A Gourmet's Tale

Its all about the 'F' word; Don't panic. Food and Food only;) One of the essential human needs that has highly evolved and continues to change with the environment. Eating is no longer perceived just to satiate hunger, but more than that.

Everyday a new product enters the super market, intensifying our consumption and obsession. Because its available everywhere, pretty cheap and easy, the importance of  food goes unnoticed, quite taken for granted. Certainly, no one will think about it until one hits a doomsday and don't have a tiny morsel to survive.

Literature of Food:

Let's go with a little food for thought.Our relationship with food, grown properly and eaten, is very old dating back 10,000 years or more. The Neolithic revolution instigated the cave men to give up hunting and transform into settlers from nomads. Imagine if you have to beat the bushes or dig the roost for lunch and not just dial a delivery of your favorite chicken burger:) Whoah, makes me think our modern calorie counting frenzy will really look absurd;)

In the later centuries, voyagers and explorers besides navigating the world and discovering new habitats, have been instrumental in spreading flavor delights across the globe.Their epic journeys made salt, pepper, spices, cocoa all popular and sit in our kitchen. Next time when you savor the divine aroma of cappuccino or feast on a death by chocolate fudge, thank the sailor who found the beans for you;)

The Culinary Kingdom:

The art of cooking termed as 'culinary arts', is born out of our quest for quality in every bite we eat. It caters to a wide range of careers. With media and print pitching in with their shows and articles, this industry is definitely an ever thriving, clear-cut winner and will sure face no recession.

Technology and science has brought food closer; From blind dates to business meetings, everything finds a place centering this pleasure filled activity. A proposal in a candlelit dinner or the sober, funny ring in the wine, if you can recall, almost every other movie shoots this familiar restaurant scene. Food thus happens to be a damn good icebreaker.

Tables of 'content':

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." -Virginia Woolf

A dining area gathers everyone for sharing not just a meal but timeless conversation and happier moments. With hectic lives and busy schedules, assembling the whole bunch for mealtime is almost impossible.

So how do you envision a family supper? A pleasant scene with kids, parents and grannies all seated around, serving dishes, surrounded by caring talks and hearty laughter. Hmm, quite a bit exaggerated, when the daily picture is everybody chowing down anything taste worthy, confined to their own rooms, else hooked onto a gadget or TV in a muted ambience. Why have our table manners dwindled to a mere stranger talk? why is it always hard to round up the troops even for a small meal? you can't blame your boss all the time :(

"Food tastes better when you eat it with your family".

 So try to make it a point to come together, utilize the hours for better interaction and understanding. Going out picnics, barbeques adden the fun factor:)

Good eats make Good cooks:

Love and Food are intertwined; love is made visible through food, explains why grandma's recipes linger in memories than any other seven course meal. Cooking from home is a great way to bond, teaches sharing and tolerance, learn manners and not to forget, save a good lot of bucks ;) Kids get good grades and are socially sound when nourished with healthy homemade diets. Good eating can even cure depression, mood swings and render tranquility. 

Food plays a pivotal role in identity.We come to associate food with people and their backdrop. It presents an insight on their culture and traditions and appreciate their beliefs and rituals.
Italy's pizza, Mexican Tacos or the Japanese sushi are a few examples, that defines the place with uniqueness and character. Exploring new dishes is a great way to know a country and its customs. Pretty easy hobby too right!

Eat what you like. Whether its a simple salad or cheesy fries, leave the guilt, share with others and luxuriate in its awesomeness. A good cook brings the soul to the recipe, radiating an aura of love and comfort making everyday a Valentine:)