What Lies Within
OK, I could be overthinking this a bit. Nevertheless, I find it moving, daunting, even a bit awe-invoking the extent to which some of my guests open themselves up through their food orders. I’m no shrink, obviously, but people tell you a lot by what and how they order. Actions here speak at least as loudly as words. Consider the following, simplistic typology:
Medical issues. OK, this is an obvious one, that ranges from diabetes to gluten and/or lactose intolerance to allergies to food sensitivities. These issues need to be disclosed for obvious reasons and indeed, that’s what folks do. Oddly enough, it’s really not that different from filling out a medical history form at the doctor’s office. Only I’m no medical doctor.
Intense dislikes. This occurs more often than I would have expected. The interesting thing with this classification is not that folks dislike certain tastes. That goes without saying. It is the strong language in which this dislike is typically couched: I hate dill, for instance, or my wife and I can’t stand the consistency of raw onions, or, under no circumstances include the following laundry list of herbs (coriander, parsley, shallots, leeks, chives, etc.). From a culinary standpoint, this class is more challenging because you are looking for an umami balance of tastes with every dish. Pulling certain ingredients out of the equation throws the taste profile way off. I don’t doubt the intensity of these dislikes. Not at all. But I do sometimes wonder if that hated ingredient when melded with other herbs and spices is truly problematic.
Ideologues. I use the term respectfully. It includes vegans, vegetarians, Paleo/Keto folks etc. I was a vegetarian for a long time. My kids have been vegans for a while. We all have our valid reasons.
Inclinations. I am asking for a world of hurt on this group, but I don’t mean anything malicious by it. This group orders vegan burgers, but prefers non-vegan buns. Or a vegan salad topped with Stilton Cheese. Or gluten-free schnitzel but prefers to go with the standard version rather than pay the up-charge for the gluten-free coating. Again, mine is not to ask why, it is simply to do my very best to accommodate.
Like I said initially, it is a bit humbling to be invited into the quirks of people’s lives. We are all much stranger and more interesting than outward appearances let on.
