Growing up around the table

Growing up around the table is the basis for a gastronomic family culture. While Malta, back in the 80s was still underdeveloped compared to what it is today, the meal was a very important family time. It still is today as has been for centuries. In this sense, having a culture for meal-ing together is not necessarily what could be compared to a family culinary culture. To define the latter, I would say that a family culinary culture is one where recipes are passed down from one generation to another. What I am proud to say that my family is remembered for is the mealtime table experience that has left a lasting impact on my life.

The food was simple. Somehow, looking back I could say that the manners by which family members displayed utmost respect and etiquette did not match the food which was simple (yet delicious) basic home family cooking. So it is not for the fancy food or family recipes that my family is best remembered, but for the culture that they brought to the table, and by which meals were enjoyed in fellowship and in togetherness, making meal times an 'our' thing. It was this that left a lasting impact and turned out for me to become a profession and a culture.

So why am I saying this? It is because we all share a family culture - I believe that is we are able to read this, then we are all used to eating at least one meal per day, whether around a table or on the go. Family culinary culture speaks more about the memories left of meals and of what was enjoyed together than it does about the food itself. Family culinary culture is more about how you enjoy dining with your friends and the culture that you bring with you to table to be shared with others. What is your family culinary culture?

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