Trend of the Day

Broken down international borders have quite literally opened the door to new culinary experiences to enhance good living, from international travel to the high street takeaways and Asiatic emporiums, never forgetting the staple supermarkets and street markets. 

Not only thanks to aromats that flavour what we eat beyond recognition but an extensive range of foodstuffs to enlighten our lives but .... as with everything there comes a downside, in this instance that downside is trending.  It seems you're nobody unless you can say you've visited Thailand or Japan or Korea and tasted their street food first hand - or should that be mouth!?!

If easily impressed and thus influenced then go for it of course, the choice is yours but please don't try to force your veiled vanity on society in general.  Where one has traveled, how far afield they venture, how intrepid when they reach their final destination is a personal journey of discovery suited to each individual - it's not a competition.  At least it shouldn't be.

Why try to guilt trip people into thinking they are out of the in-crowd because they never visited nor traveled around Asia, or South America for that matter.

The beauty now is most food varieties, whatever their origin, can be made in your kitchen, without the fatigue and dangers and expense of continental exploration.  Not to say travel is not worth the trouble but it is a personal adventure, not a badge of honour.  Everything you do in life should be for your own pleasure, not to try and impress the neighbours.  Are you eating this because it's trendy, because some stranger tells you it's the best?  Are you really enjoying it or are you only fooling yourself, pretending to appease whoever is trying to influence your taste buds?

Food should always be about doing what you like, how you like it and when  you like it - otherwise what's the point?  Planning, buying, preparing, cooking, presenting and the grand finale - eating!  That's what it's all about, not trying to appease or impress or influence or gain brownie points.  There are things most of us just don't like, there are things most of us love but don't pretend to fashion any style of cuisine because it's said to be trendy.

Unfortunately food stores tend to work on the supply and demand principle, quite understandable of course but trending specific foods, aromats and dishes only saturates the market with specific comestibles, leaving behind the finer delectables overlooked in a society dominated by trend.

Leave food alone where it belongs, it's not a fashion accessory so doesn't need to be dressed to kill.