Reaching across the table
A new Web site that a pair of Spokane innovators created is an electronic variation of the dinner club that takes users on a gastronomic and cultural tour of the globe. MyHATT, an abbreviation for My Hands Across The Table, offers menus that include ethnic recipes, ideas for putting together international dinner parties, children’s games and puzzles, feature stories, a wine section and virtual tours for armchair travelers.
Debuting in January, MyHATT is the creation of Jeff Gustafson, a professional in media production, and Arlene Hawkinson, an educator. Gustafson’s interest in other cultures was sparked while he was a teen, when his family hosted an Indonesian at their home for more than a year. The relationship fueled a fire in Gustafson to bring awareness of cultural differences to anyone who would hear him.
“We don’t know what we don’t know, and through MyHATT, we want to teach about cultures,” he said.
Hawkinson brought her passion for cooking and recipes and her experience as an educator of children. Each month the Web site showcases a different country, offering recipes and the dinner party ideas to go with them. Tempting the palate in Kenya, for example, may be ugali with Kenyan greens, avocado and papaya salad, Kenyan curried cabbage, pilau, and for dessert, brandy snaps and chai tea.
Gustafson and Hawkinson have researched each country carefully to offer an authentic cultural experience online. They have sought input from people who have lived in the featured countries or currently reside there.
Countries showcased so far include Guatemala, Kenya, France and Holland. Words in various languages are offered for the adventurous to hear and try.
“The Old Winer,” aka Erv Collingridge, is a knowledgeable, self-taught connoisseur who has traveled and lived in other countries. His warm sense of humor draws you in while you learn about wine with a very down-to-earth perspective.
Chef Milan lives in the children’s pages of MyHATT. Created by local artist Missie McConnell, 16, Chef Milan is a cute little raccoon with a chef’s hat who teaches children kitchen etiquette and how to cook. Who better than a raccoon, a creature known for washing its hands?
Children can read stories about their counterparts in other lands, learn words from those languages, play games and puzzles as well as learn to cook.
The children’s pages are a delightful way to teach youngsters about those different from themselves – yet not so different. All children laugh, feel pain and interpret the world from what they see and hear. But cultures can be barriers, and without understanding cultures, children grow up to be people who don’t understand one another, Hawkinson said.
“We care about that,” said Hawkinson, who holds a degree in children’s education and once was a director of education.
Gustafson said his life has been enriched through MyHATT.
“It’s a whirlwind tour of the world,” he said. “As families get involved and test out the dinners and projects, they might be surprised at all there is to do and share.”