I grew up with the words: “In all things, give thanks.” (1 Thess 5:18)

Doing that hasn’t always been easy, but the words ring true nonetheless. As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., and celebration season globally, things still feel weird, but we charge on toward a sense of normalcy. Normalcy that at times can be found in a pan of mac and cheese, a roasted bird, mom’s butter rolls and in our house, a giant pot of Ghanaian jollof and a spirited game of Uno. 

I was recently reminded of the soul-warming qualities of food when we co-hosted an intimate dinner with the Japanese ambassador to the United States and 40 chefs. We gathered to celebrate wagyu, but watching all of our guests relax, smile and enjoy the company as much as the food—during some of the most difficult times the industry has ever faced—was priceless.

In this issue of Luxeicon, we chat with the incomparable Alexander Smalls about his seemingly lifelong journey to shine a light on the culinary wonders of the African diaspora, currently on display in Dubai at Expo 2020. 

We head over to Los Angeles next, where the Gucci gang will assemble to toast the 100th anniversary of the brand, and we look to none other than the man who literally feeds Hollywood, Wolfgang Puck, to tell us how to do L.A. right.

So while it is at times tempting to hide away in the metaverse (I mean… Balenciaga, Gucci and it now seems Facebook are there…) the treasures of real life still abound (you’ll find chef Tim Ma folding dumplings with his family on Black Friday in our Thanksgiving story). And no matter the shape or form of our worlds, we remain grateful.

My best,

Aba

President, TAA PR