An Enthusiastic Pitch for Three Sisters Kitchen

Three Sisters Kitchen is an ambitious project to create a space for people to come together to cook, eat, test new recipes, develop new food businesses, teach and learn from each other. It is one part café, one part test kitchen, one part dining room and one part classroom. And, though many have come through with support, input and funding for Three Sisters, Bennett is now largely running the whole operation herself...Just about everyone who hears about the kitchen wants to get involved somehow. from Article in Weekly Alibi

Sarah Haynes, Anzia Bennett

Corn, squash and beans...Three agricultural products that support each other's growth when you plant them together. That concept reflects the mission of Three Sisters Kitchen in Albuquerque.

 
Anzia Bennett, director of the emerging project, was the featured presenter at The Interfaith Hunger Coalition's bimonthly meeting in January. 

Rather than post a recap of her  comments to our group of about 20 people gathered at First Presbyterian Church on January 23, I will include a couple of excerpts and a link to her terrific interview with Robin Babb of the Weekly Alibi.

"As she walks me through the soon-to-be under-construction space at 109 Gold Avenue SW, Bennett’s enthusiasm for the possibilities of Three Sisters is obvious—despite the dozens of times, I suspect, she’s given this same pitch to others. Her unflagging energy, no doubt, has come in handy during the long process of planning and executing the project."

She hopes to have a soft opening for the space sometime in the spring or early summer of this year, but acknowledges that progress has been a lot slower than she wanted. “I wanted to open last year,” she says, “but between planning, permitting and finding funds for all the kitchen equipment and staff …” she winces. It’s not an uncommon predicament for many business owners in Albuquerque, nonprofit or otherwise.

Bennett welcomes financial donations from individuals and foundations to the project, particularly to acquire the expensive kitchen equipment needed for the test kitchen. However,  one thing she really wants is cookbooks (as well as lightly used aprons, dishes, and cooking tools).  If you would like to donate one of these items or host a fundraiser, send an e-mail message to Anzia Bennett (anzia@threesisterskitchen.org).

Roberta Montoya and Joy Dinaro

Bread and Blessings Project
Bennett's presentation was a perfect complement to an earlier mini presentation from Roberta Montoya, who manages the Bread and Blessings project at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Albuquerque. '

The Interfaith Hunger Coalition has begun a new feature at our monthly meetings, which is to showcase the work of one of our endorsing congregations.

Montoya gave a great history of how the community came together to help create the project, including donations of services and expensive equipment needed to set up a special kitchen for Bread and Blessings. Through the project, the parish and volunteers from various faith communities around Albuquerque offer a restaurant-style meal every Sunday afternoon. While most of the clients are members of the homeless community, low-income working families and individuals are often among those who are served. The main entre is often pasta, but desserts appear to be a favorite. "The clients like sugar," noted Montoya.