The art of appreciating food you don't like

For years, I have been in pursuit of the thing that defines me. The thing that makes me, me. For years, I thought that thing was film, my “it” thing was being a cinephile. Throughout all those years of pretending that I was genuinely curious about the camera lens needed for a scene, I kept cooking, baking and making meals that tasted delicious. At that time, I didn’t know food was such an instrumental part of my life. I only realized last year how food had companied me throughout my life and how much joy it brought me. That was when I decided that food was going to be my new thing. I had always enjoyed making it, sharing it, and, of course, eating it. It was time to take a deeper dive into why I loved it so much.

In the context of food as a business, I know very little. I am curious about its structure and recipes, but what I relate to is truly the passion. This year, I have met many people with the same curiosity as me. It's nice to chat with new friends about things you are genuinely excited about. You can feel their passion. And I’m glad to say, I have found this passion when I talk about the amazing ricotta in that pizza, the effects of a cafecito in Miami or how feijoada can change someone's life. 

Taste is subjective. Everybody has different palates and preferences. But a foodie will always try everything and appreciate the art of a well-cooked, prepared, and presented dish. Our passion for food goes beyond our taste palates. We are passionate about food beyond pure enjoyment.

A few weeks ago, I went on an Asian Food Tour focusing on Chinese and Taiwanese food. Asian food isn’t my favourite, but Vancouver has a gigantic Asian food scene. Sushi is the go-to dish for almost the whole city. I went on this tour with an open mind and was excited to try new dishes knowing that Asian cuisine is not really on top of my list.

I veer away from slimy and jello-like textures, and Asian cuisine has a lot of that. I had a tough time eating the ‘Har Gow’ (Steamed Shrimp Dumpling), but I could still appreciate the details of the dough on those dumplings. I haven’t given up on Asian cuisine even though I have learned time and time again that it is not my favourite. I know there are things I haven’t tried that maybe I would really enjoy. I want to meet more people with that same mentality. I’m willing to try anything if there is a slight chance I would absolutely love it. I appreciate the art of making food too much to not participate in it fully.

The lonely piece of leftover ‘Har Gow’ I couldn’t keep eating.

I might gag as I try to eat a tiny bit of octopus (just the thought makes me a little dizzy), but I can always appreciate a well-prepared octopus tentacle even if that is the last thing I would want to try. For someone out there, this dish changed their lives. This could be the dish they were preparing when they realized they were in love. The dish of their first date. Food has meaning, dishes have power. Just like lasagna is to me, octopus can be to you.

I love food. I have a genuine passion for what I put in my body. It’s more than just fuel. And lucky for me, I have found people that have the same passion as me. People that would go to the ends of the world to try that dish your friend can’t stop talking about, would spend a whole weekend making croissants and have endless photos of their favourite dishes in their camera roll. 

Me and my Mom. The one that showed me good food needs to be shared.

I want to meet more of those people this year. Passionate foodies that can recommend the best food in the world and if they cook, even better. I can bring something too!