Food. Is it Art?

Diner Stuff
digital image
from Metro Diner in Oak Cliff

I have a difficult time seeing food as Art. 

A job as a professional cook is a highly skilled and difficult profession - although the average pay of a kitchen worker has not reflected  that fact.  A chef, the person running the kitchen, is one of the most stressfull positions I have seen. 

It's not the skill involved.

For me, Art is contemplated and meditated on, away from the loud noise of marketing and machines.   Food is found in the middle of a massive marketing scheme.  There is no contemplation, only consumption and desire.

Food is a part of life.  It's power is in the primal animal side of humanity, not in the intellectual pursuit of Art.   

That is why.

 

 

I love shopping on Instacart.  

I can get what I need without having to deal with a ton of people.  I don't think I have people; however, my idea of a great evening usually involves a paint brush and canvas, or a Doctor Who rerun.  I wouldn't mind one person to share Dr. Who with me.   The thought of a watch party does not appeal to me.  

Back the subject.

Instacart is great.  Keep in mind that there are some drawbacks.  

I reserve the following items for an in person visit.

• Fresh produce is problematic.  Not everyone has worked in a kitchen and knows what to look for in terms of freshness.   So something like potatoes that last a relatively long time, that I am comfortable ordering.  Avocados, which go bad fast, I make a trip and select myself for use that day. (I do know about letting unripe avocados sit a while in a paper bag, but the timing is not certain.)  Generally, fresh produce should be prepped and cooked quickly and I feel a personal trip to the store is best for that.  
• Apples, oranges, plums, and uncut fruit I have delivered as well as nuts and peanuts. 
• Sugar absorbs a lot of moisture.  Even if it dry, it absorbs moisture waiting on the porch.  The same goes with salt, flour and rice.  Unless, they are packaged in a waterproof material.
• Fresh fish needs to be picked up personally; and, to be fair, I have never trusted anyone with selecting seafood and never will.

The company is great and I've had  very few problems, which were quickly taken care of with little hassle.