Paper 2: Draft 1- 500 Words

In today’s world, food can dictate our lives. Some of us think too often about our next meal; but, the true value of food lies somewhere else than on the plate. Food can be a way to break down cultural boundaries between two different people. It can open up new thoughts and ideas from one’s mind. One example of a food change is television. Television has changed the way the world now sees food by displaying different types of shows and challenges around the globe. In some ways, the way people view food can be described like a sports game like how the final hail mary is thrown into the endzone, making the crowd go silent as if time seemingly stopped, then erupting in a thunder of cheering and clapping. Television has somewhat fabled food in a way from what we know and love at home. Similarly, in Michael Pollen’s essay “Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch”, he dives deep in the advancements of what television has done for many people in this world and how it has impacted their view of food and how food has changed for the better and for the worse. The food we know and love has changed from past generations and is still changing nowadays in many different ways. 

In Michael Pollan’s essay about how food has changed drastically, he introduces Julia Child in the early 1960’s in her new show, “The French Chef”. He describes the whole cooking show experience quite positively. He states, “… Julia Child had improved the quality of life around the house.” For many women in this era, this was the first time they were breaking out of their shell. Unlike many shows now, “The French Chef” was recorded live with no editing or cutting of any sorts. And because of this, we get something that doesn’t really happen anymore in these programs. Mistakes. In one of her episodes, Julia Child drops a potato pancake on live television. Instead of cutting the program, she simply picks it up and attempts to put the pieces back together. She then exclaims, “If you’re alone in the kitchen, WHOOOO is going to see?” This one quote made a movement for women to push out of their boundaries across America. Many women at this time were restricted to the same basic gender roles. Julia Child gave them the will-power to start trying things in the kitchen they hadn’t before. The ability to make mistakes is what really drove people in general to push the way food was thought of everywhere. As read throughout his essay, there is a common theme  and it is mainly the impact of Julia Child; but, you could argue there is a far deeper and more meaningful theme. The feeling of happiness, which can be seen amongst many other people and in their essays. 

If you took a poll in a room full of people asking whether or not if they had a memory associated with a meal or food, it is almost definite that all of them would say yes.

Paper 2: Draft 1- 800 Words

The memories associated with these foods craft a person into who they are. For instance, in Maddie Shaw’s “Food for Thought” essay her father states a similar emotion to her favorite meal very similar to mine and to many others. “No… it is something you have had since you were little and you don’t like change. We have made it together the same way for years, if I change one thing in the recipe you can tell.” This notion of having a certain memory binded to food which in turn reminds them of family and brings them happiness is a common theme amongst many people. For Maddie, the meal has had such an impact in her life. When she eats it, it makes her feel safe and warm and when it is different, it almost takes her out of her comfort zone. Another perspective of this situation is by looking at another essay. Diego Fernandez is a fellow peer and he too states how his favorite dish reminds him of his family and childhood memories; but, his also reminds him of a place and a time. “Pastelillos have always been a special meal for me, bringing me back to Puerto Rico when a plane couldn’t”. Instead of just having a warm feeling and happy thoughts, Diego’s favorite meal takes him to a place in his childhood. Both Maddie’s and Diego’s examples of their favorite food compares to mine. They both share a similar theme in happiness and a feeling of safety. When I think about mine, it takes me back to my childhood in a warm and safe environment. The concept of having these memories connected to a food is what makes us human. It binds many of us together in a way we that we can all relate to in some way.

Paper 2: Draft 1- 1000 Words

This theme is also common in past generations. In Jessie Meyer’s “Favorite Meal” essay from 2018, she talks about her love for Chicken Marsala. She constantly states that it reminds her of family and brings warm and happy feelings too her. She writes, “When I think about this dish, I also have thoughts about family gatherings. This meal always brings warm feelings to my mind. Chicken Marsala is one of those comfort foods that I just love”. Her quote explains that she too has the feelings of warmth and joy that many of us also have. In addition, Jessie’s mother also states, “it makes you feel at home and puts your mind at ease.” The idea behind most of these essays is that they bring a form of joy, or happiness, or a sense of comfort and safety when you’re farthest from it. All of these essays really do share a common theme, and it’s happiness. If you ask any one of your friends, or even a stranger to think of their favorite food and tell why, it is almost definite that it will be related to a happy memory. The happy memory is a generic trait amongst many people, but it makes us who we are. 

From Julia Child’s potato pancake catastrophe to Maddie Shaw’s mac and cheese, to Diego Fernandez’s time traveling pastelillos, and Jessie Meyer’s dining table worthy chicken marsala. These four essays give a basic foundation of what food does to ones life and they each display a sense of joy and happiness in some way. They all talk about how the food they ate in the past has made them who they are. And similarly, the memories associated with those meals, and meals in general, make people, people. The food you eat makes you who you are.