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According to sources close to the governor’s office, the exchange began during an international summit when leaders were invited to share a favorite national recipe as a cultural icebreaker. What Newsom expected to be a lighthearted discussion about cuisine quickly became a showcase of deeply personal, politically symbolic, and sometimes shockingly complex dishes.
“He thought it would be, you know, a few stews and maybe a pastry,” one aide said. “Instead, he got handwritten instructions, multi-day fermentation processes, and at least one warning that missing a single step could be ‘an insult to generations.’”
During the exchange, Newsom shared California’s own culinary identity, highlighting farm-to-table culture, immigrant influences, and the state’s emphasis on sustainability. While well received, aides say the governor appeared momentarily humbled after listening to a world leader describe a dish that takes three days to prepare and must be cooked “only when the family is emotionally aligned.”
Observers noted that the moment, though informal, underscored the power of food as a diplomatic language. “Policy talks can stall,” said one international relations expert, “but everyone understands a recipe. It’s history, identity, and values on a plate.”
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