Who decided that Peek Freans were serious cookies? What marketing wiz came up with the fact that they were deemed, “much too good to waste on children.” Seriously? Way to piss off a whole generation of kids and ensure that all of us would end up with self-esteem issues, guys.
Do you remember The Sharing Song by Raffi? It was from the amazing album, Singable Songs For The Very Young. I used to play it all the time for Matty when he was a baby. “It’s mine but you can have some. With you I’d like to share it. ‘Cause if I share it with you, you’ll have some too. Well if I have a cake to eat, if I have a tasty treat, if you come to me and ask, I’ll give some to you.” Peek Freans should probably have consulted with Raffi. I don’t think those exclusionary cookies are made anymore and Raffi’s albums are still hugely popular worldwide. Clearly his ideas were way more inclusive. (Now there’s some food for thought.)
When we were growing up and my parents were having company come to our house, my sister and I were not allowed to eat the food my Mother prepared for the guests. Not even a single slice of the cocktail rye that was warm and looked so toasty coming out of the oven. Not one swipe of a salty chip through that creamy onion dip in the wavy glass bowl before the top was sprinkled with paprika. How could you feed your guests better than your own kids? What the fuck, Mom and Dad?? Did Peek Freans somehow brainwash you? I guess Raffi wasn’t around yet to help you make better choices.
An old friend of mine recently shared his theory about sharing food. His restaurant policy was simple, “Order what you like and hands off my plate. However, if mine isn’t good, I’d be happy to share yours.” What kind of crazy logic is that? I like sharing. Especially in a big group where you get to order a bunch of different foods and everyone gets to have a little sampling of everything. I once had a terrible date where the guy ordered three different appetizers just for himself. Who does that! I don’t trust people who don’t like to share. I think he missed a good lesson there in the sandbox at age 4.
I think people who take food too seriously probably take themselves too seriously too. Like chefs who absolutely refuse to alter their menu, even if you have a specific request, allergy or preference. Can’t you just picture the overweight chef in the tall white hat and red face stomping out of the kitchen with a butcher knife in his hand to confront the man at table 53 who just asked for ketchup with his steak? Back off, buddy. Why do you care if he likes a little tomatoey topper for his tomahawk?
So many of us go so far as to put on fancy clothes to eat serious food. We even dress up the food! A fancy crown roast of lamb sports those paper frills that look like mini chef’s hats. Can we just leave the food out of the conversation for a minute? And the bigger the price tag for the meal, the higher the heels, right, ladies? Why so serious? None of this kind of froufrou food is really my style anyway. I’d much prefer to ditch the heels and enjoy a casual meal of great eats with terrific friends and family. And if you’re someone I love I’d even give you the last bite. I’m a total foodie– I’m just not that serious about it.
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