On this episode of Taste Buds with Deb, host Debra Eckerling speaks with Shari Foos, founder of The Narrative Method. The nonprofit addresses the crisis of loneliness by connecting people to their stories and creative expression.    Now in its tenth year, The Narrative Method offers free online salons, interviews with interesting people, programs for communities in need, and more. One of the events they offer is called the library dinner, which can happen at a library, in a public space or at someone's home.    “Everyone meets at this space and goes away for one hour and learns something, anything,” therapist Foos, MA/MFT/MS, explains. “[Then] everyone has a lovely dinner and goes around and shares what they've learned; it’s a fascinating experience of just exchanging what seems to be impromptu knowledge and information.”    Foos, a former punk rock musician, radio and TV writer, comedian, university professor and co-founder of IKAR-LA, adds, “It's really fun, and it's a great way for people to get to know each other on a whole other level."     “I love what meals do,” she says. “Enjoying [food and conversations] with other people… is such a thrill.”   Foos talks about her connection to cooking and food, as well as the Library Dinner experience and how to curate your own. She also shares the recipe for Cinnamon Surprise Cake, which her son and his cousin created in 2001; they were six and seven at the time. This inexact recipe, which you can find at JewishJournal.com/podcasts, really illustrates the joy and creativity that can go into cooking and baking.   Learn more about Shari Foos and sign up for the programs at TheNarrativeMethod.org and follow @TheNarrativeMethod.com on Instagram. For more from Taste Buds, subscribe on iTunes and YouTube, and follow @TheDEBMethod on social media.