For Pitt students, Schenley Plaza beholds the most traditional look of a college campus – an expanding lawn with students sprawled out playing Frisbee, tanning, listening to music, and avoiding homework. Each late spring and early fall, students blanket the grass lawn or hide away from the sun’s rays under the big canopy. Conveniently located aside the lawn remains various food establishments – no generic chains with overpriced, modified food. A little eccentric and primarily upbeat, Schenley houses some great Pittsburgh food – and one place in particular is serving up more than just a kickass meal.
Cocina del Conflicto is a small, square, yellowish building located between two, thin trees with the worn look of chipping white paint. Adjacent to the creepy carousel (that no Pitt student has seen anyone actually ride) resides this Kitchen of Conflict…but what does it mean?
I decided to find out. Approaching the building I was hit with a strong smell of delicious spices. I promptly went to the counter where I met Gabby, a Pitt Anthropology grad with a quirky sense of style and a smile that made you feel welcomed. Upon asking the alum if she could tell me more about the place, she graciously and excitedly explained what it was all about.
Better known around campus as ‘Conflict Kitchen’, this place is kind of like a foodie’s dream – fresh, delicious food dished up in minutes. But what makes it so unique, so original, so Pittsburgh, is not so much the food, but the message behind it.
“Every four months or so we change our menu to focus on various regions. The places and countries we choose are ones in conflict with the United States,” remarked the bubbly worker. She explained that this one-stop-shop for food and political awareness originated when a CMU professor and student sat down to think of what Pittsburgh didn’t already have.
Jumpstarting their success in April, Conflict Kitchen began with Iranian food. In July they switched to Cuban cuisine, and come October they’ll be serving North Korean. Gabby, who was wearing a Van-Gough’s ‘Starry Night’ t-shirt and ladybug earrings (so cute and original, just like the Kitchen itself), ventured to put into words how they perfect the numerous cuisines. “Robert Sayre was the Culinary Director of Salt of The Earth, a renowned restaurant, but he is now here to help with this.” She explained that Sayre, along with the two ingenious owners, recently went to South Korea to understand not only the food better, but also the culture. “They actually talked to North Korean defectors to get a better understanding of who the North Korean people are and what food means to them. They tried lung for the first time, along with traditional dumplings and kimchi…Yeah, I think we’ll definitely be serving up some kimchi in October,” she laughed.
The more Gabby and I talked, the more I began to appreciate not only the smell of the delicious Cuban food surrounding us, but more importantly, the activism that continuously inspires Cocina del Conflicto – a name that changes every time the food does.
I learned that back in April, the workers of the Kitchen asked Iranian people to write a speech that they think President Obama should really make. To add to awareness, they brought in an Obama impersonator to give it (I guess I made the mistake of not going to Schenley that day)! More events and collaborations with Conflict Kitchen will take place in the near future, giving Pitt students and loyal customers a new perspective.
“People who choose to eat here are self-selecting customers. They – like us – want to bring awareness. The real hurdle is getting people who might oppose the conflicting country. Preaching to the choir isn’t going to bring more awareness,” explained Gabby.
Though I am so part of the choir, Gabby is right. Reaching out to those of you who wouldn’t typically think to support a place this friggin’ awesome is the start. So go now. Don’t be scared or biased or think it’s anything other than some really delicious food served by some really inspiring people.
To learn more about Conflict Kitchen and upcoming events/cuisines, visit: http://conflictkitchen.org/ or just go! You live in Oakland, and I promise it’s a lot better than Market.