Figo Collective – Issue Nº2
Figo Collective Issue Nº2 invites readers to embark on a multifaceted exploration of food, culture, and responsible practices, showcasing how these elements intersect to shape our world. This issue dives deep into the transformative power of culinary innovation, from the revolutionary potential of mushroom mycelium bricks in eco-construction to the evolving dialogue around sustainability in wines and millet beers. Through thought-provoking narratives, readers will discover the untold story of MSG and Umami, its global perception, and its culinary potential, while also delving into the revival of Peru’s cacao, written by Amanda Jo Wildey, a compelling piece that highlights the resilience and passion of its farmers.
The issue celebrates artistry and wisdom through interviews with visionaries like Santiago Lena, who bridges ancestral pottery traditions with innovation, and Larisa Zmud, who reimagines communal dining as a utopian experience. As it reflects on the roots of culinary evolution, it explores Fernand Point and the beginning of the nouvelle cuisine, while also addressing contemporary challenges such as the delicate balance of motherhood and hospitality and the ambiguity of modern wellness culture.
Contents:
Bricks Made with Mushroom Mycelium
Written by Julia Soria
Photographs by Santiago Mancino, Valentín Mora, and Nicolás Meroño
Drinking with the Devil
Written by Siddharth Chogle
Stories by Jorge Catacata
Illustrations by Yerart
Pottery, Ancestral Wisdom, and Innovation: A Conversation with Santiago Lena
Written by Julia Soria
Photographs by Florencia Quiroga
Umami Unveiled: The MSG Odyssey
Written by Rob Miller
Photographs by Julia Soria
Manga Recipe: The Mystery of the Fermented Kitchen
Illustrations by Camila Torre Notari
Forging Paths in the Kitchen: A Day at Destapa’t
Written by Magalí Ortiz
Photography by Destapa’t
Art by Josefina Jolly
From the Pages of Our Travel Diary: Jeju Korea
Written by Julia Soria
Photographs by Julia Soria
Illustrations by Huilin Gui
Hotel Certification Conundrums
Written by Tara Hammond
Photographs by Timo Blaschke and Vladimir Razgulyaev
Judas’s Liver: In Praise of Betrayal in the Kitchen
Written by Maximiliano Guerra
Illustrations by Yerart
Motherhood & Hospitality, an Oxymoron?
Written by Laura Marajofky
Illustrations by Eugenia Mello
Eat, Sleep, Live, Repeat
Written by Siddharth Chogle
Catch of the Day: Plums, a Journey from Orchard to Umeboshi
Written by Yoko Koba
Photography by Yoko Koba
The Tables of a Possible Utopia: A Conversation with Larisa Zmud
Written by Facundo Olabarrieta
Photography Courtesy of Larisa Zmud
Fernand Point and the Beginning of the Nouvelle Cuisine
Written by Nikhil Lamech
Illustration by Camila Torre Notari
How Farmers Are Fueling Peru’s Cacao Revival
Written by Amanda Jo Wildey
Photography Courtesy of Amanda Jo Wildey and by Pixbull
The Ambiguity of Modern Wellness Culture
Written by Susanne Fisch
Illustration by Aniket Pathare
Sustainability in Wines: A New Era of Conscious Consumption
Written by Apurva Gawande
Photography by Richard Semik and Julia Soria
Sipping Sustainability: The Story of Great State Aleworks’ Millet Beers
Written by Siddharth Chogle
Based on Conversations with Shivani Unakar, Lead on the Millet Beer Project at Great State Aleworks
Photography by Great State Aleworks
Cover Photo by Erick Andia Pomar
Figo Collective Issue Nº2 contains 212 pages printed on FSC certified and recycled paper. This magazine is published completely independently without advertisements or corporate investments.