500 Word Draft
Justyn Lopez
Eng. 110
Prof. Miller
x xx xx
Penne for Your Thoughts
Often, relationships are simply thought of as serious, deep bonds between two people. Sometimes, we even consider relationships with objects, or non-material items. However, what many people neglect to acknowledge is our relationship with food; and the various processes that go into making it. Asking what exactly is food to individuals will result in a large diversity of answers. Some will answer with a cultural, homemade dish, while others will reply with a boring remark such as fast food. The relationships we have with our food differentiates within each and every one of us walking the earth. Except, there has to be a common ground–a gray area in which a majority of people can agree upon what food really is. That common ground lies in the history behind our food, the way we consume it, and how we go about making it.
Cultural values, beliefs, and ideologies play an imperative role in determining one’s relationship with food. In a majority of cultures, homemade meals are essential to daily life. Whereas, in other cultures it is much more common, and acceptable, to dine out, or even purchase fast food. With such differences in cultural values, families all around the world have separate definitions of what it means to cook and dine out. Italian culture is infamous for creating their food straight from scratch; preparing pasta from dough and eggs, and even handcrafted sauces. This is not an occurrence that randomly happened one day. Instead, it is a result of countless generations passing down recipes, teaching nieces and nephews, and of course, the occasional kitchen arguments. To live in such a culture impacts one’s relationship with their food. The intimacy and passion of an Italian family for their food is much greater due to the fact that they are essentially getting to know their food on a deeper level. To compose complex recipes requiring raw materials, then to actualize a final product based on assorted ingredients, demonstrates an enhanced relationship between food and person.
Food is timeless. Since the dawn of existence every single organism has had to consume nutrients in order to survive. Food can be a gazelle, a pan seared steak, an earthworm, and a grilled cheese sandwich. To all, food is something different; but, food is much more than the nutrients which we receive from it. It is also the process, the origins, and emotions which go into obtaining it. Societies are built upon individual choices, which evolve into societal norms, turning into struggles, but also benefits. Hunters and gatherers made way for all that is observed and conducted today. Without hunting we would not know how to capture animals for their meat, or shear fur for warmth. Without gathering we would not know of agriculture, and farming. History has made way for all the independent choices we make to decide our relationships with everything. Without history, tradition would be lost. The origins of which our relationships are built upon would be completely non-existent. To build a true, meaningful relationship with what we consume, I feel that it is necessary to understand the history supporting our traditions.
800+ Word Draft:
Justyn Lopez
Eng. 110
Prof. Miller
x xx xx
Penne for Your Thoughts
Often, relationships are simply thought of as serious, deep bonds between two people. Sometimes, we even consider relationships with objects, or non-material items. However, what many people neglect to acknowledge is our relationship with food; and the various processes that go into making it. Asking individuals what food is to them will result in a large diversity of answers. Some will answer with a cultural, homemade dish, while others will reply with a boring remark such as fast food. The relationships we have with our food differentiates within each and every one of us. Except, there has to be a common ground–a gray area in which a majority of people can agree upon what food really is. That common ground lies in the history behind what we consume, commanding our traditions and attitude towards food.
In the essay: “Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch”, author Michael Pollan exclaims his heartfelt opinion concerning the noticeable decline in cooking. Similar to many, Pollan’s relationship with cooking came about as he followed the cooking processes of his mother. Yet, even his mother had to learn from somewhere. That somewhere was Julia Child’s original, live broadcasted cooking show. Pollan unravels the attachment that came about between his mother and him as they would watch Child’s show together. For Pollan, he explains his relationship with food would not have been the same without Child’s show. This television program based solely on cooking allowed Pollan to form not only a deeper bond with his mother, but also the food Child provided the recipes for during her time on screen.
