JULIA NAHMIAS WELLS

Julia Nahmias Wells is a Boston-area personal chef specializing in farm-fresh and seasonal fine comfort food under the name Food For The Band.

What was the food highlight of your year?

As always, working with fresh (and oft-times local) ingredients is the food highlight of my year! Locally-foraged mushrooms, Rancho Gordo heirloom beans, whole nutmeg, interesting varieties of produce one can't just pick up at a supermarket. Assisting with breaking down whole animals, patronizing area farms and farmer's markets, being really choosy with the elements I use to create dishes for my clients. I am really enthusiastic about the breadth of local offerings; creating relationships with farmers and area suppliers.

There's also the excitement I feel when traveling -- seeing other states/communities and their indigenous goodies. Something special about packing up to come home with me something I can't get at home -- my mind is usually already abuzz with how I plan to use it.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Having worked festivals in my past, I still maintain connections with band/tour managers, and it's fun to get the call that someone(s) is coming through Boston and has something in mind they'd like for me to prepare them; or has a special diet that general take-out can't satisfy. I dabbled in bands myself about a decade ago -- quickly realizing that I'm more useful behind the scenes -- and it's fun to still hobnob with those who belong in the spotlight.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

At the end of September my son was born. Those first days, as we both learned how to best get him fed, I kept Music Choice channels on in the hospital room. Feeling him respond to certain songs and artists (my kid relaxes to Prince, and soul) while we gazed at each other, bonded, snoozed, nursed -- it was magic.

@foodfortheband

JULIA NAHMIAS

Julia Nahmias is a Boston-based personal chef who’s catering company “Food For The Band” is named after her stints at festivals like Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.

What was the food highlight of your year?

This year I really began my work with local farms, preferring to source meat and produce seasonally and from as close to home as possible. I was lucky to have the humbling experience of visiting a northern MA farm, meeting the (admittedly adorable) cows and then donning a white coat and assisting on the cutting floor, carving out my own steaks. It’s a powerful thing, following what’s going to be a meal from start to finish; knowing where your food comes from and what it eats. I’m proud to eat and serve my clients only the most fresh and healthy grass-fed meats raised by upstanding local farmers.

What was the music highlight of your year?

The Bronx — the way the floor pulsated at that intimate show of 100 as soon as “Knifeman” kicked in. Same for Doomriders, with “Jealous God”. Discovering Diamond Rings and Best Coast. Rediscovering Barry & The Remains, Scratch Acid and Marine Girls. Seeing Red Fang — FINALLY. And on the same bill as Mastodon. My ears rang for awhile, there. The Coathangers. Those girls know how to get down.

Being surprised for my 30th birthday with a party where all attendees made me a mix CD and rooms of the host/ess’s home were made to be listening stations. Music + the majority of the people I love in this world = so much win and the best way to usher in a new decade.

This hasn’t happened yet, but I’d be remiss not to mention it: December 28th: Radio in Somerville, MA. A rock dinner/party not to be missed — with all proceeds benefiting Love Hope Strength Foundation. I, with Food For The Band, will be providing all the desserts. I met James Chippendale, one of the founders, during my work with festivals. He was an integral ally years later during my experience with cancer and remains an uplifting source of inspiration as he works (alongside Mike Peters of The Alarm and many, many others) to put “one cancer center in every country, one concert at a time”. Should you want to support this organization, and/or attend the event, please feel free to reach me through my business.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

It’s kind of a funny story, and not nearly as flowery or worldly as some other responses but it is the first that comes to mind. My boyfriend and I managed to stay at a motel this summer that had no food on the premises, save for one lone vending machine that was behind locked doors after hours. I was starving in a podunk NH town without options and I made us leave for home just before dawn, as sleep at that point was also not an option. We tracked down a just-opened coffee shop and drove off with breakfast just as the sun was rising and a Rock Block (3 songs in a row) of Pink Floyd came on the radio. Something about the music, the warm highway breeze, cruising alone on the road in the dim light, the meal finally in our bellies — so satisfying. High on life.