Give them great meals

Of beef and iron and steel,

They will eat like wolves

And fight like devils.

— Shakespeare

I have always said that I wish that I could eat like a wolf, ripping, tearing, biting off huge chunks of food and consuming it with such relish and gusto. At least that’s how my better half sometimes describes how I would really like to eat, but food is to be enjoyed to the fullest.

That quote above is so true, for it has been said that an army marches on its stomach. If the troops are well-fed they will be satisfied and more willing and able to fight properly. It’s also been said that a hungry man is an angry man. He may be angry, yes, but so weak from hunger that he’s unable to fight effectively.

So food really is the staff of life, and without it we perish. When you come to think of it, we basically live to eat and eat to live, for food is such an important part of our lives. Even in the
Bible the importance of food has been documented, for Jesus did feed over 5,000 people with five loaves and two fishes.

And when disciple Peter had reservations about eating certain types of food, He told him, “Rise Peter, kill and eat, for what I have blessed, let no man call unclean.”

Food is essential, not only for nourishment, but also for social interaction. We meet people for lunch, brunch, dinner, breakfast meetings, none of which would be successful or viable if there was no food served.

“Let’s meet over lunch to discuss it.”

And as for functions and social events, if food is not served it’ll be a dismal flop, especially events like weddings and funerals, for the success of both is often determined by the amount and taste of the food. No matter how beautiful the bride looks or how great the pastor spoke, if the food at the reception didn’t cut a dash then the wedding will be deemed an abysmal failure.

When Mas Joe got buried, his send-off would be considered a success based on the quantity and quality of food served at the repast. That’s why that ram goat had to make the ultimate sacrifice to satisfy the mourners.

It’s all about the food, as we’ll find out right after these comments regarding what I had to say about ‘Christmas Time’.

Tony,

Yes, I do agree, Christmas is a very special time of year for most people. Even if they are Christians, Jews, Gentiles or other the season does bring out the best in people, and does soften the attitude that most people have towards each other. Thanks for reminding us.

Patricia

Teerob,

You certainly took me down memory lane when it comes to Christmas time. Just like your aunt who gave you that mass-produced shirt, I had an aunt who would give me ‘memorable’ gifts, but I had to accept them in the spirit that they were given. I remember wearing shoes much too small for me, just because they came from foreign. I still have the toe corns to show.

Pablo

Let no one tell you differently, it’s all about the food, and many a success is determined by the food that’s served — both quantity and quality. Even the success of a relationship is hinged on food, for very often the possibility of a man getting the woman to go to bed with him is determined by where he took her on that first date. Remember that song, ‘Extra, extra read all about it, girl have sex for two tin of mackerel.’ You can’t make these thing up.

If he takes her to a swanky restaurant and pulls out all the stops, ordering the finest gourmet food — filet mignon, lobster, truffles, caviar and such delight — his chances will certainly increase proportionately.

But let him take her to a cook shop or a fast food joint where the main course is curried chicken foot and see how far that gets him. At this point some ladies may take offence, but I challenge those who do. Let a man take you to either of those establishments and see how you would react.

“He had a nerve! Took me to a patty shop and then wanted to sleep with me that same day.”

“Out of order. Run de bwoy!”

It’s all about the food. Interestingly, at Christmas time that just passed, food was such a hugely important aspect of the celebrations, and Christmas dinner is of utmost importance. Even the poorest among us still look forward to a special meal on that day.

Interestingly, in Japan it’s quite in vogue to have KFC on Christmas day for dinner. Yes, KFC. And even here, KFC is a big deal to many people at Christmas time. We certainly love our chicken, and whether it be KFC, Popeyes, Island Grill, Mothers, Churches, the pan chicken man, or any other fast food outlets, chicken is the number one item to satisfy the palate. No party will flop as long as chicken is served, for it’s all about the food.

I mentioned a while back how expensive and difficult it is to eat so-called healthy food. I say so-called because I contend that nothing is wrong with eating everything as long as you do it in moderation.

Now that Hurricane Melissa has done a number on our agricultural sector, many people are realising that the choices in types of food have become limited. Some folks who used to say, “Oh, I don’t eat that”, or “I can’t eat this” will now have to think again and partake of what’s available, or dead fi hungry.

I was never particularly fussy about what type of food I ate, and enjoy just about anything — from chicken, curry goat, oxtail, fish, spare ribs, stew peas and pig tails, pizza, bully beef, eggs, saltfish and such delight. I’m very easy to feed, not fussy at all.

In contrast, there are some people I know who are so picky-choosy about their food and difficult to feed that it’s almost annoying. Ironically, and I stand by this, most of those picky-choosy food people are always sickly and complain about some ailment or the other. Is that related or a coincidence? It’s all about the food, or lack of it

Jamaicans love to eat, and that is evident by the thousands of people who converge on eating establishments every day of the week, and moreso on weekends. Our food is renowned around the world, and when visitors come here they marvel at our vast, wonderful, delicious cuisine.

“Oh we just love your jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, and your oxtail is divine.”

Our famous jerk chicken has been served to dignitaries and royalty around the world. And just recently I saw the new mayor of New York sampling and enjoying it, much to his delight. Jamaican restaurants are a hit anywhere they are set up on this planet.

I’ve been to Japan and seen successful Jamaican restaurants — and even places as exotic as Abu Dhabi have great Jamaican restaurants doing well. It’s all about the food. We will take the simplest dish and turn it into a work of culinary art. Our people will take the lowly chicken back, chop it up, season it with curry and other spices, and serve a dish that excites the palate.

A simple tin of sardines, seasoned and served with rice is a meal that titillates, teases, tantalises taste buds. And as for bully beef, nowhere on Earth is bully beef served with such variety as in Jamaica.

“Lord, Miss Val, is how you get bully beef to taste suh nice?”

Events here are often remembered, not for the music or the speeches but for the food, and the saying that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach is so true. Ask any man who s involved with a woman who cannot cook and he’ll confess that he’s not a happy man.

“The sex is great, but after the sex, a man’s gotta eat.”

And a wonderful dish of oxtail, if you can afford it, will just complete the relationship.

“Me can’t mek love pon pon hungry belly.”

“Why did you ask her to marry you?”

“After I tasted the oxtail and stew peas, I couldn’t let her go.”

It’s all about the food. Shakespeare did say, “Things sweet to taste prove in digestion sour.” What we say here is, “What sweet nanny goat a guh run him belly.” Same sentiment.

Be careful of that stew peas meal though, for is plenty man get ‘tied’ because of it, but is not everything good fi eat good fi talk.

“For food, glorious food, marvellous food,

fabulous food, beautiful food,

Magical food,

Glorious food.’

—
Food Glorious Food, song by John Powell and Lionel Bart.

So many sayings about victuals but the bottom line is, before food waste, mek belly buss. It’s all about the food.

More time.

seido1yard@gmail.com

Footnote: It’s been said that a rose by any other name is just as sweet, and Basil Dawkins’ new play is just that, sweet. The play,
A Rose of Sharon, delves into a current and controversial issue with high drama, emotional content, and rollicking humour. It examines the challenges that deportees experience when they return home to a land that can be insensitive and suspicious, and really makes us think, even as we laugh. Dennis Titus and Deon Silvera both give stellar performances, ably complemented by newcomer Derrick Clarke. Our country is so blessed to have such a rich and vibrant theatre culture which is unmatched anywhere else in the English-speaking Caribbean. We should not take this for granted and continue to support our local theatre.