The statement “There’s no such thing as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ food” raises the controversial issue of debate surrounding food. Food can be categorized into binary terms of ‘’good’’ and ‘’bad’’ based on different perspectives. However, food being such a universal topic, because of the various factors that come into determining one’s definition of ‘’good’’ or ‘’bad’’ food, such as personal palate and experience, there is simply no absolute good or bad food.
During Madeline and Simon’s conversation in week 9’s session, Madeline mentioned that she unintendedly built a persona of her food critic, that she had now gained the reputation as “that girl who loves KFC”.
This persona was attached to her half-jokingly by people because the common consensus would have been that the Groove offers a higher level of cuisine than KFC. But does that grading mean the food of the Groove are ‘good foods’ over the ‘bad food’ of KFC?
Most definitely not. In Madeline’s review about the Groove and KFC, she presents a relatable persona—-one which many people are able to see themselves within. She wrote that she knew for many people, KFC epitomizes grease and Big Fast food. But she loves KFC because of it being the ‘’savior food’’ for her who comes from a big family. As someone who have limited fine-dining experiences, I think it’s unlikely that knowledge of the food being a higher level of culinary cuisine than my home-cooked meals, will influence my taste bud preference for the food. Because there will always be an unique and irreplaceable role my personal experience will play in my subjective liking of the food.
I will thus argue, that personal experience plays a greater factor influencing one’s experience about the food.
References
‘The critic and the rookie go to The Grove, one of Auckland’s fanciest restaurants’. December 8, 2017. The Spinoff. https://thespinoff.co.nz/auckland/08-12-2017/the-critic-and-the-rookie-dining-out-at-one-of-aucklands-most-expensive-restaurants/
‘The food critic and the rookie head to KFC’. December 11, 2017. The Spinoff. https://thespinoff.co.nz/auckland/11-12-2017/the-food-critic-and-the-rookie-head-to-kfc/
You’re right! Food IS a controversial issue of debate!
The significance of food has fallen into a spectrum of necessity between my hunger and my identity. From one lover of KFC to another (I’m assuming) you had revealed both perspectives on KFC, aspects people often forget to acknowledge. The fact that certain foods are placed under different lights, some brighter than others, also says a lot about the food themselves.
I, too, have limited fine-dining experiences, and so far, all of the food I’ve tasted has been exquisite. But, without a doubt, if I were to choose between dinner out or a homemade meal, I’d prefer to stay at home. Food in itself is an experience, and with a five-star restaurant, one is not only paying for the meal but the experience of luxury as well. I couldn’t agree more with the significance you’ve placed onto the role of personal experience! Because what is a five-star restaurant to my mum’s panikeke (pancakes) in the comfort of my home?
Thanks for the great read!
I can eat my chicken in peace now 🙂