4 minute read
A DIVE INTO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOOD AND PLACE
The range of food across the globe is vast and diverse, with each country on the map boasting their own selection of unique and flavourful dishes and ingredients. Some may be more well-known than others, but each holds its own significance to the regions they belong to. I’m sure many of you have tried a variety of foods from across the world, especially with the range of options now available on our doorstep, but have you ever wondered where exactly these dishes came from? How ramen came to be? Or even the story behind the traditional Welsh ‘cawl’?
Advertisement
Let me take you on a small food journey… …Having recently returned from studying abroad in Tokyo, I may be slightly biased, but I think Japanese cuisine is one of the most unique and delicious in the world. Regional dishes are also plentiful there, and each prefecture is known for something different. Osaka is the food capital of Japan, particularly famous for its Okonomiyaki – a savoury pancake of noodles, cabbage egg, and seafood. Already a regional dish, it has its own variations of toppings even in other prefectures. Japan holds a lot of importance on using fresh and seasonal ingredients, which explains the number of regional dishes available. Regional variations take place not only within the country but also abroad. For example, sushi – a quintessential dish of Japan – in its traditional form is very simple: a piece of fresh fish on top of rice. However, these days the dish has evolved a significant amount since its supposed origin in 3rd-5th century B.C. We now encounter California rolls, dragon rolls, or sushi with avocado and cream cheese. As the name suggests, the California roll is a spin on sushi said to have been created by a Japanese chef in Los Angeles. This is a good example of how food can originate in one place but take on many variations as it travels further afield. This expands the traditional relationship between food and place, as new relationships are constantly formed, adopting and adapting ingredients from other cultures.
Closer to home, there are many countries in Europe that
A Dive Into The Relationship Food and Place
are well-known for their food. Italy, for example, is the home to world-famous dishes. Although most famous Italian foods are now easily accessible not only across the whole of Italy but worldwide, many particular ingredients or recipes can be traced back to their local origins. Tuscan beef comes from the north, whereas the famous mozzarella is produced in the south. Naturally, seafood dishes originate from the coastal regions, and pizza, now available virtually everywhere, is a regional dish of Naples. Although it’s not something most of us think about now with the effect of globalisation and the increase in accessibility of food, many famous dishes such as these have strong ties to their homeland. Not only does food have historical connections to the places from which they originate, but we can also look at its relationship to place on a more personal level. The relationship we, as individuals, have with food is all about the connections we feel to it, the memories it brings back and how it makes us feel (think about that one scene in Ratatouille when the food critic is transported back to his childhood from a single bite of ratatouille). For me, it is a traditional Welsh cawl. We all know the United Kingdom is, let’s say, not particularly admired for their food, but as a Welsh girl, I feel obligated to defend my cultural heritage. Admittedly, it’s not something I eat often with the range of other food available, but I do hold a special place in my heart for traditional Welsh food. Cawl is one of Wales’ most famous dishes, consisting of cooked meat (usually lamb or beef from Welsh farms) and root vegetables in a sort of casserole-style meal. It is said to have been invented in the 14th century and is now most commonly eaten during the winter months. A simple dish, but it holds a strong connection to not only me personally, but to many Welsh people.
It’s not only the food items that we can consider here. The relationship between people and food can also be seen as a part of culture or religion. Food can create a sense of belonging to a certain group and eating together is a way to form connections with others. Every culture has different ways of eating, different etiquette and table manners. Dinnertime brings people together in many cultures; in some European countries, it’s common to spend hours at the dinner table, talking and eating and spending time with loved ones. Food can act as the glue that brings people together. It forms connections not only to places but to the people who live there and grow up with it.
Words by Caitlin Evans
Design by Julian Tse
