Moussaka, croissants and oysters comprise chef Kathy Gunst's memorable food moments of 2021

Another year of unknowns, mask-wearing, vaccines, boosters, fear and hope. Despite all of that, 2021 produced some great food memories. Like nearly everything else this year, these were not the “normal” ones discovered in restaurants or through travel.

My most potent food memories of 2021 center on family and friends, discovering new ingredients and giving back during these difficult times.

Family: After 15 months without seeing either of my daughters, we had a reunion. It was exactly two weeks after receiving our second vaccination. We masked up, got on a plane and flew to the West Coast where both of our daughters live. It was a truly sweet family gathering, with all of us feeling a deep sense of appreciation that we could be together again.

There were great meals in LA at my oldest daughter’s home. Her boyfriend made a chicken adobo that I won’t soon forget. On Mother’s Day, my youngest daughter baked moussaka, the famed Middle Eastern