Leonard Cohen preparing food at Mt Baldy Zen Center
Cohen In The Kitchen
I think I am fascinated by photos and videos of Leonard Cohen preparing food because of the overdetermination invested in this activity (overdetermination, in this instance, is the psychoanalytic notion that a single behavior simultaneously encases multiple causes or meanings, any one of which could, by itself, account for the effect).
First, while I lack the knowledge to render an assessment of Cohen’s skills, his culinary competence, based on all reports and according to my friends who know their way around a kitchen, is well established. And, after all, one of Cohen’s jobs during his stay at the Mount Baldy Zen Center was to function as a cook.
It’s a joy to watch anyone perform a task well.
Also, however, his obsession with courtesy and graciousness is often manifest in his offerings of food to others. As I reported in What Leonard Cohen Told Me Backstage In Chicago, food was a major feature in my own meeting with him:
In fact, the next thing I recall is Leonard (note we’re on a first name basis now) urging me to have something to eat from the crew’s buffet. This is accomplished by him taking my arm to lead me through the line of covered dishes, opening each of the 6-8 main offerings, describing the contents, and adding his recommendations.
Leading me to conclude,
Should I ever awaken in a post-apocalyptic desert with starving mobs battling over any edible morsel, my plan is to track down Leonard Cohen. If there is food to be had, he will, I am certain, find it and insist that his guest, even if the status of guest is self-appointed, dine from the bounty.
From reading batches of interviews with Cohen and exchanging experiences with others who have met him, I know his urging food upon visitors, including fans and reporters who appear for one reason or another in his presence, is part of his modus operandi.
And, when those visits take place in his home, offering food he has himself prepared is relatively standard.
In describing an interview at Leonard Cohen On His Poems, Zen, Hallelujah, His 6 Good Songs, Money, America, And The Squirrel, I included the following screenshot and noted
The video also showcases Leonard Cohen as casually gracious host, opening a bottle of wine and topping fig slices with cheese to share with the interviewer.
This is the case in today’s featured graphic, a charming sequence of photos taken by Chris Buck during an interview with Michael Krugman for Flaunt, titled Cohen on Wry and published in October 2001, showing Leonard Cohen preparing a pastrami sandwich for the photographer and a tomato and cheese sandwich for the photographer’s assistant.
Credit Due Department: I discovered the featured photo showing Cohen preparing sandwiches in an article at Speaking Cohen, where many such treasures are housed.
There is nothing sexier than a man cooking. Good interview too. They must cherish that last photo of themselves; you can see Leonard in the mirror taking the photo.
I have cooked with two fantastic chefs, one American and one German,. I think cooking with Leonard Cohen would be over the top for me!
And they last pic is so Leonard Cohen showing his graciousness…as is so well known…
Loved your first paragraph Dr.H. under “COHEN IN THE KITCHEN”