Letter From the Editors

Dear Readers,

Food is energy. Food is the substances that are converted by the body into chemical energy, keeping our muscles moving and our bodies warm. But it’s much more than just that. Not only does food maintain life, but it also embodies it. Cuisine is an art which manifests within it the story of human emotion, expression, and culture. It represents the connections we have with both those around us and across the globe. It represents our simplest yet most sophisticated thoughts, our primal yet deepest emotions, who we are outside of the boundaries of our own lives.

Stepping into the Austin culinary scene, you will embark on an adventure across the plethora of continents, countries, and cultures the world has to offer. From the rich spices of the Valleys of East Asia to the cross-pacific boba craze taking the city by storm, Austin’s culinary scene transcends regional limits. In this magazine, we invite you to embark on a journey of flavors and stories, exploring the vibrant tapestry of Austin’s diverse cuisine. Let us celebrate the beautiful mosaic on the city’s canvas of cultures, and set on the path to discover the real meaning of food, the energy that nourishes not only the body, but our mind and souls.

Bon Appetit!

Paarth Bamb is a 9th grader at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin. He is Indian American and loves Indian foods of all types. He wishes to create a visually appealing addition to our magazine by looking into local food trucks in Austin, which he also enjoys. Outside of grinding pre-cal problems, Paarth enjoys expressing himself by playing the cello and through photography, while staying active by playing tennis. He also participates in debate, CyberPatriot, and other activities when not studying. After graduating, he hopes to be able to attend medical school and become a doctor. Enjoy learning about what this editor enjoys, as you dive into the world of food trucks!

Aditya Ghatty is a 9th grader at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin. He hails from South India and takes great pride in his heritage and culture. He enjoys the Indian crepe-like dosa, which maintains a special place in his heart as it reminds him of his childhood in Mumbai. He hopes to create an informative, yet genuine dive into the roots and cultures (especially cuisine) of the diverse group of people that call Austin home. Outside of cramming for a test next period, Aditya enjoys studying the cultures, religions, and languages of others as it allows him to better understand the people that surround us. He also enjoys coding. After graduating, he hopes to pursue computer science and potentially business and international relations. Don’t miss this editor’s fascinating article on the international stories of Austin!

Justin Shi is a 9th grader at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin. He is of Chinese descent and enjoys the spicy Chinese shuizhuyu, or boiled fish filets, which remind him of his roots. He plans to write an article on boba/milk tea, a Taiwanese drink that has expanded to the entire world, including Austin. He hopes to explore the process of making the sweet and creamy drink that he and many others enjoy, as well as how it has influenced local culture. When not memorizing Middle Eastern mountain ranges, Justin spends his time playing the trumpet and video games as well as swimming competitively. While he does not exactly know what he wishes to do after graduation, he is keeping an open mind to all possibilities. You’ll not regret reading this analysis on this editor’s favorite drink that swept the world, boba!

Krishna Palaniswamy is a 9th grader at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin. Like Paarth and Aditya, he is also Indian. He enjoys a lot of Indian foods, especially the classic staple of curry (which he munches). He wishes to shine a spotlight on the growing South Indian food scene in Austin by reviewing restaurants and their operations. He hopes that his article will be able to expose more people to his own culture and its cuisine. When not figuring out what a CEAT paragraph is, Krishna’s creative side enjoys playing the piano while his athletic side loves to hike and swim. After graduating, Krishna is considering a career in information technology or similar fields. Explore a truly unique cuisine with this editor’s feature article!

Kevin Li is a 9th grader at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin. He is also of Chinese descent and takes pride in his culture’s long history and heritage. His favorite dish is representative of that, the Sichuan specialty laziji, or spicy stir-fried chicken. He is going to create a story examining what real Chinese cuisine looks and tastes like and reviewing local restaurants representative of authenticity. Outside of wondering if a teacher specified MLA or APA, Kevin enjoys playing the trombone to stay creative, as well as researching interesting topics and coding to stay studious. After graduating, he hopes to pursue an education and career in a topic related to computer science, such as cybersecurity. You won’t mistake Americanized Chinese food for authenticity again after this editor’s article!