The Virtue of Gastronomics

We begin the substantive portion of our Wonderblogging journey with a reflection on food, and how seriously one should approach the subject. Surprised?

It should come as no surprise that the inhabitants of this world place a premium on speed. We, and the Author often finds himself included in this category, seem willing to pay more for faster computor processors, modems, internet services, cars, and public transport services. Much to the dismay of some, a significant proportion of this world's inhabitants even pay for services that fasttrack the introduction of potential mates. But it is on the issue of speedophilia intruding on the culinary sphere where one should rightly begin a long tract of lamentations.

The Author has for a long time been a loyal follower of the great British chef, Rick Stein. From watching an episode of his famous "Food Heroes" series, one would know that what sets this chef apart from others is his emphasis not just on top quality ingredients, but also to a large extent on his penchant for traditional European cooking.

Anyone who has tried traditional European cooking would know that it is by and large a time consuming and labour intensive process, but many who have tried the results of such cooking methods also know that the extra effort and time put in produces meals that do more than provide one's daily dietary needs.

To give one an anecdotal example, the Author was in Melbourne and the need arose to prepare a 5 course chinese/Indonesian dinner. It soon became apparent that the task required a bit more manpower than what the two scrawny tentacles of the Author could provide. The result was that the receipients of said dinner had to save the Author from making a total goose of himself (pun was indeed intentional) and helped in the washing, chopping and stirring.

The odd thing was that the collective effort in the preparation at the same time generated a great sense of camaradarie amongst all involved. Conversations on the most esoteric subjects (that is if one were to count "John Paul II's theology of the body as esoteric) were started amongst total strangers that carried onto the consumption stage of the dinner and well into dessert. It was only the clock's strike of 12am that put an end to the dialogue, by which time nearly all involved were about ready to turn in after what was an incredibly satisfying meal.

What can be gleaned from these two trains of thought is that the old fashioned home cooked meal is fast becoming an endangered species, being replaced by a variety of fast food outlets, and especially the frozen microwave dinner which can cooked and consumed in a space of 30 minutes. It is highly debatable whether such meals bring any more satisfaction than the comfort of knowing that one's stomach is not going to digest itself for the next couple of hours. On top of all this, the whole process of preparation and consumption can be undertaken, and indeed it is often undertaken, alone. No esoteric conversations, or indeed any conversation or intervention by outside parties required. Indeed fast food and microwave dinners have eliminated many inconveniences, including need to get into contact with another human being...

Good food takes time and help, but the rewards can go far beyond a superior meal. Indeed, wars are stopped and in biblical times, familial bonds are created around the communal dinner table. For the Christian, it is instructive to note that the turning point in Salvation History, Jesus Christ's Passion, death and resurrection, first became manifest in the context of a ritualised meal, the Passover.

Mother Theresa once said that if you want to change the world, one should change oneself. There is no easier way to start the whole process of conversion than changing our eating habits. Put some love into your food, get a friend or family member to help, and who know where it can lead to?