Cultural values, beliefs, and ideologies play an imperative role in determining one’s relationship with food. In a majority of cultures, homemade meals are essential to daily life. Whereas, in other countries and cultures it is much more common, and acceptable, to dine out, or even purchase fast food. With such differences in cultural values, families all around the world have separate definitions of what it means to cook and dine out. Italian culture is infamous for creating their food straight from scratch; preparing pasta from dough and eggs, and even handcrafted sauces. This is not an occurrence that randomly happened one day. Instead, it is a result of countless generations passing down recipes, teaching nieces and nephews, and of course, the occasional kitchen arguments. To live in such a culture impacts one’s relationship with their food. The intimacy and passion of an Italian family for their food is much greater due to the fact that they are essentially getting to know their food on a deeper level. To compose complex recipes requiring raw materials, then to actualize a final product based on assorted ingredients, demonstrates an enhanced relationship between food and person.
For the sake of this course, each student is obligated to write a “Favorite Meal” essay at the beginning of the semester. What students only tend to consider is the idea that this essay is to be written merely as describing one’s favorite dish. However, what we do not notice until now is the connection, and unity of each essay. Assigned individual papers, everyone still came up with the same outlook on our relationships with food. For most, favorite meals were interconnected with a family member, or some sort of close relative. As well, in almost every essay, the dish characterized was cultural; belonging to some sort of long lasting tradition, or special occasion. For everyone to have similar thoughts about a singular topic demonstrates the importance, and significance of the affair. Therefore, perhaps those who do not attempt to consider their relationship with what they consume should take another look at their stance.
For anything to be timeless, it must have a continuous, inevitable purpose. Food is timeless. Since the dawn of existence every single organism has had to consume nutrients in order to survive. To a lion, food can be a gazelle, to a human, a pan seared steak. To all, food is something different; but, food is much more than the nutrients which we receive from it. It is also the process, the origins, and emotions which go into obtaining it. Societies are built upon individual choices, which evolve into societal norms, turning into struggles, but also benefits. Hunters and gatherers made way for all that is observed and conducted today. Without hunting we would not know how to capture animals for their meat, or shear fur for warmth. Without gathering we would not know of agriculture, and farming. History has made way for all the independent choices we make to decide our relationships with everything. Without history, tradition would be lost. The origins of which our relationships are built upon would be completely non-existent. To build a true, meaningful relationship with what we consume, I feel that it is necessary to understand the history supporting our traditions.
Final Draft:
Justyn Lopez
Eng. 110
Prof. Miller
5 May. 2023
Penne for Your Thoughts
Throughout his career of teaching English 110, Professor Jessie Miller has required each of his student’s to write a “Favorite Meal” essay at the beginning of the semester. What students only tend to consider throughout the essay is the idea that this paper is to be written merely as describing one’s favorite dish. However, what remains unnoticed until the end of each semester is the interconnectedness, and unity of these essays. Assigned individual papers, everyone still came up with the same outlook, and ideas on our relationships with food. For most, favorite meals coincided with a family member, or some sort of close relative. As well, in almost every essay, the dish characterized was cultural; belonging to some sort of long lasting tradition, or special occasion.
As an example, in 2017, Prakash Patel, one of Professor Miller’s previous students, wrote her “Favorite Meal” essay based on Manchurian; a traditional Indian course. For Prakash, having the ability to consume an original Indian dish as she resides in America, allows her to experience her native heritage. Patel recalled in her essay, “Every time I eat or think about Manchurian, its complexity brings me back to India.” (Patel 2017) In unison, when another student, Jack Hamill, described his mother’s mac’ n cheese, he insisted “…after one bite I knew this dish was going to be making its return for years to come. To this day whenever I taste this meal I know it’s been made with care and precision leaving no room for error.” (Hamill 2023) Some people’s favorite meal transports them back to their homeland, while others like Jack embrace the possibility of a new tradition. For each student to share similar thoughts about a singular topic demonstrates the importance, and significance concerning it. Therefore, perhaps those who do not attempt to acknowledge their relationship with what they consume should take another look at their stance, and reconsider their approach to their relationship with food; because simply eating to consume is not why humans invented sophisticated cuisine, and homemade cooking.
