PART 1: Introduction
As individuals we all need to eat. If we do not feed ourselves we die. Eating is a basic essential human need.
As members of the human race we also need to reproduce. If we do not individually have sex, the human race would disappear. Sexuality is also a basic essential human need.
These two basic needs drive survival and modulate animal and human behaviors. They are deeply encoded into our DNA and, despite evolution of the species and the capacity of humans to technologically control both, they remain at the root of our existence. Contrary to other species, humans no longer need to dedicate all energies on survival. The pleasures associated with eating and sex however remain driving behavioral forces shaping human actions and psychology. Our analytical and emotional capacities have however shaped our relationships to both food and sex and introduced “human” refinements and complexities that vary according to gender, age, race, geography, religion, health status and many other factors. Despite this, a very simple fact remains: we need to eat and have sex, they are basic human needs.
In north America and developed countries in general, the past decades have witnessed increasing refinements and variations both at the table and in the bedroom. We no longer eat only to survive and not longer have sex merely to reproduce. The abundance of food and increased life expectancy enabled the development of gastronomy and culinary arts. Humans love to eat, discover new foods and new recipes and share this pleasurable social experience. Similarly, humans have developed a better understanding of their sexual behavior (thanks in part to Masters and Johnson) and developed the art of sexuality, enabling new and recurrent pleasures independent of reproduction. After all, life is a deadly sexually transmitted disease and we might as well make the most of it and seek happiness through our basic pre-programmed pleasure mechanisms, including eating and having sex.
Humans have elevated gastronomy and sexuality to new heights, but not all humans share similar relationships to food and sex. There are eating disorders and sexual disorders, and the normality of some behaviors is sometimes difficult to judge. Some are happy with very little food, others are binge eaters. Anorexia-boulimia alternates between both extremes. Some are allergic or intolerant to some type of foods, some are perfectly happy if you serve them the same meal repeatedly with little variations. Some never eat-out and prefer home cooked meals. We all enjoy the reassuring sensation of traditional comfort foods. Some thrive on discovering new restaurants, on tasting new foods and new recipes. They are open to discovery and unafraid to try new exotic cuisine.
]Personally, I prefer to eat natural foods. Foods that have not, or minimally been altered. I truly enjoy eating out and discover new sensations. I prefer independent and experienced chefs that elevate the art of cooking to a new level, chefs that value the experience of their customers and thrive on creating the best experience possible. I enjoy establishing a human and mutually respectful connection with the chef. There is nothing more pleasant than sharing a meal you both enjoy. Sometimes it is not only the quality of the food that makes a culinary experience memorable, it is the ambiance and context, the little attentions.
The allegory of sexuality and gastronomy is truly multifaceted.
Foodie (also known as F.C.)
As individuals we all need to eat. If we do not feed ourselves we die. Eating is a basic essential human need.
As members of the human race we also need to reproduce. If we do not individually have sex, the human race would disappear. Sexuality is also a basic essential human need.
These two basic needs drive survival and modulate animal and human behaviors. They are deeply encoded into our DNA and, despite evolution of the species and the capacity of humans to technologically control both, they remain at the root of our existence. Contrary to other species, humans no longer need to dedicate all energies on survival. The pleasures associated with eating and sex however remain driving behavioral forces shaping human actions and psychology. Our analytical and emotional capacities have however shaped our relationships to both food and sex and introduced “human” refinements and complexities that vary according to gender, age, race, geography, religion, health status and many other factors. Despite this, a very simple fact remains: we need to eat and have sex, they are basic human needs.
In north America and developed countries in general, the past decades have witnessed increasing refinements and variations both at the table and in the bedroom. We no longer eat only to survive and not longer have sex merely to reproduce. The abundance of food and increased life expectancy enabled the development of gastronomy and culinary arts. Humans love to eat, discover new foods and new recipes and share this pleasurable social experience. Similarly, humans have developed a better understanding of their sexual behavior (thanks in part to Masters and Johnson) and developed the art of sexuality, enabling new and recurrent pleasures independent of reproduction. After all, life is a deadly sexually transmitted disease and we might as well make the most of it and seek happiness through our basic pre-programmed pleasure mechanisms, including eating and having sex.
Humans have elevated gastronomy and sexuality to new heights, but not all humans share similar relationships to food and sex. There are eating disorders and sexual disorders, and the normality of some behaviors is sometimes difficult to judge. Some are happy with very little food, others are binge eaters. Anorexia-boulimia alternates between both extremes. Some are allergic or intolerant to some type of foods, some are perfectly happy if you serve them the same meal repeatedly with little variations. Some never eat-out and prefer home cooked meals. We all enjoy the reassuring sensation of traditional comfort foods. Some thrive on discovering new restaurants, on tasting new foods and new recipes. They are open to discovery and unafraid to try new exotic cuisine.
]Personally, I prefer to eat natural foods. Foods that have not, or minimally been altered. I truly enjoy eating out and discover new sensations. I prefer independent and experienced chefs that elevate the art of cooking to a new level, chefs that value the experience of their customers and thrive on creating the best experience possible. I enjoy establishing a human and mutually respectful connection with the chef. There is nothing more pleasant than sharing a meal you both enjoy. Sometimes it is not only the quality of the food that makes a culinary experience memorable, it is the ambiance and context, the little attentions.
The allegory of sexuality and gastronomy is truly multifaceted.
Foodie (also known as F.C.)
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