How Foodies Can Save the World

Admit it, you're reading this because the brownie made you do it. It's almost like you didn't have a choice. You're busy and your mind is focused on other things but this brownie had other plans.?

And that's what this headline is all about.

Yes, it's an outlandish claim that foodies can save the world. But before you dismiss it, let's look at the science behind the idea that food experiences - and those who love to create and participate in food experiences - can be the change we want to see in our world.

Let's start with the obvious. Food crosses borders and is arguably the most effective form of diplomacy.?

Anthony Bourdain, as was so often the case, said it best,?"Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start."?

He continued,?"Food is everything we are. It's an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It's inseparable from those from the get-go.” (Amen, brother! RIP we miss you every day.)

From immigrant kitchens kicking out authentic ethnic cuisine, to the melting pot of ethnic influence on the ever-evolving menu of American dining options, food is apolitical and ingratiates ethnic cultures in ways that are visceral, emotional and transcendent.?

For example, while certain politicians and domestic nationalists sometimes point toward Mexican and Chinese migration as a concern (to put it mildly), foodies of all political leanings whole-heartedly embrace Mexican and Chinese food. According to a Chef's Pencil analysis of the most popular ethnic cuisines in America as determined by Google trend data in 2019, Chinese and Mexican cuisine are far and away America's favorites.?

Notably, Chef's Pencil points out that the "history of Chinese cuisine in the United States is longer and richer than that of Mexican. It was the glittering promise of the Gold Rush that first drew thousands of Chinese to these lands." With them came extraordinary new flavors, textures, techniques and traditions.?

As proof of the diplomacy of food, there's a deep connection and mutual admiration between Chinese and Jewish Americans that goes back to the days when anti-semitism was rampant and Jews were not welcome in high end restaurants but embraced in Chinese restaurants. As non-Christians, Jews have flocked to Chinese restaurants for decades on Christmas to the point where it's become almost as American as Apple Pie (which is actually European and, for the record, apples are native to Asia).?

On an even more human level, a plate of food is a gift from the cook to the diner; a peace offering that says "I want to share my culture with you." It's a way of depoliticizing a cultural exchange and nurturing togetherness in a shared food experience that takes us out of our heads and into a more soulful existence.

Ever a student and never an expert, I wanted to find out more about the science of why food takes the edge off. So I Googled it.?

When we eat food that we love, it signals our bodies' natural release of dopamine - the chemical that triggers feelings of pleasure and reward. Dopamine counteracts the aggressive tendencies of our more primal survival instincts that originate deep in our brain stem. This paves a smoother road for the more evolved prefrontal cortex to take over - known for its more rational executive functions that are driven by reason. Sweet. So, Bourdain was right, the road to a more civilized world really does start with BBQ!?

Can you imagine a better way to break the ice with someone who is different than you, other than eating a lovingly crafted plate of their food? It generates an almost involuntary feeling of gratitude. And since Google tells me that gratitude and anger cannot coexist in the same moment, food is the perfect conflict palate cleanser.?

Not only does a great dish take the edge off of the interaction, it creates deep-seated sensory memories that are happy and create cravings for more. More great food. More great memories. More connections with people who are different.?

Who needs a mediator when a Beef Birria Taco on a homemade tortilla will do a much better job?