Erica Bauermeister

Briefly explain why you decided to write the book. Were any of the experiences or characters inspired by real life? Are you Lillian? Did you have your own Abuelita?

In 1999, we moved back to Seattle after living for two years in Italy. I missed being part of a community of food-lovers, so I joined a cooking class. The first night we killed crabs by ripping their shells off – and while I am not Claire from the book, I was equally shocked. The effect it had on me, however, was to get me thinking about a fictional group...