Rodeo in Brooklyn, NY — December 9, 2024

Nestled at Rodeo in Crown Heights on a rainy, cool December evening, Off-Menu, an independent magazine created by Sophie Chen, held a party for the launch of the first issue of their magazine. In collaboration with Fellows Collective, an online platform that develops projects and events to promote connections created by Ally Wei, the magazine hosted friends and family for a night of celebration and community. The event included a chance to look through the physical copy of the issue and a pop-up menu from Studio Bumi including dishes like terong balado (a sweet and spicy eggplant), soy-braised pork belly buns, salted duck egg yolk chicken rice and pandan tiramisu. The room was dark and cozy, lit by candlelight and warm red lights, making guests feel at home. People were sharing a table with their friends but also dining with new acquaintances, making the room feel welcoming and connected throughout. This feeling of connectedness translates perfectly into the mission of Off-Menu magazine, which strives to tell the untold stories of those working behind the scenes in the food industry, like producers, back of house, chefs and more, in an intentional way. 

Issue 01 of the magazine, titled ‘Recipes From Home,’ focuses on telling the stories of up-and-coming New York based chefs and their concepts and ideas of home, culture and identity. To prepare for this issue, the contributors spent a day with each chef featured as they prepared a dish that reminded them of home and then they hosted a dinner party to share the dish with their close friends and family. Chen mentions in her Editor’s Note in the issue how she found comfort in being a regular at restaurants during her time in Philadelphia and that carried over to her current time in New York City, where she continues to be inspired by those in the food industry and the risks that people take to pursue their culinary dreams. ‘Recipes From Home’ is 112 pages of bright and powerful colors, dreamy film photographs, stories and recipes of home, the impact of sharing stories and the importance of giving people a seat at the table.

Words: Jessica Spiers

Photography: Vanessa Le