At Vienneau’s dinner party and book signing hosted by Nashville Farmers Market on the third Thursday of June, there was not one can of cream of mushroom soup, congealed salad or chow mien noodle to be found. You never know the conditions of the kitchen in which the covered dishes have been prepared, nor can you always trust the hands that have held the serving spoon before you. Historically, I have not been a fan of potlucks.

Trust Nancy when she says, “This is not your grandma’s potluck.” It highlights the food loving community she and co-hostess, Gigi Gaskins, has nurtured. Third Thursday Community Potluck Cookbook is a labor of love. I am proud for my friend, as her first book has just been published. Nancy can be found in their kitchen most Fridays cooking alongside Chef Mark Rubin. The picture I chose to lead this story is one of Nancy prepping Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee’s horderves (strawberries with goat cheese and balsamic glaze) at Tennessee Flavors 2014. Since that early April evening, Nancy and I have shared resources and have enjoyed events that our beloved food community offers.

She was putting the finishing touches on her spring salad. The team was to keep in mind the $4 food budget that people living on SNAP benefits face daily while preparing a feast for over 100 people.Īround the corner Nancy came, wielding a fresh stalks of asparagus and wearing the most radiant smile. Jennifer Justus was food/culture writer at The Tennesseean at the time, so she organized the event. We were among a community of chefs, food writers and activists gathered to promote “A Place at The Table” in Nashville. It was the spring of 2013 when Nancy Vienneau and I first met.

Gigi gaskins