An Introduction to Food and My Passion for It

Hello everyone, this is Ashton! Thank you for taking the time to check out my posts! As you have found my blog, I am assuming that you are either interested in cooking food or interested in eating it (which I might be more in the latter). In all seriousness, my posts will focus on particular dishes from across the world that I have encountered and been impacted by. As a young boy, I was always intrigued by the art of cooking and the science of baking. It astounded me how complex it all was even though it can come as second-nature to some. I began cooking early on in my life, providing most of the meals for my family, or at least assisting in their preparation. However, it seemed like as an American, I tended to eat the same clichéd dishes repeatedly. If we ever decided to adventure into another culture's cuisine, it seemed like a cheap token, such as tacos for Mexican night or stir fry for Chinese. I felt that I was missing out on the hidden delicacies of the world. After traveling to Spain prior to my junior year in high school and to Costa Rica a year later, I realized just how diverse and delicious that food can actually be. Even though my tastebuds might not have been suited to some of the flavors, I became passionate about learning other cultures through their tastes and recipes. I do have to confess that I am a better baker than chef though; thus, my posts may lean toward those with a sweet tooth. Anyways, what is better than trying a new dessert?

Some topics to look forward to include gastronomy, cultural foods from around the world, refined recipes with analysis, and personal stories about my experience with cooking. As I will hopefully be traveling to France in May, I will continue to discover culture through food. French cuisine is delectable and I cannot wait to try out famous dishes such as the croquembouche. Overall, I believe that culture and experience are the most important part of food. By eating a dish, you understand the history and emotions that its people hold. I hope that you will continue to read my posts and that you will attempt some of these dishes yourself. I am sure that if you love to eat or if you are interested in the culture of various parts of the world, you will be interested in my analysis of food.