Join us on our Substack, AKA The Foodletter! In this episode, Brooke Eliason sits down with pie artist and cookbook author Stacey Mei Yan Fong, who shares her unique journey of blending baking and storytelling through her cookbook, "50 Pies, 50 States." Stacey discusses her immigrant experience and how she found comfort, identity, and connection by baking a pie inspired by every state in America. Listeners will hear about Stacey's artistic approach to creating state-themed pies, her process of developing meaningful dedications, and the powerful role food plays in creating connection across cultures and generations. Key Takeaways:

• [02:30] Baking as a Form of Expression: Stacey shares how her background as a Singaporean, Indonesian, and Hong Kong native influenced her journey, making pie a symbol of abundance and creativity.
• [07:28] Cultural Comfort Through Food: Parallels between Southern cuisine and Chinese comfort foods reflect Stacey's love of blending diverse culinary traditions.
• [10:35] The Creation of "50 Pies, 50 States": Stacey's project began as a personal journey during a challenging time when she applied for her U.S. green card and sought meaning in her experience through baking.
• [11:53] Dedications and Stories Behind Each Pie: Stacey reveals the heartfelt dedication of each pie in the book, which highlights her friendships and connections with people from each state.
• [19:30] Challenges and Joys of Cookbook Writing: Stacey candidly discusses the rewarding challenges she faced in creating the recipes, such as the culturally complex South Dakota pie inspired by Native American cuisine.
• [21:10] Pie as a Unifying Force: Stacey believes that food can bridge gaps and foster meaningful connections, regardless of differing backgrounds or beliefs.
• [30:16] Tips for the Perfect Pie: Stacey shares practical baking tips, including chilling dough to avoid stress and the importance of using high-fat butter.

Notable Quotes:

• (04:45) "Pie is kind of like the best metaphor for all the possibilities in this country."
• (12:03) "I decided I'm going to make a pie for every state in America."
• (21:38) "Pie is the vehicle to connect to different generations, to different cultures."
• (32:49) "Making a pie should not be one of the things that stress you out."

Resources

• Get a copy of Stacey's newest cookbook, 50 Pies, 50 States
• Visit the official 50 Pies 50 States website
• Follow Stacey on Instagram
• Follow Female Foodie on Instagram