Food. The word itself makes me go gooey inside from the pleasure it exudes. How I love food; the word, the physical object…the entire concept really. Sure, it is necessary for sustenance, but it’s about so much more than that. The flavours, textures and scents of cuisine are symbolic of life’s greatest joys. So, those who are nonchalant regarding food perplex me and cause my blood to boil slightly. How can someone possibly be blasé about sizzling spatchcock glistening with a honey glaze? Or dismiss the aroma of freshly baked sourdough? Or turn a blind-eye to soufflé oozing with thick, chocolate sauce?

My utter adoration for eatables also extends beyond the physical sensory elements they evoke. Reading about food is equally satisfying through descriptions which conjure up vivid imagery; which in turn, tantalise the tastebuds. Additionally, acquiring knowledge about gastronomy and the industry is vital to the expansion of one’s dinner party conversation repertoire. Particularly within Sydney’s social scene, you would be left red-faced if your ignorance about Tetsuya’s degustation menu mastery was discovered. Or thoroughly embarrassed through cluelessness regarding the fair trade coffee craze or the inclusion of wagyu beef to every menu around town.

Don’t get me wrong; I am by no means calling for every Tom, Dick and Harry to convert to food snobbism. Hell, my appreciation for a greasy 4a.m kebab equals that of an Aria-quality meal dressed with the finest truffle oil. But to possess zero concern for food is puzzling and a tad worrisome to me as a food-lover.

 On that note, I urge all us foodies to alert those non-carers about food that they are MISSING OUT. Offer them your assistance in exploring new and tempting edibles. Perhaps the frivolous nature of teppanyaki will stimulate their interest? Or the act of dipping crunchy Spanish churros into hot chocolate will ignite a passion for cuisine? Perhaps even recite to them a passage from Good Living magazine describing a delicious dish, or switch on Nigella; seducing the camera as she vigorously stirs her ingredients together.

 If all else fails, send them to me. I’ll give them a beating with a freshly baked stick of sourdough.

Photo Courtesy of Dan4th, Licensed to Creative Commons