I love food. Whether I make it myself, get it to go, or sit
down at an eating establishment, I love food.
Why do I love food?
That’s a tough one, Alex. Should be simple, but I find myself digging deep into
my soul to find the answer.
It starts from a very simple feeling. I love to eat. I am
naturally inclined towards food; I've looked forward to meals and planned my
week around specific restaurant visits since I can remember. I always thought
the rest of the world failed to recognize the beautiful opportunity presented
by food. So many people eat whatever is convenient, while I saw a form of
sustenance that gave us the chance to enjoy it for its artistically-driven
pleasure.
That is only part of the story, though. I am not interested
in eating any food to satisfy my
needs and fulfill my desires. I am in constant pursuit of culinary perfection,
a journey that has no logical end but that fuels me to reach for unattainable
conclusions.
I take up this battle when I prepare my own meals, inevitably
leading to disappointment. I will happily acknowledge the strengths of a dish I
prepare, but I obsess over the misfires.
Lasagna from scratch--yeah, I grated the Parmesan. |
Flatter than 14th century conceptions of Earth.
Wontons--yeah, I wrapped 'em all myself. No biggie. |
Entered a bouillon-based broth that tasted of pure shortcut.
I am always willing to take on a new challenge because the
process of creation enthralls me. Humankind feeds off of accomplishment; no
illicit substance can give one the excellent feeling that comes from taking on
a challenge and besting it. Cooking is a daily outlet for creativity, and it
gives me a way to shed my competitive urges.
Despite the pleasure I gain from whipping up my own dishes,
I have as much appreciation for restaurants as anybody. I’m just a tad picky.
My food philosophy essentially sees mealtimes as brief
windows of opportunity; I want to take advantage of my allocated stomach space
for the day, and also want to get the best possible grub for my dollar. When I
go out to eat, it is a careful selection process that considers every possible
factor. I make the task assigned to the International Olympic Committee look easy
in comparison.
Burger Paradise |