Family Preserves

Fresh Off the Plate: Homecooked Stories from Immigrant Kitchens is a visual anthology that spotlights the cultural identities of immigrant American families through recipes and reflections. Combining portraits and conversations, this book delves into the food and the cultural identity of multigenerational immigrant families across the US. Cielito Mercado Vivas explores how food serves as both a source of comfort and a battleground for assimilation, while illuminating the emotional landscape of immigrants and their children living in America.

Cielito Vivas (/sh'lee-tow) is an award winning travel and portrait photographer. Her work unpacks the human condition, capturing the essence of communities and individuals across the globe. Driven by an unwavering curiosity and passion for storytelling, she aims to illuminate the soul of her wide range of subjects, from cooks to iconoclasts to neighborhoods. 

Chef Ben Lee has held his own in the most storied restaurants throughout the United States. He has worked up the ladder in Philadelphia and New York landmarks such as James Beard Award winning Osteria and Michelin rated Marea, plus completing a stage in Italy’s Michelin rated Ristorante Loro.