Welcome to Sunday Sobremesa, a bimonthly thread to discuss food and culture while sipping on a latte (or un vodka naranja,1 if that’s more your style!).
Last week I wrote about paella, which is one of the most popular traditional foods of Spain. People from Spain have strong opinions about what counts as a true paella valenciana, and the dish now has both a Designation of Origin (DO) and protected status as an item of cultural significance.
Writing about paella made me think of the two sides of the culinary food coin: tradition and innovation. Food purists will often argue that tradition is more important, while innovators chase the new and exciting (I’m thinking of a restaurant we went to a couple of years ago that served a dessert that looked like a real-life lemon but was actually a cake2).
What do you think? Is sticking to tradition more important, or are you more for innovation? Is there a place for both in the culinary world? Let’s discuss it in the comments!
Before you go, I’d like your feedback! Sunday Sobremesas are meant to start discussions and be a place to share your own experiences and thoughts on food culture. Right now, Sunday Sobremesas are held every other Sunday, so typically twice per month. Would you prefer to keep the current schedule, or would you prefer to switch to once per month? Please vote below. The poll will be open for one week, but the comments are always open!
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Thanks again, everyone! See you in the comments!
Ki
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On cakes that look like real-life objects: This restaurant visit happened way before Netflix’s Is It Cake? was a thing, and I have yet to watch the show.
I agree with Amber. Sometimes you have a new way that may not be tradition but may make it even better or not! You just have to experiment and see. Don’t be afraid to try just go with it!
I have to say...I'm not a huge rule lover in life, but I do lean toward tradition rather than innovation in food. I feel like a lot of the innovation in food is just for innovation's sake. I always ask, Was that necessary?
Hi, new here! You know, I am from Spain and... love to eat, I confess!! Hahaa Ok, the question about paella... I live in the North of Spain and we cook it ... well, I cook it my way! Someone from Valencia (let's say, a purist) would say the way we cook it here is... a sin! But I like the way we cook it at home! So, different points of view! I like to try and won't reject any innovation.
I definitely think there is room for both! You need the traditional aspects because they hold regional, familial, cultural things that are important but it’s always fun to reinvent. The traditional way was not always the tradition! Someone, somewhere invented it as a new and exciting thing that became so beloved it was woven into tradition.
I agree with Amber. Sometimes you have a new way that may not be tradition but may make it even better or not! You just have to experiment and see. Don’t be afraid to try just go with it!
I’m drinking a coffee that looks just like that right now in a coffee shop!
I have to say...I'm not a huge rule lover in life, but I do lean toward tradition rather than innovation in food. I feel like a lot of the innovation in food is just for innovation's sake. I always ask, Was that necessary?
Hi, new here! You know, I am from Spain and... love to eat, I confess!! Hahaa Ok, the question about paella... I live in the North of Spain and we cook it ... well, I cook it my way! Someone from Valencia (let's say, a purist) would say the way we cook it here is... a sin! But I like the way we cook it at home! So, different points of view! I like to try and won't reject any innovation.
I definitely think there is room for both! You need the traditional aspects because they hold regional, familial, cultural things that are important but it’s always fun to reinvent. The traditional way was not always the tradition! Someone, somewhere invented it as a new and exciting thing that became so beloved it was woven into tradition.