Over the past decade and across the United States, Jourdan Abel has used food as a shortcut to connect people, communities, and ideas through talks and dinners with cookbook authors, chefs, and food writers. While at the 92nd Street Y, she started the Kitchen Arts & Letters Series with Matt Sartwell, and in San Francisco, she produces in-store events for Omnivore Books as well as larger off-site lectures and meals. She frequently moderates on-stage conversations and hosts the KALW radio show/podcast Binah. Newly based in Santa Fe, she looks forward to creating community around food in her new home.