On December 17, parents, students, and other members of the Gaynor community gathered in the North Cafeteria to celebrate Nepali culture at Breakfast My Way. The cafeteria was transformed into a refuge of warmth and community, with garlands of prayer flags and marigolds strung on the walls, and plenty of piping hot chai to go around.
Hosts Kieran Hartsough and Barun Mathema, parents of Avi in the Silver Cluster, kicked off the breakfast by sharing some words about their family’s Nepali heritage with the crowd of attendees. Barun shared that although he was born in Kathmandu, his family lived all over the world for much of his life due to his father’s job at UNICEF. He added that despite this, “Nepali food has always been the pillar, the magnet that brings the family together.” Barun’s family is part of the Newar people, a group indigenous to Kathmandu Valley.
Barun also shared that though the theme for the meal attendees would be eating shortly was breakfast, breakfast is not a large meal for Nepali people. With that reasoning in mind, the family chose dishes they thought would be appetizing in the morning, or that might be had for breakfast, though not traditional items. The menu included bara, a lentil pancake, which Barun noted were the biggest ones he’s ever seen! Bara are part of an ensemble of dishes used in a Newar ceremony called sagun, which is held to celebrate happy occasions. During sagun, they include dishes that represent the five elements (fire, air, earth, ether, and water); bara represents the ether, and also good luck. Kieran and Barun noted they felt it would be fitting to share good luck with those who attended the breakfast that morning, with the holiday season fast approaching. Also included at the breakfast were sel roti, dubbed the “Nepali donut,” as well as fried roti, curry, yogurt and honey, and chai.
Kieran spoke about her introduction to Nepali culture by having married into the family, and how struck she was when visiting Nepal for the first time, following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake. She noted that although the country was going through a period of repair, “Food, family, and togetherness were constants, and I fondly remember the many get-togethers of snacks and drinks in the family garden, which felt like a sanctuary amid the chaos.” Kieran emphasized the joy and color in gatherings, and food as a focal point that brings family and friends together for celebrations both big and small.
The duo shared their appreciation for those who were present at the breakfast that day, including their son Avi’s classmates, and members of Green Cluster teacher Tenzin Kelsang’s class. Ms. Kelsang is also of Nepali heritage, and brought her students as an opportunity for them to learn more about her culture. Students flocked to the sel roti and chai, and there were hums of satisfaction as they tasted the different dishes. It was a delicious, satisfying meal to start the morning!
Breakfast My Way is an event sponsored by the Parents’ Association DEI Committee that brings parents together to learn about the breakfast traditions, holidays, and cultures of their fellow Gaynor families. To read more about previous Breakfast My Ways, click here.
