The 24Hour Soup Kitchen, Stephen Henderson
The 24Hour Soup Kitchen, Stephen Henderson
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The 24-Hour Soup Kitchen
Soul-Stirring Lessons in Gastrophilanthropy

Author: Stephen Henderson

Narrator: Adam Lofbomm

Unabridged: 7 hr 48 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/23/2020


Synopsis

It was when traveling on assignment in India that journalist Stephen Henderson first learned of soup kitchens operated by Sikh houses of worship (or gurudwaras). After volunteering for a week at the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi—which feeds 20,000 men, women, and children every day—Henderson became curious to research global gastrophilanthropy, or the very different ways in which hungry people are served free meals around the world.

When newspaper and magazine work dispatched him to places across America and abroad, Henderson would add days to his itineraries to learn about local customs of charitable cookery. This intriguing series of field reports reveals the clamor, chaos, and compassion of kitchens in places such as Iran, Israel, and South Korea, as well as those in Austin, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.

While the recipes, culinary methods, and clientele may vary, all the soul-stirring experiences share a common theme: a great way to show love to the needy is through the gift of food.

Written with a huge heart, and an even bigger appetite, these chapters—sad and funny, sometimes both—may inspire you to embark on your own acts of gastrophilanthropy.

About Stephen Henderson

Stephen Henderson has worked as a public relations professional and journalist since graduating from Wheaton College in 1979, and Yale Divinity School in 1987. In a highly circuitous career, he's worked on everything from Avon Books' romance novels, Arrow men's dress shirts, and Maxwell House coffee, to the Radio City Rockettes, Union Theological Seminary, and The John Templeton Foundation. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Town and Country, Food and Wine, and elsewhere.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Norma on May 07, 2023

( Format : Audiobook ) "If you cook it they will come." The son of a Baptist preacher, later a journalist, married to a well paid partner and with an affluent lifestyle, the author was impressed by the work done in some places to 'feed the hungry and help those in trouble'. This book charts places ar......more

Goodreads review by Carianne on January 03, 2025

This wasn’t the book I was expecting, and wow was it really good. What started with Henderson’s purchase of a high-end stove turned into an overview of how different religions, cultures and countries feed their fellow folks. As wide ranging as a Sikh temple that serves many thousands each day to a c......more

Goodreads review by Tony on May 13, 2020

Reads like a bunch of short stories, each highlighting a different way of cooking for those in need of some sort. Only one tiny fact-check error (Graham Kerr is British, born in London, not Scottish), but otherwise an intriguing exploration of how food can help people. Also learned a fair bit about......more

Goodreads review by Patty on March 31, 2023

I thought this book was so interesting and inspiring. I loved hearing his thoughts, ideas, mantras, idols and while I did not agree with all of them, it was a wonderful perspective. The afterward of this book moved me too and I appreciate the recipes in the back! Thank you for sharing!!......more