of human history before the ‘age of the refrigerator.’ Helena is fascinated by the history of food preservation across cultures (salting, curing, drying, fermenting et cetera). Asking the questions: What was food like in the days before food was processed, frozen, expedited? Did it taste better? Was it more nutritious? What beautiful flavors are hidden in that history? She is also working with local farmers to find the best ingredients, and in some cases they'll grow crops especially for the LARDER. The LARDER will serve lunch (along with occasional dinners and brunches), host workshops, and sell sundry goods.

And for friends of ours: you might already know that Helena is turning 40(!) this January. This is a great chance to help us celebrate her birthday. If you've already crossed this strange threshold, you'll recall (as I do) how it can have a curious sense of gravity. A half-way-mark of sorts. Most of the time our birthdays (mine is Dec 29th) are eclipsed by the totalizing force of the holidays, Christmahanuka and New Years. This year we could really use your support, as we leap into this intrepid adventure together. As anyone who has a partner with a small business knows, you’re always in-it-together.

Thanks!
—Joseph

*the image above is from a brunch Helena organized at Fox Haven Farms in nearby Jefferson Maryland. See her website for images of this and other projects.