The Nosh #5: Return of The Nosh!
We're SO back! Jessie is thinking about love, and how to find it. Alexis is thinking about what makes a great TV show in 2024.
The Nosh back! Pumpkin spice lattes have snuck back on to every cafe menu while summer takes her last gasps. So much has happened since we last noshed with you: The 2024 Olympics lifted our spirits then ended by plummeting us back to earth on the back of a skydiving Tom Cruise. Biden is out, Harris and Walz are trying to meme their way into office, all the girlies started carrying handheld fans and dressing like a mix of Cowboy Carter and Chappell Roan…..what a time to be alive!
And so much is happening in our personal lives as well, here’s what we’ve been up to:
Jessie:
I officially transitioned from my current 9-5 to pursue more creative, community-based food work here in New York. It's a fun, scary and exciting time. So far, I hosted a speed dating cooking class (more on that below), swam in the ocean more times than I can count, catered some rooftop pride parties and continued to do some food writing and foodie dreaming. I also had my background acting debut (why yes, that is me, person #3 in “ a group of friends walking by”), Also–I set up my new website (let’s connect!)
Alexis:
I’m getting ready to start the second year of my Masters in Film and Media Studies at CUNY and I’m wrapping the first draft of my first TV Pilot! In work news, I am freelancing as a Managing Producer for Design Observer and am on the lookout for more production and writing work (if you know anyone who’s looking!). Right now, I’m enjoying the last of the summer doldrums, resting my instrument (my brain) and avoiding my laptop.
We're making a few changes to the Nosh’s format: We will keep our fun intros with tidbits of what's on our minds, followed by announcements for events we are hosting or work we are releasing.. Then, we will each contribute a lil something relevant to our respective mindscapes, but will keep it short ‘n cute on our newsletter with the full length text available on our respective websites. Just like before, each issue will close with links to our favorite recipes, media recommendations, and things to get involved with.
Today’s Menu:
Jessie is thinking about love, and how to find it. Alexis is thinking about what makes a great TV show in 2024.
From Jessie:
The best people are food people. And when it comes to dating, I am convinced the only people worth dating are the ones who like to eat. To this effect, this summer I held my very own cooking class speed dating event. As Jennifer Lopez once said (in the 2000’s classic The Wedding Planner) those who can’t wed, plan. As someone who threw in the dating towel for the summer, those who don’t date …meddle? Read on to see how the dating event went and to learn how to make the luscious Ricotta Gnocchi I made with the cute hopefuls who came.
From Alexis:
As we all know, there is a deluge of content but only a small percentage of it is good. And I’m finding that what I consider to be quality TV now is very different from what I considered “quality” TV even a few years ago. I’m not sure if I chalk that solely up to my entry into the academy, or if I have just evolved as a person and a viewer. Anyhoo, I thought through some criteria of what I think makes a “good” TV show in the summer of 2024. To me, a “good” (i.e. watchable, interesting, quality) show:
Realistically integrates a variety of identities into its cast, without either completely ignoring said identity or making it the only interesting thing about a character
Is creative in form, structure and storytelling
Is responsive to the times and context within which it was made in a unique and entertaining way
Read on to see which shows I think are worth Noshing on…
The Nosh Recommends:
For your Labor Day Weekend:
You Watch: The cinematic marvel Jurassic Park, which, like Jeff Goldblum, stands the test of time.
Thelma, an endlessly fun story of a 93 year old June Squibb teaming up with Richard Roundtree (in his last role) to get revenge on a scammer. And Sing Sing a beautiful film set in a prison that resists every single prison movie stereotype- plus it stars Colman Domingo alongside current and former prisoner, all of whom participated in a unique profit sharing model that will hopefully shift the Hollywood paradigm.
You Read: Meeting in Positano: two Italian ladies develop a sapphic relationship throughout the 1950s on the Amalfi coast- delicious!
You Listen: Our Summer Playlist and Bab L’ Bluz, an incredible Moroccan-French rock band formed in Marrakesh that tore down the BRIC summer stage in Brooklyn.
You Snack On: These cold soba noodles from one of Jessie's favorite cooking blogs and one of our favorite snacks to bring to the beach.
To close, an ode a la mode:
By Alexis:
To (almost) every single woman who competed in the Olympics Paris 2024 Olympics:
Like are you kidding? These women? They are not of this earth. We do not deserve!
A few moments that will remain burned in our memory in perpetuity: Simone Biles Simone Biles-ing (especially the image of her and Jordan Chiles bowing to Rebeca Andrade. Justice for Jordan!), Sydney McLaughlin-Lavrone having literally no competition in beating HER OWN world record in the 400m hurdles, Imane Khelif saying fuck you to the haters, Kaylia Nemour saying fuck you to France, Julien Alfred winning St. Lucia’s first ever medal in the 100m dash, the dominance of our favorite WNBA ladies on the world stage, the US Women’s soccer team regaining their title after back to back games, and the images of every single track and field competitor being insanely, unfathomably hot.
These were our favorite Olympics in living memory, and we will be watching the highlights until at least 2025.
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