Buster Vanray's Interview with TASTE AND TELL Magazine

TASTE AND TELL: Buster, you have taken an incredibly unique approach to your cookbooks by combining culinary delights with Shakespeare, Biblical tales, African American and Filipino fusion cuisine, Vincent Van Gogh's art, and Lead Belly's music. Can you tell us more about what inspired you to create this extraordinary culinary literature?

BUSTER VANRAY: Absolutely, it's a pleasure to share my journey! The concept of intertwining the cultural spheres of literature, art, music, and culinary delights sparked from my own passion for these mediums. As a lover of food, I've always seen cooking as an art form, a way to express creativity, tell stories, and connect people. Similarly, my deep admiration for the works of Shakespeare, the storytelling prowess of the Bible, the colorful world of Van Gogh, the rhythmic expressions of Lead Belly, and the rich tapestry of African-American and Filipino cultures, urged me to explore a connection — a harmonious blend that marries these diverse forms of art.

Each recipe in my cookbooks is more than just a culinary delight; it's a tribute to the unique cultural phenomenon that inspired it. I wanted to recreate the magical realm of Shakespeare's plays, the faith and fortitude of biblical tales, the bold strokes of Van Gogh's paintings, the soulful rhythm of Lead Belly's music, and the fusion of African-American and Filipino cultures through the universal language of food.

And in the process, I found that each recipe weaves its own narrative, creating a multisensory experience that transcends mere sustenance, inviting readers to explore, appreciate, and experience the rich cultural fabric that has shaped our world. It's about celebrating the joy of cooking and eating while paying homage to the extraordinary creative forces that continue to inspire and enrich us.

TASTE AND TELL: Creating a fusion of food, literature, art, and music seems a challenging task. Could you share with us one or two interesting stories about the process of crafting these cookbooks? Was there a particularly difficult recipe or pairing that you remember?

BUSTER VANRAY: Indeed, the journey of creating these cookbooks was an adventure in and of itself, laden with rich insights, unanticipated challenges, and rewarding discoveries. One particular story that stands out to me was the creation of the "Burning Bush Grilled Cheese Sandwich" for my book "Miraculous Meals".

Drawing inspiration from the captivating account in Exodus 3:2-4, I wanted this dish to pay homage to the biblical tale of Moses' encounter with the burning bush. The scripture narrates an awe-inspiring phenomenon where a bush was aflame yet remained unharmed. I intended for this grilled cheese sandwich to become a flavorful celebration of God's presence and His boundless power.  

The process of developing the recipe, however, was both challenging and fulfilling. It was a delicate balancing act to create a dish that encapsulated the essence of the biblical tale while ensuring it remained approachable and enjoyable as a culinary creation. I aimed to create a sandwich that with each bite would let one relish the combination of fiery spices and melted cheese, symbolizing the fiery presence of God and the comforting embrace of His love.

While developing this recipe, I was ever mindful of the need to respect the sanctity of the biblical source material. The sandwich needed to be a humble meal, much like the simple yet profound message conveyed by the burning bush. It was my intention for the dish to serve as a poignant reminder of God's unwavering love and His unmerited favor, and I believe we accomplished just that.

I recall the multiple iterations and tastings, the careful selection of ingredients to represent the heat of the flames and the comfort of God's words. In the end, the "Burning Bush Grilled Cheese Sandwich" emerged as a testament to the profound intersection of faith and food, a tangible representation of God's holiness and His grace, reflected through a simple, yet deeply meaningful culinary creation. It's a dish that's very close to my heart, and I hope it resonates with the readers as it does with me.

TASTE AND TELL: You've traveled to exotic locations around the world for inspiration for your cookbooks. Could you share one of your favorite travel memories and how it translated into a recipe in one of your books?

BUSTER VANRAY: Ah, travel memories! They are as diverse and flavorful as the recipes they inspire. One of my most cherished experiences took place during a trip to Manila, in the heart of the Philippines. The moment I stepped foot in the vibrant, bustling city, I was greeted by an array of captivating smells, sights, and sounds that instantly reminded me of my childhood road trips through the Deep South of the United States.

