I stared at these photos for quite some time because they’re such a warm illustration of human diversity and culture. Gabriele Galimberti’s series In Her Kitschen is like a thank you note for all grandmas and such a complex illustration of traditions, social customs (some grandmas are really young, for example) and the table atmosphere in different countries. More than that, for sure we all recognize the comfort of food, and unless your grandma is or was an evil witch, it’s most likely that thinking of her and her food is comforting and brings some nostalgia.

I grew up with my grandma’s food. I had that kind of Balkan-style relationship with my grandparents where I could enter their door any time, no appointment required, and every time they were happy to see me and they feed me. Food was the mark of their love.

When I think of my grandma’s cooking I actually think of her baking. She made so many, I cannot remember one time when she didn’t have a cheese pie or a cherry tart in her closet. I knew her baking and her kitchen by heart, and even though the whole world of that kitchen is gone since grandpa died, I can still recall it in detail.

Check Galimberti’s website for more details and recipes of these dishes. And see his Toy Story project, which I also loved.

Meanwhile, I will post in My Notebook the only photo I have of my grandparents cooking in their kitchen.

Philippines.

Thailand.

Armenia.

Italy.

Haiti.

Cayman Islands.

Lebanon.

Malawi. (and yes, this is caterpillar in tomato sauce).

India.

Zanzibar.

Sweden.

Turkey.

Alaska.

Morocco.

Mexico.

Kenya.

Albania.

Argentina.

Egypt.

Ethiopia.

Georgia.

Norway.

Spain.