In order to look across three cultures at the meanings of celebratory food preparation for older women, researchers in Thailand, America and New Zealand collaboratively designed a derived etic method that respected each culture while allowing cultural comparison of food-related occupations. Anticipating differences in practices at each site, the inquiry broadly addressed who was involved, the tasks of preparing, sharing and offering food, and the physical and social contexts in which the tasks were performed. A seven-step process emerged with alternating collaborative action to design the study and advance analysis, undertake site-specific data collection and analysis of emic and later, conduct etic interpretation. Strategies to support collaboration, address issues relating to translation of data and analysis, and minimize domination of the western researchers are reported, along with critical examination of the method as enacted. Challenges and benefits of working as an international collaboration are identified. © 2010 The Author(s).