Think about your favorite food. Now think about how it's made, all the sweet savory ingredients and hard work that goes into making something so delicious. This is Epis, a seasoning base used in my family. We use it in almost everything we make. It helps to not only make our dishes taste amazing but also keeps us connected to our culture. My grandmother taught my mom how to make it and she passed it down to me. Although it can be made in a blender my mom makes it in a  mortar and pestle. I remember when I was younger and my mom would call me over while she was in the kitchen and I would have to sit and mash up all the ingredients together. Not only would my arms be hurting but also my eyes burning from the garlic. Back then I didn't understand the importance of those little moments but now I want to learn more about my culture and i'm more interested in the stories behind the things we eat.   Since  I am learning to cook this is one of the first things I learned to make because it's sort of like the secret recipe as to why everything always tastes so good.Food is important to my family because it brings us all together, especially in the kitchen where my family and I can bond and pass down stories talk, and catch up while doing something we enjoy. Cooking is how we show love and how we keep the memories of our ancestors alive.

– Samirah Rouzier

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