Food tastes better when eaten together

...nibbling bits together makes us whole.

(Big News: I have a podcast! And you can listen to this post on the go)

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I am not the greatest chef in the world, but I am a pretty decent cook. And even though I’m my own audience, I know I can whip up a storm. I try not to eat my food on the same day that I make it, because I’m usually tired after a big cook and I don’t think food should be eaten when you’re tired. You need your senses alive and heightened when you eat, that way the taste is memorable.

A food sharing platter. Photo by my friend, Lou

I am the type of person who tears up for anything that touches my heart, so you shouldn’t be surprised to learn that if the food is good, my eyes are wet. It’s not because “there’s a lot of water in my eyes” as the Yorubas will put it, but I just appreciate the art of cooking.

Now greater than the art is the heart behind the cooking. You see, I think to cook for someone is a thoughtful thing. And I know it can also be a mechanical process and there may be no need to get poetic about it, but to gather people around a table and watch them smile as they eat and chat, I think it’s a blessing.

I moved away from home about two years ago and I’ve had to learn to eat alone. For me, it’s a pretty grim experience because more than the food is the company. So, to eat in silence or sometimes with the distraction of a movie, it’s just meh. I miss hobbling around a sharing platter with my family, nibbling bits that make us whole.

These days I send pictures of food home and chat about what I’m eating for the week, it’s not the same but it brings us closer. I also enjoy eating out with my friends and going to team lunches at work, another day to splurge the cash I don’t have. But it’s food and I love the taste of food when I’m with people, so I can’t complain.