Minerva Book Review: "Woander: A Minerva Cookbook" by Amos and Cynthia

In our Book Review Series, Nourien, Class of 2025, explores alumni-authored works and interviews the creators. This series aims to encourage the Minerva community to engage with the literary and creative contributions of its members.

Imagine your most cherished meal—the one that reminds you of home, a special trip, or a moment of shared laughter with friends. Food is more than sustenance; it is memory, culture, and connection. This philosophy is at the heart of "Woander: A Minerva Cookbook," a project envisioned and brought to life by Amos and Cynthia, both from the Class of 2025.

The idea for "Woander" was sparked in January 2023 when Amos and Cynthia unexpectedly ran into each other in the Hyderabad residence hall restaurant. They realized they had the same idea: to compile a cookbook that would capture the essence of Minerva’s global experience. “We decided on that very clearly in the beginning,” they recall. With a set graduation date in May 2025, the duo committed to crafting a book that would reflect the diverse culinary traditions of their peers and the stories behind them.

For both Amos and Cynthia, food has been a defining element of their Minerva journey. Amos recalls conducting a survey during his first year in Seoul, where students expressed that tasting local food and engaging in conversations with locals deepened their connection to the city. Meanwhile, Cynthia's “Breakfast 101s” in Taiwan—a weekend tradition where she secured a budget from the Student Life Team to introduce her classmates to Taiwanese breakfast dishes—became a beloved communal experience. “During my very first semester in San Francisco, my roommates and I cooked meals together every day,” Cynthia adds. “Food literally bonded us.” Even as they traveled across Minerva’s seven cities, shared meals remained central to collective memories, whether through 10:01 gatherings, Friendsgiving dinners, or impromptu cooking sessions.

"Woander" is more than just a cookbook; it is a reflection of the Minerva community’s shared experiences and values. Featuring 89 recipes from over 35 countries, the book interweaves personal essays, poems, and short stories, offering glimpses into the lives of Minervans. Contributions came from students across five Minerva classes (Classes of 2023 through 2027), faculty, staff, and even parents. The submission process spanned over a year, with an open call for recipes that allowed the book to take shape organically. “Almost every recipe submitted made it in,” Amos explains. “We wanted this to be a community project, shaped by the people who contributed.” Instead of curating recipes through their own perspectives, they prioritized authenticity, ensuring that each dish carried personal meaning for its contributor.

Among the many essays in the book, one by Saad, Class of 2025, stands out. He explores the historical contingency of recipes, challenging the notion that national or cultural dishes are static traditions. His reflections set the tone for "Woander" as a book that sparks conversations about identity, memory, and the evolving nature of food.

Ultimately, Amos and Cynthia hope that "Woander" invites readers to reflect on food as a gateway to empathy, compassion, and understanding. “With the privilege of traveling to seven different countries with such a diverse cohort, we hope to invoke conversations about food, culture, sustainability, and the human experience,” they say. Rooted in a philosophy of cosmopolitanism, the book celebrates differences without erasing them, fostering curiosity about cultures beyond one’s own. At the same time, it highlights a shared human experience: the stories behind these recipes are deeply personal, whether tied to childhood memories or moments from the Minerva journey.

If you’re a Minervan eager to explore a unique blend of culinary and cultural storytelling, "Woander" is a must-read. Through its pages, you’ll not only discover new recipes but also gain a deeper appreciation for the stories that shape them. Let this cookbook be an invitation to cook, share, and continue learning from one another—one meal at a time.