FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Jenn Sharp has just released a book — Flat Out Delicious — focusing on Saskatchewan food artisans, producers and more. She’s passionate about her subject and wants to spread word about the bounty of food and cuisine in the province to the world.
Saskatoon writer Jenn Sharp has just released her first book, Flat Out Delicious, which focuses on Saskatchewan food artisans, producers and more. She chatted with Starphoenix city editor Dave Deibert about writer’s block, memorable travels, why she’s become so passionate about the local food system and more ...
Q What was your secret to fighting through writer’s block?
A “Legit, there were days I would sit in front of the computer and stare at it for a while and go back to bed. What helped me the most was a really strong yoga and meditation practice, coming back to my centre and getting grounded, and not getting swept up in feelings of doubt or being overwhelmed, low self-worth — all those things that can come up and block your creativity. And deadlines are always good.”
Q Did you stare quietly in awe or scream loud enough to wake the neighbours when you got your hands on the finished product?
A “I think my whole condo building heard me scream. I didn’t know it was the books in the box. I didn’t think the books were coming in so early. I opened it up and I see my little book baby. I was screaming and holding it and smelling it and looking at the pages. It was incredibly emotional.”
Q You’ve become an outspoken advocate for Saskatchewan-produced products. Why has it become so important to you?
A “Writing the column for the Starphoenix for four or five years, that was the beginning of the journey of how important our local food system is. But then doing the research in 2018 and visiting all these farmers and chefs and their kitchens, and all the different food artisans and hearing their stories, seeing first-hand the regenerative agriculture techniques ... it made me incredibly passionate about the need to share this with all of Saskatchewan and how we can all reconnect to our food, our farmers, our land. We’ve become quite disconnected. It’s taken us away from our roots.”
Q You’ve travelled not just across Saskatchewan but spent plenty of time around the world. What country — can’t say Canada — has your favourite food?
A “Spain. The cool thing about Spain, and this is what I think we need to promote more in Saskatchewan: the cuisine is incredibly regional. That’s what makes that country so special and that’s what we can do in Saskatchewan, too.”
Q Former Starphoenix photographer Richard Marjan shot the pictures for your book.
Any reporter who spent time driving with him knows he has a heavy foot. Was there a specific instance in which you weren’t sure you’d make it back to Saskatoon?
A “Dickie has a real penchant for photographing old buildings. When he sees one, it’s like a dog seeing a piece of meat. We were driving down a grid road in the southern part of the province. He sees this beautiful old dilapidated farmhouse on the other side of a slough. All of a sudden, he starts trying to drive through this rough, bumpy ground and the slough, because he didn’t want to walk. We had a bit of a moment there. (Laughs) He got out and walked. He got a great photo and the car survived.”