WHAT'S ON THE TABLE?

Eating, or the consumption of food, is integral to our daily life. It is how we obtain energy and nourish our bodies not to mention a form of sensory pleasure and enjoyment. What we choose to eat and the feelings and emotions that we encounter when growing, purchasing, preparing, serving, sharing and eating food is complex and thought by many to be attributable to not only our gustatory sense of taste, but also our cultural upbringing and our place in society. What we eat says a lot about who we are as individuals and how we experience the world.

There are many benefits to being physically and emotionally connected to where our food comes from, the people who produce it and the methods by which it was grown, prepared and cooked. We open ourselves up to new and fulfilling interpersonal relationships with growers, retailers, friends, neighbours and family. We form a deeper understanding of nature and the climactic conditions that are required to grow nutritious and delicious food as well as a new appreciation for each of the seasons and the joy each one brings to our table. World affairs become more relevant and we discover the power our spending choices has on issues such as free trade, animal welfare, pollution and climate change, food waste and local economy – to name but a few. Developing a deeper sense of connectedness with our food will open you up to a wide range of new and exciting meals, delicious flavours, new friendships, lasting memories and opportunities to indulge in pleasure and personal fulfilment each day.

I hope you enjoy the stories, images, recipes and comments and that they encourage you to reflect on the sensory-perceptual, social and cultural aspects of food experiences and feel more deeply connected to our world and each other.