The five senses are the ministers of the soul.
<Leonardo da Vinci>
To experience food is meant to reach the soul. Some people enjoy this experience, some just like to dine, and some just “take” food because they are hungry. If you belong to the latter group, you will probably not enjoy the concept of Meals & Music. However, if you try to make food an experience for your friends, family, and yourself, you want to touch all five senses, then you will find some guidance here.
The Touch of food can relate to holding food in your hand or the texture of a dish.
Sight experiences the composition and beautiful colors of the dish. Smell is the one you detect before you even start eating. We will obviously work on Taste in creative combinations of meats, vegetables, and spices.
But what about Hearing? The sounds which occur during food serving or eating are undoubtedly present but not always pleasing. When you look for the right wine to compliment a dish, you try to find a contrast, sometimes a balance which enhances the dining experience. You can find the same in music. It stimulates you in different ways, and it can be bold or fresh, exciting or calming, fast or slow. Music can transfer your mind to a different environment, stimulate your thoughts and create an emotional experience. The goal is to match this with your other senses while you enjoy your food and make it one whole experience.
Very often, I read recipes with wine-pairing suggestions. Most of the time, it listed the wine but did not explain why this was a good match. In my recipes, I will offer wine and music pairings. Each pairing also lists a “Why?”. This will allow you to follow the thought process and encourage you to come up with better pairings. There is not one way, but many. Please share your thoughts and creations and let me know what you came up with.