Within the essay “Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch”, author Michael Pollan exclaims his heartfelt opinion concerning the noticeable decline in cooking. He believes this is occurring for multiple reasons, such as: “…food companies persuading Americans to let them do the cooking, and advances in technology that made it easier for them to do so.” (Pollan 4) These were just some examples he was able to come up with. But, similar to many, Pollan’s relationship with cooking came about while he followed the cooking processes of his mother. He even states a few pages into his article, “Most of us have happy memories of watching our mothers in the kitchen, performing feats that sometimes looked very much like sorcery and typically resulted in something tasty to eat.” (Pollan 12) Jillian Dinneen, another student under Professor Miller, confirms this in her “Favorite Meal” essay in saying, “Throughout my entire childhood, I would always stand on a stool as my mom cooked to observe and learn. Even today I enjoy being in the kitchen as my mother cooks to learn new recipes and tricks.” (Dinneen 2023) Yet, even Pollan’s mother had to learn how to cook from somewhere. That somewhere was Julia Child’s original, live broadcasted cooking show. Pollan unravels the attachment that came about between his mother and him as they would watch Child’s show together. For Pollan, he explains his relationship with food would not have been the same without Child’s show. This television program based solely on cooking allowed Pollan to form not only a deeper bond with his mother, but also the food Child provided the recipes for during her time on screen. In his own words, “Julia Child had improved the quality of life around our house.” (Pollan 1)
Usually, relationships are simply thought of as serious, deep bonds between two people. Sometimes, we even consider relationships with objects, or non-material items. However, what many people neglect to acknowledge is our relationship with food; and the various processes that go into making it. What is different now from before is the disconnection we have created with our food. We transitioned from plucking our own chickens, to driving around in circles, going window to window waiting for a meal that is quite questionable in terms of whether or not it’s real meat. So, when asking individuals what they describe as food, and cooking, a large diversity of answers will come about. Some will answer with a cultural, homemade dish, while others tend to reply with a boring remark such as fast food. The relationships we have with our food differentiates within each and every one of us. Although a majority of the world heavily believes in homemade meals, the minority cannot get enough of the Wall-E lifestyle. Except, despite our differences, there has to be a common ground–a gray area in which a majority of people can agree upon what food really is. In my opinion, that common ground lies in the history behind what we consume, commanding our traditions and attitude towards food. To forget, and ignore what history has set in motion for us, results in unforgivable, and unnecessary ignorance.
Cultural values, beliefs, and ideologies also play an imperative role in determining one’s relationship with food. In a majority of cultures, homemade meals are essential to daily life. Whereas, in other countries and cultures it is much more common, and acceptable, to dine out, or even purchase fast food. With such differences in cultural values, families all around the world have separate definitions of what it means to cook and consume. For instance, Italian culture is infamous for creating their food straight from scratch; preparing pasta from flour and eggs, and even handcrafted sauces. The ability to create a meal from the scraps of ingredients is not an occurrence that randomly happened one day. Instead, it is a result of countless generations passing down recipes, teaching sons and daughters, and of course, the occasional kitchen arguments. To live in such a culture impacts one’s relationship with their food. Whereas, if you’re part of a family that eats out every night, can you really say you know what you’re eating? The intimacy and passion of an Italian family for their food is much greater due to the fact that they are essentially getting to know their food on a deeper level. To compose complex recipes requiring raw materials, then to actualize a final product based on assorted ingredients, demonstrates an enhanced relationship between food and person.
Food is timeless because it has a continuous, inevitable purpose. Every organism has to consume nutrients to survive, whether it’s a lion eating a gazelle or a human enjoying a pan-seared steak. But food is more than just nutrients, and consumption; it’s also about the process, origins, and emotions that go into obtaining it. Understanding the history behind our food traditions is necessary to build a true, meaningful relationship with what we consume. As Pollan demonstrates in his article, “Every dish contains not just culinary ingredients but also the ingredients of a narrative: a beginning, a middle, and an end”. (Pollan 13) To live fully, we must appreciate what has come before us, what is now, and what will come to be. Disagreeing about the definition of cooking can increase the worth of what is being debated, much like all debates. In order to preserve this worth, let us agree to disagree.
Works Cited
Pollan, Michael. “Out of the Kitchen, onto the Couch.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 29 July 2009, https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/magazine/02cooking-t.html.
