A Stew Has Been Cooking Perpetually For Over 30 Days In A NYC Park
@depthsofwikipedia stew is forever
♬ original sound – Annie Rauwerda
A TikToker by the name of Annie Rauwerda is helping to reintroduce an interesting way of bringing people together. Last month she launched a potluck-style perpetual stew event aptly named “Perpetual Stew Club.” Since starting her crockpot, Rauwerda’s stew has now surpassed 30 days of cooking.
While the concept of cooking stew for an entire month may be head scratching for some, the name “perpetual stew” comes from an actual culinary art that involves continuously refilling a pot with whatever food is on hand.
Rauwerda’s inspiration for Perpetual Stew Club began during quarantine when she learned of its history. At the time, the idea seemed like a utopic alternative to the uncertainty in the world.
The taste of perpetual stew changes depending on the ingredients used for the day, which means that deliciousness is hit or miss. It’s all apart of the community experience though. One iteration included 8 potatoes, 4 pieces of celery, 3 carrots, 1 cup of bean sprouts, 1 cup of rice, 1 clove of garlic, and 2 onions. That’s pretty tame compared to some of the random ingredients that attendees bring. From bird’s eye chili to cascatelli pasta, it’s a veritable community melting pot.
According to her website, Perpetual Stew Club gatherings have grown from a few to over a hundred attendees. She also emphasizes that the majority of stew that’s brought to the park is cooked on the same day. As of now, with the event growing in size beyond its humble beginnings, Rauwerda has decided to keep it going only until August 9.
If you’re looking for a stew-pendous time, you can contribute to the pot this upcoming Tuesday, July 18th at Bushwick NYC’s Fermi Playground. Things start cooking up at 7pm.
