Proost unfurls as an enchanting concept, weaving the age-old ritual of communal dining with the fresh pulse of modern innovation. Born from the contemplative silence of the pandemic, it is the brainchild of Paige Oosterom, a visionary who sees the communal table as a grand stage for unity. This venture strides beyond the boundaries of traditional catering, diving deep into culinary archaeology to fuse time-honored cooking methods with the nuanced tastes of today’s diners.
Each Proost gathering is artfully tailored to its chosen theme, transforming ordinary assemblies into realms of exploration and sensory delight. These thoughtfully orchestrated events elevate the mere act of eating into a profound celebration of connection. Guests are invited to traverse a landscape rich with flavors, cultures, and stories, melding into a harmonious tableau that enriches the spirit and palate alike.
Moreover, Proost masterfully intersects the realms of fashion, design, and gastronomic installations, crafting edible experiences that resonate visually and culturally. This strategic blend appeals particularly to brands keen on engaging new audiences through immersive, multi-sensory environments where every dish tells a story. By integrating these elements, Proost sets a new standard in communal feasting and redefines the art of shared meals, sparking a joyous revival and etching a new chapter in the vibrant culinary narrative of New York City.
Each Proost gathering is artfully tailored to its chosen theme, transforming ordinary assemblies into realms of exploration and sensory delight. These thoughtfully orchestrated events elevate the mere act of eating into a profound celebration of connection. Guests are invited to traverse a landscape rich with flavors, cultures, and stories, melding into a harmonious tableau that enriches the spirit and palate alike.
Moreover, Proost masterfully intersects the realms of fashion, design, and gastronomic installations, crafting edible experiences that resonate visually and culturally. This strategic blend appeals particularly to brands keen on engaging new audiences through immersive, multi-sensory environments where every dish tells a story. By integrating these elements, Proost sets a new standard in communal feasting and redefines the art of shared meals, sparking a joyous revival and etching a new chapter in the vibrant culinary narrative of New York City.
Growing up, food in my home was revered as mere sustenance. The origin and quality of each item were meticulously considered, and nutrition was paramount, shaping the contents of our refrigerator. Over the years, I observed the evolving food trends within my family—from a decade of daily carrot juice to my father's austere breakfasts of quinoa, turmeric, and hard-boiled eggs, and then abruptly, a rigorous shift to a gluten-free diet. My grandfather, even more stringent, seemingly banished sugar from his diet forever, relying solely on the bounty of his farm-like garden in the Netherlands. He tended chickens for eggs, bees for honey, and nurtured tomatoes, greens, and berries. Each fall, apple trees showered him with fruit, which was turned into cider by a local craftsman down the road.
This strict adherence to nutritional maximization, however, often isolated them. Family gatherings would see rolled eyes at their dietary choices, urging them to indulge just once; to 'live a little.' As a child, I felt a pang of exclusion from the world of dining out, a sentiment that lingers subtly even today. I grew up puzzled over the necessity of such bland sustenance, steeped in a Dutch Calvinistic belief that equated pleasure in eating with gluttony.
Today, conversations about childhood eateries swirl around me, yet I stand on the fringes. Names like Cracker Barrel or IHOP were foreign concepts until recently, places I still have no desire to explore, tainted by my ingrained bias of their nutritional folly. Even now, I find myself unwittingly scoffing when my boyfriend suggests whiling away an evening at Fanelli’s Café in Soho for a mere 'rascal burger'—my mind reels at the frequency of his visits.
Yet, as a private chef, when clients inquire about my favorite restaurant, I falter. I rarely dine out, preferring the sanctuary of my own kitchen. The ethos ingrained in me struggles against the reality that dining is more than just food—it's about creating memories, regardless of the cuisine’s quality.
Rewinding to March 2020, I returned to the Netherlands from NYC to further my education, only to find myself sequestered at home as the pandemic took hold. With the world in lockdown, and the streets of Amsterdam eerily quiet, I turned inward, applying my family’s wisdom to nourish myself robustly against the virus. This period of isolation became a crucible for experimentation—balancing nutrition with pleasure in my cooking.
The summer led me to Berlin for what was meant to be a brief visit, which stretched into six months amidst strict lockdowns. My transient abode transformed into a communal hub for expatriate friends craving connection. Weekly dinners and festive holiday feasts became beacons of joy amid the chaos, a testament to the enduring power of shared meals to foster community and happiness, even when the world outside seemed in disarray.
In these moments, I found the true essence of my culinary philosophy: food is not just sustenance, but a conduit for joy, a canvas for creativity, and a cornerstone of community, resonating far beyond the simplistic bounds of my upbringing.