Dinner

Dinner…

Food holds a special place in my life. Pretty sure that applies to all of us, but hey… it’s my blog. And it’s not just about the act of eating; it’s about the experience, the flavors, and the company.

Whether you’re dining alone, with family, or hosting a huge feast, dinner is an opportunity to explore culinary delights and create lasting memories.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really come to enjoy trying new things and making exciting dishes. If the kiddos actually enjoy my cooking, that's just brownie points!

When I was younger, however, I thought making food was extremely difficult, almost like a form of learned helplessness. I loved watching the food network with my Mom but never thought I’d be able to make what she could. I was so wrong.

Like the chef on Ratatouille says, “Anyone can cook!”

The person that I want to spotlight here for really pushing the limits of food education and inspiring me to explore cooking is Alton Brown. Famous for his hit shows on the Food Network, he’s become a staple for TV food entertainment. He is such a charismatic and energetic host, and completely captured my younger self’s attention.

What I didn’t realize about him is that he wasn’t always a cook. 

After working in film production for a decade, he realized that he wanted to do something different. “I kept thinking, 'Somebody has to make a food show that is actually educational and entertaining at the same time... a show that got down to the 'why things happen.’” 

So he quit what he was doing and went to culinary school.

Combining humor, science and history, his break-out show “Good Eats” relied on his nerdy personality and his passion for cooking. First airing in 1998, he said the show was inspired by the unlikely duo of Julia Child and Monty Python.

“The kitchen's a laboratory, and everything that happens there has to do with science. It's biology, chemistry, physics. Yes, there's history. Yes, there's artistry. Yes, to all of that. But what happened there, what actually happens to the food is all science.”

He always loved food and developed his cooking skills by watching his mom and grandma in the kitchen. Because of that, he’s always been an advocate for getting kids involved in making food for the family.  

“Unless your kid is Pele Jr., they're not going to be able to feed themselves from soccer. If your kid knows how to play soccer, but not make dinner, you have done them a disservice.”

Though I’m not a culinary artist by any stretch of the imagination, I do love to cook. And I think his shows played a significant role in that.

Food and dinner are more than just sustenance; they’re an integral part of our lives and cultures. They bring us joy, satisfaction, and most importantly, a sense of community.

So, take the time to explore new culinary horizons and create memorable dining experiences.

Bon appetit!