Civilized Dining Near Death

February 27, 2013 — dining, food, restaurant chains

seasonal food

“The preparation of good food is merely another expression of art, one of the joys of civilized living…” Dione Lucas

Survival depends on finding a source of nutrition.  Today there is a trend to look to restaurants for food service.  In the distant past the household was challenged to grow, kill, store, and otherwise provide the food for a family.  Now by driving through, it is possible to leave the drudgery of dietary delicacy decision making to the folks at Dairy Queen.  Restaurants now exist in giant chains with processed ingredients provided by the central supplier.  This has given rise to a slew of cooking shows and networks, and celebrities.  These celebrities enjoy food and know how to prepare it.  That is why they are out of the ordinary in 2013. They remember, or have been trained, to eat and enjoy a variety of seasonal foods.  They may have even visited a farm. No wonder we regard them as very special beings.

The McRib is not a seasonal food, although Americans believe it is.  The pumpkin spice latte is not either. Pumpkins themselves are seasonal, growing outside in fields and needing to be picked at a certain time. Latte flavoring is forever.  It is possible it will remain in your organs forever also. How is it possible that America is so far removed from grow it, kill it, eat it, that they have no idea where their food has been, or by whom it has been handled?   I am not a stuffy or a picky eater, which might be challenged, since I am a vegetarian.  What I want when I pay another entity to feed me is attention to detail, each and every detail.  I want to feel the careful work that has been done to please my palette every time I put a bite into my mouth.  When I cook that is what I hope to achieve.  Of course, I do not always succeed, but there is never a doubt that I have made the effort. I would rather fail royally in my own kitchen than to be fed by the careless.