Slow food over fast food?

Those who’ve enjoyed a European meal spread over several courses and including different types of wine would know what a leisurely affair it is. Especially when traveling to Italy, France, the Netherlands or even Poland, Continental meals tend to be an orgy of feasting fun and delicious chatter. With each dish being accorded it’s own due status in the meal, it is an example of epicurean delight at its most relaxed state.

Compare and contrast this to the Indian and American styles of eating where most dishes are brought to the table all at once and food is consumed quickly, more in keeping with modern lifestyles of rushed living. In the era of global living, most people have been exposed to both styles at some point even.

We ask some European consul generals in India on how they adapt to these contrasting patterns. Says Giampaolo Cutillo, Italian consul general, “I’ve been brought up in a style of eating which treats food as a social moment involving friends and family which is best served in a leisurely manner spread over several courses.”

Says Marijke van Drunen Littel, consul general of the Netherlands, “Indeed the European style of serving a meal is to do that in steps. We often start with a starter: smoked fish, a shrimp cocktail, a light salad mixture or more often a soup. This is followed by the main course. Lastly we would have a sweet dish and cheese. I love eating this way. A dinner party at my home would mean that we could be sitting at the dinning table easily for two to three hours enjoying the food, wine and company. Eating with friends and family can really be a feast and would be ‘gezellig’ as we would say in Dutch!”

Janusz Wach, consul general of Poland feels that he prefers the one-dish-at-a-time style for practical reasons. As Janusz says, “First of all you get to eat your dish straight after it gets prepared in the kitchen and while it is still fresh, hot full of flavour as conceived by the chef. Simultaneously you also keep the table tidy with some space left for glasses etc.”

At the same time they have something positive to say about the contrasting style of eating, too. Janusz says, “Having all the dishes on the table together is something that I have come across in Chile while travelling abroad. From my personal point of view this means that there are several dishes for you to choose from, you have a wider choice and you can experiment, you can see what meets your liking.”

Says Giampaolo, “When I go to an Indian friend’s house for dinner I eat a different style. In Italy too people cannot always enjoy a relaxed meal. But I personally would stop short of fast food and junk food the way Americans often eat.”

Marijke on her part says, “I love experimenting with new and exotic dishes from different countries. I love to cook. Before I leave India I am adamant to master the Indian cuisine.”