While travelling in Vietnam earlier this year, I was suddenly hit by a realisation while walking along the streets and trying the various delicacies from every vendor I passed. Almost all of the faces behind the food that was served to me were women of various ages.
Being a foodie and an aspiring travel photographer, I had subconsciously taken the photos of the delicious food that I had set my eyes on with their makers. Being the procrastinator that I am, I left the photos as they were until a photography competition caught my eye. It then inspired me to write about the relationship between women and food and how it transcends all ages and gets passed on from one generation to another. It is about the women who toiled tirelessly preparing food for the hungry masses, and their faces beaming with pride and joy while I hungrily devoured the bowls and plates of various Vietnamese food.
I've decided to share it on this website with more photos added as the competition only allowed five photos to be uploaded for the competition. as a remembrance and tribute to the faces behind our food.
This scene depicts a usual day on the streets of Hoi An and how this lady is integral to the community she serves as people gather around for food and to socialise, while she works hard in the background with the hat obscuring her face.
A young woman works in the sweltering afternoon heat serving up bowls of black sesame paste dessert.
The lady owner of a duck congee store who has refined her skills and earned a healthy stream of customers and allowed her to work in comfort away from the heat, dust and grime of the streets.
The popular Banh Mi Queen as known to her customers, is an expert in her craft and renowned for her crispy baguettes with generous amount of tasty fillings. A legend in her own rights.
This lady works seated on the ground surrounded by her cooking ware with determination to feed the hungry customers with pipping hot delicious food.
A lady works hard at her makeshift store serving customers sat on small stools who have had a long day who are looking for respite in her ice cold desserts.
It is almost like a circle of life, where the art of culinary and feeding the hungry is passed from one generation to the next. Here, a young girl is seen learning the trade under her grandmother's watchful eyes.
