a conversation with Hillel Echo-Hawk
Key Takeaways From This Episode:
An introduction to Hillel and her work as a chef and food educator.
Hillel's transition from missionary work into the culinary world.
The organic move that Hillel made into the education space around food.
America's indigenous foods and their inextricable place in the history of the region and its people.
Hillel's early experiences of cooking at home and the first things she learned to make.
The mission to broaden knowledge that Hillel discovered in her years at culinary school.
The important steps that Hillel took in linking with I-Collective and building Birch Basket.
A massive disruption in the form of the pandemic and how Hillel has managed this.
How epilepsy has affected Hillel's work and the hurdle of medical conditions for chefs.
What Hillel's professional life looks like right now under these unusual circumstances.
The projects and organizations that Hillel is working with and championing right now.
Hillel Echo-Hawk is a chef and educator, who is dedicated to creating more awareness about indigenous American food traditions, with a specific focus on those of the Pawnee Nation. She runs Birch Basket, a catering company based in Seattle, creating delicious food using healthy, sustainable, beautiful ingredients, indigenous to North America. Like so many of us, Hillel has had an interesting and challenging journey through cuisine and we get to hear all about it in today's episode. Hillel charts her work as a young missionary, and how she enrolled at culinary school after being forced to move back home. We also talk about food in her home growing up, and the early experiences with her mother that shaped her understanding of cooking, before we discuss the important aspects of indigenous American cooking that interest Hillel the most. The conversation also covers some thoughts on culinary education, its gaps, and why it is important for people to speak up to shift the conversation away from outdated models. The last part of this illuminating episode is spent discussing life since the pandemic, adapting to uncertainty, and Hillel's challenges with epilepsy. Make sure to join us today, to hear it all!
