Don't Forget to Set the Table
With the launch of the Canada Takeout initiative this week, industry supporters across the country are encouraging people to order food from their local eateries as a way to help restaurants and other small businesses survive.
For those who already offered a takeout service of some sort, the pivot was fairly easy. But this new model is forcing business owners to operate in ways that they could never have imagined. Well-loved restaurants are now offering gourmet dishes for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home. Others are turning their dining rooms into specialty markets, offering everything from fresh produce to bone broth, pasta, meal kits and local spirits. And wholesale distributors like Sysco, who traditionally only supplied restaurants, are now providing home cooks with the ingredients they need to get creative in their own kitchens.
Videos and online courses are available on every topic from cocktails to sourdough, to deboning a chicken and making homemade pasta. And video conferencing has allowed us to meet online with friends through virtual cocktail parties and home cooking workshops.
What is missing, however, is the Culinary Experience. It’s not just the convenience of having someone else cook your meal or the joy in not having to wash dishes. It’s the entire experience of enjoying a beautifully plated dish paired with a unique local beverage and served in a romantic, scenic or boisterous setting—whichever you might prefer.
Yes, we are certainly having some unique dining experiences in isolation, and most likely some will be remembered for years to come. But next time you get your takeout dinner, I encourage you to set the table with your best linens and favourite dishes, light some candles, play some tunes and re-create the experience that your favourite restaurant provides. Take the time to sit and linger over your meal, to really enjoy the flavour of your food and the family you may have to celebrate with, if you are so fortunate.
Plan a picnic in your backyard or on your living room floor. Camp in the driveway and cook on your propane stove. Roast some local bratwurst over your firepit, grind fresh coffee in the mornings or make your own charcuterie board to enjoy in bed with a good movie.
The farmers, producers, chefs and business owners that we miss so much take a lot of pride in what they deliver to their customers. They are not taking this lightly. In return, let’s celebrate their craft, their food and their businesses in a manner that would make them proud.
