We are what we eat

By Gordon Robinson

Several pretenders have been credited with coining the above (we are what we eat), but it originated in an 1826 book (Physiologie du Gout, ou Meditations de Gastronomie Trans-cendante) written by Anthelme Brillat-Savarin who's generally acknowledged as the world's most famous gastronome. She wrote "Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es", which roughly translates "Tell me what you eat and I'll tell you what you are." It was the beginning of the era of concern for nutrition, which has been the bane of the existence of true foodies (like me) ever since.

Don't get me wrong. Nutrition has its place. Not in Food Month. In November, thank God and The Gleaner, we're allowed to, in the words of its perfect theme, 'live to eat'.

What does Food Month mean? Well, the month is dedicated to celebrating Jamaica's vibrant food industry and its status as a world-class culinary destination. Yes, yes, I hear you mumbling, what's in it for me?

I'll tell you. Let's take the supermarket promotion called '30 deals in 30 days'. Each week a variety of items is discounted at your friendly neighbourhood supermarket. The best part is that these discounts are redeemable with Gleaner coupons. Coupons have been given such a bad name that sometimes ordinary folk feel embarrassed to use them. Other times, supermarket cashiers don't go overboard making us feel comfortable. But here, supermarkets themselves are practically begging us to use Gleaner coupons. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a new paradigm where struggling housewives can exchange coupons at food stores without any discomfort at all.

Restaurant Week

There are other event promotions, but my all-time favourite Food Month event is Restaurant Week when anyone can afford to sample the most delightful cuisine to which we normally wouldn't have been closer than a nose pressed against a windowpane.

I, I who have nothing

I, I who have no one

adore you, and want you so.

I'm just a no one

with nothing to give you but oh

I Love You!

This is Restaurant Week's ninth year and, thanks to SS Co Event Management and The Gleaner, over 85 of Jamaica's finest restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week. Every category of restaurant is represented, including those as far away as New York.

This year's theme is 'Raise a Fork and Lift the City'. This reminds me of one of my favourite true stories about a late lamented friend and colleague named Maurice. Maurice was a big man who loved his food. But he was 'big' in every sense, with a big smile and, most of all, a big heart. In the 1970s, Maurice was appointed (from the Senate) as a junior minister and entrusted to lead a delegation to Italy to try to raise some much-needed funds.

I've no objection

After a hard day's begging, Maurice decided to treat the team to an Italian dinner. They were seated at a nice restaurant with menus when the maître d' came around to take orders. When he reached Maurice, all he heard was "I've no objection". Confused, he asked Maurice to repeat himself. Twice. The third time, Maurice got somewhat testy (most unusual for him). He said "My dear sir. You presented me with a document. I've perused it. I have no objection."

Finally, the penny dropped. The maître d' understood Maurice wanted the entire menu. It was served to him and he polished it off. Some weeks after the delegation returned to Jamaica, the bill arrived. It created a diplomatic incident. Nobody believed it was possible. Many notes were exchanged in the diplomatic pouch until Maurice fessed up and the bill was paid.

Well, here's your chance to be a Foodie Superhero like Maurice and eat everything in sight at an affordable price. You'll also be helping charity and especially the development of our inner cities because, through Restaurant Week's officially selected charity, City Life Ministries, the intent is to make positive, lasting and sustainable differences to Southside, Kingston. Restaurant Week was launched in Southside at the intended future home of a state-of-the-art 24-hour community centre.

Rock 'n' roll legends Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote I Who Have Nothing. It was first recorded by Ben E. King in 1963 and covered by the great Shirley Bassey the same year. But it became a classic when another Welsh superstar, Tom Jones, covered it in 1970, which inspired our own John Jones, of blessed memory, to record his version a couple years later. Peace and love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com