Bon Appetit
March 26th, 2025
Photo: Zoe Romeu
Writer: Hailey Brandt
Editor: Tessa Tacoma
Spending time together for a meal, a coffee or a sweet treat was never about what was on the menu, it was about carving time out to truly connect and enjoy a special moment with the people who matter most.
In sixth grade, I declared that I wanted to be a chef and the most reasonable course of action was to learn French. Although my career aspirations have changed many times since then, I have taken French classes for the past 9 years, just finishing in December of 2024. When my family and I visited Paris during winter break, to much surprise, the aspect of the trip I was most excited about was not using my grammar and vocabulary skills gained from the past decade. Instead, I was looking forward to immersing myself in the history of the city, window-shopping in the luxury stores of The Champs-Élysées, and trying the iconic foods and desserts the city has to offer.
Although these pastries were out of this world, the most memorable part of these sweet treats was every detail other than the taste. During this trip, we adventured through Paris while on a dessert and pastry food tour, watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle as we waited for the TikTok famous hot chocolate from Carette, and as our last stop of the trip, stumbled upon a crêpe window in a neighborhood we had yet to explore. While it is true I will never look at an American croissant the same, what I took away from all of these moments was the slower pace of life that led us to each bakery.
On the first day of the trip, I received a strange look from a barista when I asked for a to-go coffee cup, but now I completely understand his confusion. Taking a moment to truly rejuvenate, enjoy my dessert, people watching, and simply being in the moment was the best culture shock I could have ever imagined. It is an oddity to see city-goers walking the streets with coffee and pastries in hand. Arguably, the sweetest part of these delicacies is being with the ones you love.
In my nutrition class, we discussed how the Mediterranean diet is not only incredibly healthy because of the plethora of vegetables and lean proteins, but those who follow this diet also prioritize eating these meals with loved ones. Although not all meals in my sorority house can live up to the standards of this diet, meals eaten together with my friends are filled with silly conversations, booming laughter, and total joy. Taking this time daily to pause all stress-inducing activities, assignments, and other responsibilities to truly just be together and enjoy each other’s presence is better than any meal could ever be.
During this trip, I created irreplaceable memories with my favorite people, witnessed legendary pieces of history, and captured awesome Instagram content. The best thing I was able to bring back with me (spoiler alert: not my haul from the infamous French pharmacy) was my newfound appreciation of sharing meals. Spending time together for a meal, a coffee or a sweet treat was never about what was on the menu, it was about carving time out to truly connect and enjoy a special moment with the people who matter most.
