Food... Seriously!

Today I had a lovely meal at Neil Perry's new restaurant Spice Temple. The food was fantastic, and the service was great. Now, before I go on any further I want to set things straight and say that this isn't another one of those 'food blogs'. There are plenty out there, and I think they definitely serve a purpose. But such blogs, and food reviews leave me disconcerted much of the time. I live for food. It is my one great love. And the most wonderful thing about food, is that it is so personal - almost like a religion. Each experience is individual and unique. What you are tasting in your mouth - the flavours, the textures, the way it takes you back to a distant memory... might be completely different to the person sitting next to you eating the same dish. The thing with 'food blogs' and 'reviews', is often I find the writers forget how subjective food is, and rather than reviewing their experiences, they write judgements about food. Ruth Reichl, a past food reviewer for the New York Times writes a wonderful thing in her book 'Garlic & Sapphires' about how uncomfortable reviewing food made her feel sometimes, as we don't even know if an apple tastes the same to one person as it does to the next. Of course there is a lot to learn from people with developed palates, and who are experienced with dining out. And I definitely think it's great to have some kind of guide as to places to eat. But, I can't write about food like that... it's feels too betraying. Like I'm disclosing information about the intimate moments I've shared with a lover. I know, it's corny. But seriously, I don't really think I should be sharing with people the things that go on inside my mouth... Instead, I will write about WHY I eat out, what I'm continually learning about food and why I love it more with each day that goes by. It has been such a wonderful journey for me discovering food, and I only wish more Australians would learn to see the value and art of eating and dining. The amazement of something simple like a piece of chicken being reinveted in so many different ways... or discovering a million flavours you've never even dreamt of tasting (things that go way beyond salty, sour, sweet & bitter)... or eating obscure vegetables like spaghetti squash (or if you're like me growing up in a Filipino household, such vegetables like leek, fennel and so forth were foreign and unusual to me!)... the list goes on and on. It is such a privilege to taste and appreciate such art and labour. I don't really think people realise how labour intensive cooking can be. Chefs work more than anyone else I know. And it disappoints me that food is so easily disregarded. Wow... I got really deep there for a minute! But, food is my passion... the first thing I think of when I wake up (I'm always starving!) and the last thing on my mind when I go to bed (I'm normally feeling full & bloated!). So this is my declaration of love for food! Let's learn to love it and cherish it, for all the days of our lives... let us not forget that this simple necessity, is a thing of wonder and beauty!