As I wandered through the lively streets of Manila, I found myself drawn to a street food stall selling 'Chicken Adobo', a traditional Filipino dish marinated in soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. The sight of the dish, the succulent pieces of chicken simmering in the rich, aromatic sauce, immediately transported me back to the soulful comfort food of my youth, like the fried chicken and biscuits we would enjoy during those long road trips.

The parallel in the sense of comfort and connection I felt in these two distinct food cultures led to the birth of the 'Blackapino Cookbook'. I realized that food, in its most fundamental form, is a universal language that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. The comforting and nourishing essence of home-cooked meals, whether it's Chicken Adobo in the lively streets of Manila or fried chicken in the heart of the Deep South, brings people together and creates a sense of belonging.

Inspired by this revelation, I began experimenting with a fusion of flavors, blending the rich, comforting dishes of African-American culture with the bold, aromatic flavors of Filipino cuisine. The result was a culinary adventure that paid homage to my multicultural roots and experiences, creating a gastronomic symphony that resonated with my heart.

The creation of the 'Fried Chicken and Ube Waffles' recipe in the 'Blackapino Cookbook' perfectly exemplifies this fusion. The crunchy, flavorful fried chicken is reminiscent of those joyful road trips, while the vibrant, sweet ube waffles are a nod to the Filipino flavors that captured my heart in Manila. It's a true testament to how travel and food can create a beautiful tapestry of experiences, memories, and flavors that tell a unique, heartfelt story.

TASTE AND TELL: You offer more than just recipes in your books. They're filled with beautiful illustrations and narratives. Can you share how this integration of visual art and storytelling enhances the experience for your readers?

BUSTER VANRAY: Absolutely! You know, they say we eat with our eyes first, and I truly believe that. The illustrations in my books serve to whet the appetite, not just for the dishes, but for the stories behind them. They're gateways into the rich tapestry of narratives that each recipe is a part of.

Art has this unique power to speak without words, to evoke emotions and stimulate our senses in ways that text alone cannot. Pairing recipes with visual art allows readers to form an emotional connection with the dish before they've even started gathering ingredients. It invites them to take a moment, to really absorb the essence of the dish, to anticipate its flavors and textures, and appreciate the cultural or historical significance behind it.

But the experience doesn't stop there. The narratives accompanying each recipe are the heart of these books. They breathe life into the dishes, adding depth and context, and creating a multi-layered experience. These stories transport you to different places, times, cultures, and minds. They paint vivid pictures of the inspiration behind each dish, making the process of cooking and eating a journey of exploration and discovery.

In essence, the integration of visual art and storytelling elevates the experience from a simple recipe book to a culinary adventure. It allows readers to not only recreate delicious meals but also to partake in a rich, sensory journey that satisfies the palate, feeds the mind, and nourishes the soul.

TASTE AND TELL: Your book's art is available on a multitude of items on Society6. This is quite unique. What motivated you to bring the art from your cookbooks to everyday products, and how has the reception been so far?

BUSTER VANRAY: Indeed! My aim has always been to inspire and connect with people, not just through my cookbooks, but in ways that extend beyond the pages. I believe that art, much like food, is something to be savored and experienced in our day-to-day lives. By bringing the art from my cookbooks to everyday items, I wanted to offer readers an opportunity to carry a piece of this culinary and cultural journey with them, even when they're not in the kitchen.

When you have a piece of art from one of my books on your coffee mug, your tote bag, or your living room wall, it becomes a conversation starter, a daily source of inspiration, or simply a reminder of a recipe or a story you love. And that's a beautiful thing, isn't it? To be able to touch and see and experience these stories and recipes in tangible ways, beyond the act of cooking and eating.

As for the reception, it's been overwhelmingly positive. I've heard from readers who love having these vibrant visuals in their homes or gifting them to their food-loving friends. There's something special about seeing a piece of "As You Spice It" or "The Starry Night Kitchen" come alive in your space, and I'm truly grateful for the way readers have embraced this extension of my culinary adventure.