Have you ever witnessed a master chef at work? His or her meticulous movements, precision, and thoughtful attention to detail. From prestigious Michelin chefs to grandma agelessly tending the simmering pot, it is wonderful culinary art. In particular, I love watching the hands as they carefully craft, shape and (in this case) skewer. During my Indonesian sojourn, I was greeted with a pleasant smile by this Balinese cook as he prepared my spicy chicken satay. The duration of my gaze, however, turned the smile into a concerned look of “why is this foreigner staring at me for so long?!?” Nonetheless, the photo is evidence that, in the end, it was worth it. [For me, at least!] I came away with a tasty treat, fun photo and glimpse into the culinary art of satay. Now that is some successful snacking.
Musings commenced as a food and wine blog and, although it has evolved into photojournalism, culinary topics are never far out of sight. The reason is simple: food is fascinating, and I really like eating it.
For this reason, food is always a priority in my travels [and perhaps just life generally]. Few things excite me more than unexplored flavors, aromas and ingredients. Why, you ask? Apart from being delicious, food is an expression of individual and cultural identity: it evidences who we are and the road we have traveled. I absolutely love the story food tells.
And, in my opinion, stories are best when you can eat them after.
More than just the artful capture of food preparation, this photo for me represents a new culture and cuisine previously unexplored: Indonesia. From push cart peddlers offering tasty street treats (including spicy satay) to the hospitality and warmth of a Muslim family kitchen, the people and cuisine of Indonesia are, quite simply, extraordinary.
[You can read about some of my Indonesian food adventures here, here, and here].
Favorite new food from 2018? Easy choice. Beef Rendang, a Sumatran dry curry dish packed with ginger, chili, kaffir lime and more spices than you can count. Extraordinarily complex in flavor, this dish will blow your mind.
Cheers!
