THE STORY

Dedicated to the Professor

“Le chef a toujours raison”

The chef is always right

For anyone who knows my father Larry (the Linguist), this story of language and its close cousins—food and wine—will have few surprises. It wasn’t until later in life however, that I realized just how special his story was to share, and the unique upbringing I was privileged to have because of it.

This website is dedicated to my Dad, and the unique love, sense of humor, and joie de vivre he puts into his passions
for cooking, internationalism, friends, and yes, wine.

I grew up the daughter of a multi-lingual Linguistics professor in Berkeley, CA, in a house full of diverse languages, people, cuisine, and laughter. But there was always one unifying culture in our house, the “long sit-down” experience at the dinner table—built around a French approach to experiencing flavors and friends but with a mix of other influences specific to The Linguist. Having lived several years in West Africa, France, Italy, and other locations, he developed a passion for cooking and wine—partly sparked by an incredibly international and dedicated group of friends (and de facto peer chefs and teachers) from around the globe. A self-proclaimed Italian-at- heart, Frenchman-in- pallet, you don’t have to look past the light and playful menus he creates and memorializes from all of his parties, to realize that Larry the Linguist is also a proud Valley Boy at his core—haling from the American bastion of Van Nuys in Southern California.

Every time visitors from abroad, or at home, visit Square Larry Hyman, a multi-step hosting extravaganza is put into motion. Step 1 involves several days of planning out a meal and menu – the rest of the night builds around this, bien sûr! Next is a series of shopping trips for local produce and goods throughout the East Bay – a prized foodie mecca. The meals are cooked over several days and prepared such that there is just enough work that invitees can partake in watching the magic come alive, enjoy a flambé or a simmering grill, but little enough that the Linguist can navigate swiftly throughout the party assuring that wine glasses are full, stories bountiful, and spirits high. Just prior to the event, the menu is both printed for the table and written in cursive script on a chef’s chalkboard (pictured below).

Lastly – the unveiling. Guests are received by a welcoming cornocopia of near- prepared dishes ready for their final broil, and wine glasses are filled within 2 minutes of entry. First-timers get the sudden realization that they are in for a multi-course, multi-hour, multi-drink soirée, while repeat offenders have been looking forward to this all week. After all is said and done, à table is declared (to the table!), a toast is made, and experiences are exchanged. Whatever you do – be sure not to fall for the fake spill gag, and definitely don’t ask for the check!

Phonologically and Gastronomically Yours,
Leslie, The Linguist’s Daughter

PS. In line with the Linguist’s menu tradition, this website is in strict compliance with the 2016 Berkeley Eating Disability Act. It caters to the gastronomically challenged, whether vegetarian, vegan, Kosher, Hallal, allergic, or just plain fussy!