This essay proposes a pedagogy for food writing that is not dependent on decoding or interpretative practices. Instead, writers compose by juxtaposing personal writing with research around some item or issue that might seem insignificant or minor. A minor exigence--in this case, eating and cooking falafel--can be explored so that a larger issue--in this case, authenticity--emerges. In turn, writers move away from dominant tropes of power or representation.