The Perfect Meal

In the endeavour of attaining The Perfect Meal, I have known many people who have gone to great lengths and have shelled out small fortunes. We all know that the culinary art has been responsible for creating the aura behind it and we also know that the culinary art is something of a mystery. It looks easy to do, difficult to master and tastes divine; therefore it mystifies and baffles almost all human beings. To call it an art is an understatement and yet I’ve found out, culinary flair is not the only ultimate ingredient. 

The love of food for many starts at a young age, yet the appreciation of good food only comes to a lucky few at a much later period in their lives. I am one of those lucky few. My love affair with food started early on and during my early adult years I made a conscious decision to cultivate my gastronomic acumen. Along with other few blessed individuals, I am always on a quest for The Perfect Meal, in whatever situation I’m in and where ever I happen to be in the world.

The Perfect Meal can mean different things to different people. A melt-in-your-mouth bistecca alla Fiorentina and a pat of butter with a glass of red Chianti Classico enjoyed in a rustic farmhouse in Toscana. A succulent beef rendang and delicious fish head curry with a plate of steamed white rice, scorching hot red chilli paste and jackfruit stew devoured at one of the abundant Padang restaurants all over Sumatera. Seared moist lamb shawarma with freshly baked flat bread at a Kapalicarsi hole-in-the-wall in Istanbul. A wok of tangy, spicy and addictive fish meal available only at Cha Ca La Vong in Hanoi. A bowl of steaming, aromatic soto kudus with side dishes of clams, crispy ox lungs, deep fried ox brain and sweetened quail eggs all served on individual skewers, eaten in a street stall in Semarang. A made-to-order, thick and juicy portabella mushroom burger with all the trimmings, scrumptious potato wedges and vanilla milk shake, enjoyed at a family-run diner in California. A lightly crusted fresh sea bass, heady pan-fried foie gras and truffles dined at a Michelin star restaurant in Provence. Warm garlic roti prata and a plate of zesty lamb curry downed with copious amount of Tiger beer at one of the ubiquitous Singaporean food-courts. A piping hot flaky croissant, homemade apricot preserves, smooth hazelnut spread and a cup of espresso consumed in a little Parisian coffee shop. A simple fried rice made by mom, topped with heaps of chicken chunks, salted fish, shrimp crackers and an over easy, served with a mug of warm sweet tea.

Whatever it means to some people, I quickly realize that The Perfect Meal includes not only delicious food for all of its dishes and beverages that complement the palate, but almost always calls for ambience and good company. Which then calls the attention to the fact that to accomplish The Perfect Meal, a mere mortal must not only cultivate his taste buds, he must also develop and hone his mind, his wit, his interests, his social skills, his choice of company; in short, his being. The love of food and the pursuit of The Perfect Meal not only heightens a person’s quality of life but also the quality of others.

A wise person once told me, to get to a man’s heart, you must go through first from his stomach and for best results: do it with The Perfect Meal. A very universal and shrewd advice indeed, my friend, if I must say so myself.