Exploring the Culinary Passion: A Journey into the Soul of Food
Passion, what is it? The definition of passion is – a strong and barely controllable emotion. What is the meaning of the word when it comes to food? What could be uncontrollable about food that someone would feel that passionate about? Why do some chefs even use that terminology to describe food? Come on this journey to find this so-called "Passion" in food that chefs talk about.
If you google the following "definition for passion when it comes to food," here is the first thing that pops up – "Cooking with love and passion means that the person preparing the food is putting a lot of care, attention, and enthusiasm into the process. They are not just going through the motions or following a recipe. Still, they are truly invested in the outcome and are striving to create something delicious and enjoyable," according to a Quora answer. Let's see what one of the all-time storytellers of the culinary industry says about the subject, "Food is everything we are. It's an extension of nationalist feelings, ethnic feelings, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It's inseparable from those from the get-go." Chef Anthony Bourdain
Could these definitions be correct? When chefs speak of this passion for food, do they discuss not following a recipe? Are they invested in and striving for something delicious? Is it about ethnic feelings, you, and where you come from? What would drive chefs to use the term "PASSION for FOOD" and make it sound almost pornographic? I find myself questioning these definitions myself. I do not "feel" that these definitions capture the WHY we speak like this. To "feel" or understand that Chef's meaning behind the work Passion is - DNA. The vast majority of us, and when I speak of us, I am talking about those who have put in the time to achieve their goals, Those who took that job only wanted to learn to develop themselves. Those who pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and tried to be different are who I speak of or for. You see, it is more than just letters on a page. It is a mindset that we have that we will do whatever it takes to feed people. Not just feed them for fuel, but to feed their soul! It is this dance that we do, this subtle slow-moving swaying production, that we balance. We think differently than others.
We do not see a plate but a canvas. We look at food as the raw paint that with have been provided with. We look at how we can turn this food into a work of art that tantalizes the senses. We see things as textures/flavor components/colors for our canvas. We methodically go over each layer of seasoning to see if the flavors work independently and play nice in the "sandbox" together. We go out of our way to find our level of perfection for each dish and then try to break the dish down to see where each step can go wrong. Why!!! Because the passion for our guests to have the most craveable meal is why!
We have a saying in the biz, "We are here just to serve food." Now, for those that look at that and say, "DUH, of course," there is more to that statement than meets the eye. Some serve food because they are not passionate about the food they are cooking. To some, work is just a form of servitude, picking up that paycheck. We serve an experience! We want to expose you to flavors and scents that get you yearning for more. We serve food to wake your soul and have you possibly experience a memory from your youth. We show respect for what the earth gives us and for each cuisine, we learn from. We show respect by incorporating foods that shake your taste buds and have you questioning your entire existence! The best way to describe the feeling, think of the movie "Ratatouille." When the food critic took his first bite of the dish, he was transported back to his childhood. That is what we live for! To be passionate about food is to respect food, but most of all, it's about making memories with friends and family. Food is magical...
