what can the world teach me about food

What Can the World Teach Me About Food?

Gavin Wren Food Opinion Pieces, Writing

Throughout my life, food has been the defining characteristic.

Beyond the daily rotation of ingestion, whatever work I turn my hand to and regardless of the spills, scrapes or serenity that are littering my personal life, my world always turns once more, unto food.

Starting with the prized lick of the mixing spoon from one of my mother’s cake mixing bowls, a delicacy to be savoured or the secret biscuit barrel at Aunt Mid’s. As a teenage rowing champ my diet consisted of ‘all you can eat’ and no holds barred as the calorific exchange from 12 training sessions a week left no food too energy-laden or out of reach, eating until stuffed was the order of the day. In my late teens, I worked in propped-up hotel bars, restaurants with awkward guests and even more awkward staff, backed by kitchens with alcoholic chefs, flying cookware and ice…

There's one small change which can make a massive difference to each consumer

A Tiny Consumer Change with Big Potential for Food

Gavin Wren Food Opinion Pieces, Writing

We Consume.

Those of us who live in developed, affluent countries fiercely defend our position as consumers on this planet. We have consumer’s rights, consumer organisations and carefully plan our path of consumption, be it food, products or experiences.

It’s seen as the great aspirational freedom, to be able to consume at will. The greater the personal success and resources, the greater the opportunities for consumption. We devour food, imbibe beverages and plough through products with joyful abandon, because that is what living in a free, democratic, capitalist country means. It’s even become a growing issue in developing countries, dubbed the ‘nutrition transition’, as rapid economic growth leads people to pursue an aspirational Western diet, eating lots of meat and sugar, heading directly into over-consumption.

The USA and United Kingdom consume so much food, it’s estimated the United States is ploughing through natural resources at a rate equivalent to… come and read more…

How to peel a prickly pear

VIDEO: How to peel a prickly pear

Gavin Wren Food Techniques, Writing, YouTube Food Videos

It’s the pear necessities Prickly pears are a dangerously spiky fruit occasionally seen in the shops during Autumn, with vicious little hairs on their outer skin which stick in your hands. However the fruit inside is delicately sweet and quite different to most other fruits. I have to admit that previously I had no idea how to peel a prickly pear, but after working through a bit batch of these fruits, I’m well versed in …