It’s like a Food Truck Rodeo in here! August 2013 Written for personal blog Copyright ARLADEAN ARNSON

Every day in the kitchen at my office there is a homemade snack or two sitting on the table, tempting the office staff to come and try it. At lunch, the refrigerator opens up to a plethora of sights and smells when the foodies bring out what they made the night before. They made extra so everyone can have a taste!

It has become almost like a Food Truck Rodeo every day! One lady brings a new kind of slaw made from Ramin noodles, cabbage and mandarin oranges. Another brings her husband’s bbq chicken and some fried okra. There is always a new cake, new salad or a new side dish popping up!

One day recently, I didn’t feel much like driving to the local sandwich shop so, as it turns out, my co-workers fed me with a little of this and a little of that! SO TASTY!

If our everyday fare is like the Rodeo, you can imagine what the office parties are like! When a birthday or a promotion or just Hump Day roll around, it is time to break out the family recipes and show off the ol’ chef skills! It is quite the presentation and gastronomic feast!

I wonder if it just us? Or, does this happen in other offices? And, if it is just here in the South or do others around the country do it too?

I bet it is happening everywhere. The economy is still rough for so many of us. And, the popularity of cooking channels along with the trends like the food-as-medicine, farm-to-table, and the fusions of different cuisines from around the world has us all wanting to learn more. It seems to be almost a zeitgeist moment.

I do work in a small office with mostly women and a few men. I have noticed that we are making connections through these daily rituals-much like communities did in the days of our great grandparents.

I actually like it. It is comforting slice of peace in the middle of the high-tech filled day.

Pass the pie!