Well….I long ago passed the label, Foodie. My love affair with all things gastronomic began in the early 80’s, as I began to travel the world. Since then I must admit and confess that it has at time become an obsession. The range is simple….Street vendors to 3 star Michelin restaurants. I’ve eaten animal penis that ‘s been stir fried on the streets of Hong Kong, and dined at Gordon Ramsey’s eatery at Claridge's in London….and pretty much everything in-between. The passion has driven me to study cooking with locals in various parts of the world, and gather quite an eclectic arsenal of recipes that are called upon weekly. I’ve amassed a book of favourite restaurants from all over the world….pretty much any major metropolitan area is covered, and within that, all of my favourite cuisines.
It started as a curiosity. Different country….different food. I was always drawn to experience the local food, and the major restaurants didn’t often provide that. Sort of like taking someone to Chilli’s to taste Mexican food. (I really can’t eat at those institutional places anymore….they provide nothing of interest…or quality) So my quest drove me to ‘the locals”…food stalls or private homes, or sometimes if one was lucky, a one-off, mom and pop place off the beaten path.
So…having been to 56 countries, I have been able to quench this passion for artisanal, local food. The term “sustainable” is known and practiced in most 2nd and 3rd world countries. From farm to table in 5 minutes! It’s mainly here in the opulent West, particularly the U.S., where one finds the manufacturing of eating.
So what are my favourite experiences? I love walking the streets of a given city or town, and looking for the central market. There are an abundance of food stalls teaming with sights and smells of “something” cooking…and condiments. This is perhaps my favourite way to experience the food culture. Or the countryside…olive groves and a stand where they are selling olive oil that was made that morning, or vineyards…..Somebody stop me!
I’ve made so many friends across this globe that no matter where I go, I am always invited to a home. I love the food found in the countryside, be it Provence or Tuscany or the Basque region of Spain….give me rustic, primal food. Preferably outdoors on a fire made of lavender branches..with lamb on the grille, and assorted veggies….oh yes….and copious homemade wines! (See….this is where the notion of food porn comes in….I’m now visualizing the above scene in my mind, and I’m hungry!) And the time….anywhere else in this world, the people take their time. A 2 hour lunch is not out of the ordinary. They enjoy the food, because…well….it’s enjoyable.
Anthony Bourdain is a guy who I admire, follow, and respect. He’s out there in T.V. land for guys like me. You can have your Rachael Ray. Bourdain says, “Rachael Ray is to food what Hitler was to Poland”. Hahaha! I agree.
There is no real purpose of this post other than to begin to share a passion….no….an obsession……
Enjoy!
