The Secret Ingredient is Love

For some reason, fast food restaurants, housewives, and chefs across the world pride themselves on their “secret” recipes.  I’m not exactly sure what the appeal of this is.  I attribute most of this to the exclusivity, the mystery, or possibly the media. 

The idea that “not just anyone can make my steamed carrots” appeals to people because it makes them feel special.  Often times recipes are passed down through families.  I always hear people say they are going to use their grandmother’s secret recipes.  So what does this mean?  That all grandmothers are notoriously secretive?  I think it’s more about wanting to pass on a part of yourself, but to someone you care about.  That accounts for a lot of secret recipes within families I think.

Coke and KFC are most likely keeping their recipes secret for one of two reasons.  The first possibility is for attention.  The mystique and intrigue behind the unattainable secret recipes makes us want to keep coming back for more (or at least in theory).  The second possibility is that the secret ingredient is something disgusting, immoral, or as conspirators would have us believe, supernatural!  I’m more than willing to wager the first reason is the reason for Coke and KFC’s secrecy.

Not only do commercials throw the idea of secret recipes in our faces, but multiple forms of media support this trend.  One of the greatest examples of this is the show Spongebob Squarepants.  A good third of the episodes are about the Krabby Patty secret formula.  Almost always it gets so close to being stolen, and in the end remains safe. 

One can only hope that we are eating things that aren’t of questionable nature.

Week 6: Food Injustice

                While watching the movie Food Inc. I was surprisingly very affected.  The film obviously had an agenda, and they obviously were preying off of my susceptibility to sob stories, corporate tyrants, and cute furry animals.  I realize that it is littered with propaganda; regardless, It made an impression.  I’m not exactly a softie, but when I saw those living chicks on the conveyer belt, It was pretty hard to watch.  Furthermore, the stories about the farmer that was completely screwed over by Monsanto were very maddening.  It’s difficult to understand how people can do these types of things not only to animals, but to other human-beings.

                The images of the animals’ terrible conditions were very powerful.  I already mentioned the living baby chickens that were put on a conveyer belt, and tagged like merchandise.  I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have to be the guy that tagged baby chickens that were crying the entire time.  Another image that was really powerful was one in which the chicken farmer had to walk around her nearly empty coop, and pick up the corpses of chickens lucky enough to die before those delivery workers came and took them away (after kicking and abusing them of course).  All of this combined with the images of the crippled cows being hung by their hooves upside-down at the slaughterhouse.  It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth:  literally and figuratively.

                It was certainly a goal of the movie to demonize corporations.  I must confess, it worked on me without a hitch.  I understand that I am only being given information on the negative things they’ve done.  That being said, regardless of any good they may do, this corruption is unacceptable.  They are so deceptive that no one really notices how few corporations there really are.  And this gives any given corporation immense power.   Anyone that goes up against them has no chance!

                Despite being completely predictable, Food Inc. was effective.  At least by my standards.

Why America Is THE Fast Food Nation

Fast food always was something that was more of a treat, rather than a regular occurrence.  This was just the way things were for a while.  However, once my friends and I turned sixteen, and were able to drive ourselves around, this changed drastically.  In my high school we were allowed to go wherever we wanted for lunch as long as we were back in 45 minutes.  Thus the fun began:  Taco Bell, Raising Canes, Subway, Taco Bell, Burger King, Panda Express, Taco Bell, Taco Bell, and everyone’s personal favorite Taco Bell.  The Columbus Taco Bell on 5^th Avenue knows who I am by now. 

Why Taco Bell?  It’s cheap, and it’s delicious.  Furthermore, my vegetarian friend was always able to find something she liked there.  It is one of the most convenient eateries I have ever had the pleasure of dining at.  For some reason everyone I talk to here in Athens turns up their nose at Taco Bell.  Sure, the meat they use is lower grade than dog food meat (literally if I hear correctly), that being said it doesn’t take away from my eating experience.  Compared to other fast food chains, Taco Bell is actually the healthy choice; sad but true.  And while the quality is poor, and it is unappealing physically, it’s cheap and tasty.

Taco Bell is the perfect example of why fast food is such a huge part of American dining.  Americans tend to live in the fast-lane.  Everything needs to be speedy, because we all think we have so much to get done.  Another thing to consider is that Americans are bargain-crazy.  Everything needs a coupon, sale, or in this case a dollar menu.  It tastes good, its fast, and it costs next to nothing:  it’s something any American can enjoy regardless of schedule, class, or palette.