Loquat picking. Salted and Styled (Chia Chong and Libbie Summers)

A Man, His Hands, And a Bag of Oysters

I have this habit of looking at people’s hands like I’m looking for clues. I find they reveal so much more than most people are willing to offer. They tell a story.

As Vincent Hooper hauls 50-pound burlap sacks of oysters, I can’t help but notice that his hands are big—too big for his average size, as if they grew in spite of him. His fingers look swollen and ashy around the joints and cuticles. The skin across the backs of his hands stretch tight, like leather gloves that are too small and worn to offer any real protection.

A Lesson in Geography and Modesty

There’s nothing like a worldly person to remind you you’re not.

When I meet Merveille Kasongo, her body language reads like one of those signs on the back of a semitruck that warn: “Stay back 200 feet.” Her arms remains locked at her sides and without smiling she looks directly at me with big dark eyes lined with lashes so thick I wonder how they could be real. My brassy American sensibilities are, of course, injured.

Lamb and Feta Burgers (sweet pea mint sauce)

Recipe and Styling by Libbie Summers Photography by Chia Chong Wine Pairing by Alyssa Vitrano (Grapefriend) A burger that celebrates Spring! Lamb and Feta Burgers (sweet pea mint sauce) serves 4 Ingredients: […]